Q&A with Quentin Blake: Read his answers here!

Hello, we adore your illustrations and stories. How do you come up with ideas for brilliantly wacky and memorable characters such as Angelina Sprocket? And which book have you enjoyed illustrating the most? Thank you! Kate, Izzie, Theo and Poppy

Do you ever picture people you meet/ celebrities in the style of your illustrations? Have you ever been tempted to draw them?

Another Hastings Mnetter here (hi trufflehunter), we loved your sea illustrations too!

My son, aged 5, is also a big fan and we've read a lot of Roald Dahl and David Walliams along with Rumbelow's Dance!

My question is a political one: How do you think Brexit under a Tory government is going to affect funding towards the arts in the UK and will this have an impact on the opportunities afforded to talented individuals from less well off backgrounds?

Do random people frequently ask you to draw things for them?

Would you draw my pets for me please?

Hello. There are many fabulous children's books on the market today. If you could rework one with our own illustrations, not to better them but to add your own twist, which would you choose? I'd love to see a Quentin Blake Gruffalo!

My 8 year old wants to know how and why Roald Dahl chose you to illustrate his books.

My 10 year old wants to know if you've ever struggled to get a particular illustration correct?

Firstly, I want to say thank you for bringing so many wonderful stories to life!

Out of all the stories you have illustrated, do you have a favourite? Mine is Great Day for Up.

Hello Quentin

My son, aged nine, asks "Would you kindly do the illustrations for my Mum's book?" preferably gratis as we're surviving on crusts and everyone loves a trier

We are huge fans and would like to know if you prefer to draw the characters you like - or characters you don't like!

My 8 year old would like to know "when did you discover you could draw?"

Hello! I just want to say thank you for your wonderful work and to ask, what television shows and films do you like?

Hello Sir Quentin

I love the way that the children in your books seem so chaotic and nearly always very busy and involved in their own thing, buzzing around creating a benign anarchy. As you don't have first-hand experience of bringing up children and have never, as far as I know, worked in a primary school or nursery, who do you model these children on? Did you grow up in a large family where children were left to their own devices or is it an idealised version of how childhood should be?

Thank you for all your fantastic books - my children pretend to be a bit old for some of them but we still enjoy Mr Magnolia, Sixes and Sevens and Captain Najork.

lala

PS Are you doing another show at B&H this winter?

Just wanted to say that I can recite the Cockatoos word perfectly. My children couldn't believe that Professor DuPont was so bad at hide and seek. Even when they knew where all the Cockatoos were hiding they still pointed them out. Yours are among the very few books that I didn't mind reading over and over again. Thank you.

My son (age 5) wants to know who you ate drawing pictures for now Roald Dahlnis dead.

My almost 7yo would like to know

I read you used Roald Dahls shoes as inspiration for the BFGs shoes? Did anything else inspire you?

DS (10y) asks:
What is your favourite picture you've done?
My favourite picture you've done is the last picture in Micheal Rosen's Sad Book.
And who's your favourite illustrator (apart from yourself, of course!)?

Which is your favourite drawing? My son loves the boys after they escape from the Twit's tree!! He lets out a belly laugh and shouts 'bottoms'!!!

You are one of my main inspirations in becoming an author/illustrator, 'Sad Book' (Michael Rosen) is my absolute favourite. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Question: What are your 'can't live without'-artist materials? Ie favourite paper, pen/ink, watercolours, lightbox - the more specific the better please.

I have a teenager who has to draw every day or she gets a bit twitchy. She started out by copying your style from her books and later on has been influenced by Japanese manga and anime. However, it was you that got her started.

She wants to know if you draw everyday for pleasure as well as for work.

Oh how exciting ! I live in Hastings and love the illustrations you did inspired by the sea. Are they available as a series of prints ? I have the cover of our council magazine with one of your drawings on the cover proudly displayed in a frame !

Which was your favourite Roald Dahl book to illustrate ? My favourite would have to be the Revolting Rhymes, particularly Cinderella.

And finally couldnt be a better title for us as my daughter's name is... Kitty !

Next time you are in Hastings pop in for a cuppa !!

Quentin biggest" Hello" to you!!!, What was the first thing you remember Painting/Drawing as a small child say 3 years old? From a budding Artist.........

I love the illustrations in the Twits!

I'd like to know how it feels that lots of illustrators try and emulate your style. I guess it wasn't always popular?

What do you think was your "big break?"

I dont have a question, I just wanted to say Quentin is one of the people who got me into drawing and cartooning, along with Leo Baxendale

Thank you so much!

Not a question-my mum met you when you had an exhibit in the Kelvingrove art gallery and museum a number of years ago. She said you were lovely and you signed a catalogue for my son so thank you very much!

We saw your exhibition at the Fitzwilliam museum in Cambridge. My goodness....I was in awe the whole time. I could have spent hours looking at your work. Thank you so much for the joy you have brought me.