An artist who inspires me - Chris Riddell

Chris Riddell is an artist whom I have always admired. The incredibly detailed linework, shading, and carefully placed highlights all combine to make an eye-catching, 3-dimensional piece of art.

The Banderbear by Chris Riddell. (From the Edge Chronicles)

                                 
Every time I see a piece of art by Chris Riddell, such as the one above, I feel inspired to try drawing in a similarly detailed style. So I decided to try drawing one of my pet guinea pigs, using some of the techniques that Chris uses.

Here is the result:

I tried to replicate the cross-hatching that Chris Riddell frequently uses in the fur and hair of his characters, and I tried to keep the highlights and shadows in the fur and eyes in logical places.

Here's another attempt at drawing in Chris Riddell's style:



                             

                    Techniques used by Chris Riddell

I have also been researching the techniques and materials that Chris Riddell uses when creating his artworks.  

  First, he sketches a rough outline in pencil, and draws in elements such as facial features, folds in the clothing, etc. He then goes over the lines in ink with a very fine brush, before finally adding any necessary highlights with white gouache paint. To add colour, he uses concentrated watercolours and dilutes them as needed.

                              About Chris Riddell

Chris Riddell is primarily an illustrator, but he has written children's books such as the Goth Girl series, and he co-wrote(and illustrated) The Edge Chronicles with Paul Stewart, all of which I have enjoyed reading.

   Chris also writes political cartoons for The Observer and in June 2015 he was appointed the UK Children's Laureate.