so long to great old-skool artist

Sadly Ronald Searle died recently aged ninety.  Upon reflection I would have to say the most influential artist/cartoonist/illustrator of my  formative years.  Starting very young, I read the Molesworth books which appealed but also the St Trinian’s  which all had a rudimentary schoolyard aesthetic that could relate to . I was impressed by the total anarchy and menacing mischief that always went that extra step.   But all his work  had an honesty and integrity that resonated.  The feathery, blotchy style itself was a contradiction full of energy but at the same time spidery and ethereal.  This blog has some good examples as well as a wonderful interview with the champaign drinking rapscallion.

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