Korky Paul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Korky Paul
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Hamish Vigne Christie Paul
1951 (age 73–74) Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
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| Known for | Children's illustrator |
Korky Paul, born Hamish Vigne Christie Paul in 1951, is a famous British artist. He draws pictures for children's books. He grew up in Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe). Today, he lives in Oxford, England. Korky Paul's drawings are easy to spot. They are full of bright colors, lots of details, and funny characters. He is best known for illustrating the popular Winnie the Witch book series.
Korky Paul's Story
Korky Paul was born in 1951. He grew up in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). He was one of seven children. He often describes his childhood in the African Bushveld as "wild and privileged."
He went to Estcourt High School. Later, he studied art at Durban School of Art. After graduating in 1972, he worked at an advertising company in Cape Town. In 1976, he traveled to Greece. There, he met James Watt, who worked for a Greek publisher. This publisher asked Korky Paul to draw pictures for books. These books helped Greek children learn English.
After Greece, Korky Paul worked in advertising again. He worked in London and Los Angeles. He also studied film animation. He learned from Jules Engel at the California Institute of the Arts. His very first children's book was a pop-up book. It was called The Crocodile and the Dumper Truck. This book came out in 1980.
How Winnie the Witch Began
In 1986, Korky Paul met Ron Heapy, an editor at Oxford University Press. Ron Heapy saw Korky Paul's drawings. He asked him to draw pictures for a short story about a witch. Valerie Thomas wrote this story. It was part of OUP's Reading Tree program.
Korky Paul really liked the witch story. He decided to draw enough pictures to make it a full picture book. This was more than he was asked to do. But Ron Heapy showed the book to the OUP team anyway. The book was called Winnie the Witch. It won the Red House Children's Book Award in 1988. Since then, it has been printed in over 10 languages.
Korky Paul's drawings for Winnie the Witch are very special. They are full of funny details and visual jokes. He has now illustrated nineteen more Winnie the Witch books. These books have sold over 7 million copies!
Helen Mortimer from Oxford University Press said, "Winnie is such a loved character." She added that it's because the artwork is "so distinctive and detailed." There is always "so much to pour over in every single spread." Korky Paul told the Telegraph about drawing Winnie. He said, "I didn't want witchy colours... I love throwing in colour."
Korky Paul's Art Style
Korky Paul's art is known for being wild and detailed. He uses bright watercolor paints and pen and ink. His drawings have "wild characterisation." People have compared his work to Tom and Jerry cartoons. They also compare it to artists like Ronald Searle and Ralph Steadman.
Some of Korky Paul's original artworks are on display. You can see them at The Mazza Collection Galleria. This gallery is at the University of Findlay in Ohio, US.
Korky Paul lives in Oxford. He is married to another artist, Susan Moxley. They have two children, Oska and Zoë.
He has shared some details about how he creates his art. He uses an Apple Mac computer. He also uses Schminke watercolors and Caran d'Ache pencil crayons. He uses black and colored inks with a dip pen. He even uses a toothbrush and porcupine quills! He does all this with his "trusty left hand."
In 2015 and 2016, Korky Paul was very popular. He was the 7th most borrowed illustrator in UK public libraries.
