JONATHAN BURTON: Featured Artist January 2012

At the moment I am really interested in Victorian ephemera and lithographs. They are so rich in colour and texture but what I love the most is the accidents: mis-registered colour, the way that parts are opaque whilst other colours, particularly red, can stand out too much. Le Petit Journal illustrated covers (French Newspaper from the 1863 - 1964) are beautiful and the old newsprint adds another layer of (perhaps at the time) unintentional effects. I like taking the look of these antique prints and giving them a graphic twist.





I've been fortunate to work with The Folio Society on three books so far and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy books have been a joy. The Whale image has probably been the most successful illustration having picking up an award from the AOI as well as being selected for the American Illustration annual and exhibition also it's been my most requested print. This surprised me because it was one of those illustrations that just 'happened' with no great stress while the ones that I fretted over don't even get a look in! Evidence of the unwritten rule: 'Don't try too hard'.





I've illustrated the modern classic series and some hardback Short Story collections of Kingsley Amis novels for Penguin Books. There will be 13 in total when all are published.



I live in France now so I don't get the thrill of seeing my UK work in situ like I used to but a good friend sent me this picture while doing his christmas shopping.



I'm part way through a personal project where there is an open invite on my blog to participate in an interactive story where I ask: What Happens Next? It's titled 'The Perils of Archibald Toddle' and all chosen participants get a copy of all the illustrations in a handmade book. So far there have been some great suggestions from fellow illustrators, art directors and my loyal 'followers'. Please take a look at: www.jonathanburtonblog.net/search/label/Audience%20Participation



See more of Jonathan's work at www.jonathanburton.net and in his AOI Portfolio.