Cross-posted from Picture Book Report.
This was to be the illustration that finally introduced Mr. Willy Wonka. But a few hours at the drawing table left me unhappy with every likeness I came up with. It has proven to be a difficult task to stay true to the text, and create something original, without also being influenced by Quentin Blake’s illustrations and both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp. So instead, I decided to draw all the kids again as a warm-up exercise. It’s a bit of a departure, stylistically, from the existing entries. Consider it an appetizer for the next illustration which will indeed introduce Willy Wonka, and perhaps several of his tiny Oompa Loompas.
