Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

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An illustration of a large brick building, surrounded by cobbled paths. People are sitting, walking and moving around the site. Some are drawing and reading. There are plants in the foreground and landscaped gardens. There is a round building on the left hand side and a one floor story building at the back of the image.

Discover more about our future home

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Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s only charity for illustration – the art we experience in our everyday lives. Our exhibitions and projects celebrate illustration, support illustrators and empower people of all ages to tell their stories.

We are working on a new space for our work: a permanent national centre for illustration that will open in Clerkenwell.

What’s on

Illustration of an elephant with a child sitting on its head. There are buildings in the background.

Bloomin’ Brilliant: The Life and Work of Raymond Briggs

Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft 27 April to 27 October 2024

Our touring exhibition has arrived in East Sussex. Illustrations by the graphic novelist and picturebook maker.

Illustration of a busy landscape full of trees, bushes, leaves, and vines, with two children standing on a tree trunk to the left of a circular opening in the vegetation. The child on the right is holding back some branches and they are both looking into the opening where you can see in the distance is a silhouette of a green ship.

Quentin Blake: Book Covers

Quentin Blake: Book Covers 29 June to 8 September 2024

Seven decades of design, from iconic Penguin paperbacks to fine editions – on tour across the UK.

Many colourful prints of a van with the words 'Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration' on the side.

Introduction to Kitchen Lithography

Online workshop for adults 19 – 20 October 2024 Saturday – Sunday, 14:00 – 17:30 BST

In this fun and friendly online weekender with Viola Wang, you will learn how to create stunning lithographic prints using simple art materials and household items.

Illustration of three adults and four adults are sitting on a sofa in front of a window where a rainbow can be seen. A dog is asleep on the floor in front of the sofa.

Storyboard a Mini Picture Book

Online workshop for adults 9 November 2024 Saturday, 13:00 – 17:00 GMT

Learn how to use layouts and pace to create a compelling story in this one-day online workshop with Claire Alexander.

Illustration of a person sitting down with their hands tucks in-between their legs, they are wearing jeans, a red top and black jacket with gold hoop earrings. Circular patterns are next to them.

Graphic Novel Your Life

Online course for adults 17 September – 26 November Tuesdays, 18:00 – 20:00 UK Time

Guided by award-winning cartoonist Rachael Ball, you will breathe life into well-thought-out characters and create the key elements of a compelling plot for your very own graphic novel based on your own life in this 10-week online course.

Illustrations of a number of butterflies, bugs and beatles

Planning a Non-Fiction Picture Book

Online course for adults 20 September – 29 November 2024 Fridays, 10:00 – 12:00 UK Time

Learn all the essentials for turning fascinating facts into brilliant books with Owen Davey.

Photograph of the inside of a gallery space with illustrations on the wall, a man wearing a scarf is leaning up against the wall

About Quentin

Find out more about our founder, Quentin Blake.

Two people standing in-between two brick buildings pointing at part of the building.

Work with us

We are looking to recruit a Decolonising New River Head Researcher.

Illustration of five people all doing different things.

Jacqueline Ayer

Visit our online Jacqueline Ayer exhibition and discover the picture books, textiles and drawings made in Thailand in the 1950s and 60s.

New River Head research

We’re working with people to research and share the stories of New River Head, our future home in Clerkenwell.

Community projects

Read all about our co-produced projects with people in Islington.

Photograph of a child illustrating with a paint brush

Illustration at school

Bring illustration into your classroom with our in-school workshops and free teacher’s resources.