David Gentleman~ Penguin New Shakespeare (1970s)

These Shakespeare covers for Penguin by David Gentleman are among the most perfect illustrations I've ever seen. Gentleman studied under Edward Bawden at the RCA and it shows here, in the playful and confident treatment and the chewy texture of the woodcut. As a series they're incredibly consistent, and Tolstoy2007 (Edwin Seppings) has helpfully put a load of them here on flickr. Gentleman is also responsible for the illustrations at Charing Cross Underground, as well as some on a disused platform.

New Blog for 2009

I decided to move my blog here from my website so that I can do more with it and update it more easily. In the next few days I'll post something more interesting. Probably.