‘He was a conscious artist, with a wicked wit and a tremendous love of life.’- Micheal Moorcock (19)

Even though Mervyn Peake is not a widely known Illustrator, he has a loyal group of admirers and has acquired a steady stream of new ones as each decade passes. He was ahead of his time in some ways, and what many found too disturbing or graphic in the 1940’s and 1950’s would not look out of place in our modern world. People’s sensibilities have changed and a greater part of the public would be able to appreciate Peake’s vision without taking offence.

 He is described as an extremely intelligent Writer and an expressive Illustrator. His imagination and descriptive writing has inspired many, myself included, to invent and express oneself through pen and paper. Taking inspiration from our own personal observations of the diverse world we inhabit. The illustrations he produced are distinctive, helped by his attention to detail and the ability to express, on paper, characters that are deep and full of life. The diversity of his art shows a personal growth and a willingness to adapt to help portray the ‘feel’ of a character successfully and originally. His philosophies and teachings are there to create a solid platform, and to capture the essence of what a ‘successful’ Illustrator should be aware of. Even if it is not glaringly obvious, Peake’s influence has at least touched many, and much of the techniques and philosophies he worked by are still relevant and insightful today.