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An illustrative interview with Chris Judge

Wednesday, 20 December 2023
sketches laid out on a table

Earlier this year, we were delighted to announce the acquisition of the Chris Judge Archive.

This collection includes almost 20 years of extensive illustration work by the award-winning artist and children’s picture book author Chris Judge. Since 2011, he has written and illustrated over 35 children’s books, many of which are in collaboration with authors including Eoin Colfer, Roddy Doyle and David O’Doherty. Judge's first book, The Lonely Beast, won the Specsaver’s Irish Children’s Book of the Year 2011 in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.

This new archive will join the NLI’s Prints and Drawings collection, which contains original artwork by a number of Irish artists and illustrators, including Harry Clarke and Norah McGuinness. We also hold artwork by Alan Clarke, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, P.J. Lynch, and many more.

The Chris Judge Archive will be available to view by appointment in the coming months.

Pile of sketchbooks
A pile of sketchbooks stacked on top of each other

We spoke with Chris about this exciting acquisition for the NLI:

 

What is included in the collection? 

The archive includes 26 sketchbooks from a period of about 14 years. These include sketches, doodles, travel journals, scripts for picture books and lots of other drawings. The archive also includes my initial scripts, thumbnails and final artwork for several of my children's books including, The Lonely Beast, TiN, Danger is Everywhere and Brilliant (written by Roddy Doyle).
 

 

Why did you choose the NLI to house your archive?

The NLI originally approached me about acquiring a selection of original art of my children's books. But as I gathered all of my original works, I realised that my sketchbooks were just as interesting as they have clear linear processes for many different projects over the years. I presented these along with the children's books artwork as I believe they worked really well in tandem with each other.

"It is an incredible honour to know that my work will be residing alongside so many other wonderful artists stretching back over hundreds of years."   – Chris Judge

Sketches for The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge

Sketches for The Lonely Beast

What are some of your favourite materials included in the collection?

My first picture book, The Lonely Beast, was a huge endeavour for me and a defining moment in my career in 2010, so I am beyond thrilled that all of the original script, thumbnails and final artwork will be preserved safely in the NLI.
 
 
Who do you hope will engage with the archive?
 
I would be so thrilled if students interact with the collection as I feel they will gain a lot out of poring over another artist's work condensed like this. The sketchbooks are very much a warts-and-all element that show the process (and mistakes!) of many projects. This is the kind of archive that would have helped and inspired me when I was starting out.
 
I also love the thought that future generations might enjoy sifting through the archive as a time capsule – baffled by the strange drawings and notions of an artist from the past!
 
 
Do you prefer to work on paper or digitally, and why? (And were you aware that the NLI collects digital archives also?)
 
Over the last 5-6 years my work has mostly become digital, mainly for convenience, as I make so many books now. Also the technology, in my opinion, has finally caught up with how artists work with different tools. I do, however, miss working on paper and sketch books and have recently started keeping paper sketch books again. (I didn't realise the NLI collects digital archives, wow!)
 
 
What are you currently working on?
 
I am presently working on a graphic novel for children called Evil Duck as well as a picture book for younger readers. I am also working on two large scale mosaics with Triskill Design.
 
 

To see more of his work, visit Chris Judge’s website: www.chrisjudge.com

sketches laid out on a table

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