I created these pictures for a project in my Children’s Illustration class at Seneca College in Toronto, Canada. We were asked to choose a historical person to illustrate. I picked Beatrix Potter because I really admire her as an author and artist. I’m fascinated by how she draws animals, showing them acting like people – it’s incredibly charming. Her artwork is brimming with creativity, which is just right for kids who are starting to read.
Beginnings of an Author Career Path: Beatrix Potter’s journey as an author began when she wrote letters to the sick child of a friend. These letters were filled with stories of animals and adventures, and they laid the foundation for her future as a children’s book writer and illustrator.
Gender Discrimination in Science Illustration: Despite her talent and interest in drawing fungi and mushrooms, Beatrix faced gender discrimination and was unable to enter the science illustration industry. This setback led her to focus more on her writing and illustration for children’s books.
Self-Publishing “Peter Rabbit”: Faced with rejection from publishers, Beatrix took a bold step and decided to self-publish “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” She invested her own money in the venture, and the book was an instant success, selling out rapidly. This marked the turning point in her career, making her a successful author and allowing her to break free from the constraints of traditional publishing.
Sketch and colour studies
