Drawn to Water

ARTIST TO DRAW VISITORS TO WETLAND NATURE SITES

Visitors to each of the ten UK Wildlife and Wetlands Trust (WWT) sites up from 18th May 2023 will be invited to reimagine nature through a series of prints from renowned artist Sir Quentin Blake, who illustrated many of Roald Dahl's children's books.

'Drawn to Water' is a year-long partnership between WWT and Quentin Blake, to celebrate the wonders of wetlands. New seasonal trails, events and activities will be launched later in the year, each with a seasonal theme and an illustrated guide full of Quentin Blakes's drawings can be collected from each.

"We've got a whole host of art and illustration activities aimed at all ages and abilities, including nature-inspired creative challenges, art workshops and much more, with new events and activities to enjoy throughout the year." Said a WWT spokesperson.

In addition, there is going to be a touring exhibition featuring more of Quentin Blake's distinctive work which opens at the London Wetland Centre on 18th May and runs until 4th July. It will be at Slimbridge Wetland Centre from 21th July - 16th September and there are more dates and locations which will be released soon. The selection of 54 prints on display will provide glimpses of Quentin's view of wetlands and of how we humans interact with wildlife, plants and water. They have been created using pens, inks, washes and even quills from the birds he has illustrated, to help bring his subjects to life.

He said: "I am delighted to be sharing my pictures with WWT sites and their visitors through the Drawn to Water experience ... because I have a lifelong fascination of drawing wetland wildlife, especially birds. I can't quite explain why but it may be because like us, they are on two legs and have expressive gestures."

For more information you can visit the WWT site HERE.

Picture credits: Quentin Blake