Jonny Duddle has been selected to illustrate the new children’s editions of the Harry Potter books for Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Jonny worked on a sample artwork and was chosen by J.K. Rowling from three artists for the job. We have been allowed to share the first cover, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’ with you now and he has six more cover artworks to paint, so he will be very busy. We are thrilled that his beautiful artwork will reach so many children as Harry Potter inspires a new generation of wizards and witches. The books are due to publish in September 2014.
Jonny said: “I’m hugely excited to work my way through the wonderful books. I couldn’t have asked for more enjoyable subject matter. It’s exciting, daunting and I feel the weight of responsibility, I’m hoping that my illustrations faithfully reflect the characters and the world created by J.K. Rowling”
When asked about his favourite Character he responded, “I love Hagrid. I like his bumbling, well-meaning nature and how things often go wrong because of something he’s said or done or his general clumsiness, in spite of his best intentions. In that way he reminds me of myself. When I was briefed on the first cover, he was the first character I tried to draw. I also like Arthur Weasley because he likes tinkering with old cars (like my dad used to), and I like his approach to his job at the Ministry, as a slightly naughty and mild-mannered rebel. “
