Axel Scheffler

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BSU graduate and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler, gives an exclusive interview about his time at university

Axel Scheffler is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed illustrator of some of the most well-loved children’s books, including The Gruffalo. His books have been published in many languages and his work has been exhibited all around the world.

Axel is also an alum of Bath Spa University, after he moved to the UK from Hamburg in Germany in 1982 to study Visual Communications at what was then the Bath Academy of Art (now BSU) at our Corsham Court site in Wiltshire.

Axel studied in the English countryside surrounded by sheep and peacocks and his course also included an exchange to Cooper Union in New York. It was during these years (1982-1984) that Axel decided to become an illustrator.

What made you decide to come and study in the UK and leave Germany? 

I visited a German friend who was studying ceramics at Bath Academy of Art, and I thought it would be good to spend some time abroad. I decided to apply for the Visual Communications course there and was accepted! Thanks to the EU (or EEC at the time) membership of the UK, it was all very easy and affordable for me, so I moved to Corsham.

What did Bath Spa University offer you in terms of practical skills for your profession? 

The course gave me the chance to draw extensively for three years and that really helped me to develop my style. We tried lots of different techniques such as print making, book binding, photography, etching, typography, and the exploration of all these different disciplines of visual communications really helped me realise that illustration was something that I wanted to do.  

The course also included a 3-month exchange to Cooper Union in New York.

What is your happiest memory from your time at Bath Spa University?  

I think it was being in the very beautiful surroundings, in the very British, very idyllic scenery, with the sheep all around in the countryside. I also remember enjoying watching the peacocks wandering freely around Corsham Court!

What did you do after graduating? 

I spent a little time in Hamburg, but I really wanted to move to London. At that time, in the mid-eighties, London was the best place for illustration, it was a golden time. All the publishers and editors were all in one place which made it very easy as you still had to go round in person to show your portfolio. I thought it was the best place to start to look for work though I did also look for work in Germany at the same time. I did get work in editorial, advertising and children’s book illustration.

What were the cultural differences between Germany and the UK when you moved? 

It’s quite difficult to specify what the differences were… In London there was a lot happening in design and illustration, a lot more than in Germany. When I looked for work in Germany, companies used to find it quite exciting that they were employing someone who was coming from London… London was hip and happening in the eighties in that field.

What does your creative space look like?  

I now have a studio space under the roof in my house. My drawing table is/has ALWAYS been too small and too messy. It has been like this for over 30 years, so I think I just have to accept it.

Where do you get your creative inspiration from?  

As I'm not a writer or storyteller my inspiration comes from the text of an author. Usually the pictures come straight to my head when I read the story and put it to paper. Obviously, it also comes from all the things I've seen in my life as well.

Have you ever had a creative block? If so, what did you do to overcome this?  

No, I don’t have creative blocks. Sometimes I don’t have an immediate idea, but for children’s books there is a text so I will always draw on that.

Can you tell us about a career highlight? 

I don’t think that I have one career highlight. I think the incredible popularity of The Gruffalo and the other books I have done with Julia Donaldson was so unexpected, and that has to be the career highlight really, rather than one particular moment.

Photographer credit: Liam Jackson

What are your top tips for getting your career kick-started in illustration? 

I’m not sure how to answer this question, as I really don’t know what the business is like these days as an illustrator starting out. It was a long time ago that I was starting my career. I think you need to look at your work carefully, see how people react to it, think about who you present your work to, try to do the best work you can then see how people react. I don’t know. I don’t know anything about digital presentations! I would imagine it’s rather hard to get into the business now especially as there is so much competition.

Who are your creative idols? 

I discovered the work of Tomi Ungerer when I was a teenager, and I loved his work. It probably had some influence on my drawings, his sense of humour, the love for details. I like illustrator/cartoonists like Sempé and Edward Gorey. My favourite author-illustrator is William Steig.

What are you working on at the moment? 

I’m working on a variety of projects! I’ve just finished my most recent collaboration with Julia Donaldson, called Jonty Gentoo, a book about penguins which will be published in September. I’m also working on a new Acorn Wood story, as well as a new Pip and Posy story and a book called Welcome to support the charity Three Peas. I’m also working on something for the Goethe Institute to help support German teaching at English primary schools - it’s like a little book.

How have you found having a career in illustration overall? 

Well, I have been very lucky, it’s been very easy - it’s been amazing really. I don’t think I could have done anything else, and it couldn’t have gone any better.

You can see Axel at the Bath Children's Literature Festival 2024 on Sunday 6 October 2024 where he'll read from his latest book,  Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin (written by Julia Donaldson), plus old favourites like The Gruffalo. There will be live drawing and the chance to ask Axel some questions. After the event Axel will be signing books.

Image credit: The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler  1999 – Macmillan Children’s Books