For an interview with Howell
and a commentary discussing his work for the jackets,
see links below
*
At her Philomel office in New York, 1985, editor Patti Gauch handed me a manuscript simply titled Redwall and said, “I think this is for you.” That was the beginning. From then on, I mingled once a year with the creatures in Brian Jacques’ imagined world, attempting to convey pictorially what he so richly conveyed with words. That first novel was originally written for students at the Royal School for the Blind in Liverpool, Brian’s hometown, and the needs of his readers set the descriptive and dramatic voice he became known for.
Brian, next to my original art at an exhibit and book signing. I illustrated each of the 22 book covers in the series.
Brian was a storyteller of the highest quality. He could dazzle a crowd with tales both real and make-believe. On his American debut tour, when he and I first met, he captivated an audience of children so deeply they responded to his every gesture. One moment he was leading their crescendo of excitement, the next stilling them with a motion.
On a few occasions Brian and I lunched together, and his love of good food was evident. Anyone familiar with his stories knows how feasts play a delightful part. He was fond of bread pudding, and when in the States he missed tea made the English way, with leaves steeping in a preheated pot, a pleasure we had in common. He also loved music — he was a musician himself and had formed a folk band in the ’60s — which also explains how song plays so easily throughout his books. He would readily sing lyrics or quote lines of poetry. We discovered we both encountered disbelief from teachers in grade school regarding our abilities. I had been openly ridiculed in class more than once for alleged plagiarism; he had been accused of the same crime but with worse consequences: a caning.
Brian had compassion for the underdog. That’s what his stories are about — the triumph of the innocent and oppressed over the oppressor. He wanted to fill children with courage to stand up to bullies and be heroes in their own right.
He died in 2011 at age 71.
On a few occasions Brian and I lunched together, and his love of good food was evident. Anyone familiar with his stories knows how feasts play a delightful part. He was fond of bread pudding, and when in the States he missed tea made the English way, with leaves steeping in a preheated pot, a pleasure we had in common. He also loved music — he was a musician himself and had formed a folk band in the ’60s — which also explains how song plays so easily throughout his books. He would readily sing lyrics or quote lines of poetry. We discovered we both encountered disbelief from teachers in grade school regarding our abilities. I had been openly ridiculed in class more than once for alleged plagiarism; he had been accused of the same crime but with worse consequences: a caning.
Brian had compassion for the underdog. That’s what his stories are about — the triumph of the innocent and oppressed over the oppressor. He wanted to fill children with courage to stand up to bullies and be heroes in their own right.
He died in 2011 at age 71.
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The first concept sketch for the cover.
The original art for the 20th Anniversary Edition, featuring the “unlikeliest of heroes,” Matthias, wielding Martin the Warrior’s sword, is in Brian’s private collection, as is the art for Marlfox.
The original art for the 20th Anniversary Edition, featuring the “unlikeliest of heroes,” Matthias, wielding Martin the Warrior’s sword, is in Brian’s private collection, as is the art for Marlfox.
My favorite cover. A master of concealment, this antagonist is part fox, part vanishing act. The eyes are actually those of my cat Noir, who vanished one day after having been a good poser for 17 years.
The back cover, also a vanishing act. These little creatures and all the wraparounds were replaced by a photo of Brian, so that halfway through the series I illustrated only the front covers.
The ottermaid Tiria Wildlough in High Rhulain.
Many thanks to Patti, always. And to my art agent Dilys Evans, founder of The Original Art exhibit.
All images in this post © 2021 Troy Howell
All text in this post © 2021 Troy Howell
For Redwall fans, Urban Outfitters is offering the 10th Anniversary Edition cover art in their "Out-of-print Ts" collection. Click on the Ts for the link.
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