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Born in 1938 in Wandsworth, South London, Tony never thought about a career in art, but says he fell into it after his dream of being a cowboy disintegrated when a letter he wrote to John Wayne was never replied to!

After Liverpool College of Art, Tony became an Art Director at an Advertising Agency but after a particularly bad day in the office he gave up his job to go into teaching at Manchester Polytechnic. During this time he drew cartoons for magazines such as Punch.

His first book was published in 1976. As well as his own books, he has illustrated books for authors such as Roald Dahl, Paula Danziger and Michael Palin. His series of books written with Jeanne Willis featuring the extra terrestrial teacher, Dr Xargle, has established a huge following of fans.

In his books Tony Ross has illustrated many contemporary authors as well as re-illustrating many classics. I Want My Potty is his favourite of his own books. Multi-award-winning Tony Ross has become one of the best-known creators of original and traditional picture books and his work has been published all over the world.

On his work

'My work changes according to the text. It's such a great luxury to read a text and just draw, without worrying about style. And it's good to keep changing – it makes you feel you are learning something.'

'I draw mostly with what I call a post office pen – a dip pen. It all depends on the nib. I had one nib for 20 years. It was perfect, all scratchy, bendy, blunt and full of character. Line is the most important element in my work – the line is the basis of the whole thing. If it works in line it works; if it doesn't work in line it's no good. To me colour always comes second.'

Inspiration

E. H. Shepard.

Towser.

See the entry for Tony Ross on ContemporaryWriters.com

See details of books in print from enCompassCulture.com

External links

Andersen Press biography of Tony Ross