Welney: Sir Quentin Blake launches art trail at WWT reserve

The artist, best known for his work with Roald Dahl which included the Matilda and Big Friendly Giant books, has provided sketches of a watery nature for a special trail at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's Welney reserve.

One of Sir Quentin Blake's illustrations which will be on show at Welney (Image: Quentin Blake)

Sir Quentin said: "This project appealed to me 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. The drawings you will see are from my own personal archive, and many have rarely been seen in public before.

The celebrated children's illustrator Sir Quentin Blake (Image: PA)
"Through Drawn to Water I hope that seeing my artwork in places where these creatures are thriving will allow new audiences to enjoy wetland wildlife as much as I do, perhaps prompting a few people to pick up a pen, pencil or even a quill and do their own drawing."

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Three seasonal trails will be running at WWT Welney until February, 2024, alongside a range of art and illustration activities.

A drawing by Sir Quentin Blake inspired by the cranes at Welney (Image: Quentin Blake)

Each will highlight the nature that arrives each season, showcasing new life, sparkling water and visiting birds.

Spring and summer's highlights include swallows joining visitors in the hides and wildflowers coming out in bloom, along a newly-created Quentin Blake trail. 

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's reserve at Welney (Image: Matthew Usher)

Emma Brand, events officer at Welney, said: "The design of this trail is so that people can have a very personal connection to the highlights of each season. 

"Whether it be through sight, sound or the feeling of being in these handpicked locations, our wetlands will provide inspiration for art or a chance to slow yourself down and connect with the flow of the natural world."

A woman is pursued by ducks in a picture on Quentin Blake's trail of illustrations at Welney (Image: Quentin Blake)

A road closure currently means the reserve can only be reached via the A10/Ten Mile Bank.

A twitcher on the trail (Image: Quentin Blake)

A girl makes a new friend on the trail (Image: Quentin Blake)