abstract:Axel Scheffler (born Hamburg, 1957) is a German book illustrator best known for his cartoon-like pictures for children's books, particularly The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child written by Julia Donaldson.
The judges who chose his portrait as the winner included Saatchi Gallery director Rebecca Wilson and illustrator AxelScheffler, well known for his work on The Gruffalo.
Donaldson was quick to reassure audiences that Drawing Julia was neither a narcissistic comment, nor a life drawing class, but a chance to chat about how some of her best-known books were brought to life through the efforts of AxelScheffler, Nick Sharratt and David Roberts.