Eric Winter (illustrator)

Eric Winter (15 May 1905 – 1981) was a children's illustrator, most notable for his contributions to Ladybird books.^[1] Before his work for Ladybird Books, he worked on commission, producing work for Eagle, Swift and Girl magazines.^[1][2]

He is perhaps best known for his contribution to some of the more popular Ladybird books, including such titles as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and The Princess and the Pea.

Biography

Eric Winter was born in Edmonton, North London on 15 May 1905.

He was educated at Latymer School, where he first became interested in art. He later studied at Hornsey Art School where he specialized in commercial and fine art and charcoal. He painted in both water colors and oils, but preferred the use of water colors.

In order to provide for his family Eric took up commercial art and in the 1950s he was commissioned by Abbey National Building Society to design their logo, which became their famous trademark of two people sheltering under the roof of a house. His design was accepted and for many years became the 'face' of the Abbey National. The inspiration for this logo was a house opposite his studio in Broxbourne which unusually had a four-sided roof.

Eric Winter appeared in Artists Who's Who between 1960 and 1970 and is well known for a painting called the 'Spinning Jenny' which he was commissioned to do, in oils, for the International Wool Secretariat in London.

Several of his water colors were hung in the Royal Academy of Arts. He was asked by the Chancery to give a certain painting of Colonel Bowing's Llangware House in Wales to the nation, but he decided to present it to his wife as a wedding present instead. This painting is still cherished and has pride of place in his wife's home.

Over his working life he was commissioned to illustrate various magazines – Woman's Own, Woman, The Girl. He was commissioned by Reverend Chad Varah to draw religious illustrations for his children's Bible stories in Swift and by Reverend Marcus Morris to do religious illustrations for the Eagle comic.

From 1970 onwards Eric Winter became widely known for his illustrations in a wide variety of Ladybird children's books. Probably the most famous were his illustrations of the classic fairy tales. One (Puss in Boots) has been put into a time capsule with other artefacts for future generations.

Family

Eric Winter had an older brother called Francis John and a younger sister called Irene. Francis became Head of the Teacher Training course at Hornsey Art School and became one of the foremost wood engravers in the country.

Eric Winter died in 1981 and is survived by his wife, daughter and son.

References

1. 1 2 "Eric Winter biography at The Wee Web Ladybird Website". Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
2. ↑ "The Ladybird Adventurers and the Eagle". Retrieved 2008-05-19.