Published late Spring 2011 – I’m very excited to have contributed to Puffin’s Classics series with a cover illustration.
It’s different having to illustrate a scene (namely the opening graveyard scene in which the convict Magwitch confronts the terrified Pip) which is so well known in people’s minds. But the trick, I soon found, is to forget all that and just draw what they ask, as usual.
In turn that meant I had to fit in a fair few considerations – the bleak atmosphere, the head stones, the boy (fearful yet staring futurewards), the enveloping fog, the half-hidden Magwitch – whilst maintaining the ‘feel’ of previous jackets in the series.
But as long as it doesn’t cause customers to fling the book in disgust across their local Waterstones and run out screaming, I’m happy.
James de la Rue
