The Muppets meet the Brothers Grimm: A peek inside the illustrator’s process

Jun 7

Written By ERIK FORREST JACKSON

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For the second book in the Muppets Meet the Classics series—a mash up of America’s favorite puppet personalities with classic literature—artist Owen Richardson brought the characters to life in stunning black-and-white drawings.

Once I had finished the manuscript, in which the tales of the Brothers Grimm got the irreverent Muppets treatment, my editors at Penguin Workshop worked with Owen as he created vivid illustrations for each story (seen above in the slideshow).

On his social media, Owen shared two early sketches that would go on to become the first illustration in the book.

The progression from sketch to book-ready:

I loved getting a look at his process as the drawing went from rough shapes to a more refined line drawing and finally a beautifully detailed group portrait of some of the Muppets’ most famous figures. What he manages to do with light and shade is nothing short of miraculous.

ERIK FORREST JACKSON

The Muppets meet the Brothers Grimm: A peek inside the illustrator’s process

For the second book in the Muppets Meet the Classics series—a mash up of America’s favorite puppet personalities with classic literature—artist Owen Richardson brought the characters to life in stunning black-and-white drawings.

The progression from sketch to book-ready:

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