ILLUSTRATOR

Anne Spudvilas is a multi-award-winning illustrator of children's books and an established portrait painter. Anne lives in Elwood, Victoria and works in a busy studio in Brunswick with eleven other artists. Her work concentrates on portraying character and expression in people, both in commissioned portraits or children's books with a strong character base. Anne works predominantly in oils with some work in colored inks and pastel.

Her love of drawing as a child led to a career in graphic design working on instore poster and catalogue design for Target, fashion houses and newspaper advertising. More recently she has concentrated on her passion, painting people.

She won CBC Picture Book of the Year for JENNY ANGEL by Margaret Wild in 2000. JENNY ANGEL was also shortisted for the NSW Premiers Award the same year. Anne was awarded the Crichton Award for Illustration in 1996 for her picture book THE RACE by Christobel Mattingley, which also won CBC Honor Book the same year, and a certificate of merit in the Human Rights Awards. IN MY BACKYARD by Nette Hilton was shortlisted for the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2002.

In 2006 Anne teamed up with Margaret Wild again for WOOLVS IN THE SITEE which is shortlisted for the 2007 CBCA Picture Book of the Year award. Click here for information on student learning activities based on WOOLVS and other shortlisted books. Anne's most recent publication is THE PEASANT PRINCE, a picture book adaptation of MAO'S LAST DANCER by Li Cunxin.

Anne's portrait of friend and fellow artist Leigh Hobbs (creator of OLD TOM) was selected in the Archibald Prize in 2000. Anne's exhibitions include solo and group shows since 1985 and she has paintings in collections in Australia, the United States, Europe and Asia. Portrait subjects include Jackie Weaver, Felicity Kennett, Melbourne Lord Mayor Lecki Ord and writer Isobelle Carmody. Her work has been selected for exhibition in the Archibald Prize in 1999 and 2000, the Doug Moran Portrait Prize in 1996 and the Portia Geach Memorial Prize in 1995, 1997 and 2002.

School Visits with Anne

Students will learn about the process of creating a picture book . Anne will bring to the class her original paintings and drawings, dummy books, roughs and even sketchbooks from her own schooldays.

Drawing Workshops

Using charcoal, Anne takes students step by step through the stages of drawing, from beginning with the most simple shapes to adding light and shade, tone and texture to create a realistic picture of a cat. This simple exercise is extremely popular with children and is an excellent introduction to the basics of using a tonal medium.

Elements of portraiture are also discussed with older students, with a member of the class being selected and drawn, either as a tonal portrait, or in the style of a courtroom Sketch. Anne works with the Melbourne media as a court artist.

Watch a short clip about Anne's school visits.