Image Dimensions: 8 3/4 x 6 3/4 in (22.2 x 17 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 16 1/8 x 14 1/8 in (41 x 36 cm)

Provenance and Authentication:
According to the Letter of Authenticity (LOA) and Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided by the consignor, this collectible was subjected to a forensic examination. The accompanying documentation states that the signatures were evaluated with reference to multiple characteristics, including ink deposition, material and aging characteristics, stylistic consistency, and historical context. Based on the examination described in these documents, the authentication provider concluded that the findings were consistent with the attributed signatures. The LOA and COA provided by the consignor accompany the lot.

A signed figural drawing by celebrated British illustrator Quentin Blake (b. 1932), executed in expressive black linework with lively washes of watercolor. The composition depicts a young figure standing in shallow water, holding a long-handled net in one hand while raising a small container containing his catch in the other. Tall reeds and vegetation surround the figure, while transparent washes of blue, green, and yellow establish the watery outdoor setting. Signed by Blake at the lower left.

The drawing displays the spontaneous narrative quality central to Blake's distinctive approach to illustration. Irregular, energetic contours capture the figure's tousled hair, extended limbs, clothing, and equipment, while freely applied watercolor gives the scene an immediate sense of freshness and movement. The raised container provides a particularly engaging focal point, transforming the image into a small visual story of childhood curiosity, exploration, and discovery.

Quentin Blake ranks among the most influential figures in modern British illustration, celebrated for his energetic draftsmanship, humorous characterization, and remarkable contributions to children's literature. His celebrated collaborations with writers including Roald Dahl helped shape the visual imagination of generations of readers. Combining a fully developed outdoor setting, colorful watercolor, animated figure, narrative subject, and the artist's signature, the present framed drawing offers particular appeal to collectors of British illustration, children's literature, and modern works on paper.