'The Pig in the Pond'

Preliminary and finished artwork by Jill Barton for 'The Pig in the Pond', written by Martin Waddell (Walker, 1992). The series also includes templates for face masks based on characters from the book, used with groups of school children.

At the time of deposit, Jill Barton provided the following contextual note with the artwork for 'The Pig in the Pond': "The sketches from life show how I work. Only a few that were in a sketch book survive [see contents of file JBa/02/01]. I like to get the feel of the animal first, understand its anatomy, then add personality and body language. Neligan was a cross between my grandfather, who drove a pony and trap, wore vivid waistcoats and a flat cap. The bowler hat, and something of the Irish look, came from Barry Fitzgerald in the movie 'The Quiet Man'. I remember pausing the movie and sketching from the T.V. As for the 'strip', my nephew posed for me in the back garden, taking off wellies, waistcoat, shirt, and pants. Discreetly of course! I've included the designs for the masks and some examples thereof [see file JBa/02/03]. Rather battered now after many years of use. They were for school visits when the children would take on the roles of the Pig, farmer, horse and the various animals, act out the story, make the noises and end up in a big scrabbling heap 'in the pond'."

For draft material relating to the writing of 'The Pig in the Pond', see the Martin Waddell Collection, file MW/02/13.