Book of British Fairy Tales (1985), retold by Alan Garner and illustrated by Derek Collard, presents a masterful reinterpretation of Britain’s folkloric heritage through the collaboration of two distinctive creative voices. Published by Collins in London, this collection showcases Garner’s signature approach to traditional tales—respectful of their ancient roots while infusing them with contemporary linguistic vitality. Collard’s atmospheric illustrations perfectly complement this vision, blending meticulous research into historical visual traditions with a modern graphic sensibility. His pen-and-ink drawings, enhanced by subtle watercolor washes, capture both the earthy realism and supernatural wonder of stories like “The Lambton Worm” and “The Green Children.” The artwork’s intricate cross-hatching and dramatic use of negative space create a striking interplay of light and shadow, evoking the tales’ liminal quality between the ordinary and magical worlds. Particularly noteworthy are Collard’s depictions of mythical creatures—neither cartoonish nor horrifying, but authentically strange as they would have appeared in the folk imagination. The book’s design thoughtfully integrates text and image, with decorative initials and tailpieces that echo medieval manuscript traditions while maintaining clean, modern typography.
About Derek Collard (1941-2003):
This British illustrator developed a singular style that bridged traditional book arts and contemporary graphic design. After studying at London’s Central School of Art and Design, Collard established himself as one of the foremost interpreters of folklore and historical subjects during the 1970s-90s. His distinctive approach combined rigorous attention to archaeological and costume accuracy with expressive linework influenced by early woodcut traditions. Beyond Garner’s fairy tales, Collard’s notable collaborations included illustrations for Leon Garfield’s historical novels and Richard Adams’ Tales from Watership Down. His mastery of medieval illumination techniques particularly suited him to mythic material, evident in this 1985 collection where Celtic knotwork motifs subtly enhance the illustrations. Unlike many fantasy illustrators of his era, Collard avoided sentimentalizing his subjects, instead presenting the strangeness and occasional brutality of folk narratives with unflinching honesty—a quality that made him the ideal visual partner for Garner’s unsanitized retellings.
Art Gallery: Derek Collard – British Fairy Tales
