Author guide
Paul Kidby is an English artist, illustrator, and sculptor born in West London in 1964. A freelance commercial artist since 1986, he began working with Terry Pratchett in 1993 and became the principal Discworld book-jacket artist from 2002. His authored and co-created books combine fantasy illustration, visual storytelling, and reflections on the creative process behind Discworld.
Catalog record updated .
nonfiction · First published 2024
Designing Terry Pratchett's Discworld explores the artistic influences behind the creative genesis of the Discworld and its art.Paul Kidby shines a light on the influences and inspirations behind some of the Discworld's most iconic imagery, the collaboration between author and artist, and shows how real-world art, music, and culture fed into and became part of the world of th[Bokinfo].
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Best introduction to Kidby's career, artistic influences, and long creative collaboration with Terry Pratchett.
Outside the series
nonfiction · 2024
Designing Terry Pratchett's Discworld explores the artistic influences behind the creative genesis of the Discworld and its art.Paul Kidby shines a light on the influences and inspirations behind some of the Discworld's most iconic…
graphic_work · 2009
Paul Kidby is a self-taught English illustrator, artist, and sculptor best known as Terry Pratchett’s “artist of choice” and for his visual work on Discworld.
Paul Kidby was born in West London in 1964.
After leaving school and briefly making false teeth, Kidby worked as a commercial artist before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1986. He later created designs for video-game packaging and magazine covers.
Sources: paulkidby.com (opens in a new tab)theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
Kidby has said that the chalk downs in Dorset, which also inspired Pratchett, influenced his work. He also drew on parody, including humorous reinterpretations of famous paintings such as Rembrandt’s Night Watch.
Kidby helped establish the visual identity of Discworld and continues to create artwork that preserves Terry Pratchett’s world. His official biography describes him as part of the Order of the Honeybee, entrusted with keeping Pratchett’s legacy true to his vision.
Sources: paulkidby.com (opens in a new tab)paulkidby.com (opens in a new tab)