See the magic of Quentin Blake's drawings at Harley Gallery

The illustrator Sir Quentin Blake will no doubt hold a special place in many people’s hearts because of the way in which he brought Roald Dahl’s characters to life. For decades, children (and their parents!) have been thrilled and entertained by gruesome witches and the gentle, large-eared BFG (Big Friendly Giant), not to mention the gnarled and nasty Grandma in George’s Marvellous Medicine who grows into a gangly monster. But Blake is also well-known for the artwork he creates for public spaces and at the Harley Gallery’s Quentin Blake: As Large as Life exhibition, which opened last month, visitors can see more than 50 prints which have been commissioned for hospitals in the UK and abroad. As with his drawings for children, Blake captures his subjects with warmth and humanity, whether it be people feeding the birds, walking the dog or the aliens from the planet Zog. Even if people did not grow up with Blake’s illustrations, there is a magical quality to them which makes them appeal to people of all ages and the humour which pervades them brings a little bit of joy to a place that can be full of anxiety. Quentin Blake: As Large as Life is on until 12th January. The Gallery is FREE to enter and has free parking. Please visit the website for Christmas opening hours. The Harley Gallery is on the A60 between Mansfield and Worksop, just 10 minutes from the A1 and M1.