John Batchelor (illustrator)

A cutaway illustration of a ferry by Batchelor, showing trademark shading effects, red infill on the "cut" surfaces, and detailing

John Henry Batchelor MBE (born 1936) is an English artist and technical illustrator, particularly known for his clear and detailed cutaway illustrations of vehicles and military equipment and stamp illustrations.[1][2] His work can be seen in many 100's of late-20th-century works on armour, fighting vehicles, ships, firearms, etc.[2] (for example the many works of Ian V. Hogg). Batchelor's work is particularly sought after by scale model makers for its accuracy. He has also provided illustrations for many magazines such as Radio Times, TV Times and technical interest publications such as Popular Mechanics, Air & Space, and The Aeroplane.[2]

Career

Batchelor was born and brought up in Essex, leaving home aged 16 to travel the world for two years before joining the RAF aged 18. After leaving the RAF he worked in the technical illustration departments of Bristol Aeroplane Company, Saunders-Roe (where he worked on the first hovercraft) and Martin-Baker,[1] developing a hobby of drawing and painting antique pistols and becoming adept at portraying metal and wood finishes.

As a freelance illustrator he worked first on boys' papers including The Eagle, then in 1966 he became involved with Purnell's partwork History of the Second World War, for which he produced a total of 1163 illustrations.[1] This partnership extended to the same publisher's subsequent History of the First World War and Encyclopedia of modern Weapons and Warfare.

He has also been commissioned by commercial organisations, notably Trans World Airlines, to produce reference illustrations for historical and technical publications.

John Batchelor has designed during his career 864 stamps for 49 countries[1] in 25 years which probably makes him the world's premier stamp illustrator.[3] The 49 countries don't include Great Britain, whose Post Office never answered the letters he sent over the years. Batchelor’s stamp designs feature in his 2016 book John Batchelor’s World of Stamps: A Unique Collection.[1][4]

Batchelor was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to illustration.[5] He has received awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Society of Illustrators.[2]

Personal life

Batchelor has been living in Colehill, Dorset with his wife, Liz, since 1991.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Out of work for 44 minutes". Dorset Life - The Dorset Magazine. July ’16. Retrieved April 7, 2018. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "John Batchelor - Book on Stamps". Publishing Solutions WWW Limited / Rotary Club of Wimborne. June 12, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ World Stamp News www.worldstampnews.com
  4. ↑ "John Batchelor's World of Stamps". Minster Press. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  5. ↑ "No. 60367". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 2012. p. 14.


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