Errol Le Cain : Artist and Animator
9th July 2013
Errol John Le Cain was born and brought up in Singapore, being the son of the first non-British Commissioner of Police. During the war Le Cain spent three years as a refugee in Agra, India, while his father was incarcerated in Changi prison.
In 1958, at the age of seventeen Le Cain moved to England, where he pursued a career in animation. His interest in this field had been evident at the age of 11 when Errol had produced an 8mm animated film entitled “The Enchanted Mouse”. As a member of the Richard Williams studio team he was involved in animation for many film projects including work on the 1967 film “Casino Royale”. He later became freelance and commissions included a magnificent BBC animation of The Snow Queen.
Le Cain's career as a book illustrator began in 1968, with his first picture book – King Arthur’s Sword, one of only a few works he both wrote and illustrated.
It appears that he was most content illustrating books written by others, or giving his own interpretation of classic fairy tales, such as Cinderella (1971), Thorn Rose (1975), and Beauty and the Beast (1979). He once wrote “The first task of an illustrator is to be in full sympathy with the writer. No matter how splendid and exciting the drawings may be, if they work against the story the picture book is a failure” (Illustrators of Children’s Books, by Bertha Mahoney). He ably demonstrated this sentiment in his presentation of many myths, legends and verses.
Images from his early life permeate his illustrations, which are frequently highly decorative, vibrant and a riot of luminous colour. Le Cain’s work is also clearly influenced by Art nouveau and his drawings are frequently reminiscent of the illustrations of Kay Nielsen.
After twice being runner up for the Kate Greenaway Medal, Errol Le Cain finally won the award in 1985 for his illustrations to Longfellow's Hiawatha’s Childhood.
Hugh Oliveiro 10/Dec/2022 05:48
I am extatic to have made this discovery through another childhood acquaintance, Gordon Redrup, who also has made himself a name in the UK. I have an image of the 3 of us as kids in Singapore, if it is of any archival interest. I Established my career as an artist in Melbourne and had the opportunity to work with John Truscot who commissioned me to create a mural for the Victorian Arts Centre Melbourne 1982. My point for all this is that who would have thought 3 little Singaporians would have contributed artistically to a world audience. The only sad side of things is I believe they have passed away. I do have the picture if it is of any use to you. H