Pupils at Clayesmore Prep School were enthralled as they watched award-winning illustrator, Korky Paul, demonstrate some of his artistic skills. The illustrator, who said he had a “wild and privileged childhood” in the South African bushveld, now lives in a slightly more sedate Oxford.

He has provided the drawings for numerous children’s books, including Winnie the Witch, and his work has been compared to that of cartoonists Ronald Searle and Ralph Steadman.

Nicola Cassin, who is a marketing and development assistant at the school, said: “Asking the children exactly what they thought was needed to produce a good picture, he focused on the suggestions ‘inspiration’ and ‘imagination’, then right before the children’s eyes and with a little help from his new friends, he created a brand new colourful character, complete with spikes, scales and duck’s legs.”

Korky also gave handy tips to budding artists, including information about colour blending, priming the paper and leaving characters’ eyes and teeth white so they really stand out.

Ms Cassin said: “He explained how the horizon line positions the character on the page and described the ‘happy accidents’ that can unwittingly produce amazing results.

“On a less artistic note, he also showed off his red and yellow stripy socks that were pretty much identical to those worn by a certain Winnie the Witch.”

The artist ended the session by sketching Wilbur, Winnie’s faithful cat, before signing copies of his popular books for the children to take home and treasure.