Ilex Press signs 'gorgeous' botanical drawing book from Harriet de Winton

Ilex Press, an imprint of Octopus Books, has signed Draw Your Way: Botanical Watercolour, a reverse colouring book by Harriet de Winton. 

Consultant editorial director Ellie Corbett acquired world rights from Oscar Janson-Smith at Oscar Janson-Smith Literary & Creative Management. Draw Your Way will be published on 10th October 2024. 

De Winton has created 80 "beautiful" watercolour backgrounds with "gentle" prompts on how readers can fill the pages with their own lines. Pitched as a "unique" offering, Draw Your Way aims to give "advice on how best to create authentic and original botanical artworks".

Corbett said: “It is always a delight to work with Harriet on a new book, and very exciting to see her adding another string to her bow with this new activity concept. Now readers who find watercolour a little daunting can still create gorgeous, colourful botanical artworks using just a pen or pencil and this book.”

De Winton added: "I’m so grateful to Ellie and the team at Octopus for allowing me to indulge another aspect of my creativity and welcome an even wider audience to discover the joy of putting marks on paper: art is for all of us and this book shows you that everyone can draw... As a watercolour artist I love line-and-wash paintings and soon realised I had been creating ‘reverse colouring’ pages long before I was aware of the burgeoning trend. I’ve had so much fun creating colourful canvases for your imagination to run wild and restore some peace and quiet to your busy brain. All you need is a pen!"