Axel Scheffler creates the 2012 Christmas Stamps for Royal Mail

Image Copyright of The Telegraph

Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg, Germany, but now lives in London. At school he was good at art, but didn’t think of a career in illustration until he won a cuddly purple cow in a drawing competition. He was asked this year to illustrate the Christmas Stamps for Royal Mail and he has produced a fine set of colourful and festive scenes.

Axel has had a very successful career to date, most notably for his wonderful illustrations in Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo and now also The Gruffalo’s Child.

For more information about Axel visit his site or there’s a great interview from earlier this year in The Telegraph. You can buy the new stamps online here or at your local post office.