Historical Illustration

Click on the thumbnails to the right to view Emma's Historical Illustration Portfolio -

Children's Learning Resources
Heritage and educational family-orientated trails
Historical & Educational publishing
Publications, guide books and resources
Merchandise and souvenir goods
Interpretation, Displays, graphics panels and timelines
Illustrated Maps

Project Showcase

Castle Howard Children's Map & Riddle Trail

I was approached by Castle Howard, a magnificent historic house in North Yorkshire, to work with them on the development of a new children's trail around the Castle Howard grounds.

When I visited Castle Howard I was blown away by the spectacular and awe inspring grandeur of both Castle Howard itself, and the beautiful landscaped grounds and woodland which surround it.

Following my visit, I was commissioned to design and illustrate an A3 map of the Castle Howard's grounds, which would be fun, busy and would appeal to children. The map would form part of a new 'Riddle Trail', and families would use the map to find their way around a trail in the grounds, solving riddles as they went.

Geoffrey the Lion, the new Castle Howard mascot

Castle Howard's Children's Riddle Trail Map, Illustrated by Emma Metcalfe.

The finished Children's Riddle Trail Map

Castle Howard's main concern, was that the map would help children enjoy exploring the grounds, and encourage them to take a good look around. It is easy for an adult to be captivated by the many statues and hidden gems within the grounds, however these can appear austere and "boring" to young visitors, who are often more concerned with heading straight to the adventure playground!

Castle Howard were also keen to have a character which would feature throughout the trail, both on the map itself and on the trail signage. We came up with the idea of using the lion from the Howard family crest, and naming the character Geoffrey, which is a Howard family name.

I tried to keep the map very lighthearted, and tried to bring the statues to life with facial expressions. There are lots of little things to spot, and I hope that children will take the map home as a souvenir of their visit.

Illustration of the Atlas Fountain at Castle Howard, detail from the Children's Riddle Trail Map.

The Atlas Fountain, detail from the Castle Howard Children's Riddle Trail Map

The front cover for the trail map

Museums Sheffield, Ruskin & Metalwork Galleries Family Trail Sheets

After previously commissioning some illustrated Tudor Characters for their Medieval & Renaissance Treasures Family Trail, Museums Sheffield decided to design trails for their Metalwork and Ruskin Galleries.

I was commissioned to provide a character of John Ruskin for the Ruskin Gallery trail, and a Sheffield Buffer Girl character for the Metalwork Gallery trail.

Ruskin and Buffer Girl characters for Museums Sheffield Ruskin & Metalwork Galleries Trail Sheets.

Trail Characters: (Left to right) John Ruskin, and a Sheffield Buffer Girl.

Museums Sheffield Family Trail Sheet for the Ruskin Gallery. Illustration Copyright Emma Metcalfe. Design Copyright Museums Sheffield.

The final Ruskin Gallery trail sheet, layout and design copyright Museums Sheffield

Museums Sheffield, Treasures from the V&A Exhibition, Family Trail

Sheffield Millennium galleries hosted the world reknowned Treasures from the V&A Exhibition in January 2009. I was commissioned to provide some children's characters for a family trail sheet which would link the artefacts on display to local Heritage sites in Sheffield.

The characters are based on real people, Mary Queen of Scots, who was held prisoner in Sheffield, William Blythe, Tudor landowner and own of Bishops' House and a White Canon Monk.

Three illustrated characters for a family trail sheet to accompany the 'Treasures from the V&A' Exhibition at Sheffield Millennium Galleries. Commissioned by Museums Sheffield. Left to Right: William Blythe, a Tudor Landowner, a White Canon Monk, and Mary Queen of Scots.

The three characters: (Left to right) William Blythe, a White Canon Monk & Mary Queen of Scots.

Museums Sheffield Family Trail Sheet to accompany the 'Treasures from the V&A' Exhibition. Illustration Copyright Emma Metcalfe. Design Copyright Museums Sheffield.

The final trail sheets, layout and design copyright Museums Sheffield

Timeline of Tudor History for Hall Place in Bexley

I was commissioned to produce a series of illustrations for an illustrated timeline of Tudor History to be hung in the Children's Gallery at Hall Place Tudor House.

The timeline spans the entire Tudor dynasty, and required a large number of illustrations to accompany the important events of the era.

Click here to view the entire finished timeline in a new window

The finished timeline hanging in the Children's Gallery at Hall Place Tudor House.

The finished timeline hanging in the Children's Gallery (top left corner)

Illustration of Christopher Columbus discovering the West Indies in 1492.

Section from the finished timeline

Selected of illustrated Tudor Characters from the timeline, including, Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Shakespeare and some of Henry VIII's unfortunate wives.

Selection of illustrated characters from the timeline.

Illustration of John Cabot aboard his Ship, The Matthew.

Illustration of John Cabot aboard the Matthew

A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall

I was commissioned to provide illustrations for "A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall" by Cornwall County council in association with the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project, Part of Cornish Mining World Heritage site.

The guide takes a light-hearted look at the history of mining and miners in Cornwall, and is aimed at children and families visiting mining heritage sites.

The character of the boy miner John Harris appears throughout the guide, informing the reader about his experiences. John Harris was a real person, and grew up to be a famous poet.

Illustration of Richard Trevithick, aimed at children. Taken from 'A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall'.

Illustration of Richard Trevithick, 19th century engineer, and inventor of the world's first full size steam locomotive.

'A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall', by Lucia Crothall, Illustrated by Emma Metcalfe. Cover Design.

Front cover for 'A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall'.

"Danger Underground!", Illustrated spread from "A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall"

'Welcome to the World of 19th Century Mining',Spread from 'A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall'

"Welcome to the World of 19th Century Mining", Illustrated spread from "A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall"

"Dining Well on Profits", Illustrated spread from "A Family Guide to Mining in Central Cornwall"