“Style should always find you, don’t go and look for it,” advised the Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.

Political cartoonist for The Observer and author and illustrator of the Ottoline books and Goth Girl, Riddell entertained adults and children alike as he drew the answers to questions the audience had written on cards.

Riddell sketched and talked prolifically as he responded via many deviations and comical anecdotes.

The asker was then given the signed picture to keep.  Pictures ranged from a tea party with Harry Potter, Gandalf and Merlin, to an impromptu portrait of one questioner, who had asked “Do you ever find it difficult to get a likeness?”

Riddell, who lives in Brighton with his family, sketched with his favourite pen - a Kuretake million years writing pen from Japan – as the awe-struck full-house watched close-ups of the works in progress on a big screen.

 “The number one thing to do is keep a sketch book if you want to become an illustrator,” said Riddell, whose sketch books were also the answer to the most common question posed: “Where do you get your inspiration?”

Riddell was on a roll creating a big-footed Snow Yeti, as he was reminded the hour was nearly up and so promised to post more answers on Twitter @chrisriddell50.