Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustrations
Opens at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
13 September – 4 January 2026
A visually stunning exhibition of Paul Kidby’s work as Discworld character designer and illustrator opens at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum on Saturday 13th September. It traces his visual journey from sketchy drawings on cheap paper made by a hungry young artist to today’s beautifully refined work. Paul first met Terry in 1993 and went on to become the ‘artist of choice’ for the Discworld books. He designed the book covers from 2002 until the final volume appeared in 2015, shortly after Sir Terry’s death.
The exhibition contains a new selection of artworks, rarely seen on display, providing a unique chance for Discworld fans to see them first hand. It includes colourful paintings, exquisite pencil drawings, a bronze bust of Sir Terry sculpted by Paul and a rogue’s gallery of favourite characters including Rincewind, Twoflower, the Librarian, Tiffany Aching, the Wee Free Men, Nanny Ogg, Conina and Errol.
The opportunity to illustrate Discworld brought Paul’s work to a global audience, his skill in character design giving form to Sir Terry’s much-loved characters. The success of the partnership between writer and artist seemed to be based on an unspoken understanding. Paul said: ‘When I began illustrating the novels I felt the characters were so well realised that drawing them was merely translating word to line’; while for his part Sir Terry said: ‘Paul sees things my way about 75% of the time, which suggests either mind reading is happening or that my vision of my characters is really rather vague until I see his drawings’.
The setting for the Discworld stories is a flat, circular world which sits on four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle swimming slowly through space. While clearly a fantasy setting alive with magic, gods and mythical creatures, Discworld has its own carefully thought-out internal logic. The books are humorous and sometimes satirical: the foibles of the massive cast of characters and the issues they face on Discworld have clearly recognisable origins on our own world. Paul’s artwork helps them to step off the page as convincing and relatable individuals. The exhibition showcases Paul’s incredible technique and wry sense of humour, bringing Sir Terry’s colourful characters and settings to life.
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustrations is a touring exhibition on loan from St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery. Don’t miss it at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum from 13 September until 4 January. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm. Tickets available online.
There are some fun events to celebrate the exhibition including a special opening event on Saturday 13 September 11am – 1pm, with Discworld characters including Rincewind, Twoflower and The Luggage greeting visitors to the flat planet, and music from Matt His Name.
Friday 24 October, 6.30 – 9pm, enjoy Museum after Hours – On the shoulders of elephants!
Step foot on the flat planet and take part in the fantasy at the ‘Mended Drum’. Partake in a drop of Scumble, meet Rincewind and listen to Discworld DJs ‘Le Grande Fromage.’ It’s a Splendiferous way to start the weekend!
Free entry (including free entry to exhibition during the event). No booking needed.
Museum After Hours is aimed at adults, 18+.