DaveSutton :: Art4Kids

Happy Halloweening!

I'll just put this on the table

Work in development.
A kids book called Too Much On The Table is under construction.

Edinburgh International Book Fest Appearance

Most years I sketch onstage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and 23.8.2015 saw me scribbling a few pics and encouraging creativity in a young audience listening to 'Mac and Bob and The Party Problem' in a reading hosted by the brilliant Edinburgh For Under 5's.

In the bottom right corner kids from the audience have come forward and sketched in their own bus passengers.

CATS have a HEART

Kids Book idea ~ Calamity Cats!!

A children's book in development.

Cats create and conjure chaos!
In which case you better beware!
They want to know things like:
what's that there?
whats on top of that table?
what's beneath this chair?

Things get crunched and cracked and clattered,

badly broken, bruised and battered

when the feline feels like

she needs to ask

how high is that light?

how strong is that vase?

Mac & Bob are back ~ in The Party Problem!

When farmer Mac and his sidekick dog Bob are invited to a party there's one problem - nothing to wear. Bob has the answer... but then the windy weather threatens to thwart them and turn the farm into a fashion show! How do they get out of this pickle?

Writer Alan Windram and I worked on this book night and day to bring 2-6 year old kids the toppermost entertainment.

Here are a few pages to give you a flavour - without giving it away!

Giraffes!

I've painted a plinth that's on public display in Edinburgh's Omni Centre. It celebrates 10 years of 2 giraffe sculptures that arrived on Leith Walk in 2005. Thru' a slot in the top the public are invited to post thank-you-notes, pictures, fan-mail etc to these impressive massive giraffe sculptures!

To the left is the front of the plinth whilst below you can see the 3 other sides, all just over 3 foot high.

I've used a mix of acrylics and watercolours and those sample pots you get from DIY stores!

I really like working large so mural commissions welcome!

My "Character Creating" Workshops

As an illustrator working in the children's market I really enjoy hosting my "Character Creating" workshop. I use fun exercises and a playful approach to draw on children's imaginations, encouraging them to create their own creatures and characters through play, experimentation and lively minds. They can then pop these characters into a story invented by themselves. My aim is that an upbeat feeling of achievement is, er, achieved... amid fun & laughter!

I also love to chat about their artwork in detail and how other artists & illustrators might work. Insightful, genuine, interested.

I can also explain my own process of illustration and/or how children's books 'work'. Inspiring I hope.

Feel free to contact me on dave@davesutton.co.uk with further questions and/or a quote query.

Footy Cats & Dogs > Spot The Differences

Copy Cat Puzzle

Which one of the copy cats exactly matches the bigger image in the top right corner? It's a process of elimination as you spot the subtle and not-so-subtle differences.

Those sharks are pretty tricky to hold!

Inspired by a child's response to "What is tricky to hold?" in an author's workshop that I was illustrating.

My son (in cape) and his pal (princess costume) on holiday

Wormbirds

Food is squidging out of my head!

Holyrood Park Footy

A monkey and an elephant sit for meal

Goalkeepers I have known

Mural Time!

We painted a mural! Had great fun facilitating and painting this once bare wall at my son's school's nursery. Working from children's artwork & engaging with eager volunteering parents and kids, we got this done in one day!

Robert Louis Stevenson's poem 'Moon' ~ now illustrated!

Artwork for Napier University's children's book about Edinburgh's literary history.

Can you spot...?

One of a few puzzles produced for Napier Uni (Edinburgh). Can you spot: a treasure chest / eye patch / telescope / pirate hat / cutlass? Feel free to print out for your kids (or your own inner child!)

Spot The Difference

Spot the difference illustration for puzzle book based on Edinburgh literary figures. 12 differences - see if you can spot 'em!

Play! Talk! Read! Lift off!

Lift off! http://playtalkread.scot is a project for the Scottish Govt, aimed at encouraging parents to positively engage with their kids. I'm very happy to have been part of this important campaign. I drew by hand, scanned, then tweaked & coloured digitally (about 40 pics); here is a small selection.

Mac and Bob arrive! In "The Unexpected Visitor"

'Mac & Bob and the The Unexpected Visitor' is the latest children's book that my brush and paints have illustrated! It stars farmer Mac and his astute, canny dog Bob. Great news as the circus comes to town - but what is startling the animals down on the farm? Let's go and find out!
It can be bought from HERE or on Amazon, and comes with a CD with the tale told by the one and only Vivian French ~ PLUS 4 catchy original songs (which can be listened to whilst interactively reading the story) plus a version of the traditional Old MacDonald. Ideal for 2-6 year olds, Mac and Bob's bright and breezy adventure encourages singing, dancing and counting ~ as well as being a right ol' fun read!