Susie Hodge
Susie Hodge has been writing books, articles and web resources, painting and illustrating for fourteen years. To date, she has over sixty books in print. One of which, ‘Drawing is … Fun’ is published by School Artists’ parent company, Forward Press.
Originally a copywriter for the advertising agencies Saatchi and JWT, she began freelancing as a creative consultant, author, journalist and artist as well as teaching when her two children were young. She has taught in schools, colleges and other educational institutions on a variety of subjects, mainly practical art and art history and she writes educational resources for both teachers and students. She has appeared in TV documentaries and gives talks and lectures on several topics to a range of audiences, from children to adult.
As a professional artist, she runs author and artist workshops and demonstrations for all age groups and abilities throughout the country. Susie has an MA in the History of Art from the University of London, is a Fellow of the RSA and a governor at Birkbeck, University of London.
Susie is a judge for our School Artists’ True Colours and Express Yourself! competitions, using her experience as an artist to select the overall winners. And that’s not all! Susie has also written the foreword for the art portfolios that will feature some of the amazing art we’ve received from both competitions.
Susie kindly took a break from her hectic schedule to answer our questions …
How did you discover you had a talent for art?
Well, I discovered I loved creating things from the earliest age. As I grew up, I was always making things or painting or drawing; anything really – dolls’ clothes, collages, puppets, prints or paintings. My fingers always ‘itched’ to be making something!
Do you have to practise a lot to be a good artist, or is it something that comes naturally?
People who become great artists obviously have an ‘x’ factor, but it’s very important to practise a lot however talented you are, as the more you do, the better you get.
Do you have a favourite medium in which you create your work?
Depends what I’m working on really. I often test new art products for art material manufacturers – these could be oil paints, watercolours, acrylics, coloured pencils or pastels – and a lot of the new products are so good that my favourite medium often changes!
Do you have a favourite piece that you’ve created?
Not really, because my work is produced for different reasons (e.g. for books or magazines, to tell a story or to show people how to draw), I have to change my style to suit each job. I love animals, so I enjoy painting them, but I also love colour, so some of my large canvases of sploshy flowers were really fun to do. Oh, and I’m rarely pleased with anything I produce – always think ‘well you could have done that better!’
Can anyone become an artist?
Yes, but some people will always be better than others, like some people are better dancers, singers, writers or cooks, for instance. But there’s nothing to stop everyone enjoying art and being pleased with their efforts. Humans love to create things!
Are some things harder to draw than others, or is it a case of ‘it’s all easy when you know how!’?
In theory it’s all the same; all about how you look and understand what you see in terms of shapes, proportions, light and dark, etc., but having said that, everyone has something they find the most difficult, such as hands, buildings or portraits.
If someone is thinking of becoming an artist, what advice can you offer them?
Find something you enjoy and keep practising. Try not to become disheartened – everyone has to start somewhere. Learn from your mistakes and keep going!
Do you have a trade secret that you can share with our budding artists?
Patience! Don’t give up too soon. The more you do, the better you will become and so your confidence will grow.
You are a successful author and artist, which do you prefer and why?
That’s a hard one! Probably, but only just – writing. I can’t even analyse why; just remember going to a library with my mum when I was about five and being overwhelmed that I could take any of the books home with me. That must sound really odd to a lot of people, but as well as art in all shapes and sizes, I’ve always had a passion for words!
How has your background and education in art influenced both your writing and art careers?
You could say not at all! Until the end of Year 12 at school, I intended to train as a psychiatrist. My family – and I – couldn’t imagine that anyone could make a real career out of art; it was best to focus on ‘solid’ subjects, like science. Then a friend showed me a leaflet about a college that taught all about working as a ‘creative’ in advertising and that was it – nothing else would do!
Which artists do you admire and why?
Far too many to list here! So many for so many different reasons, from centuries ago to now, but here are a few (in no particular order): Caravaggio, Turner, Matisse, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, Cézanne, Renoir, Rubens, Klimt, Jenny Saville, Rachel Whiteread, Michelangelo, Picasso, Millet, Monet, Raphael, Kandinsky and Titian – that’s twenty, so I’d better stop.
What is your greatest success, as an artist, to date?
If a person I’ve produced a painting for is very happy, or if I’m giving a talk and people admire something I’ve produced, then I accept that it’s probably ok, but I never look at my work and think it’s anything special, so I couldn’t really pick one thing. The work I’ve enjoyed producing the most is when I have lots of time – which is rare with my job!
And as a writer?
Same as the last question really. I have lots of favourite books I’ve written – Drawing…is Fun! is one, obviously! All my books have been a pleasure to write and it’s so nice when somebody writes a good review about any book or emails me to say they’ve enjoyed reading something I’ve written.
What ambitions do you have left to fulfil?
As well as writing and illustrating lots more non-fiction books, I want to paint more and to write at least one novel.
Do you have any projects in the pipeline you’d like to share with us?
As well as a couple of books for teachers and a ‘things to make’ book, I’m about to finish writing a book on one of my favourite artists and to start another on drawing and painting portraits, so I’m on the lookout for some interesting faces! Several schools have asked me to run more workshops over the next couple of terms, so I’m really looking forward to them.
Susie is available for art workshops for both primary and secondary schools. Details can be found at Susie’s website www.susiehodge.co.uk or you can email susiehodge@hotmail.com for further information.
Susie is also the author of our fantastic title ‘Drawing is … Fun!’ This book is a must-have for all budding artists. Packed full of helpful hints, practical techniques and fun projects, ‘Drawing is … Fun!’ brings art to life for both children and adults alike. ‘Drawing is … Fun!’ is available from all good bookshops and online retailers, RRP £4.99. It is of course available to buy now from our bookshop too. So what are you waiting for, get your copy today!
Drawing is Fun
Drawing is not a special gift - everyone can draw - it's just a question of knowing how.
Susie Hodge reveals easy ways to develop your skills and achieve brilliant results. You'll quickly understand how to make your pictures more effective, using practical tips and tricks that professional artists use:
- Dividing objects into easier shapes
- How to show light and shade
- 60% looking, 40% drawing
- How to make a drawing look 3D
- How big are ears?
Have a go at the projects in the book and you'll be able to everything from people to perspective, animals to aeroplanes, townscapes to trees. There's even a bit on turning your art into greetings cards so you can really impress your friends, family, teacher - and, perhaps most of all, yourself!