Let's make some great art....

Introducing the inspirational work of Marion Deuchars

Some children are sporty, some children love to play....My daughter,Little Miss Moo, is more the arty type: Give her some pens and paper....or even better: Glue and glitter and she is happy!!

Recently she's started showing a real interest in design and art; pointing out patterns she likes and putting together colours that "goes"...and she loves hearing about different artists and types of art!

I love that she seems to have found "her thing" and want to encourage the aspiring artist in her....

So today I want to tell you all about a fantastic book I picked up for Little Miss Moo whilst we were in Norway last week:

Marion Deuchars's "let's make some great art"

(I got the Norwegian version, pictured above)

"there are people that makes the sun to a yellow spot , others transform a yellow spot into the sun" Pablo Picasso

Marion Deuchars is a Scottish born, internationally acclaimed,

award-winning illustrator that has created a number of inspiring children's books which focuses on art.

"Let's make some great art" is an interactive colouring and activity book, where Marion Deuchars covers the broad canvas of art ....and it's filled with drawings and engaging activities. Aimed at children aged eight and older, the emphasis is on fun and making the creation of art an integral part of the way you express yourself....But I found this book to be equally inspiring for adults alike, And Little Miss Moo, at just 5 years old loves it!!

"Learn what art can be, how it can be made, what it can mean for you and what it has meant for people through the ages."*

Marion starts by introducing us to the tools of the trade, with a beautifully illustrated guide to any arty equipment you may want to use in your arty endeavours! 

Throughout the book there are short introductions to some of the worlds most famous and ground breaking artist, From Leonardo Da Vinci to Jackson Pollock, often accompanied with a fun fact (Did you know that Leonardo Da Vinci used to write all his notes in mirrored writing??) and a little exercise in how to make your own art in the style of the artist:

"You can complete the Mona Lisa’s simile or design your own Jackson Pollock inspired work with a marble, a tray, some paint and paper."*

The book also covers basic drawing techniques, from how to draw a face....

...to teaching you how shading works!

Marion also covers basic colour theory and the colour wheel, as well as delving into the historic significance of certain colours and how they are made....all done in a fun and interactive way, making it interesting for kids and adults alike!

There are pages for colouring in, pages that encourage you to get creative with patterns, "blank pages" that encourages you to come up with your own ideas...

This book will also teach you fun methods, like using card to make patterns and art....

Or about the ancient Chinese Tangram puzzles:

As well as being highly educational, there are also some "just for fun" exercises to do:

Like making little fingerprint creatures or making hand prints into elephants (??)

I am so pleased I picked up this book for Little Miss Moo, as it has not only captured her imagination, but also mine! It encourages creativity at the same time as it educates the reader on the history of art and teaches various simple and fun techniques to inspire you to make your own art!

LMM drawing her fantasy house, using patterns and techniques shown in the book!

Marion Deuchars makes the world of art seem more accessible in this book, and her easy and fun instructions encourages you to try making your own art!

"Let's make some great art" has certainly struck a chord with Little Miss Moo, and if you have a little aspiring artist in your family (Or even for your own inspiration) I can highly recommend it! You can buy it here **, or even visit Marion Deuchars' interactive website for some fun, arty activities that will keep the kids amused for hours..... or you can visit her blog, here,  for more creative ideas!

*extract from the Marion Deuchars website

**Affiliate link