GUS GORDON
Gus is based, very happily, on the northern beaches of Sydney. He grew up on a farm in northern NSW and after leaving school, worked (and drew) on cattle stations all over Australia. He then went to Agricultural college, where, in the middle of an important lecture (on cow digestion) Gus's doodling was rudely interrupted when the lecturer looked over his shoulder and said "what on earth are you doing here?" This was a very good point...

Not long after, Gus moved to Sydney and studied at the Julian Ashton School of Art whilst drawing cartoons for a variety of magazines and newspapers. He illustrated his first children's book, The Trouble with Parents by Dianne Bates in 1996. He has since illustrated nearly 50 children's books. That's more than 20! These include; Brain Drain by Christine Harris, several of Dr Karl Kruszelnicki's science books for children, Jackie French's Captain Purrfect & To The Moon and Back (2005 CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books), The Dirt Experiment by Richard Glover, the entire 'So Series' by J A Mawter, various 'Aussie Bites and Nibbles' including Ruff and Tumble by Mary Small, Born to Bake by Phillip Gwynne and Sing, Pepi Sing by Jen Storer. His most recent books are The ‘S’ Word (with James Roy), The Joke Trap (with Richard Glover), The Undys series (with Michael Wagner) and a picture book which he has both written and illustrated – A Day with Noodles.

In his workshops, Gus uses a number of techniques and exercises to show students the various aspects of illustration/cartooning simply and effectively. They learn tips and tricks, how to draw faces, expressions, heads, bodies and animals. They are taught about simplicity, exaggeration, force and movement. There is lots of student interaction and each session is fresh and entertaining. Gus also speaks about expressing humour, especially with older students, and how it relates to visual literacy, the business of cartooning and what is required to begin and maintain a career.

When Gus is not drawing silly pictures he’s usually at the beach doing stuff you do at beaches like surfing, chasing seagulls with his kids or digging the biggest hole on the eastern seaboard.

Click here for a list of Gus' published books

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