Hodge, Susie 1960–

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Hodge, Susie 1960–

PERSONAL: Born 1960. Education: University of London, M.A.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Gareth Stevens Publishing, 330 W. Olive St., Ste. 100, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

CAREER: Writer, artist, art historian, lecturer and educator. Also works as an illustrator.

MEMBER: Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (fellow), Royal Society of Literature, Society of Authors, Association of Illustrators.

WRITINGS:

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

Ancient Egyptian Art, Heinemann Interactive Library (Des Plaines, IL), 1998.

Ancient Greek Art, Heinemann Interactive Library (Des Plaines, IL), 1998.

Ancient Roman Art, Heinemann Interactive Library (Des Plaines, IL), 1998.

Prehistoric Art, Heinemann Interactive Library (Des Plaines, IL), 1998.

Drawing Is Fun!, Forward Press (Peterborough, England), 2000.

Claude Monet (critical biography), Franklin Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

How to Draw Portraits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners with Ten Projects, New Holland (London, England), 2003.

Pablo Picasso (critical biography), Gareth Stevens Publishing (Milwaukee, WI), 2004.

How to Paint like the Impressionists: A Practical Guide to Re-Creating Your Own Impressionist Paintings, Harper Design International (New York, NY), 2004.

How to Draw Animals: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners with Ten Projects, New Holland (London, England), 2004.

The Forbidden City, World Almanac Library (Milwaukee, WI), 2005.

Medieval Europe, Gareth Stevens Publishing (Milwaukee, WI), 2005.

How to Draw People: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners with Ten Projects, New Holland (London, England), 2005.

Author of Design and Make: Puppets, Design and Make: Picture Frames, and Design and Make: Masks, all Franklin Watts, 2005; and Creative Studio Projects: Puffy Paints, Creative Studio Projects: Sidewalk Chalks, Creative Studio Projects: Glass Paints, and Creative Studio Projects: Funky Fabrics, all Top That! Publishing. Author of television program tie-in, 'Art Attack' Fun Files—How to Draw by Dorling Kindersley, 2000; co-author of Period Living and Traditional Homes Escapes, Jarrold Press, 2005.

Also author of art books for students and of booklets and pamphlets for museums and galleries.

SIDELIGHTS: Writer, artist, and art historian Susie Hodge is the author of numerous books on art history and the works of individual artists. Many of her works are aimed at elementary school children ranging from grade three to grade eight.

In a series of books aimed at younger readers in grades three through six, Hodge examines distinct styles and eras of art, including ancient Greek, Roman, and prehistoric art. In Ancient Egyptian Art, Hodge offers an examination of Egyptian hieroglyphs and artworks found on ancient temples, pyramids, and tomb walls. She addresses techniques for interpreting Egyptian painting and answers common questions, such as why heads are always shown in profile in Egyptian artwork. School Library Journal reviewer Wendy Lukehart remarked that "this accessible series entry covers material not easily found elsewhere."

Pablo Picasso presents comprehensive biographical information on the famous painter, including photographs of some of Picasso's most notable works. Hodge covers Picasso's contemporary cultural history as well as information on his influences and his colleagues in the art world. The book provides "solid, intriguing overviews" of Picasso's life, work, and legacy, remarked Gillian Engberg in Booklist.

Similarly, in Claude Monet, Hodge explores the life and works of Monet "in the context of the era in which he lived," noted School Library Journal reviewer Julie E. Darnall. The book includes photographs, relevant maps, reproductions of artworks, timelines, and detailed historical background. Hodge also supplies a listing of Web sites for readers interested in additional research.

Hodge offers practical advice for budding artists in How to Draw Portraits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners with Ten Projects. The "workmanlike manual" presents basic advice and useful tips for creating effective portrait drawings, stated Daniel Lombardo in Library Journal. Hodge covers topics such as how to make flat drawings look three-dimensional and how to work with proportion, perspective, and structure. She covers issues of technique such as shading, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending. The book also includes material on problematic areas of portraiture, such as making hair and facial features look realistic. Lombardo called the book a "good, basic" beginners' guide.

Hodge told CA: "I've been interested in writing since I could first read—I just love words! I became a copywriter in advertising right after leaving college. Influences on my work depend on what I'm writing about—as it's mainly art, design and history, it's usually artists, designers or historical facts and 'atmosphere!'

"To write a nonfiction book, you have to do masses of research for just a small amount of writing. So I research like mad—libraries, my own books (I have hundreds), asking people, such as curators, professors and so on, and the Internet. Once I have a huge amount of research, then I set about writing! For my drawing and painting, I study the subject from several angles, make sketches, take photos and then settle down to do the finished piece.

"One of the most surprising things I've learned from being a writer is how supportive other writers and editors can be."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, June 1, 2004, Gillian Engberg, review of Pablo Picasso, p. 1751.

Library Journal, November 15, 2003, Daniel Lombardo, review of How to Draw Portraits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners with Ten Projects, p. 65.

School Library Journal, January, 2003, Julie E. Darnall, review of Claude Monet, p. 162; April, 2004, Wendy Lukehart, review of Ancient Egyptian Art, p. 61.