Join Me at the Verde Valley Comic Expo for the Shape Drawing Challenge!

by | Mar 19, 2025 | Educational, How to Draw Books for Kids

Take the Shape Drawing Challenge at the Verde Valley Comic Expo

Get ready for a day of creativity and fun at the Verde Valley Comic Expo! On March 29, 2025, I’ll be hosting the Shape Drawing Challenge—a hands-on, interactive drawing event designed to spark creativity in young artists. Join me at the Cottonwood Recreation Center at 11:00 AM as I demonstrate exciting drawing techniques that turn simple shapes into incredible characters and objects. Plus, I’ll be exhibiting all day in the Exhibit Hall, so stop by to check out my books and say hello!

What Is the Shape Drawing Challenge?

The Shape Drawing Challenge is an engaging drawing activity based on my book of the same name. Just like seeing shapes in the clouds, this challenge encourages kids (and kids at heart!) to take basic shapes and transform them into anything their imagination can dream up. From goofy monsters to cute animals, every shape has the potential to become something totally unique!

During the event, I’ll guide participants through the process of turning simple circles, squares, and triangles into creative masterpieces. The best part? Everyone gets to draw along! Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just looking for a fun activity, this challenge is a great way to explore your artistic side in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Why Attend?

Hands-On Drawing Fun – Follow along with my live demonstration and bring your ideas to life. ✅ Learn Cool Drawing Techniques – Discover how to turn simple shapes into expressive characters. ✅ Encourage Creativity – A fantastic event for young artists, educators, and parents looking for engaging, screen-free activities. ✅ Meet the Author – Stop by my booth in the Exhibit Hall to chat, check out my books, and get inspired!

Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM (Shape Drawing Challenge) + Exhibit Hall All Day
📍 Location: Cottonwood Recreation Center
150 S. 6th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Verde Valley Comic Expo Website

If you love to draw, laugh, and let your imagination run wild, this event is for you! Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom inspiration, a parent wanting to encourage artistic skills, or a young artist eager to learn new techniques, the Shape Drawing Challenge is the perfect opportunity to have fun while exploring the magic of drawing.

Get The Book!

Mark your calendar and join me at the Verde Valley Comic Expo! I can’t wait to see what amazing creations you come up with!

Meet The Author & Artist

Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 70 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”

Over a decade and a half since his initial published work, Kevin is now dedicating himself to inspiring the next generation of illustrators with his “How To Draw,” “Trace Then Color,” and “Draw by Grid” series of art books.

Free Activity Page: Draw A Weird Creature by Grid! | Learn to Draw Cartoons

Discover the Joy of Drawing the Unusual with Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures As a special treat, we’re offering a free activity page straight from Draw by Grid: Weird Creatures! This sample page gives kids the chance to try out the grid drawing method for themselves,...

Free Activity Page: Trace Then Color A Baby Robot – A Fun Drawing and Coloring Page for All-Ages!

Discover the Fun of Tracing and Coloring with Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots If your child loves robots and enjoys getting creative, they will love Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots! This exciting book is designed to help young artists develop their drawing skills...

Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Pufferfish

Learn to draw over 50 fun fish and sea creatures including the pufferfish (or blowfish) below with simple, step-by-step instructions. Perfect for kids aged 5+ to spark creativity and build drawing skills! Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Pufferfish How to Draw:...

How to Draw a Silly Banana Monster — A Kid’s Activity Page

Learn how to draw a silly banana monster with this free drawing page from the instructional drawing book for kids ‘How to Draw: Food Monsters’

Free Activity Page: How to Draw A Plesiosaur by Grid | Learn to Draw Dinosaurs with the Grid Drawing Method

How to Draw A Plesiosaur: Step-by-Step Grid Drawing Fun for Kids If you’ve been searching for a fun and effective way to teach your child how to draw a plesiosaur, you’re in the right place. This post introduces a free activity page from the book Draw by Grid: Cartoon...

How to Draw: Dog Man (Video Tutorial)

With Dog Man releasing in theaters next week, it’s a good time to revisit this tutorial in my “How to Draw” fan art series on YouTube. Learn how to draw Dog Man himself! If you enjoyed this video tutorial, check out these fun activity books that walk you through...

Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw A Cute Monkey!

Watch the Video below and learn to draw a monkey! Make Drawing Fun and Easy with How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals! Does your child love to draw? Do they dream of sketching cute and funny animals but don’t know where to start? With How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals,...

Draw a Little Bit of Everything with How to Draw: Cool Stuff | Robots, Dinosaurs, Animals, Aliens, and More!

Discover Endless Creativity with How to Draw: Cool Stuff Are you ready to dive into the world of drawing but not sure where to start? Or maybe you love variety and want to experiment with different themes? How to Draw: Cool Stuff is the perfect drawing book for kids,...

How To Draw A Cute Mermaid – A Video Drawing Tutorial

Learn to draw a cute mermaid in just 5 minutes with this free drawing page from the activity book for kids ‘How to Draw: Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff’

NEW BOOK: Trace Then Color: Baby Animals | 50 Adorable Critters for Coloring and Tracing!

A Fun and Easy Way for Kids to Learn Drawing with Trace Then Color: Baby Animals! Are you looking for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the joys of drawing and coloring? Look no further! Trace Then Color: Baby Animals is a delightful activity book...

What Our Customers Are Saying

“The author really does a great job demonstrating how easy (and rewarding!) it can be to draw seemingly ordinary things you (and your little ones!) may feel too intimidated to try drawing without the step-by-step guide! Putting already-known shapes together and making something new and original is a fantastic way to learn! And recognizing that you can add your own twists and personality to your drawings makes all the difference. I think it’s a fun, original approach to building confidence for a lifelong hobby. I have the ebook copy, and can only imagine how great a physical copy would be!”

– Daenarah [Amazon Review]

“There are several of these fun books by this author. My kids and I have had a lot of fun with these. It’s a great activity to do as a family and see how they all turn out. Almost like a sip and paint but more of a juice box and draw.”

Allison B. [Amazon Review]

My kids can’t wait to start drawing these monsters in their illustrations! The many different moods of the monsters appeal to their different personalities. We love the many options, styles, and opportunities to expand upon the characters. Recommended for all ages!

– Kasey [Amazon Review]

“Kevin has put out many books on drawing and animation, and has such a great feel for HOW to explain the process. His art is so expressive and kid-friendly, but his real strength is in his ability to really explain and show how it’s done, making it accessible to kids and adults. I’m a firm believer that not everyone who “can do” can teach, but Kevin does both beautifully! Pick this up and watch kids have a blast making robots of all sorts, while learning great fundamental art skills at the same time!”

Tom R. [Amazon Review]

“My 5yo LOVES this book! The drawings are cute and the instructions are easy to follow along with. She gets a kick out of drawing muffin monsters and ketchup monsters and it actually keeps her pretty focused for long periods of time.”

– Monica [Amazon Review]

“This is a fantastic book for kids who love art, cartoons, comic books, or just having fun! There are a lot of characters to choose from, and really easy step-by-step instructions to follow. You child will have a blast drawing these fun, silly characters! And just in time for Easter baskets!”

– Bestmomever [Amazon Review]

“This is a very good book for kids that want to learn to draw, my sons love it and Kevin does a great job of making drawing fun and not intimidating. Highly recommended for the long summer hours!”

David D. [Amazon Review]

News and Free Drawing Tutorials