Phoenix Fan Fusion Recap | Lots of Books, Laughs, and People

by | Jun 9, 2025 | How to Draw Books for Kids

Phoenix Fan Fusion Was A Huge Success, and Super Fun!

This past weekend, I spent three jam-packed days at Phoenix Fan Fusion—Arizona’s biggest and best comic convention—and I’m still riding the high. I don’t know the exact attendance numbers, but everywhere I looked, it was a sea of fans, costumes, and energy.

One of the highlights for me was hosting the Shape Drawing Challenge panel on Saturday. It was a blast—and a bit of a family affair. Midway through, my daughter decided to “co-host” with her quick wit and serious art chops. At one point, someone asked me to draw Squirtle. Just as I reached for my phone to look him up, she snatched it away, forcing me to draw the turtle-squirrel Pokémon entirely from memory. Chaos (and laughter) ensued, and somehow we ended up with a packed room full of smiles and doodles.

The rest of the time, I was at my table in the exhibitor hall, introducing kids and parents to my drawing books and sending as many as I could off to new homes. I had set some pretty ambitious (possibly delusional) goals for the weekend—and somehow managed to beat them all.

It was incredible to meet so many new people discovering my books for the first time, and even more rewarding to see the joy on kids’ faces as they found the books that spoke to them. I’m also deeply grateful for the friends and familiar faces who stopped by to show their support.

I’m already planning more live drawing events, so stay tuned for updates. And in the meantime—keep drawing!

– Kevin Coulston

Sign up for my free newsletter to get free drawing pages and video drawing tutorials right in your inbox! Click here.

Meet The Author & Artist

Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 80 (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: How to Draw A Cartoon Girl with a Big Smile | Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions for Kids

Learn How to Draw a Cartoon Girl with a Big Smile — Straight from “How to Draw: Silly Faces”! Looking for a fun, engaging, and creative way to get your kids drawing? We’ve got just the thing! To celebrate the joy of silly expressions and imaginative characters, we’re...

Activity Books Make the Perfect Easter Basket Gift for Kids | Drawing, Coloring, Tracing, and More! | Easter 2025

Easter is right around the corner, and if you're hunting for the perfect basket fillers that go beyond candy and plastic toys, you're in the right place. This year, instead of just filling baskets with chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks, consider adding...

How to Draw A Baby Lobster | Draw by Grid | A Free All-Ages Drawing Activity Worksheet

Free Activity Page from Draw by Grid: Baby Animals Learn How to Draw A Baby Lobster Using the Grid Method Today I’m sharing a free activity page from my book Draw by Grid: Baby Animals. The character featured on this page is a cartoon baby lobster—and yes, he’s...

Free Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Cartoon Lion | Easy-to-Follow Drawing Example for Kids | Cute Cartoon Animals

Free Video Drawing Tutorial: How to Draw a Cartoon Lion! Have you ever wanted to learn how to draw a lion, but make it extra cute and cartoonish? You’re in luck! We just released a free video drawing tutorial featuring one of the characters from our newest beginner...

NEW BOOK ✏️ How to Draw: Crusty Goobers 2

50 New Crusty Goobers To Draw! Get ready for even more wacky, wild, and wonderfully weird creatures in How to Draw: Crusty Goobers 2! This fun-filled drawing book is the ultimate guide for kids, doodlers, and anyone who loves creating goofy and bizarre characters....

Free Activity Page: How to Draw A Cute Macaroni Monster | Food Monsters Drawing Book for Kids | Step-by-Step Art

Draw a Macaroni Monster with Step-by-Step Instructions — From How to Draw: Food Monsters If your kids love drawing quirky, imaginative creatures and laughing while they do it, they’re going to love today’s free drawing activity. We're featuring a fun, free page...

How to Draw a Silly Jack-O’-Lantern for Halloween — A Free Kid’s Activity Page

Learn how to draw a funny cartoon jack-o’-lantern with this free drawing page from the instructional drawing book for kids ‘How to Draw: Halloween’

How To Draw A Buff Video Game Robot – A Video Drawing Tutorial

🤖 Learn to easily draw and color a cartoon robot step-by-step!

Upcoming Live Drawing Events

Join me for my Shape Drawing Challenge all-ages drawing event at two upcoming Arizona Comic Conventions. See details for both events below: Verde Valley Comic Expo Shape Drawing Challenge With Kevin Coulston March, 29th 2025 11:00am + Exhibit Hall All Day Cottonwood...

How to Draw: Robot Dinosaurs (New Book + Free Drawing Page)

Learn to draw cartoons with How to Draw: Robot Dinosaurs! This fun and engaging drawing book guides you step-by-step to create 50 incredible robot dinosaur characters. From roaring T-Rexes with mechanical arms to armored triceratops with futuristic designs, this 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