Children’s book illustrator Kate Leiper presented talks about her work to Forres Academy Art and Anderson’s Primary pupils

A top children’s book illustrator inspired pupils from two local schools to imagine dragons during her visit to Forres.

Supported by the Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh-based artist Kate Leiper presented illustrated talks to Forres Academy Art N5, Higher and Advanced Higher pupils, then P7’s from Anderson’s Primary at the secondary school.

She said: “My favourite part of the day was meeting the pupils ... I often hear how cuts to the arts are affecting schools with reduced departments and loss of arts teachers, libraries and librarians etc so it was great to feel the enthusiasm pupils have for creativity - affirming and validating that the arts is a vital part of our lives.”

Inspired by nature, Kate Leiper has an eye for intricate and detailed drawing. She is particularly drawn to mythical and animal subjects, and worked on Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales and An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures. She also illustrated The Book of the Howlat.

However, when she is not in the studio, Kate enjoys meeting fellow readers and illustrators, offering practical, activity-based workshops and illustrated talks.

Kate explores the depiction of stories in pictorial form, shows how characters are created and developed, and talks about what being an illustrator involves.

During her session with the Forres Academy students, she presented an illustrated talk, shared techniques and discussed challenges.

She said: “The group was super! They were very engaged and at the end we discussed the pros and cons of digital art.”

Later on Kate entertained and informed the Andersons pupils with her presentation ‘How to Draw your Dragon’.

She said: “We discussed how to imagine and create our own dragons: how they might look, live, eat and what their super power could be. We only had 50 minutes so the pupils are going to create their dragons back at school. All were brimming with ideas and I can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

The P7s will be moving up to Forres Academy in August while their work is on display at the school library.

Kate said: “I can’t wait to see photographs of the dragons from the Andersons pupils when they’re ready. The display will be a lovely way to celebrate their work and welcome them to their new school.”

Kate is currently working with Floris Publishers and children’s author, Theresa Breslin, on an illustrated anthology of dragon stories from around the world.

She said: “I’ve worked with Theresa and Floris in the past. It’s exciting to be drawing dragons from different countries and cultures.”