Kev F. Sutherland, illustrator of the famous Bash Street Kids for the Beano comic, came into Burgess Hill School for Girls to give Year 7 a lesson in cartoons during Book Week.

Kev taught the girls how to create their own character and which they then drew in their own mini comic strip. Kev created a comic containing all the girls' comic strips.

Drawing their cartoon characters

Each pupil also sat for Kev who drew a caricature of them, which they were able to take home.

Drawing a pupil’s caricature

Year 7 student, Georgina Kerssenbrock, took the opportunity to interview Kev F. Sutherland to find out more about him and his job.

When did you first start being a cartoonist?

Well, I started at school and was offered some professional work while still at school but the cheque was paid to Rev F Sutherland by accident! My first comic I illustrated for was called 2000ad and the most regular one called Oink. I went to a fine arts college working in film, video and sound and started sending off to comics but it took one year before I got a job in professional comic work.

What comics have you worked for?

I have worked for the Marvel, Doctor Who Adventures and even the Beano. The most famous one I have worked for is probably the Beano where I drew storyboards for the Bash Street Kids. My favourite comic strip I drew was the Bash Street zombies and Bash Street werewolves!

What is your favourite comic style?

I prefer drawing comical and funny styled cartoons and comics, to serious and action type ones.

When did you start giving classes to schools?

It was in 2003 when I started giving classes and over the years they have just grown in popularity. Last year I spent 109 days in schools, libraries and art centres. They were based in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Ireland, London and I did one in Abu Dhabi where the classrooms were exactly the same as in England.

Why do you love comics?

See, I love comics because you can do things in comics you can’t do in books.

What made you start hiding your name in your comics?

Well, long ago artists weren't allowed to sign their names on their work so I just decided to hide it in the comic so that it would be fun and entertaining for children to find.

When you were young did you think you would become a cartoonist?

Yes, actually I did think I would as I always liked comics as a kid especially Asterix comics.

What would you recommend to people who want to get into a job with comics?

I would recommend if anyone wants to get into the cartoon / arts work that they work hard and show that they are the best.

What is your favourite comic strip?

I like to believe that the best comics are comics that haven't been written yet and are still to be written.

If you hadn't become a cartoonist what would you have been?

I probably would have been a comedy entertainer as I like entertaining and being funny.

What other things do you do other than drawing cartoons?

I run the comic festival every year which has been a great success and I am also on a comedy show called the 'Scottish falsetto sock puppet theatre'.

If you could be any comic character who would you be?

I would absolutely love to be the doctor out of Doctor Who.

Written by Georgina Kerssenbrock, Year 7

10/03/11