Well, no actually. However there is a point to the
question. Cartooning is generally a solitary occupation.
Whilst you may well be a very social gregarious person. And
that is a good quality for a cartoonist as you will draw
inspiration from many everyday things you see and do. It is
a fact that you need to draw your cartoons for yourself.
It's an old adage but we all know the one "You can please
all of the people some of the time....." etc. and you
certainly won't please everyone with your efforts, so don't
try. Draw your cartoons to please yourself, and if you've
got it right, you will please (read entertain) most others.
Getting back to the masochist thing, you will find that you
are spending a lot, if not most, of your time in your
studio, work area, wherever you do your stuff. Hunched over
your drawing board, working and re-working your cartoons.
Probably with an editor impatiently firing dealines at you.
So, you are in effect in self-imposed solitary confinement.
In which case don't be afraid to make your cell as
comfortable as possible. It's nice to have a window with a
nice view. OK, that doesn't work for everyone if you are
easily distracted, but then maybe you just aren't commited
enough if your mind wanders that easy. Have a coffee
machine so you don't need to leave the room. Music works
for me, and depending on my mood, or what I'm trying to
work on, can help enormously. Really whatever works for
you, but there's nothing wrong with being comfortable.
As to copying, well it's a given that most cartoonists, if
not all, start out by copying the work of a cartoonist that
they admire. There's absolutely nothing wrong in that. It's
a great way to learn tecnique, lettering, shading, etc.
When you are just starting out grab afew newspapers,
comics, or whatever. Find something you like the look of
and start copying. It's amazing how quickly things start to
come together. Before you know it you are drawing great
looking cartoons of your own. Just remember, as soon as you
have the mechanics of drawing cartoons down, stop copying
and develop your own style. Imitation may be the sincerest
form of flattery, but plagiarism is something else. Have
your own characters and style.
As a final word in this article remember that cartoonists
draw what they know, and if you are in tune with what's
going on around you, and take notes as you go (best advice
I was ever given, you have an idea write it down then,
guarantee you'll forget it otherwise before you get home)
you'll be a great cartoonist. And don't worry if you are
of, shall we say, mature years, wishing to take up this
great career. It's afact that most well known cartoonists
had a few years under their belt when they began. There's
no substitute for experience, I don't know of many 20 year
old newspaper/magazine cartoonists.
Whatever you do, practise as much as you can, and remember
the words of Winston Churchill when he was asked the secret
of success. He stood up, went to the dias, said "Never,
never, never, never, never, never, never, give up". And sat
down.
----------------------------------------------------
Chris Haycock is an information publisher, one of whose
hobbies is cartooning. For more information on cartooning,
including details of a very special insiders course on
cartooning, go to http://www.cartoonsforfunandprofit.com
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