Cartooning is an art form. It’s not just drawing funny things and posting them online. Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes, and the best cartoonists have amazing Cartoon Knowledge that others don’t even know about. That’s why it’s important to learn how to be a better cartoonist, especially if you want to get into the world of creating digital cartoons for companies, brands, and projects. Read on to discover the ins and outs of being a better cartoonist.
Ditch the Auto-Tune and Distracting Whiteboard Drawings
One of the most common complaints you’ll hear from cartoonists is that their drawings are too bright. As a result, they’re usually drawn with auto-tune and distracting whiteboard drawings. While this is fine for personal blogs and social media, it’s not the best for creating professional-looking work. If you want to be taken seriously as a cartoonist, you have to tone it down. When it comes to whiteboard drawings, there are many tools and ways to do them. Some cartoonists choose to draw with their pen, but most prefer a whiteboard marker. There are many different types of markers and pen brands out there, so you’ll have to find one that works best for you. If you want to get a head start on finding a whiteboard marker, check out this guide to buying the right one.
Color Coded and Organized Drawings
One of the best things about drawing with a blackboard marker is that it’s color-coding-friendly. If you want to be color-coding-friendly, you can even use the marker to write codes and symbols that your audience can join in on the color-coding fun with. If you’re not a big fan of codes and symbols, you can still color-coding your drawings by using the following organization method: Color-coding every page of your drawing notebook by using the following organization method: #1. Start with a page that’s all capital letters.
Practice Makes Perfect and All that Jazz
As you increase your skill level, you’re likely to notice that your drawings get better and better. It might seem like you’re making leaps and bounds each time you draw, but in reality, you’re just slowly but surely becoming better and better. It’s the same with any creative process: practice makes perfect, and only when you perfect your craft will you be able to produce quality work without a single mistake. It’s okay to be nervous during the first few weeks of classes or when you’re starting. Try to stay calm and stay realistic about what you can and can’t do. You’re only as good as your last drawing, and it’s important to stay consistent so that everyone can see the progress you’re making.
Less is More and More is More
As you get more experience as a cartoonist, you’re likely to notice that you naturally draw in a more simplified way. This is a natural progression that happens when you try out new techniques and ideas. The classic way to go is to draw in a linoleum-like grid, but it’s also possible to try out other styles like freehand or calligraphy. There’s no set rule about when to use which type of drawing, but you should try to keep your drawings as simple and clean as possible. There’s no need to overcomplicate things, and you should try to keep your drawings as simple as possible.
Finding a Mentor
As you become more established as a cartoonist, you’ll likely begin to freelance or work on projects that have a lot of moving parts. You’ll notice that you’re more productive when you’re focused and only working on one thing at a time. That’s where a mentor can help you out. Some people prefer to find a mentor through a professional association or guild, but you can also look for local groups in your area. Many professional associations have local chapters that you can join to meet professionals in your area who share your interests.
Conclusion
As you can see, being a better cartoonist is a slow and steady process. The more you put into it, the better you’ll get! As you can see, the process is a lot less scary than it sounds. You can do it, and the results will be worth it. If you’re still finding it hard to get started, don’t stress yourself. There’s no need to undermine your confidence—most people find cartooning daunting at first, and it’s important to remember that you can do it, too! Keep plugging away, and you’ll soon see the results—and you might just start to realize that you’re a better cartoonist for it!