Cartoons, Cartoonists, Cartooning
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Bad Onions Cartoons
Hello this is David. Welcome to my cartoon lens. Inside you'll find a fair mix of information on cartoons and cartooning but there's no drawing lessons as you can find them anywhere. Besides, I'm self taught. You don't want to learn my methods! There is a list and contact details of the major players in cartoon syndication. There's also a fair sprinkling of my funny single panel cartoons and gifts that I hope you enjoy. Please excuse the overuse of the word funny to self-describe my cartoons in this lens. It's just an internet keyword thing and not that I think everything I draw is actually funny. Humor is such an individual thing. But I do hope at least couple of the cartoons give you a smile. For me, that's what it's all about.
The Cartoonist Who Draws Cartoons.
Single Panel Cartoons
This isn't really a page of tips and lessons more like just some thoughts and ideas on this particular type of cartooning that is the single panel cartoon.
Having the ability to draw well does not make a single panel cartoonist. Some classically trained artists try gag cartooning and fail dismally while some of the most successful cartoonists I know are very average, no thrills artists. But, what they do is funny. They're successful because they have the ability to express a funny idea within the one panel. The key here is funny. Not cute. Not drawn by a painting master, but plain funny. Or at least attempting to be. When you think about it animators, stand up comedians, sitcoms, etc all get some time to build up to a joke. A series of actions leading to the punch. A single panel cartoonist gets well, a single panel to connect with the audience and hopefully raise a smile.
IMO the art only needs to be good enough to convey your gag. But then again I'm a very average self taught artist so I would say that. :)
Choosing the right words can play a large role as to whether your cartoon works or not.
When toying with a new idea I first try hard to make it work without words. This makes the cartoon accessible to a worldwide market and not just limited to the English-speaking world. Something the modern cartoonist needs to consider.
If the cartoon does need words then the fewer the better. If you can convey the same message in five words then why use ten? Sometimes I leave a cartoon for days incomplete for the lack of the right word. Eventually something turns up. Note: Having deadlines does not give you that luxury, but I try hard to avoid them.
Below are a few samples of wordless cartoons that have sold to non English speaking countries.
The Slightly Famous Swine Flu Cartoon
When this cartoon was first published it received a few complaints. Which is of coarse, wonderful. One person wrote " People are dying and you're making stupid jokes. Shame on you! Well, true enough I suppose. People were dying and the cartoon was rather silly. And that was the point.There are plenty of folks out there to hand out hankies and spread the doom and gloom but I'm not one of them. Another wrote. " Swine flu is just the start of God's wrath upon the sinners of the earth and you sir, are one of them!" She was right in that I'm a sinner but as for the swine flu being God's tool of destruction? I don't think so. Unless God is targeting the elderly and sick.
The puzzling thing for me was how could anyone find this cartoon offensive? There have been complaints about other cartoons but at least they were pushing some boundaries. It's just a simple strip with a play on words. Then again some people just keep searching until they find something to feel offended by.
Ironically enough this cartoon has sold as a get well card..To people with swine flu. It has also been sent back to me in written joke form. Which I found somehow funnier.
The puzzling thing for me was how could anyone find this cartoon offensive? There have been complaints about other cartoons but at least they were pushing some boundaries. It's just a simple strip with a play on words. Then again some people just keep searching until they find something to feel offended by.
Ironically enough this cartoon has sold as a get well card..To people with swine flu. It has also been sent back to me in written joke form. Which I found somehow funnier.
Cartoonists' Warm Up Exercises: Part 1
If we look around the net there are literally hundreds of tips on how to draw cartoons and how practice is the most essential tool to learning. Well yes, of coarse it is. But I also believe two of the most basic requirements before you even begin to draw are mind set and warm ups. I'm not talking hamstring stretches or abdominal crunches but rather the wrist and fingers on your drawing hand and stimulating your creative flow.
Before picking up a pen I follow a routine that hopefully sets me up for a good session. Warming up the fingers and wrist basically follows tried and trusted methods that are available in numerous books on relaxing and stress busting.
But first let's look at breathing. How to breathe more effectively was one of the most valuable lessons I've learned. Sitting in your chair back straight and shoulders back, close your eyes. Take one hand and hold it flat against your stomach and place the other hand on your chest and breathe in through your nose. Does your chest rise or does your stomach push out? Most people shallow breathe and by that I mean when you have your hand on your stomach and you draw in air your chest rises but your stomach doesn't move. This means the upper part of your lungs is working but not the bottom. Now, breathing in slowly through your nose imagine that your stomach is filing up with air and causing your hand to to push out. When done correctly your chest should barely move. In my routine I repeat this ten times and never fail to feel more relaxed and focused. Each cycle of breath in and out lasts around ten seconds. I may have explained this rather poorly so Google "correct breathing technique" for a more detailed explanation. Learning to breathe more effectively can literally be life changing. Try it.
And now for a small commercial break.
Before picking up a pen I follow a routine that hopefully sets me up for a good session. Warming up the fingers and wrist basically follows tried and trusted methods that are available in numerous books on relaxing and stress busting.
But first let's look at breathing. How to breathe more effectively was one of the most valuable lessons I've learned. Sitting in your chair back straight and shoulders back, close your eyes. Take one hand and hold it flat against your stomach and place the other hand on your chest and breathe in through your nose. Does your chest rise or does your stomach push out? Most people shallow breathe and by that I mean when you have your hand on your stomach and you draw in air your chest rises but your stomach doesn't move. This means the upper part of your lungs is working but not the bottom. Now, breathing in slowly through your nose imagine that your stomach is filing up with air and causing your hand to to push out. When done correctly your chest should barely move. In my routine I repeat this ten times and never fail to feel more relaxed and focused. Each cycle of breath in and out lasts around ten seconds. I may have explained this rather poorly so Google "correct breathing technique" for a more detailed explanation. Learning to breathe more effectively can literally be life changing. Try it.
And now for a small commercial break.
Buying Greeting Cards Online.
The down side to buying greeting cards online is the double handling. That is ordering the card, waiting for delivery, and then writing the card before mailing it and paying for yet more postage. It was easier to buy it from a shop and write/ post it while out running errands.
As a cartoonist trying to flog my wares online I needed a better system to sell greeting cards and other gifts. And I found it. It's called Zazzle. Well, I haven't just found it. I've been selling cards cards with them for a few years now. Zazzle the printing company are licensed to sell my cartoons on greeting cards and a variety of other products. They've been in business around a decade and have a no fuss 30 day guarantee on all products.
The brilliant technology powering the shop allows customers to pick a card and add personal text in a lovely brushed or fun font. There is room on the inside left flap for around sixteen lines of text. Once happy the customer adds to cart and the card is then dispatched to a nominated address anywhere on the planet within 24hrs of the order.There's a huge selection of fun and funny greeting cards as well as party invitations for Birthday's,Christmas, and New Years. The quality of the printing and card stock is excellent. There's other stuff as well such as mugs, fridge magnets, T-shirts...All the usual suspects.
Come Shopping
Cartoonists' Warm Up Exercises: Part 2
Now that you're feeling relaxed and focused with all the extra oxygen bouncing around your body let's work on the hands and fingers. With your drawing hand out stretched and curled into a light fist begin rotating the wrists in a circular motion. I do ten clockwise and ten anti clockwise rotations. I usually keep count by the clicking sound my wrist makes. You may or may not be blessed with this handy accessory. Next, clench your fist tightly and hold for around five seconds, and relax. Repeat five times. Now the fingers. Remember the game charades? Well pretend your word is fire and your fingers are the flames. Do this for around twenty seconds. By this stage you're probably tired so take a nap. I am.
Flexible Cartoons
These cartoons are an example of how a single panel cartoonist can diversify his or her work to suit a variety of different products. As the role of cartoons disappears from print media cartoonists' need to find new ways to eek out a living. Sometimes I tweak the drawing or caption to suit different products. Be they greeting cards, invitations, or coffee mugs.
In this first example we have the spokesman asking Jesus to turn the wine into coffee. The original caption read " Actually Jesus the masses would prefer a Merlot...If it's not too much trouble"
The cartoon below was originally designed as part of a T-shirt but without the text. The added text styles this towards coffee with the painter painting out the rather rude request.
This cartoon has sold well as a birthday card but with a caption change and the addition of a bow and some Christmas hats it becomes a Christmas card.
In this first example we have the spokesman asking Jesus to turn the wine into coffee. The original caption read " Actually Jesus the masses would prefer a Merlot...If it's not too much trouble"
The cartoon below was originally designed as part of a T-shirt but without the text. The added text styles this towards coffee with the painter painting out the rather rude request.
This cartoon has sold well as a birthday card but with a caption change and the addition of a bow and some Christmas hats it becomes a Christmas card.
Making Money Online From Cartoons. The Modern Dilemma
As mentioned earlier, the modern cartoonist needs to be versatile in his or her approach to selling work. Presenting work to syndication companies and newspaper editors is a time old practice and once upon a time if you showed enough determination and persistence then invariability, you generally got somewhere...eventually.
Unfortunately the print media as a whole have, and are, cutting the cartoon content from their publications Even popular strips haven't escaped. Some newspaper strips have shrunken to the extent that reading glasses should be issued with every edition. In days gone past cartoons were an essential part of a papers content and especially the Sundays.
Sunday Newspapers used to run up to four full pages of cartoons. They recognised the value in Dad buying the paper and handing the kids the comics section while he enjoyed a quiet read of the more serious events over breakfast. These days you're lucky to find six strips in a Sunday newspaper and like I said, they've been shrunk to a ridiculous size.
The shrinking pool of cartoonists' that do still run strips in papers have had to forgo intricate details of art to run large sized text that can be easily read. Sometimes the speech bubble and text occupy two thirds of the available space, leaving very little room for artistic creativity. In my opinion this disconnects the reader from the personality of the strip and it's characters. Cartoons were never meant to be run at this size and if the practice continues then cartoons will eventually disappear altogether from newspapers.
So where does a cartoonist with a great new strip or panel go these days? The internet would appear be an obvious answer. Well, maybe. But how will it make money? It's great having a website which attracts a tonne of visitors but if you display your content for free then you're just providing free entertainment and little else. How about charging a subscription? It's a nice idea if your strip is popular enough but it's one heck of a battle to get internet users to pay for any content let alone cartoons. For some reason cartoons on the internet are seen as a free for all, to be lifted copied and displayed on blogs and websites anywhere. Personally, I don't mind anyone featuring my stuff on their internet Social sites as long as they contact me first and have the appropriate link.
I don't have a magic formula for making money on the internet. Otherwise I'd be writing this from the Jet. So far it's taken ten years to create a modest income. I sell some cards and trinkets from the shop and a few licenses for newsletters and presentations from the Stutoons website. I try social networking in bursts of enthusiasm but I'm not very good at it. Although it all helps with traffic.
Unfortunately the print media as a whole have, and are, cutting the cartoon content from their publications Even popular strips haven't escaped. Some newspaper strips have shrunken to the extent that reading glasses should be issued with every edition. In days gone past cartoons were an essential part of a papers content and especially the Sundays.
Sunday Newspapers used to run up to four full pages of cartoons. They recognised the value in Dad buying the paper and handing the kids the comics section while he enjoyed a quiet read of the more serious events over breakfast. These days you're lucky to find six strips in a Sunday newspaper and like I said, they've been shrunk to a ridiculous size.
The shrinking pool of cartoonists' that do still run strips in papers have had to forgo intricate details of art to run large sized text that can be easily read. Sometimes the speech bubble and text occupy two thirds of the available space, leaving very little room for artistic creativity. In my opinion this disconnects the reader from the personality of the strip and it's characters. Cartoons were never meant to be run at this size and if the practice continues then cartoons will eventually disappear altogether from newspapers.
So where does a cartoonist with a great new strip or panel go these days? The internet would appear be an obvious answer. Well, maybe. But how will it make money? It's great having a website which attracts a tonne of visitors but if you display your content for free then you're just providing free entertainment and little else. How about charging a subscription? It's a nice idea if your strip is popular enough but it's one heck of a battle to get internet users to pay for any content let alone cartoons. For some reason cartoons on the internet are seen as a free for all, to be lifted copied and displayed on blogs and websites anywhere. Personally, I don't mind anyone featuring my stuff on their internet Social sites as long as they contact me first and have the appropriate link.
I don't have a magic formula for making money on the internet. Otherwise I'd be writing this from the Jet. So far it's taken ten years to create a modest income. I sell some cards and trinkets from the shop and a few licenses for newsletters and presentations from the Stutoons website. I try social networking in bursts of enthusiasm but I'm not very good at it. Although it all helps with traffic.
Some More Cartoons
Some new stuff to show off. I've shown the greeting card version of each cartoon but they're also available as a T-shirt, mug, fridge magnet, postcard etc. And all very nice quality. Nothing cheap and nasty. Hope you enjoy them and if you happen to see a card that's perfect for someone you know then click through, add your text, address, and post.
Gary Larson & The Far Side
Gary Larson will always be to me, the single most influential cartoonist of our time. When it came to complete silliness and comic brilliance the man had or has no equal. He spawned a whole new generation of single panel cartoonists and yes, I'm one of them. Still only one of a handful of cartoonists that can make me laugh out loud.
Zazzle Funny Christmas Cards
These are a selection of my funny Christmas cards for Christmas 2010. They can be fully customized to add your own text. You can write, address, and post them. All online. Quality card stock and beautifully printed. Every purchase is guaranteed. Click through to explore the whole collection.
powered by Zazzle.com
Cartoon Syndication
Submitting Cartoons to Syndicates
So you have a cartoon strip that you think can be a winner. Then why not submit it for syndication. I realise that further up this lens I talked about the shrinking pool of newspapers and cartoon strips. But it is still possible to be syndicated if you have something new and exciting to offer.
Always include a cover letter with your submission. This is your opportunity to sell your strip and yourself. Make it brief, to the point, and outline why you think your strip will succeed and who you believe your target market to be.
Give a brief history of your strip especially if it has been previously published or if not, some detail of other work you have had published.
There is no need to use fancy binding or bulky portfolio's. A staple in the top left corner is sufficient. Do use some stiff cardboard to protect your work during transit.
Unless submission specifics are outlined most syndicates will like to see at least three to four weeks of strips to assess consistency and the longevity potential of your strip.
Always include a SAE with your submission. It can take up to six weeks to hear back.
Don't be afraid of rejection. Some of the most successful artists and strips had years of rejection before finally getting picked up.
Most syndicates receive around five thousand submissions per year with around three chosen for syndication.
Below is a list of the main players in cartoon syndication and their contact details.
Submissions Editor
Tribune Media Services
35 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611
We will need 6 to 8 sample columns to consider, as well as a brief cover letter detailing your experience and your idea. Please send us 8 1/2 " x 11" copies of your material.
Universal Press Syndicate
4520 Main Street
Kansas City, MO. 64111
Contact person: Lee Salem
We prefer four to six weeks of samples of a proposed feature.
Please include a letter explaining the purpose and scope of your material.
King Features Syndicate
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Contact person: Jay Kennedy
Your total submission package should include:
1. A cover letter - that briefly outlines the overall nature of your comic strip. Your cover letter should also include your full name, address, and telephone number and shouldn't be much longer than one page.
24 daily comic strips - on 8-1/2" x 11" paper (you can fit up to 3 or 4 strips per page).
3. A character sheet - that shows your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each.
Creators Syndicate
5777 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Contact person: Anita Tobias
(4) weeks of samples, but not more than six (6) weeks of dailies and two Sundays. If you are submitting a comic strip, you should include a note about the characters in it and how they relate to each other. Artwork is about standard sheet-sized (8 1/2 x 14 inches)
United Media
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Contact person: Amy Lago
United Cartoonist Syndicate
PO Box 7081
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
Los Angeles Times Syndicate
218 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact person: Cathy Irvine
Cartoonists & Writers Syndicate
1923 Wickham Road
New York, NY 10024
Chronicle Features
870 Market Street
Suite 1011
San Francisco, CA 94102
Always include a cover letter with your submission. This is your opportunity to sell your strip and yourself. Make it brief, to the point, and outline why you think your strip will succeed and who you believe your target market to be.
Give a brief history of your strip especially if it has been previously published or if not, some detail of other work you have had published.
There is no need to use fancy binding or bulky portfolio's. A staple in the top left corner is sufficient. Do use some stiff cardboard to protect your work during transit.
Unless submission specifics are outlined most syndicates will like to see at least three to four weeks of strips to assess consistency and the longevity potential of your strip.
Always include a SAE with your submission. It can take up to six weeks to hear back.
Don't be afraid of rejection. Some of the most successful artists and strips had years of rejection before finally getting picked up.
Most syndicates receive around five thousand submissions per year with around three chosen for syndication.
Below is a list of the main players in cartoon syndication and their contact details.
Submissions Editor
Tribune Media Services
35 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611
We will need 6 to 8 sample columns to consider, as well as a brief cover letter detailing your experience and your idea. Please send us 8 1/2 " x 11" copies of your material.
Universal Press Syndicate
4520 Main Street
Kansas City, MO. 64111
Contact person: Lee Salem
We prefer four to six weeks of samples of a proposed feature.
Please include a letter explaining the purpose and scope of your material.
King Features Syndicate
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Contact person: Jay Kennedy
Your total submission package should include:
1. A cover letter - that briefly outlines the overall nature of your comic strip. Your cover letter should also include your full name, address, and telephone number and shouldn't be much longer than one page.
24 daily comic strips - on 8-1/2" x 11" paper (you can fit up to 3 or 4 strips per page).
3. A character sheet - that shows your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each.
Creators Syndicate
5777 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Contact person: Anita Tobias
(4) weeks of samples, but not more than six (6) weeks of dailies and two Sundays. If you are submitting a comic strip, you should include a note about the characters in it and how they relate to each other. Artwork is about standard sheet-sized (8 1/2 x 14 inches)
United Media
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Contact person: Amy Lago
United Cartoonist Syndicate
PO Box 7081
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
Los Angeles Times Syndicate
218 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact person: Cathy Irvine
Cartoonists & Writers Syndicate
1923 Wickham Road
New York, NY 10024
Chronicle Features
870 Market Street
Suite 1011
San Francisco, CA 94102
In The Beginning
This is a little self indulgent but oh well. I was going through some old cartoons and came across a batch of originals from around 10-12 years ago. These were the first cartoons that I ever sold. Complete with spelling errors(re submitted) and very ordinary structure and unfortunately they didn't scan too well either. Mostly pen and Watercolor. Note the very poor lettering as well. Looking back I'm amazed anyone brought them but that was also when cartoons were in much higher demand than they are currently.
For some reason every chicken I drew back then was armed.
For some reason every chicken I drew back then was armed.
2011 Funny Calendars Are Here !!
I've done some new Stutoons Calendars for 2011. Two traditional wall hangers as well as two poster calendars. The first one below allows the uploading of your company logo or you can just add some text. "With compliments- D&S Auto Electrician 5555 55555 This calendar can be a very effective advertising tool as well as a nice Christmas gift for your important clients. Poster Calendars are available from portfolio to colossal size. For those that appreciate intelligent humor these calendars will make a funny and interesting Christmas or birthday gift.
Say Hello Why Don't You.
Thank you for reading this lens and I do hope you enjoyed some of the cartoons.
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ComedyFrog
Dec 17, 2011 @ 4:32 pm | delete
- Fab lens, such good info and some truly classic greats included in your list. As a professional cartoonist, you are definitely spreading feel good - cool! Thanks for posting.
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azac Mar 3, 2011 @ 11:29 pm | delete
- The wolves with the lamb is my favourite :)
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SereneSea
Dec 3, 2010 @ 7:33 am | delete
- i loved your single panel cartoons. :) i had a good laugh. :) thanks! :D
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TheSquidKing
Nov 14, 2010 @ 4:26 am | delete
- Wow, I'm impressed. Good stuff you wrote here.
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kimpaul Oct 24, 2010 @ 7:35 pm | delete
- Great Cartoons!!! I needed a good laugh thank you! You do such wonderful work! Your comments about who to contact for syndication are helpful too! I try hard advertising for my husbands artwork. Just starting really. Its not easy being the artist and the sales person, so he has me! So Kudos! Great job!
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David_Stuart
Aug 20, 2010 @ 2:12 am | delete
- Thank you so much for the comments everyone. Very appreciated.
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Gloriousconfusion
Jul 22, 2010 @ 7:12 am | delete
- Really interesting and fun. But I didn't get all the jokes - is it cos I's English?
I'm no great artist but have tried to do a few cartoons myself since joining Squidoo in November 2009, as I needed pictures for my lenses - thought I'd better not nick other people's in case I got caught (only joking, perish the thought!) - http://www.squidoo.com/complaining-can-be-fun
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Gloriousconfusion
Jul 22, 2010 @ 7:12 am | delete
- Really interesting and fun. But I didn't get all the jokes - is it cos I's English?
I'm no great artist but have tried to do a few cartoons myself since joining Squidoo in November 2009, as I needed pictures for my lenses - thought I'd better not nick other people's in case I got caught (only joking, perish the thought!) - http://www.squidoo.com/complaining-can-be-fun
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Swisstoons
May 2, 2010 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- Excellent lens! Informative and amusing!
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Dana S. Owens (danatoon)
Feb 7, 2010 @ 2:56 pm | delete
- hey... nice site..... good advice for cartoonists like myself..... gonna send out my press kit next week..... how about swinging by my myspace to see if i can make the grade amongst pros such as yourself....
www.myspace.com/danatoon
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by David_Stuart
David_Stuart
David Stuart is a professional cartoonist working from the home studio he shares with wife Kelly, and young twins Liam and Brianna.
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