Cartoons, Cartoonists, Cartooning

Bad Onions Cartoons

Hi and congratulations on discovering my cartoon lens. You will find cartooning tips and a selection of cartoons to put a smile on your dial.

This cartoon shows me relaxing on a Sunday afternoon after my son volunteered to mow the lawn.

The Cartoonist Who Draws Cartoons.

Cartooning Tips

Having the ability to draw well does not a cartoonist make. Some classically trained artists try cartooning and fail dismally while some of the most successful cartoonists I know have a drawing style more akin to a convulsing parrot.

They're successful simply because they have the ability to tell a funny story within the one panel. The key here is funny. Not cute, not drawn by a painting master, but plain funny. IMO the art only needs to be good enough to convey your gag.

Choosing the right words can play a large role as to whether your cartoon works.

When I'm putting a new cartoon together in a rough format I try my hardest 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 a caption or bubble, my rule is the fewer words the better. Sometimes I leave a cartoon for days incomplete for the lack of the right word. Usually something turns up.

Thanks for stopping by. I will keep adding to this lens so do come back for a visit.

Below are a few samples of my work.If you like these cartoons then be sure to come visit the Bad Onions Cartoons website.

As a single panel cartoonist I'm often asked 'where do your idea's come from ? This is my secret.

This cartoon came from a series of Christian cartoons I produced for a fairly liberal Christian publication. This one was outright rejected.. Although apparently popular amongst editorial staff.

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 selling my wares online I needed to find a better system to sell greeting cards. And I do believe I've found it. It's called Zazzle.

I have set up an exclusive greeting card only shop, which allows customers to pick a card and add personal text in a lovely brushed font. Once happy the customer adds to cart. The card is then dispatched to the nominated address within 24hrs.

Any artist looking for a friendlier buyer experience to sell greeting cards should check out Zazzle.

Some More Cartoons Hot from The Pen.

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.

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

Australian Cartoon School

Ian Dalkin is a very successful Australian cartoonist with many years of cartooning experience behind him.

Ian has developed an excellent website and software which after reviewing, I believe is essential for any budding cartoonists or even established cartoonists who are struggling for ideas and inspiration.

At the top of this lens I mentioned that being a terrific artist does not a cartoonist make, so it was refreshing to read that Ian and I share this
idea.

His Australian Cartoon School website contains tonnes of really useful and usable information and dare I say it 'secrets of the trade'

Below is an extract from the website.

1. How to Draw Smart, Not Hard

Okay, you've got me, there is a drawing component. It's shown in the video component of the software and it's called 'Drawing Smart, Not Hard'. Like everything else, it takes an intellectual approach. 'Smart' drawing is a collection of the professional tricks of the trade, the things that professional cartoonists do to make their job easier. In more formal terms, 'Smart' drawing gives you a foundation on which to develop your own drawing style. If you're practising, why not practice effectively? And teachers and parents, it's also an observable thing, so that when you look at the work of a published cartoonist, you can see what aspects of 'Smart' drawing they've used.

In other words, without being able to draw, a teacher can selectively highlight 'Smart' drawing techniques in any published cartoon. Please note that the drawing component is only included in the video, and not the software.

2. Thinking of Jokes

A strategy is clearly outlined, and presented in a task-driven format to show you a logical method by which cartoonists think of jokes (and generate humour for any application). This is the main focus. In more formal terms, our software shows you how to engage societal information in a different way; how to employ the techniques of linear, lateral & divergent thinking; and, how to manipulate information. These activities are also critical to the development and appreciation of effective strategies for creative thinking. Cartooning is shown to be accessible to everyone, and not confined to perceived artists.

Cartooning Software

Cartooning software for adults and kids.

Christmas Is Coming...Again!

Yes it's that time of the year again. Time for cartoonists everywhere to scratch out our funny takes on Christmas.

Personally I love Christmas but not for the extravagant gift buying and needless racking up of debt driven by a relentless media orgy. No, rather the family gatherings,the smells of food and the sounds of children.

Have a very merry Christmas dear reader and I hope you enjoy these Christmas cartoons. All the cartoons on this lens are available on a variety of giftware at my online store.

Cartooning Stuff on Amazon

Cartooning can be a rewarding professional both financially and creatively. What could be better than making money from your imagination as well as spreading the gift of laughter.