How to Become a Political Cartoonist

The first place you open the newspaper to is the political cartoons in the editorial section. You love how these cartoonists can make ridiculous characters out of political figures and turn serious issues into humor. You've always had strong opinions. Maybe you can express those opinions in art and become a political cartoonist.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Keep up with current events. You need to know everything that is going on in the world as well as your home country.

2. Find subjects in current events that you have strong feelings about. They can be anything, like war, campaigns, health care or the environment. Learn how to express your feelings in these matters in a humorous way.

3. Learn to draw. Political cartoons rely on good drawing more than any other form of cartoons. Read as many books on drawing and take art classes at school.

4. Learn to draw caricatures. You want to take something about your political figures, such as being overweight, having funny hair or having a big nose, and make it stand out more in your cartoons.

5. Draw cartoons every day. Hopefully, you can read what's in the morning paper and draw cartoons on multiple stories by the end of the day.

6. Send your cartoons to syndicates. They will judge your cartoons and send them out to be published in newspapers and magazines.

Tips & Warnings

• Be fair to both sides. Try to poke fun at both political parties as often as possible. A broader anger will earn respect.
• Don't be afraid of criticism. You'll get complaints from people for your views and maybe be called names and accused of being something you're not. Remember--if your cartoons are making people talk, you're doing a good job.

Resources

• Watch political cartoons at FlowGo.com

[margalik]

on 2/23/2009 Interesting article.