How to Get Started in Cartoon Drawing

Have you ever wanted to learn how to draw cartoons? It's not as difficult as you might think. Even if you're not an artist, you may find you have a talent for cartoon characters. Whether you are considering the cartooning field, or just want to amuse your kids, you can learn to draw cartoons in your own home, without expensive courses. All it takes is a little imagination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Think outside the box. Everywhere you go there are shapes for you to see. Look around and take note of the lines and curves of the objects in the room. Every one of those shapes can translate into something else. You can see your computer monitor as a TV screen, picture frame, cinder block or cereal box lying on its side. Cartoon drawing is opening your mind to possibilities all around you. Make a habit of seeing new objects in shapes everywhere you go.

2. Start with a simple shape. You will learn to draw cartoons not in full, complex pictures, but with one shape at a time. Draw simple shapes on a piece of paper. Think of what else they can be. Don't stop at circles and squares. Draw letters, numbers and punctuation marks. Play around with them until they become new creations.

3. Try different techniques. If you look at the Sunday paper, you'll see numerous cartooning styles. Experiment with every one by trying to re-create the drawings. You will learn a wide assortment of cartooning skills in a hands-on fashion. Using this method, your skills will improve more quickly than if you read about technique in books.

4. Find your style. Look over the recreations. Some are likely to be very close to the original, while others don't match at all. Don't be discouraged--this is a good thing. By finding what works and what doesn't, you're learning how to draw cartoons by narrowing down your personal style. Using what you've learned, abandon the attempt to copy anyone's work and experiment with your own.

5. Create characters. Start with a shape and flesh it out. Make changes as you go. Add big eyes and small ears, or vice versa. Tweak the characters with your own flair until you're happy with them. Cartoon drawing involves a great deal of improvising. The good news is there's no wrong way to make a cartoon character; it's just a matter of personal style.

6. Bring your cartoons to life. Give your characters names and histories. Construct a story around them. Decide where they live, what they do, and what kind of personalities they have. Invent the details, and before long, you'll have enough material for a full-fledged comic strip.

Tips & Warnings

• Doodle often. Play around with your creations while on the phone, in the tub or waiting in line. Keep a small notebook handy at all times—you never know when inspiration will strike.

Resources

• Get free cartoon drawing lessons online.

[sunshineandrose]

on 2/2/2009 Loved the article going to draw for my grandchldren.

[sunshineandrose]

on 2/2/2009 Loved the article going to draw for my grandchldren.

[sunshineandrose]

on 2/2/2009 Loved the article going to draw for my grandchldren.