Falling On Her Head Is Good For a Cartoonist

How to Become a Slightly Warped Cartoonist: Part 2

In yesterday’s post I addressed the most frequent question cartoonists are asked. To see what that question is, I guess you’ll have to read that post. Today I’m addressing the second most frequent question, “How do you come up with your ideas?”

Frankly, I don’t know. For the most part my cartoon gags spring whole cloth—or whole cartoon – out of the cosmos and into my head.

Al Capp, creator of Li’l Abner said that being dropped on your head as a small child gave you a leg up if you wanted to be a cartoonist. Continue reading

How to Become a Slightly Warped Cartoonist: Part 1

Anybody Can Draw for The New Yorker

The most frequent question cartoonists are asked is, “Do you draw for the New Yorker?”

“Of course,” I reply. “All good cartoonists draw for the New Yorker. I’ve even drawn covers for them. However, they’ve never had the good sense to buy any of my work.”

Fortunately for me, hundreds of other magazines have.

You don’t have to be able to draw well to be a successful cartoonist. Continue reading

Anybody Can Draw for The New Yorker

The most frequent question cartoonists are asked is, “Do you draw for the New Yorker?”

“Of course,” I reply. “All good cartoonists draw for the New Yorker. I’ve even drawn covers for them. However, they’ve never had the good sense to buy any of my work.”

Fortunately for me, hundreds of other magazines have.

You don’t have to be able to draw well to be a successful cartoonist. Continue reading