Cartoonist

?? compatible
Artistic, Enterprising, Social
Cartoonists convey humorous ideas about people, events, or incidents on behalf of newspapers, magazines, or companies. They prepare satirical or humorous cartoons for publication in most visual media. Different media require different skills and most cartoonists create characters and prepare models and sketches of them.

Cartoonists are a unique form of visual artist, as they are able to effectively communicate an idea, emotion or situation through the creative use of drawings. The best-known type of cartoon is the comic strip, which consists of a series of panels that tell a story or make a joke.

Cartoonists are also known for their unique style of satire, as they often use humor to express a point of view. Cartoons are an effective way to convey a message, as they can be both entertaining and informative. Cartoonists are able to take a seemingly simple idea and turn it into something meaningful and memorable.

Cartoon artists may write their own scripts or illustrate the scripts of others. They need experience in art and some knowledge of writing techniques. Most cartoonists also have to keep up to date with politics, economics and social conditions.

Political cartoonists need to keep up to date with current events, politics and economics. Television cartoonists must be highly versatile and able to draw anything, from comic flash cards to cartoons.

Advertising cartoonists must be familiar with sales and advertising techniques and trends, as well as artistic techniques.

Cartoonists must be diligent readers of the different media, and listen to the radio as much as possible. They often draw on their own initiative, but they are also asked to draw cartoons of certain personalities and public events. Such requests usually come from news editors, art editors and other editors of newspapers or magazines.

Areas of specialization include:

  • advertising
  • television
  • comics
  • editorial or political
  • book illustration
  • animation and cartoons

Work environments vary greatly. Cartoonists may work in spacious, well-equipped studios or in small rooms at home. They may work alone or in a workspace with others. The work can be stressful due to deadlines that must be met.

Most cartoonists start as assistants to professional cartoonists. Some start as comic illustrators. With talent, skill and experience, cartoonists can advance to publish their own cartoons, or have their own animated television specials.

There is great demand for comic book artists due to the increasing use of comic book techniques in industries, educational institutions and associations. This is a highly competitive vocation in which only the most talented, ambitious and experienced artists succeed. This work is not seasonal nor limited to a particular place, but competition is strong.

Cartoonist: what do they do?
Use materials such as pen and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create works of art. 81%
Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects such as illustrating ideas, emotions, or moods. 77%
Confer with clients, publishers, writers, art directors, and other stakeholders about the nature and content of the artwork to be produced. 76%
Present preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating any necessary changes. 75%
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and skills. 73%
Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, plans, memory, models, or reference materials. 72%
Create finished artwork as decoration, or to elucidate or replace spoken or written messages. 71%
Cut, fold, laminate, arrange, and fix raw materials and individual or mixed products to form works of art. 70%
Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications in order to develop ideas and stay up to date on art world activities. 67%
Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors. 67%