The Cartoonist's Workbook: Drawing * Writing Gags * Selling

by Robin Hall

Book Overview

"Comprehensive and entertaining...far more material in a cleaner format [makes] the reader laugh on every page....Thus, one learns that of 6,000 submissions to King Features Syndicate, only three are accepted, and...how to make snacks while preparing one of those submissions."- Library Journal. "A wealth of information...Hall does everything but make the cartoon for you."- Art Times.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806996730
• ISBN13: 9780806996738
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.4" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

Its well made.....

I found this book comprehensive and inspirational, covering need-to-know ground. It helped me (and I can draw more advanced things than cartoons) to get to know cartoon bodies. I'm used to more realistic bodies.... Anywho, about the book. The book started with basic body formation-how to draw "Ken"-, and most importantly in that section told you to practice it over and over. Than it goes on to show you some basic what-to-does and what not-to-does. It shows you how shadows work, how to balance your character, how to show motion and tons and tons of useful poses for cartoons. It show you how to draw more advanced characters, but that isn't as in depth as the information on Ken. It show you different types of lips, hair, noses, eyes, accessories, etc... This book was written for people who don't have natural talent in drawing. So, wether or not you think you can draw, this part of the book is very useful. Then there is the gag writing section, snicker snicker. This section, to, was very helpful. It showes you the building blocks of writing jokes, like potentially funny situations, developing your characters and branching out your ideas. And finally,the last section gives you information on how to hire yourself out in the industry. 1 last note: I like this guy's drawing style. It is loose, not to scribbly, and still looks nice. It is not perfectionist, you can tell he didn't meditate over every line. In short, he makes drawing cartoons seem easy without intimidating the reader.

In cartooning, less is more

Cartooning is an art of economy. The cartoonist has to be able to express motion, emotion, depth, and action with a minimum of lines. Robin Hall's book shows you how to do just that. The non-artist will quickly learn how to draw expressive faces and figures. The experienced artist will learn how to pare away distracting detail and create a pure minimalist drawing that tells a story. All readers will learn what makes a drawing and a caption funny, and will be creating their own cartoons in no time.Hall's "Keyhole Ken" character is a simple figure that anyone can draw, but with repeated practice, the cartoonist's own style will take hold and transform this figure into something unique. I recommend this book for everyone interested in becoming either a professional cartoonist or an admired amateur doodler.

Terrific book - worth it's weight in Goldie Hawn!

Most books on cartooning show you how to copy the AUTHOR'S cartoon style, which in my opinion is a pretty pointless exercise. The Cartoonist' s Workbook is very different. It gives you the means to develop your OWNunique style and there are even thousands of drawings of useful poses and gag situations that you can easily adapt after you have found that style. But the BEST part is the chapter on writing gags. Hall gives the reader a'complete method' for writing gags for spot cartoons AND cartoon strips, and it REALLY works. I thought twice about recommending this book because I wondered should I keep it all for myself. I also recently purchased Hall's new book Cartoonists' And Illustrators' Trade Secrets and was equally impressed - it is absolutely PACKED with invaluable advice. I reckon these two books are all you really need to make it as a cartoonist. Thank you Mr Hall!

Very helpful Reference

The Cartoonist's Workbook is a very helpful reference for people who are good or bad at cartooning. It teaches you fun and easy ways to draw, helps you write the cartoon, and helps you sell it.

Wonderful introduction to cartooning

This book took me from stick figures to cartoon characters in a matter of minutes. (My students will be thrilled with the difference!) I have no artistic talent, but now feel comfortable drawing cartoon characters in all moods and types of clothing. I highly recommend this book!