Lessons in Cartooning on The Web

Have you been thinking of trying your hand at cartooning, your fingers just itching to doodle, but you're not quite sure where to start? Perhaps one of the links listed below is just the thing you need to get going, with downloadable practice sheets and loads of inspiring ideas. A few sites for kids, others aimed at political commentary, all are inviting and delightful for new cartoonists.

The Newspapers in America site has an indepth, enjoyable editorial cartoon section featuring printable lessons entitled "Cartoons for the Classroom". Aimed at an audience interested in political cartooning, the page discusses symbolism, pop culture, politics and much, much more. There is an archive of past lessons plus a history feature. The mission of the site is to give aspriring doodlers "an understanding of the cartoonists' techniques, a knowledge of history and critical thinking skills." It is a great site.

http://www.nieonline.com/austin/cftc.cfm

Cartoon Connections provides free downloadable sheets to practice cartooning details, to get those hands or facial expressions just the way you want them. Scroll down on their page to find the link to The Kids' Pages and lessons on drawing a cartoon cat, a dog and a section of "tooning tips".

http://www.cartoonconnections.com/handou...

If you prefer step-by-step advice on drawing cartoons, check out Cartoon Critters.Com. With a wide selection of characters to choose from, it is a budding cartoonist's heaven. Get your pencil moving with Winnie the Pooh, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bart Simpson, Bugs Bunny or try some of the eleven basic cartooning lessons. A great site for kids and adults alike, the lessons make creating popular characters simple and enjoyable.

http://www.cartooncritters.com/learntodr...

Interested in animation? Cool Toons.Com has a series of eight lessons by Klasky Csupo, creators of Santo Bugito, Rugrats, Wild Thornberries and more. Starting with the creation of characters from basic shapes, on to turnarounds (drawing the characters from all sides), then to movement, animation and backgrounds. The website gives a brief but fascinating insight into the animation realm by demonstrating the rough sketches, the notes on details and creative processes.

http://www.cooltoons.com/shows/artlesson...

Elementary Themes, located at http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/cartooning.htm is a site jam-packed with cartooning links. Divided into areas of Drawing Basics, Advice from Experts, Cartoons in the Classroom and Visual Literacy: Resources for Teachers, there is enough to give a new artist a good, solid foundation on the essentials of cartooning.

For a short overview on the basics of cartooning, the creative process and marketing, see: http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts... The site expresses a don't-give-up attitude that aspiring cartoonists always need to hear.

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