How did you get your start in freelance work?
By simply creating & submitting gag panel cartoons to a targeted magazine editor
Did you have other jobs to support yourself?
Actually no, I've chosen this profession as my livelihood.
Do you recall your first cartoon successes?
It might be a beaten down story, but I said to myself if one of my first attempts doesn't sell, then I'll know I'm not cut out to be a cartoonist. I focused on one of the most general forms of cartooning & that's "freelancing" whereby you simply mail a selection of your best work to a targeted magazine. In the mid 70's, there was a lot of competition in this particular genre and I wasn't sure whether or not my "style" was perfected, whether or not the editor would like my work or even think what I sent would be funny.
None-the-less, I chose Mechanix Illustrated which has since suspended publication but at the time was a well known magazine. I sent in 10 cartoons to the editor and a couple weeks later to my big surprise the editor (Dick Barnett) accepted one. I was elated & immediately knew I could do more work like this and do it with consistency.
Dan, how do you create your cartoons?
I create my work using simple techniques. Basically pen & ink on paper. I started using camel hair brushes for my line work, then graduated to using a Speedball B-6, also mixing in markers, Hunt Crowquill pen tips and have also tried Hunt Globe Bowl pointed tips. Do you prefer to work by hand or computer?
Definitely by hand but colorize on the computer. I honestly have to say if one is truly artistic; the hand technique will never be replaced or duplicated in any technological form.
Is there a favourite pen or type of pencil you use?
I noticed other cartoonists kept talking about technical pens and one in particular...the Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, which is what I now use and have used for many, many years. The nice thing is you aren't constantly dipping into the inkwell, yet that particular pen provides a nice "juicy" line to the work when inking in penciled roughs. The pens can be equipped with a two-inch ink reservoir which is also nice and you're not always having to refill as much. Overall, tech pens like the Rapidograph are highly recommended and at the current time, I can't see using any other pen.
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