So You Want To Be a Cartoonist?

How much would a career in professional cartooning pay?

I’ve decided that after I graduate, I’m gonna try and become a professional cartoonist, for comics and the occasional MTV 2 or Adult Swim show. How much would a career in professional cartooning pay? By the way, if you’re interested in why I chose MTV2 or Adult Swim, I mean because they can take curse words and aren’t afraid to suck it up, UNLIKE THE IDIOTS ON NICKELODEON AND THE RETARDED MONKEYS WHO RUN CARTOON NETWORK (kids Cartoon Network), OR EVEN THE BRAINWASHED DRUG ADDICTS WHO WORK DISNEY CHANNEL. And God help me, if I have to write for Toon Disney. I would kill myself if I had to. I just want a career for NON-CHILDISH cartoons. Nor completely dirty adult ones. Something like the Simpsons or Family Guy or American Dad.

First, decide if what you really want to be is a cartoonist or just an illustrator. Cartoonists write and draw their own humor. Illustrators merely draw other people’s ideas and writings. If you really want to see ,if you’ve got what it takes, try submitting single panel color cartoons (with or without captions) to Hustler magazine, or some of the greeting card companies such as Nobleworks, Inc. who use edgy or “risque” humor. You’ll make a few bucks, it will give you a lesson in how to create an idea, how to present it, how to write humor, and how to find your way around a joke.

Cartooning is not an easy business, but it can be quite profitable, if you have the right stuff and can be self-disciplined and self-motivating. Generally those who simply illustrate or draw other people’s humor don’t make as much as cartoonists who can write and draw their own humor. I’ve been at it, full time for 30 years, and don’t regret a minute of it. Cartooning, for the right person, is the best job in the world.

Other Thoughts

Cartooning is generally a solitary occupation. Whilst you may well be a very social gregarious person. And that is a good quality for a cartoonist as you will draw inspiration from many everyday things you see and do. It is a fact that you need to draw your cartoons by yourself where you are not distracted by people and the world.

It’s an old adage, but we all know the one “You can please all of the people some of the time…..” etc. and you certainly won’t please everyone with your efforts, so don’t try. Draw your cartoons to please yourself, and if you’ve got it right, you will please (read entertain) most others. You will find that you are spending a lot, if not most, of your time in your studio, work area, wherever you do your stuff. Hunched over your drawing board, working and re-working your cartoons. Probably with an editor impatiently firing deadlines at you.

So, you are in effect in self-imposed solitary confinement. In which case don’t be afraid to make your cell as comfortable as possible. It’s nice to have a window with a nice view. OK, that doesn’t work for everyone, if you are easily distracted, but then maybe you just aren’t committed enough, if your mind wanders that easily. Have a coffee machine so you don’t need to leave the room. Music works for me, and depending on my mood, or what I’m trying to work on, can help enormously. Really whatever works for you, but there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable.

As a final word, remember that cartoonists draw what they know, and if you are in tune with what’s going on around you, and take notes as you go about your day (best advice I was ever given, you have an idea write it down then, guarantee you’ll forget it otherwise before you get home) you’ll be a great cartoonist. And don’t worry if you are of, shall we say, mature years, wishing to take up this great career. It’s a fact that most well known cartoonists had a few years under their belt when they began. There’s no substitute for experience, I don’t know of many 20 year old newspaper/magazine cartoonists.

Whatever you do, practice as much as you can, and remember the words of Winston Churchill when he was asked the secret of success. He stood up, went to the podium, said “Never, never, never, never, never, never, never, give up”. And sat down. By the sway, one of my favorite authors, Carl Barks worked for Disney…

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