How to Draw Cartoons

This practical book provides a detailed guide to drawing your own cartoons, illustrated in over 1000 amazing drawings and 65 step-by-step sequences. Divided into four main sections, the first, Materials and Methods, introduces traditional techniques, such as testing the effects of different pencils on different paper surfaces and explores patterns that can be made with pen strokes. The various colouring techniques are also demonstrated and shown in clear exercises designed to help bring your characters to life. The second section, Drawing Characters, provides guidance on how to show a range of facial expressions and using different shaped heads to drawing hands, feet, shoes and clothing. The third section, The Cartoon Environment, explains the importance of viewpoint, perspective, lighting, scale, focus and mood, and how to place your characters in believable words, which bring them to life and tell their story. The final section includes a range of projects, which offer the opportunity to practice the disciplines you have learned, from portraying children and teenagers to creating a sinister narrative and using colour to spotlight.