Cartooning the Head and Figure (Perigee) [Paperback]

Jack Hamm (Author)

Book Description

Series: Perigee | Publication Date: November 1, 1986

Here are tried and proven methods that explain, simplify, and teach everyone, regardless of age, the art of cartooning. Step by step procedures with more than 3,000 illustrations.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (November 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399508031
• ISBN-13: 978-0399508035
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Cartooning
  • #28 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Figure Drawing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete reference on cartooning the head and figure., January 18, 2004

By 

M. E. Volmar - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cartooning the Head and Figure (Perigee) (Paperback)

This book is a clearly written, easy to follow, detailed and concise handbook on cartooning the head and figure by using several different styles and variations, and emphasizing humor and exaggeration. This fully illustrated reference contains over 3,000 step-by-step diagrams and illustrations and is structured into sixteen carefully organized sections that cover the basic and not so basic principles of cartooning.
It includes general topics like caricatures, cartooning styles and techniques, the head and face, the standing, walking and running figure, different positions for the figure, and emotions and facial expressions (the alphabetized catalog of 150 emotions and expressions alone is worth the price of this book). He also goes into specific topics like hands, feet and clothing, pretty girls, babies and children, and sports cartoons. As an added bonus he includes additional topics such as Advertising Applications for Cartoons and Special Problems which cover specific characters like hobos, tramps and the military, and conversations, special attires and crowds, among others.
By studying this book as if it were a textbook on a course, doing all the exercises and reviewing each section afterwards, my cartoons have come to life in a very, very short time.
The invaluable and practical advice in this book is essential for any artist's reference library and can be particularly useful for beginners, cartoonists, animators, characters designers, and comic book artists. It also serves as a great source book for ideas.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, September 7, 2004

By 

Carlo R. Montoya "Toy photographer" (Cebu City, Cebu Philippines) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartooning the Head and Figure (Paperback)

I own most of Mr. Hamm's books now and all of them are excellent.

Some caution though for comic book artists wannabes, this book
doesn't teach you action oriented cartoons. Get "Action!
Cartooning" by Ben Caldwell instead.

However, Mr. Hamm's book is a classic because it's not just a
how-to book but rather a book founded on good art principles
considering Mr. Hamm isn't just a "cartoonist" but a true
artist.

Get this book! You won't be disappointed.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest intoduction to CARTOONING ever written, December 13, 2006

By 

Bruce Bain "Romans 9:33/Remember Jackie Robinson" (Englewood, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartooning the Head and Figure (Perigee) (Paperback)

"Cartooning the Head & Figure" --by Jack Hamm

Artist and Christian minister Jack Hamm passed from this world at the age of 81. He illustrated the notable cartoon strip characters "BUGS BUNNY" and "ALLEY OOP" early in his career as an artist. He wrote and illustrated over 25 books on drawing. He pioneered an early TV show on drawing instruction in the Dallas/Houston Texas area.

I admit I am not an expert on fine art, but after reviewing many books which teach beginners HOW-TO-DRAW, it is my sincere opinion that Jack Hamm is the finest instructor America ever produced. Hamm almost never composed text, or used wordy explanations about drawing something. Hamm drew you a picture or series of pictures and showed how it might be done. He did not do this ..."sometimes" in his books. Hamm did this ALL THE TIME, whether it was cartoon figures, seascapes, landscapes, or drawing the human figure.

That is why any effort to list all the contents of his book, "CARTOONING THE HEAD & FIGURE" staggers the human imagination. I might be sitting at the computer for several hours, just listing the contents. Hamm shows how to draw every possible human emotion. Pages 22 & 23 alone are specific instructions in how to draw particular parts of the face to yield a human feeling.

The amazing thing is, Hamm is offering a book not only that adults can use; rather, Hamm is offering a book that CHILDREN can use. This book is in a class by itself, just as is Hamm's classic on drawing the human figure. Hamm's books are one of the richest treasures ever produced on American soil.