How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning [Paperback]

Kyle Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 2008

Draw stupid, succeed big! Okay, dumdum. This one is pretty much idiot-proof. Even you should be able to figure out How to Draw, Stupid, and Other–what? No commas? Whoops, sorry. But How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning is simple enough for even the simplest readers. Author Kyle Baker, who only acts stupid, is in fact “the greatest cartoonist of all time,” or so he tells us. Here he presents a hard-working instruction book that provides artists with the essential skills needed for success. From the principles of drawing to turning those principles on their ear (or their rear), from conveying movement to creating a step-by-step sequence, from idea sketch to finished drawing, How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning is the smartest purchase any aspiring artist can make, regardless of mental acuity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (July 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823001431
• ISBN-13: 978-0823001439
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.3 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More of a career philosophy/advice book than a how-to book, June 1, 2009

By 

S. Horwatt (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning (Paperback)

If you are looking for advice on how to become a professional cartoonist as your primary livelihood and some mentoring on how to stand out from the crowd of others hoping to do the same thing, this may be a useful book. If you are actually looking for help with the nuts-and-bolts techniques of cartooning, I'd say this is very much the wrong book.

And even if you are looking for career advice, I'd exercise some caution. One of the author's chapters is "Don't have a Plan B," indicating that you should put all your eggs in one basket and focus on your goal of becoming a cartoonist. I happen to think that's bad career advice, but regardless it is a wasted section of the book for anyone who doesn't intend to make their living as a cartoonist.

The author thinks he's pretty clever. How do I know? He told me so countless times in this very short book. That wore a bit thin after a while. I'd say you probably shouldn't write a book about cartooning unless you think you're a pretty good cartoonist, but you also shouldn't spend a significant portion of the book telling me how clever you are. Let your work say that for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World's greatest cartoonist, September 18, 2008

By 

C. Meesey "Meesimo" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning (Paperback)

An excellent and comically informative book for the novice and professional alike.
Contains many universal truths of cartooning presented with empirical cartoon examples.
A great read in itself and yet before you know it, you've learned all kinds of neat stuff!
Perfect as a gift for the budding cartoonist, or the seasoned pro.
Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only useful if you don't need it, December 24, 2009

By 

labologie (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning (Paperback)

The advice Kyle Baker offers in this book works only if you're similarly gifted. Consider Baker's tip on drawing hands--it's not hard, just look at your own hands! There is useful information here and there but this isn't really a how-to book. It's more of a collection of notes with heaps of attitude. In the end, Baker comes across less like he's trying to share knowledge and more like he's trying to cultivate admirers. Consider instead: How to Draw and Paint Crazy Cartoon Characters: Create Original Characters with Lots of Personality (Quarto Book)