Customer Reviews

How to Draw Stupid and Other Essentials of Cartooning

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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)

The majority of books with "How to draw..." in the title are so predictably similar they could be (and have been) drawn by almost anyone. With "How to Draw Stupid" on the other hand Kyle Baker succeeds in making a book that's uniquely his.

Baker's lighthearted look at cartooning really doesn't have any concrete drawing lessons, but instead looks at the basics of communicating and being entertaining. It focuses more on how to draw feelings than figures.

Most of what Baker teaches in this short but sweet book are things that should be second nature to cartoonists except for the fact that no other books ever seem to talk about them. Such as making iconic characters by designing them so simply even a 4-year old can draw them. Or drawing the pictures first and figuring out the words later. Even the seemingly redundant "To be a cartoonist you need to actually make cartoons" is a pretty profound statement when you think how many people aspire for something but never act on it.

And best yet, the book actually does cover how to draw stupid. I was legitimately surprised by that.

By being short on anatomy and long on character "How to Draw Stupid" easily stands out from the drawing book crowd by giving us lessons you won't find anywhere else.

This has become one of the gems in my library... Eisner, McCloud, Kyle Baker gives you a kick to become the cartoonist you want to be. A must for anyone looking at pursuing cartooning. I loved it.

This wonderful book is full of solid, professional, inspiring advice with no padding or fluff. Cleverly and entertainingly written by one of the comic business' brightest stars. Even as a long-time professional illustrator, I keep this one book on my desk for reference, motivation and weighting my scanner cover. But seriously folks, Kyle Baker points out some simple and obvious facts of life about being a professional artist that many people tend to complicate and obfuscate. Kyle cuts to the heart of every matter and makes it very simple. Not easy, but simple. And much of the information in this book applies to all drawing and storytelling, not just cartooning. The book is full of reminders that every artist needs.

I treasure this book and its straightforward, no bull guidance from a true visionary.

The biggest gift that Baker includes are tidbits of the attitude (philosophy) that guides and drives him. As a longtime illustrator, his advice makes enormous sense to me, but probably won't reach most timid artists who look for a safety net (if I can't make it, at least I'll have a teaching degree). That attitude all but guarantees failure whereas Baker's risk-it-all approach is the attitude winners...no fall-back position. Either make it as an artist or shrivel up.

Obviously his advice is not for everyone...just the artists we'll be hearing from.

This book shows you the ins and outs of becoming a cartoon artist... I like the author drawing from past experiences to try and prove his points... Good stuff; Highly recommend this one for novice illustrators...

Cheap, Quick, and Entertaining to Read

I saw this one at another Book Store and bought my copy that day. I've read many books on the subject and would say this goes there with McCloud's "Making Comics". If you are a novice, the books works for a crash coarse; if you read a lot of books on the subject it's a good review.

One artistic helpful hint was his small complaint on model sheets. Moreover, the book really shines in talking about the business of making comics.

The only down fall is the book is short and touches on everything you need to know, but The rest you'll have to find somewhere else.