Drawing Cartoons and Comics For Dummies [Paperback]

Brian Fairrington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2009

A unique reference for creating and marketing original cartoons and comics

An original American art form, comics thrill millions of people across the globe. Combining step-by-step instruction with expert tips and advice, Drawing Cartoons & Comics For Dummies is a one-stop reference for creating and marketing original cartoons and comics. While many books tend to focus on specific characters or themes, this thorough guide focuses instead on helping aspiring artists master the basic building blocks of cartoons and comics, revealing step by step how to create everything from wisecracking bunnies to souped-up super villains. It also explores lettering and coloring, and offers expert marketing advice. The book's color insert provides guidance on how to add color to cartoon creations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your real-world guide to creating and marketing original cartoons

Do you love comics? Want to become a cartoonist? This practical, hands-on guide is packed with step-by-step instructions and plenty of tips for creating your own cartoons. From inanimate objects to animals to aliens, you can see how to breathe life into your characters and make your cartoons stand out. Plus, you discover how to

• Master the basic building blocks — set up your workspace; start creating with pencil, ink, and pens; and fix mistakes

• Get the creative juices flowing — find inspiration and formulate your cartoon idea, gag, or concept, and make it work

• Create your characters — from their heads to their toes, give your characters personality and presence

• Assemble your comic strip — create an effective background, plan your layout, letter your cartoons, create drama, and more

• Fine-tune your work — discover the tools and techniques for digitally formatting your comics

Open the book and find:

• An overview of the different cartooning genres

• Drawing techniques, such as shading and crosshatching

• An exploration of body, gender, species, and character types

• Tips for developing a cast of characters

• The lowdown on drawing editorial cartoons

• How to add color to your creations

• Ten steps to a finished comic strip

• Hints on breaking into the business

About the Author

Brian Fairrington is a nationally syndicated cartoonist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, and Time magazine, as well as on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Fairrington has won many awards, including the Charles M. Schulz award for college cartooning and the John Locher Memorial Award, given annually by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC).

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470426837
• ISBN-13: 978-0470426838
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well researched and written, July 6, 2010

By 

Anne Tavis (NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Drawing Cartoons and Comics For Dummies (Paperback)

I have about 2 or 3 other 'how to draw comics' and this by far is the most researched and thought out one .
Here are just a few of the things you will learn about in this fantastic book . :

1:Getting started with cartoons and comics . (An excellent clash of examples based on the great comic creators of our time and before . Calvin and hobbes , Pogo ,Peanuts , Dilbert , ect ... Plus a little history behind the comics industry .)

2:Creating cartoon characters : (How to create humans , animals,editoral cartoon characters , ect ...)

3:Taking cartoons to the next level :(Here the author talks about placeing your comics on the interenet and introduces photoshop. )

4: How to run your own cartoon buissness . And how to get your comic strip or editoral out there for the world to see it .
There are 18 chapters in all (plus index).Those were just the tip of the iceburg .
The only problem I had with Drawing cartoons and comics for Dummies is that there wasn't (in my oppion) enough how to draw things . For example , hands are very hard to draw for people , because they can be very expressive . Suere he talked about making heads and figures , but he didn't put in how to formulate expressions , and postures .

Other then that minor flaw this book is pure gold .

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 7, 2010

By 

JBradley "JBradley" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing Cartoons and Comics For Dummies (Paperback)

I read it cover to cover and it's hard for me to finish a book. It was clear, concise, and complete. I can't imagine
anything that was missed for a beginner.
J. Bradley

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing Cartoons & Comics for Dummies, November 9, 2011

By 

John Rausch - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Drawing Cartoons and Comics For Dummies (Paperback)

Good book with basic instructions and examples of how to learn to draw cartoons, increase your abilities, and improve your style.