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HELPFUL TIPS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO START A CAREER IN CARTOONING OR COMIC ARTS (CARTOONISTS AND CARICATURISTS)
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THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.
You may possess a fair knowledge of caricature without my advice or guidance, but there are many things pertaining to the commercial end of the profession which all students should take into account. To make a drawing is one thing; to dispose of it quite another.
A FEW "POINTERS"
A joke, whether told by words or picture, should be brief. A sketchy background lends a sort of reckless abandon to the picture, which is pleasant to the eye.
Drawings should be made at least twice the size they are to appear in print. This gives you a better opportunity to work up the detail; the word " detail': meaning any accessories that
have no direct bearing on the joke itself, but which add bits of interest to the picture.
You should not be harsh in your caricature of women. It is neither cute nor gentlemanly to injure woman's vanity by caricaturing her.
A man, unless he is too vain, likes to be caricatured. Don't draw things which are liable to reflect unfavorably upon your character. Ignore questionable subjects; everything lewd or obscene. Good, thinking people—who compose the largest class that enjoy your efforts—despise such work, as well as the artist who produces it.
TWO IMPORTANT DON'TS.
(1) Don't insist upon sending your drawings to a busy artist for his inspection and criticism. Remember it involves considerable work, which he is expected to perform without pecuniary reward. The simple inspection of your work is not all that is expected of him. There is, besides, his criticism in writing, which in itself is more annoying than his other daily labors. Then there is the repacking, addressing and remailing of your drawings. This robs him of valuable time. In many instances postage is even omitted, which is a serious oversight, and shows a lack of appreciation of the favors you anticipate. Don't forget to enclose stamped and addressed envelope, whenever you desire a reply.
(2) Never place a valuation on your drawings, the art editor will attend to that and send you a check for the sum he considers them worth to his publication. You little know the public's wants — the success of an artist's efforts depends upon the way they are read by the public. Often a feeble joke meets with great applause ; while many a powerful joke (in the judgment of the artist) has fallen upon the public like an icycle.
WHERE NATURE EXCEEDS ART.
How did nature ever think of so many funny things? That is the question you often • ask yourself as you look upon some living caricature walking along the streets. Nature has certainly accomplished wonders in that line. She has produced characters that even the cleverest pencil cannot improve upon, so it is wise to stick to nature. Let nature form 1 the basis of all your drawings, then distort it to a limited degree. Caricature is nothing more nor less than nature distorted..If you intend to follow the art of caricaturing you had better begin the collecting of photos and prints of public men. You may some day be obliged to use them in your cartoons.