Kevin Kallaugher - Cartoonist Survey #136

Kevin Kallaugher, known as KAL, is a political cartoonist and animator who was born in Norwalk, CT in 1955. He graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies in 1977. Kevin went to the British Isles after college and was hired by The Economist to become their first resident cartoonist in March of 1978. Working in London for the next 10 years he continued as the cartoonist for the Economist, as well as many other publications including The Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, Today and The Mail on Sunday. Kevin returned to the US in 1988 and became the editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun. During his 17 years drawing for the Sun he drew over 4000 cartoons while continuing to draw two cartoons per week for The Economist. His work has appeared in well over 100 publications worldwide such as Der Spiegel, Daily Yomiuri, The Australian, Pravda, Le Monde, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Newsweek.

In 2006, Kevin’s work was exhibited at The Walter’s Art Gallery and has also been on display at the Library of Congress in Washington and at the Tate Gallery in London. He has been presented with many awards for his work including multiple Thomas Nast Awards, The Gillray Goblet, The Grafica Internazionale Award and The Berryman Award. Over the years Kevin has also been involved in animation and in 2007 he launched the Maryland based animation company, Kaltoons, which produces both 2-D and 3-D animations. Visit Kevin’s website and check out his sketchblog. If you have an iPhone, you may purchase his app, iKal Book for $0.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod Touch.

What is your favorite pen to use?
A quill pen with a special nib: George W Hughes 1319.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I draw in pencil using a mechanical pencil .5 HB.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
By hand.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Normally watercolor and gouache.

What type of paper do you use?
Pen and ink: smooth Bristol, Color: Arches hot pressed watercolor block.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Cars.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Both.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes... Mostly blues . Now increasingly I listen to podcasts from the BBC and web based TV episodes.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Occasionally.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Calvin and Hobbes.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Dr Seuss: ‘If I Ran the Zoo’... Yes.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Bachelors degree from Harvard in Visual and Environmental Studies.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
A complete blessing... Easy access to reference images, view the great work of colleagues around the world, share your work with new audiences.

Did either of your parents draw?
Both painted.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Early on my Harvard teacher Albert Alcalay.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
No.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Both are required for excellence.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Men's waistcoats.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Yosemite Sam.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Blues Saxophonist.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Cluttered, doing 3 jobs at the same time.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Love what you are doing. If you do not make a living as an artist you can still enjoy drawing as a lifetime passion.

Who is your favorite artist?
Daumier.

Thanks again Kevin.

Up next is illustrator Bob Ostrom.