Golden Glove boxer and cartoonist Jerry King
Jerry King is an award-winning freelance cartoonist. He has been drawing cartoons since childhood and started working in his field back in high school when he got a job doing illustrations for children’s books. He served in the Army as a medic before going to Ohio State University to earn his BA in English. Before becoming a fulltime cartoonist Jerry was a Golden Glove boxer and was trained by John Russell, who went on to train World Heavy Weight Champion Buster Douglas. As a cartoonist Jerry has created thousands of greeting cards for more than 25 different companies including NobleWorks, Comstock, Renaissance, Gibson Greetings, and American Greetings. His cartoons have appeared in hundreds of publications worldwide such as Playboy, The Saturday Evening Post, National Enquirer, Better Homes and Gardens, Golf Digest and Woman’s World. Jerry is also the author and illustrator of seven children’s books and has illustrated many others. In 2001 he was recognized for his work by being awarded the National Cartoonist Society’s Magazine Gag Cartoon Award. Being a freelancer Jerry has been using the Internet to his advantage. His INeedACartoon store site allows anyone to purchase his cartoons for use on their websites or publications. Jerry lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife and two daughters. Stop by his website and checkout his store.
What is your favorite pen to use?
Sharpie and mechanical pencil.
Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Mechanical pencil. I used to buy the expensive type, but now I use kid's pencils that come in a pack of 20.
Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I used to use watercolor, now I use Photoshop.
If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
I used to use watercolors.
What type of paper do you use?
Regular typing paper, then scan in.
What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Caricatures. I suck at it.
Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Locally, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club or Office Max. I don't need fancy, expensive supplies to do a good cartoon.
Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Nope. I go right to work.
Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes. I'm a classic rock guy, some country, Motown and classics like Frank, Dean and other Vegas greats.
Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Peanuts.
What is or was your favorite comic strip?
The Far Side.
What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Didn't have one.
Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
No. I have a BA in English from The Ohio State University.
Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Blessing! I have the whole world at my finger tips.
Did either of your parents draw?
No.
Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents.
Do you keep a sketchbook?
No.
Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
No. I would like to teach at a university on how to survive as a freelancer.
Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
It has to be funny first, then the drawing. Unfortunately, many syndicated comic strips are poorly drawn and unfunny.
Do you collect anything and if so what?
No, but I do have an original Steve Canyon comic strip from 1947.
If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
The Hulk :O)
Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.
If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Boxer, or maybe MMA fighter.
In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Very comfortable. Surround sound stereo, TV.
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?
Stay away from syndication, The New Yorker and other areas that are a waste of time. Go after publications and websites that don't have cartoons, and convince them to run your cartoons. Marketing is EVERYTHING!
Who is your favorite artist?
Glenn McCoy. He's versatile, smart and prolific.
Thanks very much Jerry.
Cartoonist and illustrator Tom Scioli is next.
What is your favorite pen to use?
Sharpie and mechanical pencil.
Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Mechanical pencil. I used to buy the expensive type, but now I use kid's pencils that come in a pack of 20.
Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I used to use watercolor, now I use Photoshop.
If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
I used to use watercolors.
What type of paper do you use?
Regular typing paper, then scan in.
What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Caricatures. I suck at it.
Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Locally, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club or Office Max. I don't need fancy, expensive supplies to do a good cartoon.
Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Nope. I go right to work.
Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes. I'm a classic rock guy, some country, Motown and classics like Frank, Dean and other Vegas greats.
Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Peanuts.
What is or was your favorite comic strip?
The Far Side.
What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Didn't have one.
Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
No. I have a BA in English from The Ohio State University.
Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Blessing! I have the whole world at my finger tips.
Did either of your parents draw?
No.
Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents.
Do you keep a sketchbook?
No.
Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
No. I would like to teach at a university on how to survive as a freelancer.
Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
It has to be funny first, then the drawing. Unfortunately, many syndicated comic strips are poorly drawn and unfunny.
Do you collect anything and if so what?
No, but I do have an original Steve Canyon comic strip from 1947.
If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
The Hulk :O)
Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.
If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Boxer, or maybe MMA fighter.
In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Very comfortable. Surround sound stereo, TV.
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?
Stay away from syndication, The New Yorker and other areas that are a waste of time. Go after publications and websites that don't have cartoons, and convince them to run your cartoons. Marketing is EVERYTHING!
Who is your favorite artist?
Glenn McCoy. He's versatile, smart and prolific.
Thanks very much Jerry.
Cartoonist and illustrator Tom Scioli is next.
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1 comment:
I would take his class on How to Survive as a Freelancer. Jerry, please considering running one as an online class!
P.L. Frederick (Small & Big)
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