Announcing the David Wasting Paper 2013 Young Cartoonist Contest

Announcing the David Wasting Paper 

2013 Young Cartoonist Contest 

The David Wasting Paper Young Cartoonist Contest was created to pique the interest of junior artists who aspire to one day make their career in the captivating world that is cartooning. Although not a professional cartoonist by trade, I have always had a passion for all things creative. This contest was established in 2012 to honor the memory of my mother, Patricia Petrone, who passed away suddenly in May. My mother had a sincere appreciation for artistic talent…even the novice talents of her son…and would be very pleased that her memory lives on through this inspiring event.

The contest is open to artists between the ages of 13 and 16 who have an interest in cartooning and/or animation. The contest runs from November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013. The Winner will be awarded an impressive cartooning starter kit which includes several great books by renowned artists, drawing supplies from leading art vendors and a Wacom Drawing Tablet! (See below for complete details). One Honorable Mention winner will also be chosen. To enter the contest, please follow the checklist below:

Entry Checklist

1) Comic essay: A two to four page comic story, starring yourself, that explains why you would like to pursue a career in cartooning or animation. Comic must be original and legible.

2) 3 additional work examples: May include character designs/studies, comic strips or single panel cartoons.

3) Brief biography: A short, one paragraph biography of the applicant.

4) Consent to participate: All applicants must have parental/guardian consent to participate. Submissions must include a note from parent/guardian 1) confirming participant’s date of birth, 2) certifying that entry is the original and unassisted artwork of the participant and 3) providing their consent for the child to participate in the contest. This note must be signed and include the parent/guardian’s address and phone number. Winner’s parent/guardian will be notified by phone and prizes will be shipped to address provided.

DEADLINE: All required materials must be received no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on January 31, 2013.

SEND ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS TO:

David Wasting Paper * C/O David Paccia * P.O. Box 579 * Raynham CTR, MA 02768

SEND ANY QUESTIONS TO: David Paccia c/o dmp1234@yahoo.com

Restrictions: This contest is restricted to US residents only, between the ages of 13 to 16. Only one submission per child will be accepted. Material submitted will not be returned, and by participating you authorize David Wasting Paper to reprint your submission for promotional purposes. Failure to include all required material will result in disqualification. All decisions are final.

PRIZES TO BE AWARDED:

A subscription to Stay Tooned! Magazine subscription generously provided by the publisher of the magazine, John Read.

The Mad Art of Caricature!: A Serious Guide to Drawing Funny Faces by Tom Richmond (Paperback) generously donated by author and president of the National Cartoonists Society, Tom Richmond.

Art supplies including pens, mechanical pencil and storage, generously donated by Jetpens.com

Sketchbooks generously donated by Karen Doherty at Exaclair Inc.  (6 Exacompta sketchbooks which contain heavyweight 100 gr. cream-colored paper made by the Schut Paper Mill in the Netherlands which was founded all the way back in 1617.

Bristol paper pads generously donated by Strathmore Artists Papers - 3 pads: WindPower Bristol Smooth, 11x14 7 pads: WindPower Bristol Smooth, 9x12 5 pads 300 Series Bristol Smooth 9x12 5 pads 300 Series Sequential Art, Bristol Vellum, 12x12 7 pads 300 Series Bristol Smooth 11x14.

Cartooning the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm (Paperback)

Big Book of Cartooning by Bruce Blitz (Paperback)

Drawing in 3-D by Mark Kistler (Paperback)

How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way by Stan Lee (Paperback)

Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist (Will Eisner Instructional Books) by Will Eisner (Paperback)

Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud (Paperback)

Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond by Jessica Abel (Paperback)

Cartoon Animation (The Collector's Series) by Preston Blair (Paperback)

Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures by Walt Stanchfield (Paperback)

Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures by Walt Stanchfield (Paperback)

The Simpsons Handbook: Secret Tips from the Pros by Matt Groening (Hardcover)

Character Mentor: Learn by Example to Use Expressions, Poses, and Staging to Bring Your Characters to Life by Tom Bancroft (Paperback)

Wacom Bamboo Splash Pen Tablet – includes Autodesk Sketchbook Express and ArtRage software.

In the event any of the books listed are no longer available, David Wasting Paper reserves the right to substitute titles. Total value of prizes to be awarded is over $600.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the following for their generous donations:

Tom Richmond
John Read
Jetpens.com
Strathmore Artist Papers
Karen Doherty at Exaclair

I would also like to thank the following for their assistance and feedback:

Tom Gammill
Mike Rhode
Mike Lynch
Chris Gash
Stephanie Piro
John Klossner
Bill White

Finally, a huge thank you to my wife Patti who’s love and encouragement has been instrumental in getting this contest off the ground.

Phil Hands - Cartoonist Survey #273

Phil Hands is an award-winning freelance cartoonist, illustrator and writer, who was born in October of 1980.  He grew up in Detroit, MI and started drawing at a very young age.  He started having his cartoons published in the Grosse Pointe News when he was still in high school.  He graduated from Kenyon College in 2003 with a double major in Political Science and Studio Art.  During his four years at Kenyon he was the cartoonist for the school’s newspaper, The Kenyon Collegiate.  In 2005 Phil moved to Madison, WI to attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He drew cartoons for that school’s newspaper, The Daily Cardinal, as well.  While at UW-Madison working towards his Masters in Journalism and Mass Communications, he was honored with a first place finish from the Associated Collegiate Press for best editorial cartoons.

He currently draws editorial cartoons for the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison, Wisconsin as well as contributing illustrations to other sections of the paper and writing columns for the opinion page. Phil’s cartoons are also distributed internationally through Artizans Syndicate. Being a political moderate, his editorial cartoons don’t pull any punches with either side of the aisle.  For three years straight (2005 – 2007) the Milwaukee Press Club chose one of his cartoons as the best for the year. He has also received national first place awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and was even a finalist, along with other staffers at the Wisconsin State Journal, for 2008’s Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.  His cartoons have also been published in TIME Magazine, The Washington Post and USA Today.

A member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, Phil lives in Madison with his wife Tricia and their son Owen.  Visit his Phil Hands Cartoons website to see much more of his work as well as his Madtoons blog and his blog at the Wisconsin State Journal.  You should also his check out his Facebook page which he updates regularly.  As a side note, Phil is also a huge Green Bay Packers fan, but I won’t hold that against him…Go Patriots!

What is your favorite pen to use?

I ink with a brush. My favorite pen is a Micron number 01.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?

Mechanical.

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

Computer.

What type of paper do you use?

I use 100 lb smooth Bristol board.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Large crowds.

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

I buy what I can from local stores but I order specific items I can't always find.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?

Drink coffee.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

I always listen to something when I draw. Usually news and talk shows. Occasionally I'll listen to

Irish Music, Hip/Hop, Country or the Grateful Dead.

What was the first job as a cartoonist/illustrator that you were paid for?

Editorial Cartoonist Grosse Pointe News.

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?

Sneetches, my son has it now.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

I have a Bachelor's in Art.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?

Both of course. It's easier to share my cartoons with people. It's harder to get paid.

Did either of your parents draw?

No.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?

Mom, Dad, wife.

Do you keep a sketchbook?

Yes.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?

Yes. It was just OK but I don't think I'm very good at it.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?

Passion can lead to skill, but you can't learn talent. I'm a skilled artist, but not all that talented.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

I collect little Christmas village houses and characters but if you tell anyone I'll have to kill you ;)

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

No clue.

Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty.

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

Editorial page writer and columnist, or Architect.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

I have an exceptionally messy desk in the attic of my house.

Do you play any musical instruments?

Guitar and Harmonica.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?

Quantity breeds Quality. Draw lots and don't worry about making it too perfect.

Who is your favorite artist?

Bill Watterson

Thank you very much for participating Phil!

John Martz - Cartoonist Survey #272

John Martz is an award-winning Canadian cartoonist, illustrator and designer. He is also the editor of one of my favorite cartooning and illustration blogs Drawn! John studied graphic design at Conestoga College in Ontario from 1997-2000. He then worked in the television industry where he created logos, animation and graphics. Some of the television stations he produced work for include CityTV, Space (Canada’s sci-fi channel), Bravo! and MuchMusic.

In March of 2005 John launched the blog Drawn!, which focuses on illustration, cartooning and animation from around the world. I already mentioned that it is one of my favorite art blogs, and I’m not alone. Drawn! was chosen as one of TIME Magazine's Coolest Websites of the Year for 2006. Over the last seven years, I have been introduced to the work of some very talented people…most of whom I would never have discovered if not for John’s wonderful resource!

John left the television industry in 2006 to become a full-time illustrator. His comics and illustrations have appeared in Kayak, Canada’s history magazine for kids, as well as numerous other magazines such as Jamie Oliver’s Jamie, chickaDEE, Uppercase and Maclean's. Hallmark, No Brow Press, Yahoo!, First Second Books, CTV, La Pasteque, Koyama Press and Egmont are just a handful of John’s other clients. In July of last year, John’s work started appearing in Canada’s largest circulated national newspaper, The Globe and Mail and he is now a regular contributor.

His comic work has been nominated twice for Doug Wright Awards and at last year’s Joe Shuster Awards, John’s comic book ‘Heaven All Day’ won the Gene Day Award for self publishers. A member of the National Cartoonists Society, John lives in Toronto with his wife, Lindsay and dog Gary. Visit his website here to see more of his work and to purchase prints and mini-comics. You can follow John over on his blog and his Facebook page. Also, be sure to set aside some time every week to check out some of the coolest comic and illustration work that John showcases at Drawn!

What is your favorite pen to use?
For sketching I'll grab whatever's nearby. I tend to have a new favourite every few months, and impulsively buy different pens whenever I see something new.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I'll use either. I use a lightbox for my non-digital work, so sometimes I'll use a pen or, again, whatever's handy, since I trace over my roughs on the lightbox rather than having to erase my initial under-drawings.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I like to play around with watercolour and gouache, but I'm not proficient enough with it yet, so my colouring is all done on the computer.

What type of paper do you use?
I'm not picky. I buy pads of illustration paper or bristol board -- usually the higher end brands since they tend to take ink better without bleeding. For roughs, and even for final art sometimes, I'll use cheap printer paper.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Horses on bicycles.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I sometimes buy pens from websites like Jetpens simply because they have a broader selection, but otherwise I'm lucky to have several art supply stores within walking distance from my house.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Is procrastination a ritual?

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Not while I'm doing any comics work that requires writing and thinking, since I need to be clear-headed. But for doodling, sketching, and inking, and doing final art, I listen to music or podcasts, or I'll have movies/TV on in the background. Something that doesn't require much attention. Musicwise, my last.fm profile can probably better define my tastes better than listing a few genres: http://www.last.fm/user/robotjohnny/.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I didn't read a lot of comic books until I hit high school, but I loved MAD Magazine as a kid.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
My favourite was and still is Peanuts.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I still have copies of all my favourite childhood books. I don't know if I can pick just one, but certainly Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl was a favourite, as was Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs & Ham, and a book of poems called Alligator Pie by Canadian poet Dennis Lee.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I studied Graphic Design in college, but I didn't have any formal art or illustration training.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Certainly it's both. It's a wonderful resource and Twitter is a great way to keep in touch with other cartoonists throughout the day, but it sure is a distraction.

Did either of your parents draw?
Neither of my parents draw, but my grandmother painted, and my mother is very crafty.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents always made sure I had plenty of drawing tools and paper, and always signed me up for cartooning classes, art lessons, and even computer animation camp.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Absolutely. It's the single greatest tool in an artist's arsenal. I have several on the go at all times, and have several bookshelves full of my completed sketchbooks.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught cartooning at a library one summer long ago, but I was woefully unprepared for it, so I don't think it counts. I'd do it again if given the chance and if I had the opportunity to really think about lesson plans and methods.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
You won't get very far without passion. I don't know if I really believe in talent -- you just keeping doing, and you get better at it. Cartooning is a honed skill.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Books, mostly. Our house is overflowing with books. Books books books.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I'd like to say Bugs Bunny, but I think the more truthful answer would be Daffy Duck.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Gosh I don't know. I don't have any other marketable skills. I'd have to do medical testing for money.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Currently, due to the layout of my apartment, it's split between two rooms -- I have a room with my computer and Cintiq for digital work,

and another room with my art supplies and drafting table for non-digital work.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Sadly, no.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Keep at it! Nothing happens overnight. Keep a sketchbook, never stop drawing, and just concentrate on enjoying the process of discovery and play. That's when the best things happen.

Who is your favorite artist?
I couldn't possibly choose, but it's an even tie between Charles Schulz, Jim Henson, Chuck Jones, Ronald Searle, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Seth, B. Kliban, and the list goes on!

Thank you again for taking the time to participate John!