Paul Fell - Cartoonist Survey #216

Cartoonist Paul Fell grew up in Massachusetts before moving to Nebraska to play college football and study art. He earned a BFA and BA from Peru State College and a Masters in painting from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. While teaching high school art in Auburn, NE, Paul began drawing editorial cartoons as a freelancer. In 1984 he became the editorial cartoonist and newsroom artist for the Lincoln Journal and continued in this position until 1992 when his staff position was eliminated. Since that time he has operated his own freelance cartoon and humorous illustration business, providing work for a wide variety of clients. When the Lincoln Journal merged with the Lincoln Star to become the Lincoln Star Journal in 1995, Paul was contracted to draw three editorial cartoons a week. He continued to supply the Lincoln Star Journal with cartoons until the middle of 2007.

Since the late 70’s he has been drawing cartoons that focus on the fans and players of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and these cartoons have been regularly published in the Huskers Illustrated Magazine. He has also been creating a weekly editorial cartoon for the Nebraska Press Association since the early 90’s which accompany the NPA’s weekly “Capitol View” column and is distributed to dozens of member newspapers throughout the state of Nebraska. Artizans Syndicate began distributing Paul’s award winning cartoons to newspapers in North America and worldwide in 2005. In addition to creating editorial cartoons he is a talented caricaturist and guest speaker whose presentation titled, "Life As A Cartoonist / Why Don’t You Get A Real Job?" has been enjoyed by groups of all ages and interests. Paul and his wife Arlene live in Lincoln, NE. Learn more about Paul and see many more examples of his work over at his Paul Fell Cartoons website.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I like the Pigma Micron fine tip pen and the Pitt brush pen.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I do draw in pencil first. I use a mechanical pencil (don't have to stop constantly to sharpen it) with HB lead.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I pencil and ink my cartoons, then scan them into the computer and color them in Photoshop.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore 300 bristol. Smooth.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
I like to draw everything.

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

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

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I listen to classical music on NPR during the day. In the evening I listen to a variety of musical styles on a local station.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I didn't have the money to buy or collect comics when I was a kid, but I used to love to read the creepy ones, like "Tales From The Crypt".

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I loved Walt Kelley's Pogo during its run. My favorite now is Non Sequitur by my buddy Wiley Miller.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I have a BFA and BA in art from Peru State College (NE) and a Masters in painting from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
More of a blessing than a curse.

Did either of your parents draw?
Nope.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife. She encouraged me all during my career as a fine artist and then as a cartoonist.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
No.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I have taught cartooning to all ages. I enjoy teaching it most to high school age and above.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. I have met very few people who were truly talented who actually did anything with that gift.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I have a bunch of cartoon originals from friends in the business hanging in my studio, but I'm not a real serious collector.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Donald Duck. My temper gets the best of me every so often.

Are you a righty or lefty?
I draw right handed. My politics lean toward the progressive side.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
That's a good question. Art-related work, either from the teaching or from the creative side is all I have ever done. Maybe be a travel agent or a tour escort.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
It is located in the lower level of our home and shares space with the family room/TV/fireplace. I have plenty of space to work, and have to keep it reasonably clean and organized since it IS part of the house.

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?
Go for it. If you don't make a serious attempt to pursue your dream, you'll spend the rest of your life asking yourself "what it...?"

Who is your favorite artist?
The great illustrator N.C. Wyeth, father of Andrew Wyeth.

Thanks again Paul.

Steve Lafler - Cartoonist Survey #215

Purchase your very own FrankenJerry t-shirt by clicking on the above picture.

Steve Lafler is a cartoonist who was born in upstate New York in 1957. He studied painting at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and graduated in December of 1979. While at UMass he drew the daily comic strip, “Aluminum Foil” for the school newspaper, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. In 1980 he published his first book, “Benb and Gerald”, a collection of his “Aluminum Foil” strips. Steve then published the 24 page comic, “Mean Cat” in 1981 under his own Cat-Head Comics imprint. His “Dog Boy” series came next and was also published under his Cat-Head Comics until Fantagraphics picked it up for a ten issue run in 1987. In the 90’s he and his long-time friend Stephen Beaupre created the magazine-sized comic anthology Buzzard, which ran for 20 issues and included work by many well known and up and coming cartoonists.

Steve is probably best known for his “Bughouse” comics which feature anthropomorphic jazz music playing insects. Originally published in the pages of Buzzard, “Bughouse” soon became its own series published through Cat-Head Comics and eventually published by Top Shelf in three volumes, “Bughouse”, “Baja” and “Scalawag”. Other works by Steve include, “Duck & Cover”, “Femme Noire”, “Prometheus’ Gift”, “40 Hour Man”, “Self Employment for Bohemians”, “Tranny” and his most recent “El Vocho”. Steve is also a talented painter and illustrator who has done work for Sony Music, Bill Graham Presents, Apple Computer, Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, Seattle Weekly, San Francisco Weekly, Worcester Magazine and many others. He lives with his wife Serena and their two children in Oaxaca, Mexico. Stop by his website to see more of his work and buy his books. You should also follow him on his Self Employment for Bohemians blog. There are also some pretty cool t-shirts that he has for sale over at CafePress.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Micron 03 and 05, which I use for details after inking with a brush. Speedball B-6 for lettering, can't beat it for classic cartoon feeling.

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

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I use Photoshop for the most part.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Acrylics.

What type of paper do you use?
I like 2 ply bristol, or heavier, and I like both smooth and rough finish. You just can't get bristol in Oaxaca where I live, so I try to stock up when in the states. Down here, I go to the art stores and papeleria and just look at various stock until I find something good. Right now I'm drawing a Dog Boy story on some heavy paper with a rough texture, it defines a lot about how the work goes--it will be very rustic looking!

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
The only real problem is drawing when I'm rusty--and as a dad of two small kids, I'm rusty a lot these days. I'm not a fan of doing illustration work, but on the other hand I take it because I need the bucks!

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?All of the above. Dick Blick is good when I'm in the states.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Review the script, check my supplies, and go. Sometimes I like to smoke some pot, depending on the task at hand.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Oh yeah, lately been listening to Cracker, Capt. Beefheart, Elvis Costello, Grateful Dead, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, the Cramps, and some bad ass Bob Dylan shows from the mid 90s with lots of snarling guitars -- a very edgy, bluesy moment for Bob, most folks don't even believe it's him. I was 20 in 1977, so you can figure that defines part of my taste.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Archie, Sad Sack, Gold Key, Dell, Uncle Scrooge, then at age ten on to Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and Marvel stuff. Later, Will Eisner and Crumb. Reading Spider-Man in '67 - '69 was insane fun and very exciting.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
For the storytelling and great art, Steve Canyon. The imperialism, that aspect of Caniff's work is sort of dumb, but other than that he's the man.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
As a teen, read thru Lord of the Rings three times. When really little, you can't beat Dr. Seuss.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Bachelor's of Fine Arts, concentration in painting at UMass Amherst. The profs were a bunch of drunks, letches and ego maniacs. Quite a bunch.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Yes. I love the web, but I love print even more. I love printing presses and ink.

Did either of your parents draw?
A bit, both had talent but did not pursue it.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife Serena. My friends Mike Perkin and Stephen Beaupre.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I don't have time, with other responsibilities. Here and there I'll do a stretch of sketching. I'm not a compulsive life drawer like Crumb or Peter Kuper (Cartoonist Survey #126).

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Taught at Lane Community College in Eugene Oregon for two years, and later in the Oakland CA Parks and Rec art program for kids. I'm not a true teacher though. I prefer students 18 or older who exhibit a real commitment.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
For me, it's a matter of will and a sense of mission. The talent is important, but passion trumps talent.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Collected Marvels as a kid. Now, I'm the least materialistic person I know, can't be bothered. I'd rather do than collect.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
A combo of Shaggy and Spider-Man. Well, I'd be Daphne for Halloween.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Left handed lefty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Cow punk guitarist/singer/songwriter -- basically a rock star.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
A drawing table in a corner, with a cluttered table full of crap next to it.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Acoustic and electric guitar, have just started a band with Bill Stair, who's been onstage at CBGB's, provisionally called Bughouse. Sort of cow punk/country/rock and roll. Just played our first gig, with more to come this spring.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?Go to a cool art school and make lots of friends. My nephew Dan James, aka Ghostshrimp, went to Pratt. Some of his college buddies hired him to work at Cartoon Network and now he's the lead background artist on Adventure Time. Not bad, kid! Rock on.

Who is your favorite artist?
It's always changing. I like ink slingers like Eisner and Caniff, but hell Jack Kirby ruled my childhood. And now, who can beat Jaime Hernandez, he's incredible. Well, I also love Lux Interior, Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Jerry Garcia and Howlin' Wolf as much as any visual artist.


Thank you very much Steve!

Next time on David Wasting Paper is cartoonist Paul Fell.

Johnny Ryan - Cartoonist Survey #214

This portrait of Johnny was done by Rama Hughes (Cartoonist Survey #19)

Alternative comics creator Johnny Ryan was born in November of 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Plymouth, MA and went to college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After graduating from UMass he worked various jobs doing everything from bussing tables to house painting. Encouraged by friends to pursue a career in comics, Johnny started self-publishing his "Angry Youth Comix" in 1994. Four years and 10 issues later he showed his work to Peter Bagge (creator of Hate comics). Peter showed it to Eric Reynolds of Fantagraphics Books and in 2000 Fantagraphics picked up Johnny’s "Angry Youth Comix". Over the years AYC has earned multiple Ignatz, Harvey and Eisner nominations. Johnny’s other comic works include, “The Comic Book Holocaust”, “The Klassic Komics Klub”, “Blecky Yuckerella” (which originated in the alternative newspaper the Portland Mercury) and “Prison Pit”. His work is reminiscent of the underground comix days of the 60’s and 70’s in that it is politically incorrect, sometimes shocking and filled with great gross-out humor.

Johnny’s comics and illustrations have also been published in MAD, LA Weekly, National Geographic Kids, The Stranger, Vice and Hustler Magazine. His gag cartoons appeared in almost every issue of Nickelodeon Magazine, which included a section called "The Comic Book" and featured regular comic strips from underground artists. He has done work for Rhino Records, Fox TV and Nobleworks greeting cards as well. He recently collaborated with Chris Duffy, his former boss at Nickelodeon Magazine, to create the Comixer app for the iPad. The Comixer app features individual cartoon panels which Johnny drew and colored that can be re-mixed to create a multitude of different cartoon stories. Learn more about the Comixer app here. Johnny lives in Los Angeles with his wife. Visit his website to see more of his work and buy books, prints and toys. You can also purchase much of his work over at Fantagraphics Books.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Copic.

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

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

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Copic markers or gouache.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore bristol.

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

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Swain's & Blue Rooster.

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?
Sometimes. I listen to death or black metal or krautrock. Mostly I listen to the Howard Stern show.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Yes, Spider-Man.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Dick Tracy.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Sure, it was "Who Needs Donuts" by Mark Alan Stamaty.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I was an art major for 2 semesters at UMass Amherst.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Internet's cool.

Did either of your parents draw?
No.

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

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Sure.

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?
Passion.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Not really. I can't afford it.

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

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

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

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
It's in a hallway.

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?
Give lots of rim jobs.

Who is your favorite artist?
Al Jaffee.


Thanks again Johnny.

Up next is cartoonist and illustrator Steve Lafler, who also happens to be a UMass Amherst alumnus.

Brian Biggs - Cartoonist Survey #213

Illustrator Brian Biggs was born in 1968 and spent his early years split between Arkansas and Texas. In 1987 he moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. He spent time in France and San Francisco and has lived in Philadelphia since 1999. Over the years Brian has worked as an art director, graphic designer, animator, teacher, writer, and illustrator. Between 1991 and 1999 Brian wrote and drew graphic novels and comics including Frederick & Eloise, Dear Julia, (nominated for an Eisner Award) and his two self-published works, Nineteen Weird Guys and a Portrait of the Artist and Interim.

Currently, Brian does illustrations for newspapers, magazines, advertising, puzzles, toys and children’s books. He has illustrated the popular children’s book series, “Roscoe Riley”, “Goofball Malone”, and “Shredderman" as well as several other titles. Visit Brian’s website to see more of his comic and illustration work. In addition to his illustration work, Brian enjoys electronic music, even building and programming his own synthesizers. He has a website devoted to his electronic sounds and ideas called Dance Robot, Dance where you can hear and see examples of his creations.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Pentel RSVP ball-point, fine.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yes, mechanical. Various sizes.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Computer and Wacom tablet.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore 500 Series Bristol, vellum surface.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Plants. Bushes, trees, etc. In fact, most natural things. Mountains are tedious. I like man-made junk, especially mechanical.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Both, depending on what it is and how much I need it. I buy my paper in bulk so the web is my friend. But sometimes I like wandering art supply stores picking out inks or things.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Just coffee. Lovely, lovely coffee.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Often, yes. I listen to a lot of news-radio as well. When it's music, it's almost always electronic.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Nope. I discovered comics in college.

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

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town. I don't own the same copy, but I have a copy, yes.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I studied graphic design in college. Is that formal?

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Blessing. I have to weigh the pros and cons all the time, but it comes down on "blessing." Hard to concentrate sometimes when the email is so easy to get lost in.

Did either of your parents draw?
Both of them could/can, though neither of them was serious about it.

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

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yeah, I do. But it's funny -- it's mostly to-do lists and ideas for things that I don't have time to do. Since I draw pictures all day every day, I don't sit around and sketch, really.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught illustration at The University of the Arts here in Philadelphia for four years. I enjoyed it, but I'm glad I don't do it anymore.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. A lot of talented illustrators are sitting around waiting for work to come to them. Passionate illustrators are just doing it. Both are a plus.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Not really. I have my insane esoteric hobbies; I, um, invest in modular synthesizers and other weird music gear, for instance.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Oh, well, Calvin. His life is a perfect one.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Leftist. Totally. I draw with my right had if that's what you’re asking.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Play music in a band on a stage.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I work at a big old wooden drafting table that sits surrounded by bookshelves and bulletin boards in an old garage which I share with no one. Nearby sits another large wooden table on which I have my digital stuff like the computer, scanner, and that sort of thing.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Yes. A little accordion, a little ukulele, I'm learning guitar, and I program synthesizers.

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

Who is your favorite artist?
The best answer for this I can give you is based on a thing that went around Facebook last year. Fifteen in fifteen. I can't come up with one favorite, so here's fifteen. For now.

Edward Gorey
Jacques Tardi
Chris Ware
Seymour Chwast
Arnold Lobel
Richard Scarry
Walt Disney
Saul Steinberg
B. Kliban
George Tooker
Ben Shahn
Jorge Colombo
Robert Crumb
Bill Watterson
Maurice Sendak


Thanks again for your time Brian.

Stay Tooned Magazine Issue #6

Issue #6 of John Read's Stay Tooned Magazine is out and available for you to order. If you have read any of the previous issues then you already know how great this magazine is. If you have yet to check it out, I strongly recommend you order your copy today. All five previous issues are completely sold out, so I wouldn't wait very long to get this issue.

Here's what you'll find inside;

"Issue 6 features a multitude of Mikes: new profiles (that's interviews and art galleries) of Mike Arnold, Mike Cope, Mike Edholm, Michael Jantze, Mike Lynch, Michael Maslin and Michael Ramirez; Cartoonist Surveys conducted by David Paccia with Mike Marland and Mike Shapiro; a "True-Life Adventure" told by Mike Mignola. Photo reports share John Read's "One Fine Sunday in the Funny Pages" travels to Disney ToonFest and Omaha, Nebraska, and his visit to the Cartoon Library at Ohio State University for the Sunday Funnies stamps First-Day-of-Issue ceremony. AND: articles/columns contributed by Tom Richmond, R.C. Harvey, Jim Ivey, Rich & Neil Diesslin and John Hambrock!"

Congratulations to John for another great issue!

Peter Nilsen - Cartoonist Survey #212

Two weekends ago my wife and I attended the Bear’s Den Fly Fishing show which was held in Taunton, MA. Since my dad is a saltwater fly fishing guide, he had a booth there to answer questions and demonstrate fly tying. After hanging out with dear old dad for awhile, my wife and I took a walk around the show to check out all of the new fly tying material and tackle. My wife was the first one to spot a book of fishing cartoons (“Fish Foolishness”) and introduced herself to the next survey participant, Peter Nilsen. I must have been looking at some new synthetic wing material or searching for the tray of free brownies I was told was in the area. We chatted with Peter and I asked him if he would like to participate in my Cartoonist Survey. He readily agreed, and even saved my brain a little work by sending me his bio ready for posting (with some minor editing for length).

My cartooning started at eight years old, when I used to trace my favorite cartoon characters from the comic section of the local newspaper. When I was only 10 years old, I started taking art classes at the Art Association in Newport, RI. There I learned to draw what I saw and paint what I felt. Even then, I knew that some day, I wanted to become a professional artist. I graduated from High School in Newport and in those four years, took all the art and mechanical drawing classes they offered and of course fished every chance I could. I attended the University of Massachusetts / Dartmouth receiving a degree in Visual Arts and also taking many courses in the fine arts. My career was never about being a cartoonist, but more in the graphic design and advertising field. After college, I started out as a paste-up artist and progressed to a layout artist and then to being a creative director in many advertising agencies, but my interest and love for cartoons always flavored my graphic design work and I always did humorous illustrations at home and for special occasions.

For 10 years I was the editor, designer and producer of my local Trout Unlimited chapter's newsletter. Every month I added a fishing related cartoon to the issue, to spice it up. A lot were slanted towards local political conservation issues but more were silly things that happen to fish and fisherman on the stream. In 1996 my newsletter won the award for the best Trout Unlimited newsletter in the country. Because of my love of fly fishing, I continued to draw cartoons of fish and fisherman. So, after many years and so many cartoons on this subject matter, I figured I had to do something with these, so I worked on a book last year and it was published in December of 2010. The great response to this book and my cartoons has got me wanting to do another, so I have started 2 books with different subject matter and will choose one after seeing which idea will create more quality "toons".

What is your favorite pen to use?
I use a Rapid-o-graph pen for the final. Sometimes a Pilot Razor point (Terrific sketching pen, too).

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Sketch out situation in standard pencil, tissue overlay and refine, then ink.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
By hand. Haven't mastered the "layering thing" on Photoshop as of yes. I'm trying!

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Prismacolor pencil on paper, Watercolor when on illustration board.

What type of paper do you use?
Copy paper or sketchbook for sketching, 18lb smooth marker paper for final.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Dogs. Everyone wants me to draw their dog. Never can get their legs right. Glad I can do cartoons...who cares what their legs look like!

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Local art stores & Jerry's.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Act silly! Talk to myself.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Only when I do the finish drawings...usually Jazz.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Read them all forever. Action Comics. Captain Marvel, Superman, The Blackhawks (damn, I gave all my comics to my sister when I went to college).

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
The strip "Henry" (ages ago). Simple strip. Started tracing him from the newspaper when I was eight. "Mother Goose & Grimm" is now...Just my style. Also, "Hagar the Horrible".

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Curious George. Yes.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Yes, BS is Visual Design @ UMass.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Information & resource are amazing. To help creativity...I don't know. A crutch to some.

Did either of your parents draw?
Better than most parents, but not really well.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Mother. Introduced me to art classes at an early age.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Only for travel. Not a daily thing.

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?
Passion is the most important, a degree of talent can be learned, but real talent usually wins out in the end. But, a lot of people are successful in the art field and can't draw worth a damn.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Along with art, my other passion is fly-fishing and I collect vintage tackle. They are "little works of art".

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Probably Wimpy..."I'll gladly pay you tomorrow, for a hamburger today!"

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
A chef...I love to chop and create, but that's sort of art, isn't it?

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
A towering wall of pencils pens, ink, paper, pads, boxes, magazines and other related reference material, that surrounds a large drawing table. The creative cave.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No. But I bang out a mean drum solo with my thumbs on my drawing desk.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Forget it! Be a doctor or teacher and draw and paint on the side. The majority of people can't make a decent living being an artist any more. Unless you can become a technical wiz and can do animation or something like that, being successful with the pencil, pen or brush is limited to the super talented. Don't quit your day job!

Who is your favorite artist?
Wow...mmmm...Cartoonist - Gary Larson. Painter - Renoir.

Order your own copy of Peter’s “Fish Foolishness” here or by clicking on the book cover below.

Thanks again Peter. It was very nice to meet you!

Rich Tennant - Cartoonist Survey #211

Richard Tennant is a cartoonist who was born in Chicago in May of 1947. He started drawing as a boy and honed his skills by copying drawings from newspapers, comics, comic books and magazines. His father was a professional pianist and not only introduced Rich to a wide variety of musical styles, he also taught him how to play the piano. After graduating from high school, Rich spent time studying at both the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. He was drafted by the Army in 1967 and served for two years. When he got back to civilian life he worked as a paralegal, advertising copywriter, caterer, and entrepreneur. He also studied for awhile at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

His single panel gag cartoon, “The 5th Wave” was started in 1981. This long running cartoon series got it’s name from Alvin Toffler’s book “Future Shock” and has been collected in three books and syndicated to numerous newspapers and magazines. He was the editorial cartoonist for IDG’s (International Data Group) magazines, Computerworld and Federal Computer World from 1987 to 1999. During this time he also freelanced, specializing in computer and technology cartoons for newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications around the world. Rich has been the resident cartoonist of the “For Dummies” book series since 1991. His “The 5th Wave” cartoons have been printed in every single one of the over 1,600 titles of the “For Dummies” books. He lives with his wife Cynthia here in my home state of Massachusetts. Visit “The 5th Wave” website where you can learn more about Rich, see more examples of his work and even buy cartoons for use in PowerPoint presentations, newsletters, books, websites, blogs and personal prints.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Pigma Micron, black, .03 tip for drawing, .05 tip for lettering.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I sketch ideas on tracing paper with Staples #2 HB pencils, then trace sketches onto bristol board with any #4H pencil.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I used to hand color my work with watercolors and Dr. Martin dyes. I now use Photoshop.

What type of paper do you use?
I sketch on any tracing paper around, mostly 9x 12 Strathmore, and finished work on Aquabee 9 x 12 plate bristol board.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
It takes time for me to get groups of people klumped together in the right way, like in the background of a cocktail party, and I'm not fond of drawing people sitting around a table in a conference room. I don't like drawing the backs of people. It's so dull.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I used to buy my materials at a small local art store until he closed up shop. I now drive to AC Moore or Michaels and make my purchases.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No rituals other than the usual - coffee, newspaper, shower, shave, etc. But I work best in the morning and I try to make sure I'm feeling good before I sit down at the drawing board. I have some "unintentional laughter" YouTube videos that I sometimes deploy just to get me chuckling.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I love music - jazz and classical - but I find it affects my drawing because too much of my energy is engaged with the music and not what's happening on the paper. For that reason, I don't listen to anything when I'm drawing.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I'm not sure I had a favorite, but I read Archie, Blackhawk, Combat, Plastic Man and Superman...

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Again, not sure I had a favorite. Whatever was in the Sunday Chicago Tribune.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
My parents had a large hard-bound book that was a compendium of stories, illustrations, comics, and poems that I would read, mostly when confined to bed with an illness. I don't remember the name of the book and I don't own a copy of it, but it contained fine Hal Foster-type illustrations and wonderful poems, like Robert Louis Stevenson's, "The Land of Counterpane".

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I drew constantly as a young boy, copying the entire Sunday comics page, pictures from my father’s art books from classes he took at the Art Institute of Chicago, and anything else I could find. By the time I was in the 8th grade I had some pretty decent drafting skills. This continued through high school and then 2 years of fine art training at a junior college. I never intended to be a cartoonist, though, (I thought I might be a commercial illustrator), so I had to figure that out on my own.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
It's neither and both. Like money.

Did either of your parents draw?
My father flirted with the idea of being an artist but never really pursued it. He worked his entire life as a pianist in clubs and hotels in Chicago.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My father. He would sit me on his lap after supper and the two of us would draw pictures together.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
No.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
No. I wouldn't know how to teach cartooning.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. Without that, all the talent in the world won't amount to much.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I'm not sure I actually "collect" anything, but I do enjoy procuring DVDs of old horror and sci-fi movies. Everything from the early Universal Pictures stuff to the mid-50's B-grade movies like, "Them", "The Blob", the gill-man trilogy... There's just something warm and fuzzy about those old, schlocky black-and-white films.

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

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Be a jazz musician (fantasy), or, a jazz disc jockey (more realistic).

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Pretty clean and neat. I use a light table so I had a special one built that acts as a drawing board. I face a window with blinds that can be closed; I'm surrounded by bookshelves and have a small couch I sometimes work on, sometimes nap on.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I play the piano. I studied as much piano as I did art, maybe more, and thought I would someday be a professional jazz pianist.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Be persistent. Never stop improving and never stop pushing your business forward. I've found most people become successful in this business because they simply kept doing it longer than anyone else. You win by attrition.

Who is your favorite artist?
Hard to pick a favorite. For cartoon illustration, probably the late, great, Jeff MacNelly. For fine art, I love Claes Oldenburg's work, and recently discovered a few newer artists whose work I enjoy very much, Wosene Kosrof and Cole Morgan.

Thanks again for everything Rich!

Up next is cartoonist and fly fisherman Peter Nilsen.

Upcoming Books I'm Looking Forward To

Here are a few comics related books I'm looking forward to being released. All are available for pre-order with some pretty good discounts.

Nick Galifianakis Book Signing and Presentation

A couple of weeks back I sent out my Cartoonist Survey to cartoonist Nick Galifianakis. Nick wrote back that he'd be happy to answer my questions but that it would have to wait a while since he was busy on a publicity tour for his new book, "If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute". Come to find out one of the places on his tour was the Barnes & Noble in Burlington, MA, just a 30 minute ride from my home. My wife Patti and I along with my fellow cartooning classmate Paula, made the trek to B&N for a fun and entertaining afternoon. Nick's presentation was filled with wit, wisdom and drawings.

The display of Nick's new book "If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute".

The talk portion of the presentation.

A man who truly loves his work.

Nick draws for the audience.

The book signing.

My personalized copy.

Thanks to Nick for a funny and thought provoking presentation.

Matt Wuerker - Cartoonist Survey #210

Matt Wuerker is an editorial cartoonist and illustrator who was born in California and now lives and works in Washington, DC. While earning his degree in International Affairs at Lewis and Clark College, he drew cartoons for the school’s newspaper, Pioneer Log. He graduated in 1979 and began working at Will Vinton’s animation studio in Portland, Oregon creating clay animated films. During this time he also illustrated a couple of books written by Dr. Laurence Peter (author of the "Peter Principle") and worked as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator for newspapers and magazines. In 1981 he got married and he and his wife moved to the Canary Islands. After a year out of the States, they moved to Los Angeles where Matt continued with his freelance work and also started working on a syndicated comic strip project with Dr. Peter. The single panel cartoon, “The Peter Principle” was launched in 1984 by United Feature Syndicate and ran for a couple of years until Dr. Peter’s health started failing. Matt started working in the animation field again in the mid-80’s, animating and designing music videos for the likes of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson.

A couple years after his son Owen was born he realized that the music video business didn’t allow him to spend much time with his family, so he moved the family to Portland, OR to resume freelancing. Since that time, his cartoons have appeared in The Washington Free Press, LA Times, The Nation, Funny Times, The American Prospect, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor and many other publications. Matt and his family then moved Washington, DC and in 2006 he started working at Politico. He has been their editorial cartoonist and illustrator ever since. He also creates computer animations for Politico’s website. Collections of his cartoons have been published including, “Standing Tall in Deep Doo Doo” and “Meanwhile in Other News”. He also co-authored, “The Madness of King George” and illustrated, “Robbing Us Blind”, “Building Unions” and “Chaos or Community?”. Last year Matt was awarded both the Herblock Prize for excellence in editorial cartooning and the Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award. He has also twice been a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in editorial cartooning. You can see much more of Matt’s work over at Politico and read his profile from The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. You can also try your hand at making your own cartoons with “The Cartoon Playground” over at the Funny Times website. All of the elements at the Playground were created by Matt.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I know I should be using nibs but I've become addicted to rapidographs. They're generally tidy and the ink holds up to watercolor.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use pencil, 9 mm mechanical mostly.... lots of erasing too.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
All by hand, tube watercolors.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Sable watercolor brushes.

What type of paper do you use?
Fabiano bright white hot press watercolor blocks.

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

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?
Drink coffee.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Music sometimes but mostly chatter on the radio or cable news shows. I used to have an unhealthy interest in listening to Rush and evangelical radio shows but I've grown out of it.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I never got into any of the superhero stuff. Classics Illustrated were my faves... does that make me a nerd? I also liked Richie Rich and Archie. I guess that makes me more of a dweeb.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
In the regular daily comics I liked Peanuts and Broom Hilda.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
When I was little I loved Gwendolyn the Miracle Hen that had wonderful illustrations by Ed Sorel. My family also had a lot of Charles Addams books that I spent a lot of time with. I have copies of these still.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I've taken adult classes along the way at places like Otis/Parsons in LA and a painting class at the Corcoran here in DC but I'm self taught.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
A blessing, especially once they figure out how to put a little monetizing box on it.

Did either of your parents draw?
My dad would draw little cartoon figures on post cards I'd get at summer camp. I really loved those, usually goofy little boys or sometimes funny Prussians with pointy helmets. My mom has incredibly straight hand writing and speedball lettering skills she picked up as a school teacher. My Prussian helmets and my block lettering still can't hold a candle.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Both of my parents, going way back to grade school days.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Fitfully.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, a number of different places, to adults, kids and even in the California Men’s Penitentiary (I was a guest teacher, not an inmate).

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion, even though personally I'm a throwback to thinking drawing matters. I remember a conversation with Matt Groening back before the Simpsons. I did a traditional political cartoon for the LA Weekly the same time they were running Life in Hell. We were talking about drawing and Matt made the point that it wasn't about a well rendered drawing but about an idea and attitude, and then he closed his eyes and, without looking once, did a lovely automatic drawing of Binky.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Lint is about it.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Dudley Do-Right.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Lefty ...all the way.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Work at the circus twisting up balloon animals.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Traditional drawing table in the middle of a bustling newsroom. Another desk with a computer and scanner right next to it.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I have tortured pianos and cellos and briefly a banjo in my life but I'm the least musical person on the planet.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Do your own thing and at the same time contribute something positive to the big conversation that's going on out there. Drawing skills are something to treasure and work on, but you need to have something to say. Contributing good humor is just as useful as trenchant insight.

Who is your favorite artist?
Can't answer that. It's too long a list of inspired people who've done such great things.


Thank you very much Matt!

And yes...this was yet another great interviewee suggestion from Mike Rhode at ComicsDC.