Milt Priggee - Cartoonist Survey #41

Milt Priggee is an editorial cartoonist who got his start freelancing with the Chicago Daily News, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. In 1978 he became the first regular cartoonist for the weekly, Crain’s Chicago Business. The Journal-Herald in Dayton, OH made him a staff editorial cartoonist from 1982-1986. Next he created cartoons for The Spokesman Review in Spokane, WA from 1987-2000. Milt is currently self-syndicated, with his work being reprinted in such publications as The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and the Washington Post. He is the past president of The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists and has won numerous awards for his work. He is also a fairly recent grandpa! You can see more about Milt at his website.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Any Uni-ball pen but most of my inking is done with an A. J. Langnickel brush #3, 700 series German sable.

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

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
For reproduction purposes- computer.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Dr. Martin's dyes.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore-Bristol-smooth surface.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Whatever is suggested by somebody who believes they know what is my personal opinion.

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?
Not really...just a little warm up doodling.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Just about anything....but most of the time I have the TV on. When I'm writing it's off.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I loved them all....strips, books, Mad, Eerie and Creepy.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Grin and Bear It by George Lichty, Big George, Conchy, Steve Canyon, Calvin and Hobbes and Non-Sequitur.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Great Fighter Pilots of WWII....and yes, I still have it.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Expanded art major in college with an emphasis in drawing...at Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Blessings definitely outweigh curses.

Did either of your parents draw?
My parents met in their HS art class.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Yesterday- My HS art teacher Glenn Messersmith. Today- anybody who appreciates what I produce...but especially book illustrator John Sandford and comic strip cartoonist, Wiley.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes, whenever I find the time...which is NO.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
YES- I substituted for friends who were teaching and it was OK. Most students don't care to learn or the interest for the subject and I don't have the calling to teach.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
One or the other is needed...and if you have both yer in a league with the masters. If you don't have either -yer in the wrong field.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Music, art 'n' cartooning collection books and memories.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Gertie the Dinosaur.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Staff Newspaper Editorial Cartoonist.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Controlled chaos...

Do you play any musical instruments?
Played trumpet a long time ago...

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
The same advice my Dad gave me....draw, draw, draw. The art world will get along just fine without you, so if you're serious about making it....you better start hustling. (he also used to tell me quite often back in the 60's that before I was finished with my career that I would be drawing on a computer)

Who is your favorite artist?
Oliphant, Fischetti, Mauldin, Sokol, Lichty, Kruger, Yeagle, Sandford, Wiley, Watterson, Frazetta, Drucker, Kubert, Cobb, Kurtzman, Plympton, McCay, Schmid, Currier, Levine, Sargent, Sundblom, Michelangelo, Moran, NC Wyeth, Remington, Lester, Huston, Heinrich Kley and Mucha.

Thanks very much Milt.

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