Don Landgren Jr. is an editorial cartoonist and a caricature artist who was born in Worcester, MA in 1962. He graduated from Anna Maria College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s in Art. In 1982, while still in college, he started drawing editorial cartoons for the Central Massachusetts weekly newspaper, The Landmark. Don continued to provide editorial cartoons to The Landmark for over 25 years.
He has worked for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 28 years and is currently the paper’s Chief Graphic Designer, designing pages, creating maps, cartoons and graphics for the newspaper and its website. Don also draws editorial cartoons for TelegramTimes, a weekly newspaper published by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette which covers 23 towns in central Massachusetts. Other local papers Don has drawn cartoons for include The Item in Clinton, The New Leader in Spencer and the Marlboro Enterprise/Hudson Daily Sun.
Don’s humorous illustrations have also been published in the Boston Herald, Editorial Humor, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy and numerous other periodicals. His editorial cartoons have been featured in "Attack of the Political Cartoonists" and the yearly book series, “Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year”. He has received close to 30 awards from many press associations including UPI New England, National Newspaper Association, Society for News Design and the New England Newspaper and Press Association.
A member of the National Cartoonists Society, the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists and the International Society of Caricature Artist, Don also runs his own caricature business, PARTOONS. He lives with his wife Jennifer, their two daughters and assorted pets. Visit both his Landgren Cartoons and PARTOONS websites to see much more of his work.
What is your favorite pen to use?
I'm more of brush guy for my editorial cartoon inking, and for my lettering I use either Uni-ball pens to Faber Castell PITT artist pens. For my live caricature work I use Sharpies.
Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yes for my editorial cartoons where I use either a mechanical pencil or whatever pencil I can find in the house. Sometimes which are pencils my daughters have which are broken leads, sparkly colors and no usable eraser.
Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Yes, editorial cartoons are colored by hand on the computer using Photoshop.
Live work and sign-in board color done the old fashioned way.
If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Live party caricatures are colored with Chart-Pak AD Markers and Prismacolor Art Stix.
On sign-in boards, I use Chart-Pak AD Markers, Prismacolor Art Stix and gouache or watercolor.
What type of paper do you use?
White, wait it comes in flavors? Oh, I use Smooth Bristol paper, illustration board for some jobs. My editorial cartoons and live work are drawn on index stock or Vellum Bristol card stock.
What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Straight lines and mechanical things.
Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Mostly online, Dick Blick and whoever has the best prices.
Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Beside thinking up the ideas? I have to clean up my office before I can start.
Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes. Mostly alternative rock --Natalie Merchant, Aimee Mann, Cowboy Junkies etc. and movie instrumentals by Thomas Newman, John Williams,
Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Comics as in comic books? Only Mad and Cracked magazines, I was never into super hero comics.
What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Peanuts was a favorite as a kid, others Calvin and Hobbes, Fox Trot,
What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
A big reference book called "Children's Guide to Knowledge". A book with lots of snippets of info and drawings given to by my grandfather. My youngest daughter has the very same book now.
Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Just what they tried to teach me at Anna Maria College.
Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
What a great resource. No longer do cartoonists have to keep the old 'morgue' with reference photos.
Did either of your parents draw?
No.
Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My junior high school teacher -- he got me interested in drawing cartoons.
Do you keep a sketchbook?
As a kid I did, and I have been meaning start again. My kids got me one for Xmas, but so far it's full of blank pages.
Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, and yes.
Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Yes.
Do you collect anything and if so what?
I collect cartoon toys from fast food restaurants.
If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Woody from Toy Story
Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty
If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
A standup comic, sounds fun.
In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Messy.
Do you play any musical instruments?
Does an iPod count?
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Draw all the time.
Who is your favorite artist?
Hmm, always wished I could draw like Frank Frazetta.
Thanks again Don and everyone else for your patience!
