Boston Comic Con-gested

For weeks I had been looking forward to the Boston Comic Con. By the time my wife and I left the house yesterday morning, I was as giddy as a school girl. We left with plenty of time to get there when the doors opened at 10:00. A quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for java turned into about 20 minutes of frustration and disbelief over the ineptness of the help. The ride in wasn't bad unless you were used to driving over 15 miles per hour. We finally arrived at about quarter of 11:00 to a line that wrapped partly around the building. What was this? Hmm...maybe they don't open until 11:00? We parked the car and queued up.

The first thing we noticed was the 55 mile an hour wind, blowing with a vengeance. I immediately questioned my decision of buying that large ICED coffee. It was very cold and we were caught in a sort of vortex between the buildings. My wife, bless her heart, was such a trooper and offered words of encouragement like, "Do you KNOW how much I love you??? I can't believe you're making me do this! Tell me that is not even the third Two Face???" We waited in this maelstrom for over an hour and 20 minutes until we finally got to within 50 people from the door. At this point a police officer comes flying out of the door and starts yelling to everyone that we should "listen up because I'm only going to say this once" and that he would "not stand for anyone being unruly!" We all looked at each other with our goose pimpled and wind burned bodies in disbelief. Had we not all been patiently waiting with anticipation for this spectacular event??? He then proceeded to tell us that "since we chose to get there late" (um...doesn't it go from 10-5?!) we would now have to wait for what could be a long time because the venue was at full capacity. He then schooled us on the fire code and explained how many were allowed in versus how many were already inside in addition to the vendors. He drove his point home with a, "You do the math!" He finished off his diatribe with the threat of a free ride to jail courtesy of the Boston Police Department for the first person who said one word about it. We couldn't believe it...he was such a dick and for absolutely no reason!

We did finally make it in though and I have to admit, I was disappointed. There were a few artists tables but the majority of the floor was filled with vendors whose merchandise consisted of box upon box of musty, mildewed and yellowed comics that were 3 for a dollar. There were two highlights of the event for me. The first was getting to meet Sergio Aragones. I purchased from him the 25th anniversary comic of Groo and he was nice enough to not only sign it but to do a little sketch as well. Sergio is a cartooning legend in my book and he is also such a nice guy.

Next I spotted local comic book artist, Kent Archer (Cartoonist Survey #6) who is the inker on the comic, "The Adventures of Dr. McNinja" . He drew me this great sketch of Dr. McNinja's secretary, Judy.

Overall the Con was quite disappointing and we saw everything in less than an hour. Whoever planned the Con grossly underestimated the drawing power of the event and literally left everyone 'out in the cold'.

Ed Steckley - Cartoonist Survey #108

Freelance artist and caricaturist, Ed Steckley was born in June, 1973 in Milwaukee, WI. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 1992 he started doing live caricatures and since then he has won numerous awards. He worked for Tom Richmond's (Cartoonist Survey #89), Richmond Illustration as an artist, manager and trainer and he owned and operated the caricature facility at the Yankee Candle flagship store which is located in Deerfield, Ma. He also worked for a while as an animation storyboard artist at So! Animation. Ed’s illustrations have been used in numerous advertising campaigns with clients including, Coca Cola, Pizza Hut, Bacardi, Miller and Capital One. His artwork has graced the pages of many magazines including MAD and Cracked. He became a member of the National Caricaturist Network in 1997 and was the Vice President in 1999 and 2000. He has won both a Silver and Bronze ‘Nosey’ award for Caricaturist of the Year from the NCN. Ed has also been a member of the National Cartoonist Society since 2003. Ed is presently living in New York City with his wife Heather, who is a designer and animator for HBO and their two cats, Bob and Mr. Cool. Visit Ed’s website and his blog.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Depends on my mood, and what I'm doing. .05 .07 mechanical pencil is always an old standby. Micron pens, sharpies, whatever I have available.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Oh... I didn't read this before answering the first question. I like pencils: they're erasable!

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I prefer to watercolor the old fashioned way, but for advertising work and rush jobs I draw and color on the computer, using my laptop and Wacom Cintiq.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Again, I should really read ahead. Lately I've become a fan of watercolors, those nifty Dr. Marten's dyes and Winsor & Newton cakes.

What type of paper do you use?
Mostly white. Now I'm really into watercolors so watercolor paper, but I love drawing in those cool Moleskin books.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Hate's a bit strong, as I usually remember that whatever it is, at least I'm getting paid to draw. Buuuuuuut... Technical things that need to look realistic. Did some work for a plastics company a few years ago, and was bored out of my mind drawing lawnmowers, RVs, etc.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I try to go to a local NYC art store, but they have goofy hours, so I sometimes end up a big chain that's literally around the corner. I won't name names, but the local store's name rhymes with 'Phoo Phork Phart Phuply".

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Go to the bathroom.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I can only listen to music I really know inside and out, because I need to hum and sing along while I draw. That's my singin' practice.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I pretty much stuck to the humor stuff, Mad and Cracked. That's hard to admit, since I had family IN the comic's business. Mark Gruenwald from Marvel was my cousin. He always gave us kids comic books and really supported me in my drawing. I didn't become really interested in comics until years later.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Calvin & Hobbes is way up there. Rick Stromoski's (Cartoonist Survey #90), Soup To Nuts always makes me laugh. Zits and Tundra are also faves.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I always liked joke books. When I was a kid I had a lot of Garfield books. Don't know if they're still in my mom's attic in Wisconsin.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Went to school at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. But, the majority of my training came working on the job in the theme park caricature business, and from mentors in that business who decided I was worth their time and attention. After that, I could name a hundred artists I've learned from.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
I think the Internet is a blessing; in not too much time, the publishing industry will be primarily on the Internet, magazines in particular. Readership has been on a steady decline for years, and this is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Did either of your parents draw?
My mom is a very talented artist, as is my twin sister. Neither have pursued it, which may be a blessing, as my sister was born with way more talent than me! I'd hate to compete against her!

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents and my entire family. I had support and encouragement since the very beginning. In later years I've had and have some great mentors who push me to do better.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Many.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught a drawing class to a group of elementary kids when I was in college. I also spent years hiring and teaching new artists to do caricatures in theme parks. Both were very rewarding.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. Talent can help, but without passion, talent is useless.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Tchotchkes. Funny toys.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
The old man from Up is a funny one, but I wouldn't want to admit that one.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

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

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
My NY apartment has a pretty cool improvised drawing space. It's actually the dining room area of our one bedroom place. One wall is covered with bulletin boards and artwork, and very busy. A bookshelf behind me and one of those big Craftsman tool boxes with the drawers. I use a big drafting table, and use a drawing board to rest between that and my lap. I'm 5 feet away from the litter box.

Do you play any musical instruments?.
Played trumpet and piano through high school. I like to sing, but that's reduced to the once a year or so karaoke binge.

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

Who is your favorite artist?
This one's too long to answer. I grew up drooling over the artists in Mad. Actually, that never stopped. For non-cartoon art, I'd probably say Rockwell. Tomorrow I'd give a different answer. Depends on my mood.

Thanks again Ed!

Answers from the caricaturist and illustrator, Ken Fallin, are up next.

Do You Buy Your Supplies From Big Chain Art Store Catalogues/Websites Or A Local One That You Physically Go To? - Cartoonist Survey Answers Compiled

Here are the compiled answers to the question, Do You Buy Your Supplies From Big Chain Art Store Catalogues/Websites Or A Local One That You Physically Go To?

This is based on answers from 100 cartoonists/artists.

Local - 45
Online - 25
Both - 28
Not answered - 1
Get supplies free - 1

Dave Whamond - Cartoonist Survey #107

Dave Whamond is an illustrator and cartoonist who lives in Calgary, Alberta. He studied visual communications at the Alberta College of Art and Design. While still in college he freelanced at The Calgary Herald as an editorial cartoonist. After five years at the Herald he started freelancing full-time doing magazine illustrations. Some of the magazines his work has appeared in include, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic. He also provides illustrations for a monthly feature that runs in Sesame Street magazine.

Dave has worked on advertising campaigns for companies such as Domino's, Chrysler, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Disney, NASA and many others. He has worked on several children’s books, “They Did What?’, “Secret Agent Y.O.U” and six books in the series “The Adventures of Hot Dog and Bob”. In September of last year he released, “My Think-A-Ma-Jink”, which he wrote and illustrated. The National Cartoonist Society has nominated “My Think-A-Ma-Jink” for this year’s Best Book Illustration Award.

From 1997 to 2006 Dave taught illustration at the Alberta College of Art and Design. He is also the cartoonist for the syndicated panel cartoon, “Reality Check”, which is distributed worldwide by United Feature Syndicate. “Reality Check” just celebrated its 15th year of syndication on the 3rd of this month. Plus, it was recently nominated by the National Cartoonist Society for the Best Gag Cartoon Award. We will have to wait until Memorial Day weekend to find out if he wins. Visit Dave’s website here and read “Reality Check” everyday, here.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Crowquill. Love the crowquill.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Standard 4H pencil, then I use 2B for submitting roughs.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
A little bit of both. For newspaper cartoons, it's all digital but I prefer working in watercolor.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Mixed Media, mostly watercolor, some Prismacolor pencils, gouache.

What type of paper do you use?
Peterborough illustration boards.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
I'm not comfortable with horses or anything with 4 legs that needs to look accurate. Even if I have reference, it is difficult. Obviously, if it's a cartoony horse, it's not a problem.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I buy from Swinton's art supplies, which is a local art store. I went to school with the guy who owns it, Doug.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
This isn't original but I like to get my mind going with a giant Tim Horton's coffee. I think the best in the morning and probably draw the best in the evenings. I need to have music going while I work or talk radio... whatever I'm in the mood for.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I love a lot of different music with the exception of country, although there are some bands out now that have a bit of a country flavor that I like. Mostly alternative music.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I loved so many it's hard to pick one. I remember waiting for the newspaper to arrive every night and especially on Sundays so I could read the color comics.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I really enjoyed Calvin and Hobbes in it's day and the art in Liberty Meadows and now I like Bizarro and Glenn McCoy's comic and editorial work. Love Jeff MacNelly and Ramirez too.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I loved Dr Seuss and have rediscovered them now with my own kids. I also loved the Mad pocketbooks.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I went to the Alberta College of Art and Design and took a 4-year program in Visual Communications. I also later taught there for 9 years.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Definitely a blessing. I know the newspaper industry is still trying to figure it out and how to find some revenue but I use Google all the time for reference and it's so much easier sending files than having to rely on couriers, etc. It extends deadlines too... I don't have to meet the 5 PM Fed Ex cutoff anymore.

Did either of your parents draw?
My Dad did a bit but nothing serious.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents were very supportive when I was younger. They seemed to realize this is what I would be doing. It's funny, they told me a few years ago that they expected I would be an artist living at home for the rest of my life when I graduated but were willing to accept that if it made me happy. And, of course, my wife is very supportive and encouraging. She also keeps me grounded. All good.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I used to and I preached this all the time to my students but, I can't lie, I don't as much anymore. I draw 8 or more hours a day, sometimes on weekends so when I do get some downtime, that is the last thing I feel like doing. Sometimes I will take on a fun project that forces me to try something new like a sketchbook sometimes forces you to do. I would recommend keeping one though, especially if you're just starting out. Sometimes your best work and ideas comes from a sketchbook. I recall many students who didn't exhibit a lot of talent in their project work and then I would see the wonderful things they were doing in their sketchbook and asked them why they weren't doing that for their projects. "You mean you can do this?" they would reply. It was like the clouds parted when they realized this.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
As I mentioned, I taught at ACAD for years and loved the students. It also forced you to be a better illustrator and keeps you young. It was also rewarding, seeing students start out and evolve in the 4 years and then on to success in the real world. I found the other side of teaching difficult... tons of meetings, committees and other things you were expected to participate in and I just didn't have the time for it anymore. Someday, I may go back to it but for now I am just enjoying drawing.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
I think passion... I love what I do but there are many people who have so much more talent that me and they aren't doing it because they don't have the drive. I think you need a bit of both to succeed as an artist. That is what is tough when you're an artist because many of us aren't wired that way, to go out and put on that business hat and pursue work. Agents are good for this sort of thing, if you don't want to do it yourself.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Books, mostly. I've never been a collector other than hockey cards when I was a kid. Years later I realized I had a small fortune in the cards I had collected, only to find that I had autographed all the cards, making them worthless. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I think I'm getting more and more like Homer Simpson all the time.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Probably teach. If not that, I would definitely be in business for myself. I don't think I could do the suit and tie, nine to five cubicle job.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Chaotic, looks like a bomb went off but yet, I know where everything is.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I love music but never took the time to learn an instrument. I hated taking piano lessons when I was a kid so that might be the reason. I was sort of in a garage band when I was a teen but never really mastered the bass guitar and singing at the same time. Completely forgot anything I learned.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Don't give up. There were many times things looked bleak but I look back and think, what would have happened if I quit then, right before this happened or that break happened? Also, there will be a lot of people telling you that you can't do something in life. Don't listen to the nay sayers! Unless, they have good advice, of course.

Who is your favorite artist?
Too many to list. If I had to pick just one, Bill Watterson.


Thank you Dave and good luck at the Reuben Awards dinner!

Caricaturist, Illustrator and MAD magazine artist Ed Steckley, is up next

What Things Do You Hate To Draw? - Cartoonist Survey Answers Compiled.

Here are the compiled answers to the question, What Things Do You Hate To Draw?

This is based on answers from 100 cartoonists/artists.

Cars - 17
Nothing - 14
Bicycles - 11
Crowd scenes - 7
Anything mechanical - 5
Buildings - 3
Animals - 2
Anything with right angles - 2
Backgrounds - 2
Birds in flight - 2
Books on shelves - 2
Correct perspective - 2
Feet - 2
Tourists - 2
Women - 2

The following answers were given by one person each;

A Bath
Anything I'm told to draw
Attractive, young people
Caricatures
Circles
Computer keyboards
Cutlery
Dinner plates
Dragons and wizards
Furniture
Garfield's feet
Hand-made greeting cards
Horses
Items not pertinent to the story
Large environments
Shirt collars
Situations that are morally repugnant
Sports
Sports stadiums
Stairs
Straight lines
Telephones
The back of heads
The other eye
Trees

Randy Glasbergen - Cartoonist Survey #106

Born in 1957, Randy Glasbergen has created cartoons that are seen all over the world in newspapers, greeting cards, magazines, websites and advertising. His first published cartoon appeared in the New York State Conservationist magazine when he was just 14 year old. One year later at the age of 15, he was selling gag cartoons to many magazines including, Good Housekeeping, Saturday Evening Post, Kipplinger’s and Sports Afield. In 1974, when he was 17, he illustrated his first children’s book, titled Ickle McNoo. After high school he spent a year studying journalism and in 1976 he started freelancing full-time.

As a freelancer Randy has created greeting cards for just about every greeting card company, both large and small, including, Hallmark, Recycled Paper Greetings, American Greetings, Gibson Greetings, Papyrus Cards, Card Connection and Oatmeal Studios. Just last year he signed a five-year contract with Recycled Paper Greetings. He has illustrated cartoons for many textbooks and best sellers such as The Success Principals (by Jack Canfield), Fitness Over 50 ( Beverly Cracom Publications), Yes, Your Parents Are Crazy! (by Michael J. Bradley) and many of the books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Over a dozen books with collections of his cartoons have been published in China, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and here in the US. He has written three instructional books about the art and business of cartooning, Getting Started Drawing and Selling Cartoons, How to Be A Successful Cartoonist and TOONS!

Randy also writes and draws the daily cartoon panel “The Better Half”, which is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. He started working on “The Better Half” 28 years ago in 1982. He has another comic panel, this one syndicated by Creators Syndicate, called "Thin Lines". It is a weekly diet and exercise cartoon for the Health & Fitness pages of newspapers. Over the years more than 30,000 of his cartoons have been published worldwide. Randy lives in New York State with his wife and a small herd of pets. Stop by Randy’s website and look through his vast assortment of cartoons. You should also check out his cartooning blog that he updates pretty regularly. I especially enjoyed reading this post on his blog where he answers the question, Where do you get your ideas? You can follow “The Better Half” here and “Thin Lines” here.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Black Flair pen, all I use. I used a brush when I first got started.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use some sort of "artist pencil" from Staples.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I do color on computer with software called Colorize first, then finish up in Photoshop.

What type of paper do you use?
Southworth 100% 24 pound bond typing paper. Expensive but good stuff. Takes felt tip without any bleeding.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Cars! Buildings. Anything complicated. I'm impatient for anything that takes a long time.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Staples and Apple. In person and online. But when I go in person, I spend waaaay too much on stuff I didn't plan to buy.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Coffee, radio or TV.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I have Sirius radio in my studio and must listen to Tiffany Granath every afternoon---she makes me laugh out loud and always has great advice for callers. (Playboy Channel 2:00 PM Eastern) Other times I listen to comedy stations or music.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I read them all, superheroes (mostly DC), Archie, Casper, Baby Huey, even the unusual comic books like Jerry Lewis and Bob Hope comics. Does anybody else remember The Cowsills comic books from the late 60's?

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I don't really have a favorite. I like some, I dislike others. Not passionate about any comic in particular. I have a few I read every day in the paper or online. When I started out in 1972, I really liked Broom Hilda and Animal Crackers, they were favorites and influences. I've been influenced more by magazine cartoonists than comic strips.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
My parents had some good books in their night stand...

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
None.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Best thing that ever happened to me. Changed everything. Revolutionary. Can't be overstated! I found success on the web beyond anything I ever had in print.

Did either of your parents draw?
My mom painted as a hobby and used to give me little art tips when I was a kid.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Family (Wife, 4 kids, 4 grandchildren)

Do you keep a sketchbook?
No.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I have written 3 cartooning instruction books for North Light Books, all available on Amazon.com.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Probably a good thing to have both: a talent for passion and a passion for talent!

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I collect payment for my work. Isn't that the whole point?!? Also, I collect original comic art...I used to, I have a nice collection but haven't gotten anything new in years.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Me but with big round eyes and a large nose. And I would draw me with a lot more hair and less belly.

Are you a righty or lefty?
I'm always right. Just ask my wife.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
My fantasy job: stand up comedy. But the lifestyle seems awful, I wouldn't enjoy that at all.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Entire third floor of a large old Victorian house. A bit messy, but I have someone who comes in on weekends to clean. I have 2 guinea pigs who keep me company while I draw. Three rooms: 1 for drawing, 1 for business and computers, 1 for copier and supplies.

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?
Buy my books.

Who is your favorite artist?
If it's not ME, then I'm in big trouble!


Thanks again Randy!

Children’s book illustrator and, cartoonist of the comic panel, “Reality Check”, Dave Whamond shares his answers next.

What Type Of Paper Do You Use? - Cartoonist Survey Answers Compiled.

The following is the breakdown of answers provided for the 5th question of the Cartoonist Survey. Again this is based on the responses of the first 100 cartoonists/artists.

What type of paper do you use?

Strathmore 2-ply bristol - 18
Strathmore 3-ply bristol - 15
Bristol board - 11
Copy paper - 9
Bond paper - 5
Strathmore 4-ply bristol - 3
Any - 3
Strathmore 1-ply bristol - 2
Bienfang plate bristol - 2
Animation paper - 2

The remaining answers for type of paper used, were given by one person each.

100 lb card stock
120lb Arches cold press
Arches hot press block
Bienfang Graphics 360 Marker paper
Borden & Riley Paris Bleedproof
Canson bristol
Canson 250g/m2 Bristol Board
Canson watercolor paper
Colour Link layout pad
Crane's 24 lb. fluorescent white
CS10 Illustration board
Disney story pads
Fabriano paper
Heavy vellum
Heavyweight cartridge paper
HP LaserJet paper
Lanaquarelle Hot Press 140 lb
Layout paper
Pentel Paper for Pens
Photoshop
Quintessence coated stock
Scratchboard
Strathmore 100 lb bristol
Strathmore Alexis series
Strathmore Illustration board
Strathmore sequential bristol board
Wacom
Watercolor block
Watercolor paper
White 24 lb. Capitol Bond/Light Cockle

Dave Blazek - Cartoonist Survey #105

Cartoonist, graphic artist, former stand-up comedian and film and audio director, Dave Blazek was born in March of 1957. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Journalism degree. As a former stand-up comedian he performed at comedy clubs in and around the Philadelphia area. Dave has won over 130 creative awards for his work in advertising, writing and directing print, radio and television commercials for regional and national clients. While working in the advertising department at The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News in 1999, he collaborated with illustrator John Gilpin to create the single panel comic strip, "Loose Parts". At the same time he was writing for Comedy Central’s "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist". In 2001 John Gilpin got sick and decided to stop drawing for “Loose Parts”. Dave took over drawing the strip and he still handles both duties of writing and drawing. “Loose Parts” is syndicated by Tribune Media Services and appears in newspapers worldwide. He also draws the comic “Biz” which appears in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sunday Business section. “Loose parts” has been nominated for this year's National Cartoonist Society, Best Newspaper Panel Cartoon award. The winner of the NCS awards will be announced on Memorial Day Weekend. Dave currently lives with his wife and two daughters near the Valley Forge National Park in Pennsylvania. Visit Dave’s “Loose Parts" website and his blog. To learn more about this year’s National Cartoonist Society awards click here.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I use Pigma Microns to ink. Of course, it took me years before I realized I was using the wrong ends. I just pressed really hard and filled in the grooves with color later.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yeah, I do draw in pencil first ... A mechanical pencil. Surprisingly, (or maybe not if you’ve seen my work) I don’t do much general sketching first unless it’s a really complicated scene I need to block out first. I just generally get an idea of the scene in my head and then I just plunge right in. The penciling is not the problem. The problem is, I’m a really bad eraser. I have to get better at erasing. I’m always leaving pencil lines everywhere. I tried to hire a professional eraser on Craigslist but the guy who showed up at 2 AM was not what I expected.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
That’s a hard question to answer. Technically I do coloring on the computer. But I use a Wacom tablet and use colors in layers and in various opacities so it feels like I’m just doing hand washes of colors. So, yeah, I use a computer but I don’t think I could color the same cartoon the same way twice in a row. The whole crayon gambit was a total disaster.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Other people’s hands. Again, you’d be surprised what you can get on Craigslist.

What type of paper do you use?
Believe it or not, I went years just drawing on whatever copier paper I could get cheapest. But after a decade or so I thought I’d step up and now I use a really nice 70 lb. drawing paper with great erasability.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Cars. I just don’t get it right. From wheels to interiors to proportions. If you see a car in a Loose Parts cartoon you know I have real loyalty to that joke because I have gone out of my way to avoid drawing them in the past. The only reason for this I can think of is that maybe I was attacked by a car when I was a kid.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
There’s a place called Utrecht that I use. Just hop online and boom the stuff shows up. Of course, I always have my eyes open as I walk around, especially for individual pens. I tend to use the .3 thickness of Microns more than others so those wear out fastest. Buying single pens is a bit uneconomical what with the shipping and all. So If I wander by an art supply store and they sell individual pens, I’ll grab a bunch. I’m also very active in the very secret Ducks for Art Supplies Barter Black Market.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Does beer count? If not, then not really. Since I also have another career, I do most of my drawing on Saturdays. I just wake up, brush my teeth and saunter over to the table before I’m too awake to realize what I’m doing with my life.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Oh yeah, a lot. I have wide and various musical tastes. First, I always listen to music when I write. But I prefer music with either foreign lyrics or no words because they can be distracting. So, this week, for instance, I listened to some cello music – Yo Yo Ma – and another CD of a progressive Celtic group called Solis. Then when I draw I generally fire up the iPod. Again, wide ranging. For example, this past Saturday I listened to Nick Drake, The Decemberists and a great under-the-radar singer songwriter, David Berkeley. Then when I move to the computer, I generally fire up Pandora. Yesterday I listened to bossa nova music using the Joao Gilberto channel. I’m all over the place.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Sure. Used to fight my brothers for the paper and lost. So they got the Sports and I started with the comics. I also recall my parents buying Peanuts compilations and using them to pacify us during long car trips. Well, that and ether.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Peanuts when I was young. Then Kliban rocked my world. Then Larson doubly rocked it.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I don’t recall having a favorite one but I recall reading a lot. Science fiction mostly. But now I’m all over the place with reading. I ride a train on my commute to my other job every day and that affords me daily reading time. So I get to put away 40 books a year or so. My college student daughter and I have an annual contest to see who can read more. She usually blows me away. But I try to alternate reading fiction and non-fiction to keep the raw fuel for jokes pumping into my brain. You can see what I’m reading at any given time on the Dave’s Brain page on my site LoosePartsComic.com.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I have none. Like anyone with eyes needed to hear that. My degree is in Journalism and I have a side of my life where people have no idea I’m a cartoonist. They think I’m a writer and director. In fact, I’m 53 now and only learned to draw ten years ago. I should say only started to learn to draw ten years ago. I never in my life thought I would be a cartoonist. I fell into it. I had been a writer and ad guy and stand-up comedian. When Loose Parts was first created (way back in the last century) I wrote it but it was drawn by my friend John Gilpin. A year into it, John decided to drop out so I had to teach myself how to draw really fast or there would be holes in lots of newspapers. But now, after ten years and drawing 4,000 cartoons, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Does it have to be either?

Did either of your parents draw?
Nope. My dad was an accountant in a locomotive factory. My mom was a housewife. My siblings are in insurance. I’m the black sheep of the family.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wonderful, patient, glorious wife Eileen. She actually knows how to draw and paint and in those early years she helped me immeasurably. (“Honey as you get further away the lines come closer together.”) But in those dark times when I was very close to chucking the whole cartooning thing, she’s never wavered and kept me going. I dedicated one of my books with the line “she believed in me even when I didn’t” and it’s as true today as it’s ever been.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I keep a joke book. I have a leather day planner-size book I write all my jokes in. But since I come at this thing like a writer, all the cartoons start out as words. Oh, occasionally I sketch a little thumbnail if I think I’ll forget the idea, but it’s just page after page of words. When it’s full, I pop out the pages and insert a fresh set of blank pages. You can see it at LoosePartsComic.com. I take a couple of cartoons, show how the idea looked in my joke book, then how I sketched it, then how I finished it. It’s in the Behind The Toons section of the site.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I’ve never taught cartooning per se. But I love talking to students about how to turn creativity in general into a paying career. As a matter of fact, just last week, I spoke at Career Day at my daughter’s high school. Man, those kids can hurl fruit.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
I’d have to add Mountain Dew to that list and say all of them are important. If you don’t have the passion, you won’t be able to put the hours in the chair. But if you don’t have talent, you won’t be rewarded for your efforts and will probably just give up. And Mountain Dew is just pure caffeinated nectar of the gods. Oh, and I would ad ‘Enjoyment’ to the list. I think passion is just enjoyment in sheep’s clothing. I keep doing this because, well, it’s pretty damn fun. I often say it’s the closest thing I’ve found to being able to tickle yourself.... next to that machine I invented.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
You know that waxy buildup on the inside of your nose? I collect that. And, literally, I mean your nose.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
An obscure background character. One that turns to the guy next to me and says, “Hey, was that Bugs Bunny who just walked by?”

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty. Though since I’ve come to your planet, I’ve kept my third arm under my shirt and tightly bound to my torso.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Well, I do other stuff. I’m an advertising creative and I do weirdly creative ads as well as write and direct radio and TV commercials. I just finished doing my first animation work. I’ve also written animated TV shows. I was a stand-up comedian for a few years. The only thing I haven’t done professionally yet that I’d like to is music. And being a ninja.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I can do it in four words: the dining room table. One, because not being a formally trained artist, I never used a drawing board. Two, though I have a lovely office, I wanted to be in the middle of family life so I prefer to work where my family can stroll by, look at my work and feel a little vomit rise in the back of their throats. Also, I’m blessed to have a really cool house in the woods and I can look out giant windows that way. My real office is below ground and has worms and mole people.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Absolutely, I started playing the piano at age 6 and have continued ever since. About three years ago, after hand surgery, I started playing the guitar and am now cranking away on that as well. I play an instrument probably 3-4 hours a week. The guitar and piano are just feet away from where I draw so it’s not unusual for me to stroll over and play a song or two as a break between drawing cartoons. And my wife (who started learning cello when I took up guitar) and I get together with friends and we all play music. Oh, and a year ago I started taking singing lessons. So, yeah, you could say music plays a pretty big role in my life. I believe people use recordings of my playing to scare geese away from ponds.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
I tell people to think of it as creativity as a career maker and not a specific skill. It’s not as limiting that way. Artists can become graphic artists or animators or writers or musicians. It’s a much more stable support system that still can feed the one single thing you like to do most. Oh, and I tell them not to try to recharge a car battery by putting it in the microwave. That was a mistake.

Who is your favorite artist?
Any one who is better than me and that’s, well, everyone.


Thanks very much Dave and good luck at the Reuben Awards dinner.

Up next is the very talented cartoonist, Randy Glasbergen.

Do You Do Your Coloring By Hand Or On The Computer? If You Do Your Coloring By Hand, What Do You Use? - Cartoonist Survey Answers Compiled

Here are the answers for the third and fourth questions of the Cartoonist Survey. The results are based on 100 responses.

Do You Do Your Coloring By Hand Or On The Computer?

By Hand - 16
Computer - 61
Both - 23

If You Do Your Coloring By Hand, What Do You Use?

Watercolor - 39
Markers - 9
Acrylic - 6
Gouache - 6
Colored pencil - 5
Cell paint - 2
Colored ink - 2
Dr. Martin's Dyes - 2
Oil - 1
Pastels - 1

Jules Faber - Cartoonist Survey #104

Cartoonist, illustrator and caricature artist, Jules Faber lives in Coffs Harbour, Australia. He grew up in a large family and has been drawing ever since he was a little kid. Jules graduated from Southbank Institute of Technology in 1999 where he studied animation. Shortly after graduation he started working for an animation house in Brisbane inking backgrounds, working on layouts and doing in-between animation for the Disney Channel’s ‘Proud Family’ series. At the same time he was teaching comic book illustration and scriptwriting at his Alma Mater.

In 2003 he started writing reviews of DVDs for the website DVDnet, writing over 550 reviews in a little over a year. He moved on to the magazine ‘What DVD’ writing reviews, illustrating articles and drawing the magazine’s comic strip ‘Kung-Fu Video’. 2004 saw him starting his own freelance illustration business and also releasing his first solo book, ‘Exhibits 1 Through 33’ which contained poetry, short stories and autobiographical comics. In 2005 he created his science fiction comic book, ‘Golgotha: Book One’. Jules was also co-editor and a major contributor to the Australian comic anthology ‘Sporadic’, which featured many Australian cartoonists. When his daughter was born in 2007 he moved his business from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour.

On May 19, 2008 he became the daily editorial cartoonist for both The Daily Examiner in Grafton and the Coffs Coast Advocate, his hometown paper. A full member of the Australian Cartoonist’s Association since 1996, Jules was elected President of the ACA in late 2008. He is currently the Cartoonist In Residence and a member of the Board of Directors at The Bunker Gallery in Coffs Harbour. The Bunker Gallery, housed in an underground WWII bunker is Australia’s only dedicated cartoon gallery. As a caricature artist, he has drawn well over 15,000 caricatures at over 500 events. If that isn't enough, he is also the cartoonist for the award winning comic strip 'MiBraine' (the design in the title of 'MiBraine' is an ambigram - if you tip it upside down it says the same thing as right side up). 'MiBraine' is available here on Comics Sherpa and is coming up on it's one year landmark. To learn more about Jules visit his website here. Check out the Australian Cartoonist’s Association here.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I have a variety for different jobs, but the most common I use is the Artline 200 Series. Nothing spectacular, I'm afraid, but it came of a need to have access to pens I knew well wherever I was in Australia (should I run out on a job). These pens are accessible in just about any news agency.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use standard pencil, but being schooled in animation I use Col-Erase erasable colour pencils. They cost a little more, but don't smudge and have good even-weight 'lead'.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I used to paint more but now, of course, it's all digital. Faster and cleaner and easier to erase errors. With deadlines looming daily, it makes sense (to me).

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
When I did I had to train acrylic to do what I wanted, as Gouache wouldn't.

What type of paper do you use?
Garden variety copy paper, though I'm particular about brand. I use Double A 80gsm for my most common jobs, but the weight and texture varies when I do other jobs.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
The backs of heads. Very difficult to give expression to something you see yet interact so infrequently with in life.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
It's a chain store I visit locally.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No. Some days I dislike drawing, so maybe if anything, I'll procrastinate (which never helps).

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Most genres. I love music very much (but can't play it). Love Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Tool, Bob Dylan, Tex, Don and Charlie. Anything that will tell me a great story but doesn't give the ending away.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I became interested in being a cartoonist because of comics. My first stand-out comic in the country town I grew up in was Grendel by Matt Wagner and the Pander Brothers back in the late 80s. Couldn't believe comics could look like this and tell such adult tales. Much different than the Phantom and Spider-Man comics I'd read to that point. However, since I was a kid I'd been a huge Judge Dredd fan (and still am) and then moved into graphic novels as I got older. Still love Watchmen and Maus. I also read, funnily enough, The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones which came out through Marvel. It's OK in hindsight, but I loved them at the time. They differed a bit from the movies.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I believe it will always be Calvin and Hobbes. I'd always had difficulty making friends in my youth and related to Calvin a lot. An overactive imagination that can't help but create a friend for you when you have no real ones. The Far Side too as I got older.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
In my adulthood I've had the opportunity to go back and discover all the books I never got the chance to read as a kid. We came from a big family so while I read a lot, we didn't have a lot of picture books. I read mostly text-based books. In my adulthood, I discovered Where The Wild Things Are and I know if I'd had that as a kid, I'd still have it now. Now I have a little girl I'm doing all the stuff with her I never got to do with my own parents - reading books, telling stories, drawing together.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Not at first but eventually I took myself to college and studied animation at Southbank TAFE in Brisbane, Queensland. When I graduated and was working in animation, they asked me to come back as a Comic Book Illustration teacher so I did that for two years.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Definitely a blessing. Evolution isn't finished - as humans and as technological minds. It was as inevitable as any other change. In terms of publishing, it's been fantastic for everyday folks to promote themselves and find an audience whereas they may not have had that chance in the world as it existed before. That being said, it also throws a lot more piranhas into the tank! But if we share the experience with each other and help each other, there's more than enough opportunities for everyone.

Did either of your parents draw?
My dad is a watercolour painter but he claims I surpassed him in talent in my early 20s. He still sells more paintings than I do though, so I dunno. I wrote a book which sold steadily but then he wrote one and outsold me pretty much overnight, so I guess I'm lucky enough to have inherited a fraction of his talents, if not his sales ability.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Probably my dad. He understood because his whole life he'd been a frustrated artist, working to support the family in other fields. He understood it was what I wanted to do, regardless of what I had to go through to get there (even though I had no discernible talent for it) and was there with moral support when I needed it. At my first exhibition in my mid-20s I was living in North Queensland and he had scoured the countryside from Brisbane (about 1300 miles) on the phone to track down a number that he could call me on at the launch to wish me well. I had no family there so it was a pretty big boost. I only learned later just how difficult it had been for him not to be there and how hard he'd worked to find the number of the fairly out of the way place the exhibition was in.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
No. Haven't done for years. I've worked professionally so long that it bores me a little to sketch. I know I should. It'd help me draw the backs of heads better!

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I have and I did. I frequently hold workshops for people of all ages and am taken to various places in the country to teach workshops. Plus, as mentioned, I spent two years in the TAFE (Technical and Further Education) system teaching 'Comic Book Illustration' and 'Storyboarding and Scriptwriting'. I did enjoy it and helping young people find their path, but I never teach people 'how to draw'. I merely show them the path and let them walk down it themselves. I really don't want a bunch of people out there who just draw the way I taught them to because it's such a personal experience, drawing. It's why I have difficulty with the kids who just draw Manga style all the time - they have their own voice and should draw that first, then move into a style they like - be it Manga or whatever.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
I'm the Cartoonist In Residence at the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour, Australia's only Cartoon Gallery and the work we have in our collection doesn't just come from professionals. It comes from the People and although some are fairly crude renderings, the passion is evident in how hard people have worked on something. Cartooning was the first art form, it was there on the cave walls and everyone has had a go at it throughout history, whether professionally, as an amateur or just doodling on the phone. It's seen in every nation on every Continent on Earth. It will be the last art form and it belongs to everyone. There's no other art form that can say it was there at the beginning and will be there at the end. Cartooning is the first voice of Humankind expressing itself for all time and I'm pretty passionate about it. Far more so than my ability to draw reflects! So yeah, talent helps but passion is way more important, regardless of result because art is firstly and most importantly for the individual creating it. If it's good enough to impress others and make a living from then that's a big bonus.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I used to collect comics but haven't done so in ages. I also collected trading cards for a while but now I collect cartoons for my private collection. I prefer to trade than buy or just have them given to me. It's more personal to trade I think and shows mutual respect for each other.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Whilst he's not animated, I wanna say Rorschach from Watchmen, but because he definitely IS, I'll say Bender from Futurama. In reality though, I'd be more like Fry I think. Sigh.

Are you a righty or lefty?
I'm right-handed but see that more as a schooling thing (where it was 'encouraged'). I'm left-handed for many things I do and am central-brained, so it wouldn't take much to be ambidextrous. I just don't have the time (nor inclination) to work on it. Though a spare hand would come in 'handy'.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I used to have a list in case this cartooning thing didn't work out. In order of preference: Fiction Writer, Event Organiser, Stuntman, and Hired Assassin.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I tend to set my stuff up for practicality rather than good looks. I like aesthetics, but being central-brained, love straight lines and order as well.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No. Sadly.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Never let it go.

Who is your favorite artist?
I have many (many!) and for various reasons, but at the top of the list I might say Salvador Dali. When I saw his work for the first time I saw there's a whole other world beyond the visible. And where most single words have multiple meanings, so too could images. It was one of those revelations when you suddenly want to see an artist's entire body of work because you don't want to miss anything they've done and because you know every piece will move something in you. After I saw 'Guernica' I was the same for Picasso. Then Norman Rockwell, Emil Mercier, Norman Lindsay, Bill Leak, Gerald Scarfe and Charles Addams. The list continues and would take up pages, but off the top of my fingertips, that's a good representation.

Thank you very much Jules!

Coming soon are answers from Dave Blazek, the creator of the comic panel Loose Parts.