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Cartoon Illustration

A cartoon illustration is the perfect way to express oneself, and it’s not just for children. Created by a professional illustrator, a custom-made cartoon can be just what you need to make your idea stand out for your business in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.

Designers in search of new ideas and who want to grow, need to understand that the world is always looking to learn and improve and is therefore constantly striving for a unique experience. The bespoke business of professional illustration helps to achieve that goal and the experience of being able to share a great color cartoon illustration is one that can’t be beaten.

A cartoon illustration is an excellent way of displaying one’s feelings and often a sign of comedy. A lot of people cannot accurately express themselves through words but with the help of an illustrator, they might find it much easier.

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The history of cartoon illustrations

The history of cartoon illustration dates back to the early 20th century, where it first became a popular form of entertainment in both printed media such as magazines and newspapers, and on the cinema screen. The main goal of these illustrations is to create humor or satire, often through exaggeration, for the purpose of entertainment. A successful cartoon illustration will have a distinctive style and make a definitive sign or statement that viewers find appealing.

The illustrator will work with an art director on the storyboard before beginning work on the final draft. This can be done by either sketching or using computer software to create digital images. Once complete, they are sent to the animators who will then animate them frame by frame.

Cartoonists are always in demand for their talents because they can take any idea and create an entertaining, humorous piece that will keep the viewer involved.

When a cartoon is given to animators, it must be broken down into smaller panels which are then called “storyboards.” These boards come from the art director and contain basic instructions on what each scene should look like. The artists use them as guidelines to grasp the tone and theme of the story. They are also used as a reference when creating the final images from scratch.

The definition of ‘cartoon illustrator’

A cartoon illustrator is someone who portrays a character in an exaggerated way. The eyes are often larger, the head can be bigger and the mouth drawn wider. This person uses their skills to highlight one mannerism that is easily identifiable from afar.

Cartoon illustration often places figures in a scene or environment. These illustrations are meant to bring a large grin to the face of the reader. The illustrator makes use of bold lines and strong coloring to convey an image that is both funny and engaging.

Cartoon illustrators must be in tune with their audience in order to be successful, and therefore must keep in mind the social norms, popular culture, and even gender representation at the time.

Walt Disney Studio cartoons

Walt Disney Studio cartoons were responsible for some of the most beloved characters of children, and many kids would wake up every Saturday morning to watch their favorite characters on TV. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and Sylvester are characters that come to mind when thinking of cartoons. Walt Disney Studio also made TV series such as Duck Tales, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck and TaleSpin.

Through the 1940s to the 1970s, Walt Disney Studio had some of the most famous cartoon characters and their personalities. For example, in 1941, Donald Duck was featured as a sailor in Donald Gets Drafted. He was even nominated for an Oscar award that year (Disney 1946). Mickey Mouse made his first appearance on November 18th 1928, demonstrating his ability to walk in Steamboat Willie.

Some of the cartoons are now banned from being broadcast on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network because they were offensive towards women and/or minorities.

Cartoon sitcoms

Cartoon sitcoms date back to the early 1900s with the Flinstones and Jetsons. More recently, cartoon series such as The Simpsons and South Park have become popular on a global scale. With the merging of these two elements, there has been an increase in both comedic and dramatic effects for this genre.

Many examples of this merger are found in the popular television series, South Park. This series is a blend of animation and live-action which allows for many layers to be used within storylines and characters.

South Park is not alone in its comedic use of animation. The Simpsons, an animated sitcom, has been on television since 1989 and shows no signs of slowing down. This show is the longest-running series in terms of the number of episodes and has been nominated for 28 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Editorial cartoons

Editorial cartoons, such as the ones from the New Yorker’s are typically depictions of political and current affairs that have a humorous tone while mocking politicians who are characterized as lightweights, buffoons, and half-wits. The irony inherent in this type of cartoon illustration is a large part of what makes these funny. They rely heavily on caricatures of well-known personalities that make for easy targets.

In conclusion

While the cartoonist can produce a sense of light-heartedness, the cartoon illustration can also be biting and tackle social issues. The illustrator’s characters jump, cartwheel and somersault into our lives every day bringing with it a huge sense of humour and laughter.

FAQ’s

What is a cartoon illustration and what will I get?

A cartoon illustration is an excellent choice for someone who is looking for more of a personal touch in their graphic design. Cartoon design often includes characters and conveys a story, and drawings are often more playful than photos or traditional graphics.

If you are looking for a unique approach to your design that will appeal to your clients in a creative way and leave them smiling, then cartoon design is what you want.

 

What makes a good cartoon illustration?

There are many definitions of “good” cartoon design. However, while everyone has a different opinion on what makes a “good” design, it is important to remember that the best design for any project is the one that provides a clear message to its viewers. It can do this by creating an emotional connection with the viewers.

Here are some of the most important aspects of good cartoon illustration:

Good Drawing Skills: This is one of the biggest areas where people get confused about good artwork. Good drawings aren’t necessarily just good looking, although there’s nothing wrong with that. However, more than drawing skills, you’re trying to develop skill in capturing the essence of what’s going on in a scene.

It’s really important that each character looks like himself or herself. A good example is when someone does a caricature drawing of you and doesn’t quite get your facial features right, even if it is somewhat close, you will likely find this to be a poor drawing (and perhaps a sign that the illustration or indeed the illustrator needs to improve).

The same is true when you’re trying to capture the personality of your characters. Don’t just draw the body, but think about what makes each character unique and give them expression accordingly. Remember that customers buy into any cartoon illustrations that aren’t forced and look real. When in doubt, steer clear of over-exaggerated drawings.

Good Timing: Timing is another key aspect of any good cartoon illustration, and it’s something that some people overlook in their cartoons. The timing is actually the ability to think about what each character is doing or saying at a given time, which helps create a dynamic feel in your design.

 

Do I need to prepare a brief when commissioning my cartoon illustration?

It’s not always necessary to prepare a brief before commissioning your own cartoon illustration. However, it is helpful to think generally about the type of cartoon you want when you have the time. A professional cartoon designer will also be able to give you guidance on how best to proceed with your project, and you should prepare for this by considering what type of cartoon design you’re interested in.

If you want to prepare a brief when commissioning your cartoon illustration, take it one step at a time and think about:

When writing your brief for the cartoon subject matter, be clear on how you want the sketch or design to look. It’s best to get as specific as possible but at the same time remember that there’s room for your own personal touch on the design. A professional cartoon designer will be able to offer you advice on how best to proceed with your commission.

 

Why should I hire a professional cartoon illustration?

1. Cartoon illustrations are a great way to convey information in an interesting and memorable way

2. Professional cartoonists have advanced artistic skills that can make your company stand out from the rest of the crowd

3. Hiring a professional cartoonist gives you the chance to show some true personality through your design

4. A professional cartoon illustration can become a widely recognized symbol of your company, making it easy for people to remember you and your distinctive brand

5. It’s easy to search for a design that matches the original concept if working with a professional illustrator who specializes in custom illustrations

6. You’ll have access to high-quality artworks that can be used in web, print, or mobile design

 

How can I commission a cartoon portrait/caricature of myself?

If you want to create a cartoon illustration or caricature of yourself, you should start by selecting good quality photos of yourself that you have collected to get the best results.

Next, you need to provide a detailed brief describing the pose, emotion, clothing and any other props or elements required and finally the background or setting. Photos are extremely useful to highlight any items required and are far quicker and easier to supply than trying to explain using just words.

 

How do I choose the right cartoonist for my graphic design project?

Personal preference is key here. The writer and art director must be in sync as to the intent of the cartoon illustration.

Is it for fun, or is there a message behind it?

Will your readers “get it?”

Does the type of illustration match your audience’s taste? Is it clean-cut and pristine, or does it have a more traditional look? Will that appeal to your readers?

The main thing is to pick what illustration works for you – and remember – have fun!

 

Will my budget limit my search for designers to take on my illustration?

At the end of the day, business is business and a set deal can always be agreed upon between customers and sellers. The same is true of clients and cartoonists. Each artist will have their own bespoke-style and based on the content and complex nature of the piece supplied by the client, an hourly rate will be applied to the number of hours required to give a final quote.

If it is that the style is in high demand and difficult to come by, the artist can control this level of pricing but in quieter times they may be willing to reduce their rates to secure a commission.

 

Vectors vs traditional cartoon illustration

The two illustration categories that come to mind when creating cartoon illustration are vectors and traditional.

Vector illustration

Vectors in cartoon illustration are created using geometric shapes, lines and varying tones of color. The result is a sharper looking image that has multiple layers to it and can be easily edited or modified in the future without losing any resolution.

Vectors are good for things like character illustrations, logos and anything else where you need to keep an outline crisp clean with no breaks in its curves.

Traditional illustration

In direct contrast, traditional illustration in a cartoon technique is often outlined with ink and filled in with color. Materials ranging from ink and watercolor, through to outlines and marker pens all have their place here.

Traditional illustration has a very different look and feel to it than vectors, often with rougher edges and a softer, more organic look you wouldn’t get from the other styles of illustration.

Traditional is good for creating children’s books and art for things like greeting cards as you can easily vary your line weights while still preserving the look of hand-drawn art.