I’ve been drawing single-panel gag cartoons for my own amusement for most of my life. On the other hand, I have no formal art training at all. I decided that I might get more enjoyment out of this if I knew how to draw better. Do you have any recommendations for books on cartooning that I should read?
The two most commonly cited bibles of cartooning:
Will Eisner’s Comics and Sequential Art
Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics
They aren’t step by step guides on how to draw, but they are principles on how comic art can be staged, and structured, and how to use light and shade. Technically single panel cartoons aren’t “sequential” but the principles can still be applied.
Two very handy references: Wally Wood’s 22 Panels that Always Work and How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema.
I’ve been drawing cartoons for probably longer than you have been alive. I recommend Jack Hamm’s books. Google him.
Andrew Loomis is another great one. His books are from the 40s, so keep that in mind when you get to the pages on how to draw other races.
Thanks, everyone. Do you also know of any decent books on how to draw people?