# Recommend some books on cartooning **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 19, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132 "2012-09-19T02:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/1 "2012-09-19T02:08:31Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/2 "2012-09-19T03:19:59Z")
The two most commonly cited bibles of cartooning: Will Eisner’s [Comics and Sequential Art](http://www.amazon.com/Comics-Sequential-Art-Principles-Practice/dp/0961472812) Scott McCloud’s [Understanding Comics](http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Comics-The-Invisible-Art/dp/006097625X/ref=pd_sim_b_3) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/3 "2012-09-19T03:31:25Z")
Two very handy references: [Wally Wood’s 22 Panels that Always Work](http://s3.amazonaws.com/articulate.heroes.prod/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/60/1563.wallywood22panel1600.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJYJZFNIWKR2Y3QGQ&Expires=1348036047&Signature=cO%2fzK%2bt%2fCScuLdnWqY343416jr4%3d) and [How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way](http://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Comics-Marvel-Way/dp/0671530771/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348025433&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+draw+comics+the+marvel+way+by+stan+lee+and+john+buscema) by Stan Lee and John Buscema. ---
**Author:** ![Troutsqueezer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Troutsqueezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troutsqueezer)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/4 "2012-09-19T04:05:06Z")
I’ve been drawing cartoons for probably longer than you have been alive. I recommend Jack Hamm’s books. Google him. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/5 "2012-09-19T06:28:04Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-books-on-cartooning/635132/6 "2012-09-21T03:43:20Z")
Thanks, everyone. Do you also know of any decent books on how to draw people?