How to Be a Cartoonist

Co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM

Last Updated: February 16, 2023 References Approved

Working as a cartoonist can be a very rewarding career -- you will get to tell stories through visual drawings while you grow as an artist. But it can be a very precarious career -- the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not contain any in-depth data on this profession, which indicates that it is very rare to make a living as a full-time cartoonist. Most cartoonists work as freelancers or they have an additional specialization that allows them to draw cartoons as a secondary job. With some planning and dedication, you can make cartooning part of your professional life.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Your Education as a Cartoonist

1
Determine if you have a natural talent. Do you find yourself doodling in your notebook at school? Would you rather draw a picture of an idea than write a paragraph describing it? Have your teachers, friends and family members praised your artistic abilities? Have they asked you to make posters, flyers or other artistic works? If so, this might be a sign you are a natural fit to become a cartoonist.
- Most cartoonist positions do not require a formal education. A rich portfolio of work can be just as important -- if not more so -- than a degree. But a college education can help you connect to other cartoonists in your field, give you valuable professional experience through internships, and an opportunity to learn the latest technologies used by cartoonists.^{[1]
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- College or art school will also give you the opportunity to study valuable skills you might need in running your own business, how to write for a comic strip in creative writing courses, and how to develop additional skills in related fields like animation or multimedia design, and journalism.^{[2]
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2
Prepare a portfolio. Most art schools have their own requirements for compiling and submitting a portfolio, but they generally have to include 10-20 pieces of your best work (they can be unpublished). While you might be most interested in showing your cartoons, you should also include a broad range of work with multiple mediums, like paint, pastels,and photography.
- Keep your work in a binder with plastic sleeves protecting the work. The portfolio should be clean and easy to view.
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3
Prepare to attend art school in high school. In high school, don't just keep your art locked up in your journals or notebooks. Instead, take as many art electives as you can and start building up a portfolio that you can use to apply to college.^{[3]
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- Draw for your high school newspaper or magazine to get a sense of whether you like working for a publication. You will get into the practice of meeting deadlines and collaborating with an editor to create your cartoons.
- Contact your local city's newspaper to see if they need any freelance cartoon or illustration work.
- Maintain good grades and test scores. While you might think that an excellent academic record is not necessary to become an artist, it can be a major asset in furthering your career goals. The best art colleges and programs are very competitive; good grades will show your committee that you have the dedication and work ethic required to complete a large-scale art project.
- It is also worth it to study for your SAT/ACT. While some art schools only require these scores on an optional basis, they can help you earn scholarships and fellowships to fund your education.
- You can find study resources through the College Board's web site, including practice tests and sample questions. Do not study for the test overnight -- give yourself months to prepare. You can practice using a study guide book (often available in your local public library), by attending a prep course offered by companies like Kaplan or Pearson, or working with a private tutor.
4
Apply to college. You might consider going to a university with an acclaimed school or art major within it, or you could also consider an art college to study.
- Prestigious programs include the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale University, the University of California -- Los Angeles and the California Institute of the Arts.^{[4]
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- Write an artist's statement. Many art colleges require an artist's statement in your application. This is similar to a personal statement, except you use it to clearly express your perspective on your art and creative process. Why do you create the art that you do? What are your objectives as an artist?
- Keep in mind that the artist's statement shouldn't explain to the reader how to interpret your work. Rather, use the statement to give your perspective on your art, why you believe it is important and valuable work, and how you go about creating your pieces.
- Prepare for an interview. Many art schools and programs admit students after interviewing them. Think of this as an opportunity to stand out to your committee and to give yourself a competitive edge over other candidates. Bring your artist's statement and your portfolio with you to the interview.
- You will most likely be asked questions about your philosophy as an artist and what you hope to accomplish by studying in the program. Memorize responses to these questions so you can answer them very honestly and naturally in your interview.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Succeeding in College

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Take a variety of courses. While you may know that becoming a cartoonist is your ultimate goal, consider specializing in broad areas, like Multimedia art and animation. Multi-media artists make a median salary of $61, 370 a year and often have more stable, full time work than freelance cartoonists.^{[5]
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- Multimedia art will give you valuable skills in computer programming and how to create graphics using different design software. You will get to build your storyboarding skills as your learn to create visuals for video games, films and other media.^{[6]
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2
Expand your portfolio. While your coursework will add significantly to your portfolio, continue to seek out freelance opportunities with other clients while you are in college. Look to your local newspapers or magazines to see if you can do any temporary projects with them.^{[7]
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- Consider focusing on a specialization in cartoons. Do you want to write political cartoons, comic books or graphic novels? Do you want to draw animated cartoons for film and television? Try your hand at each of these categories to see which one you enjoy the most.
- Your college newspaper or art review will also be great sources to publish your work. Consider applying to join the editorial team on these publications.
- Apply for art prizes and competitions. These might be hosted by your school's art department, your local arts alliance or by a larger institution, like the National Endowment for the Arts. Gaining accolades while you are in college will help strengthen the worth of your portfolio.^{[8]
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3
Learn important skills. A cartoonist is often not just tasked with creating a drawing using pencil and paper. Often you will be required to learn other skills, especially if you want to illustrate for comic books or comic strips. Look into taking classes that specialize in some of the following skills or professional roles:^{[9]
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- Pencil work
- Colorist
- Designing letter work for comic books
- Ink work
4
Get a valuable internship or apprenticeship. Although you will produce many cartoons for class projects, you should also look into getting an internship with a reputable company in your field. This experience can be a launching point for your career in that field. Some excellent companies include:^{[10]
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- DC Comics
- Marvel Comics
- Dark Horse Comics
- Walt Disney Imagineering
- Fisher-Price
- Research these companies to find out if they offer any internship opportunities during the summer or school year for students. You should generally plan to apply in the semester before you want to take the internship.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Marketing Your Work as a Cartoonist

1
Create an on-line space for your work. While your physical portfolio will be required for most job interviews, an accessible on-line space can also be attractive to employers. Consider using a web site or an Instagram account to display the broad range of work you use.^{[11]
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- The web site can also include your rates and reviews from previous clients and your contact information.
2
Contact production studios. If you are interested in the process of storyboarding -- or pairing images with text to create a story -- then film and video games studio can use your expertise.^{[12]
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- Make your own independent film or animated project as a sample of your storyboard work. You can upload this on a video streaming site like YouTube or Vimeo and link it to your on-line space.
3
Become active in your local artistic community. Attend openings of galleries, exhibitions, conferences and lectures that apply to your field. These will be important events for expanding your professional network and finding new potential clients.
4
Join the National Cartoonists Society. As a professional network of cartoonists, membership in this group can help you meet mentors and develop more artistic connections.^{[13]
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- In order to join, you must have made the majority of your income from professional cartooning for at least the past three years. You will need two letters of recommendations, a short biographical sketch, and samples of your work. The work you submit must also have your signature.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

Will I have to face problems if I am not good at drawing?

Community Answer

It depends on the type of cartoons you want to draw and whether you're working for yourself or someone else. Publications may be reluctant to hire cartoonists who don't draw well. But you could also try publishing your work independently, online or in print, and see if it finds success that way. There are some successful comics out there with very simple drawing styles, even using stick figures. The ideas and content are usually more important than the look. That said, being good at drawing is largely a matter of putting in a lot of practice. You can always get better. And if you take classes in high school and/or college, that will help you as well.
Question

Do I need to go to college to become a cartoonist?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. You do need to be hard working, persistent and patient, and practice till you are great.
Question

What is the easiest way to become a cartoonist?

Community Answer

Draw a lot and get some books to guide you. If you like drawing, it will not be difficult. Just continue practicing.