Drawing Cartoons

This is a great book for beginning cartoonists. Mark Heath's "Drawing Cartoons" is the first "how to draw" book to help me learn how to "think like a cartoonist." Most drawing books I've seen in the past give the reader step-by-step line drawings to copy. While this approach often results in a flashy finished-product for the reader, the beginning cartoonist is left without the "tools" for creating drawings from scratch, on his or her own. Mark's emphasis, in contrast, is on arming the beginning artist with the means to create his or her own cartoons from the ground up. For example, he advises, "cartoons don't perfect detail, but rather, suggest detail." Advice like this helps the budding cartoonist think like a professional. In addition, Mark's warm and witty sense of humor make for a enjoyable first, second, and third-time "reads." I really like it!

I have absolutely no talent for drawing, but I write books for my first graders and was tired of cut and paste stuff. I found this book about cartooning, and since I felt that the only thing I could possibly do was something very basic, I decided to try it. I have been drawing now for about 6 months and am really thrilled at my progress with cartoons. Best of all, the kids love the stories and the stupid little cartoons I draw! Okay, Bob Books, move over!

I have read a number of cartooning books, some by people who are "household names", but never one this good! This book covers what every cartoonist wants to know, cutting through the unnecessary "stuff". I would put this book in the hands of everyone interested in the fine art of cartooning!

This book is the first one I read this year (back on Jan 1!). I've since re-read it a few times and continue to find it enjoyable and impressive.For me, Chapter Four alone is worth the price of admission. Page 79 is priceless, truly inspiring -- and I have to agree with it: after about 35 years of serious drawing, I still learn new things about cartooning all the time, it never stops. [And more than a couple of those new things are ones I learned out of this book.]What Mark Heath has achieved here is not easy: a fresh approach to the basics that can help raw newbies and wizened amateurs alike. I never felt like "this is stuff I've already read a million times" -- Mark sidesteps the usual intro material and approaches it from a new slant or adds new insights to it.If you're new, this is a great intro to cartooning that allows you lots of room to find your own style while homing in on solid quality work. If you're an old hand, this book will still show you a few new wrinkles, and re-awaken your love for the artform all over again. What more can you ask?

Mark's book is one of the best I've seen dealing with getting started in the cartooning business. I use it myself for workshops I give. It's easy to follow and deals with the subject with wit and lots of fun imagery. I couldn't recommend it more highly.