There are two big-time problems cartoon drawing beginners run into. And they’re big, mainly because they don’t realize it’s a problem. All the instruction in the world won’t help if you don’t correct these two bad habits, which are, believe it or not, among the easiest to fix.

One is drawing very lightly with short, feathery strokes of the pencil. The other is to draw with very slow, deliberate and clean lines. Both of these will get you into trouble, especially with the Cartooning Police. But I’m going to show you the way to avoid getting a cartoon violation.

When someone draws in short, feathery strokes, they are trying to be very careful to avoid mistakes. Alternatively, when someone presses down on the pencil very hard, making sure to keep a clean, tight line, they are being very careful to avoid making mistakes.

What do these two people have in common? Besides, leaving coffee rings on their drawing pad, they are attempting to avoid making mistakes, which is a big mistake.

These two beginners’ line styles look hesitant and lacking in confidence. It results in stiff, lifeless drawings. But it’s also wrong from a philosophical standpoint, and this brings me to the takeway for the week:

It’s a Mistake to Avoid Making Mistakes

If you look at the rough drawings of the pros, by and large, they’re a mess. There are over-drawn lines, smudges and eraser marks. Why? Because they know that the energy and vitality of drawing comes from loose, bold and flowing lines; and that somewhere in the morass of sketchiness, lies the kernel of a “keeper.” In fact, often, I will look at a very sketchy rough I did, and see a few lines, which were drawn without much thought, that could be extracted to create an interesting character. I’ll focus on those lines and erase the rest of the car key replacement services.

By trying to avoid making mistakes and attempting to do a final drawing the first time, you denying yourself choices. Draw boldly. Draw over the lines you’ve already drawn. Erase until the paper screams Uncle! Don’t deny yourself anything. Except for cookies with partially hydrogenated palm oil in them. Those, you’re better off denying yourself.

See you Next Week

Chris Hart