Thomastoons Cartoon Blog

Blogging Tip from RobCartoonist Rob Thomas' latest online discovery

I have a habit of discovering the latest trends just nanoseconds before they are on their way out.

So, in keeping with that long and proud tradition, today I finally discovered how to accomplish one of the most common blogging techniques out there - taking a screen snapshot.

Here is an example of a screenshot.
Click pic for larger version.




You can take snapshots of just about anything that shows up on your computer screen, including portions of a page.
Here's a screenshot of my computer's empty desktop.

Click pic for larger version.

Snapshots don't include links because they aren't live pages, but photos of one. So obviously, if you run your mouse over a snapshot nothing will happen.

Finally, here's a screenshot of my computer's desktop with a bunch of open windows.
Click pic for larger version.

Now, there are many programs you can download in order to acheive this. Most of them cost money, but there are some free ones for the taking. I tried several programs and finally settled on one called InstantShot! for Mac. If you're a PC user, I'm sure you will find even more choices.

A Little Friday HumorBy Cartoonist Rob Thomas

For many, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, but for the rest of us it's Annual Tryptophan Recovery Day. Devoid of energy and still recovering from potato peelers elbow, we hold true to our favorite law of motion: INACTION.

Here's a little end-o-the-week cartoon.

Click pic for larger version.

Thanksgiving HumorBy Cartoonist Rob Thomas

Just a few yuk yuks for the Thanksgiving holiday...

Click pic for larger version.

Tools of the TradeBy Cartoonist Rob Thomas

From cave paintings to cartoons, artists have always looked for new and better ways to translate images from their minds to their medium.

Click pic for larger version.

The latest and most innovative tool in recent years is the Wacom tablet.

The Wacom tablet allows one to draw directly onto the computer, complete with pressure sensitivity that mimicks the human hand.

My brother Bill, also a cartoonist, swears by his desk model intuos 3 which comes in several shapes and sizes.



Personally, I use the Wacom cintiq for my work.

It's a much more expensive model because it allows you to draw directly onscreen, as opposed to the intuos 3 which is a desktop writing pad that transfers the images to your computer monitor.

Here's a pic of me at work.

Frankly, the intuos 3 is a much wiser purchase than the Cintiq.
For one thing, it is SO much cheaper, and once your brain gets used to drawing in one place while looking at another (short learning curve), it's pretty much the same thing.

In fact, even though I work on the Wacom screen, I find myself looking at my computer monitor most of the time because the screen resolution is sharper.

By the way, I don't draw on the Wacom. Nothing can replace pen and ink for that personal touch. Instead, I use it for coloring as well as editing and cleaning my cartoons.

Diversity in Cartooningby Cartoonist Rob Thomas

Gotta give Charles Schulz credit. Yes, today this excerpt from 'Peanuts' may seem gratuitous in it's use of a token black kid, but what would the world have looked like ol' Sparky hadn't taken that first small step?

Click pic for larger version.

The Magic Pen of Ronald SearleCartoonist Extraordinaire by Rob Thomas

If you're not familiar with the work of British cartoonist Ronald Searle (born March 3, 1920), strap yourself in.

Click pic for larger version.

Searle wields his pen like a samurai on crystal meth. Just check out this drawing.

Click pic for larger version.

We're talking serious artistry here. Is this guy's linework freakin' outrageous or what? His extreme contrast between thin and thick, greywash and splatter technique are very to similar to Arnold Roth and Carlos Killian.

But wait, here's another one.

Click pic for larger version.

Searle drew cartoons for Punch, covers for the New Yorker, and even did animation for Disney.

He is also the creator of St. Trinians School.

Actually, St. Trinians is a series of cartoons about a fictional school for girls. The girls are wicked (and well-armed), violent little creatures and the female teachers aren't so nice themselves.

Click pic for larger version.

I've always loved his animal drawings, especially his big, fat cats.

Click pic for larger version.

Ronald Searle's life story is no less fascinating than his artwork. There's a great BBC documentary (2006) about his life and work, if you can get your hands on it.

Click pic for larger version.

Internet-friend or foe?By Cartoonist Rob Thomas

Gotta love the web. Then again, there are drawbacks.
The following pretty much sums it up.

Will Eisner Cartoonist VideoAn homage by Rob Thomas

Take 2 minutes to enjoy and be inspired by this cool Will Eisner video.

Charles Schulz VideoAn homage by Rob Thomas

Another short video guaranteed to make you smile.

Anatomy of a CartoonHow a cartoon is born by Rob Thomas

How is a cartoon born?
First, here's the big picture.

1) Idea
2) Pencil Sketch
3) Inked Version

Now, the complete picture.

1) Idea
   a) Blank Page
   b) Fear
   c) Cup of coffee
   d) Pacing the room
   e) Eureka! An idea
   f) Idea sucks
   g) Repeat previous 2 steps
   h) Take a walk to clear your mind
   i) During walk, good ideas come
   j) Unfortunately, no pen or paper
   k) Run home
   l) Meet neighbor, strike up conversation
   m) Ideas lost
   n) Begin again
2) Pencil Sketch
3) Inked Version

Here's a page from my sketch/idea book, complete with coffee stains and scriptobabble.

Click pic for larger version.

I've put red dots to the left of the ideas that have potential, but still not sure if these are likely to make the final cut. A text idea on paper often translates very differently in the visual world.

Steps 2 and 3 above are no-brainers so I won't bother with them.
It's all in the idea, baby.