Do You Want To Draw More Cartoons?
...but somehow don’t quite get around to doing so?
If you’re like many folks, you probably get a lot of pleasure out of cartooning, but often don’t get around to doing it.
You know that you’ll enjoy yourself if you sit down and draw, and yet it’s often the sitting down to draw part that’s the hardest bit of the process.
And when you sit down there’s the temptation to check social media, cat videos, the phone, etc.
But then if you manage to put the phone etc down, there’s still the blank canvas of doom to deal with...
Gerald stared at the blank canvas of doom…and the canvas stared back…
Who knew that starring at a blank canvas could be so intimidating!
And the longer you stare, the less chance of ideas appearing... .
…so Gerald decided to eat it…
But it’s not just the not sitting down to draw that’s the annoying part, it’s also what you tell yourself later on when you realise that you haven’t drawn for ages.
How do you feel when you don’t get stuff done? Probably not too great.
Me Neither...
So how can you get more drawing done, and avoid berating yourself for not drawing?
It’s time for a change....time to do things a bit differently...
...less beige and more cartoony...
It would be cool to have a weekly reminder to draw, at a set time, when all you have to do is sit down and draw.
Even cooler would be having someone to draw with, as it’s always easier to do something if you’re part of a team all doing the same activity. It’s way easier to stick to something when there’s other folks keeping you accountable.
Introducing Cartoon Hour
Cartoon Hour is a weekly drawing hour.
During the hour you will draw along with other doodlers. I’ll be drawing along as well.
The hour is your cartooning time. No social media...no distractions...just you and some fellow cartoonists doodling away.
At the end of the hour we will show each other what we’ve been working on.
If you’re stuck for something to draw, then I’ll give you some ideas.
There’s no need to be a lone wolf, it’s always better to do something as part of a pack.
There’s something about the collective energy of a group, all working on the same activity.
By ourselves, it can be tricky to get started, but together we can feed off each other’s enthusiasm and inspiration.
We’re social creatures - we like to do things in groups It’s also a great way to get things done having a bit of gentle peer pressure.
There’s also the chance to share things with each to trade ideas.
There’s also a shared sense of accountability, you want to to draw, because other folks want to draw.
Online courses are popular because of the group element, but when the courses ends, the group ends as well and it can be difficult to keep it going....but Cartoon Hour is ongoing - and keeps you going!
Okay, so what exactly happens in Cartoon Hour?
We all start drawing at the same time every week. As mentioned, if you’re stuck for something to draw, I’ll give you some ideas at the beginning, so you don’t have to waste time scratching your head.
You could use the hour to work on a drawing project you’ve been putting off, to try something new, or simply to start doodling and see where that leads.
By the end of the hour you will have done some cartooning, even if its not finished.
We’ll also show each other what we’ve been working on. It’s a chance to share ideas and inspiration.
First establish the habit, mastery will come in time
The trick with getting better at anything is to consistently practice it. Cartoon Hour gives you consistent practice time - which means that it will help you to see progress in whatever you’re working on.
And if you’re not working on anything in particular, it’s a fun hour of time spent doing something you love with other interested folks.
It’s important to first establish a habit and do it for a while, before developing it. Cartoon Hour will help you establish your own drawing habit.
Cartoon Hour is designed to get you doodling every week, but if life really does get in the way, then there’s a recording of the session so you can catch up, or pick up the pace again when you get chance.
Cartoon Hour
You get:
You get:
the structure of a weekly drawing session, which means you’re more likely to make progress.
the company of fellow cartoonists, because its fun to do things as a group.
ideas for things to draw if you’re stuck, so you don’t have to waste time staring at the blank canvas of doom.
Cartoon Hour Plus
You get:
the structure of a weekly drawing session, which means you’re more likely to make progress.
the company of fellow cartoonists, because its fun to do things as a group.
ideas for things to draw if you’re stuck, so you don’t have to waste time staring at the blank canvas of doom.
A Q&A session with me (I usually charge $50 an hour when tutoring someone) where you get to ask me all your drawing questions.
When is it?
There are X Cartoon Hours per week. [this is to be decided]
Here’s a few questions that you might have
I’m not sure that I’ve got time to do this every week, what if I miss a session?
There’s a recording of every session that I can send to you afterwards. It’s best for your own motivation to attend a live session, but there’s a recording in case you can’t.
I can’t draw! Can I still do this?
You don’t have to be a great artist. If you’ve ever doodled a few faces on a scrap of paper, then you’re good to go.
When is Cartoon Hour?
There are several time slots a week. I’m currently figuring out the best times for folks. Drop me a message using the form below, and I’ll send you the current time slots.
I still struggle drawing with elephants, so don’t be deterred!
I don’t know what to draw
No problem! If you’re stuck for ideas I can give some to get you drawing.
Why should listen to you?
I’ve drawn approximately 4321 cartoons (4324 if you include the aardvarks...), and made an awful lot of mistakes while doing so. Along the way I’ve picked up quite a few tips and tricks which have made my cartoons a lot better - and can do the same for you too. I also still love cartooning and look forward to drawing the 4325th cartoon with you.
Here’s Cartoon Hour in brief:
An hour per week that’s purely your cartooning time
The company of fellow cartoonists
Ideas and inspiration from the group
Prompts from me if you don’t know what to draw
Come and join the cast!
Want to find out more?
Just add your name, best email address, and type ‘Yes!’ in subject line and I’ll send you more details.