When I was first starting my cartooning career I was always looking for ways of getting printed work into my portfolio. One the most unique things I found was entering design contests. I would always submit a cartoon as my entry and I actually won several early design contests.

The largest Rock station in Oklahoma is Rock 100.5 The KATT. This radio station used to have a yearly calendar design contest to see who could create the best design for the years calendar. I entered the contest in 1988 and did not make much of a statement. I did however know the artist that won that year. That motivated me to try again the next year.

Well, I won first place in 1989 with the design displayed here. It happened to be the best selling calendar they had and turned out to be a fun promotion for the station. I used a cartoon scene to create clues to the names of 100 top rock groups. The idea hit me when I thought about drawing a plant that had a name tag with Bob written on it. Robert Plant. From there I created 99 more clues and combined them int this calendar.

The look of the design comes from my love of the old Six Flags park maps I used to collect as a kid. Click on the photo for a much larger view and see how many groups you can find.

I entered the contest for the next few years and won again being the first two time winner and also had a third place design. After winning my second time the radio station stopped having the contest. My second win was a continuation of this theme. I created a second list of 100 rock groups and built a design around those clues.

I also won a few other design contests and started to build a pretty nice looking cartoon portfolio. Once I posted these and other designs online I started getting requests from clients all over the world. That's how my own cartoon business began. Look for unique ways that you can create designs, make a little money and start building your portfolio.

P.S. I'll try to post all 100 rock group names when I get a chance. Enjoy!

Labels: Cartoon Contests, Niches

Welcome to the Curtoons Cartoon Studio A.K.A. Shaggy Duck Studios. Before you can buy any cartooning supplies or equipment you will need a place to practice your craft.

I have created a cartoon studio in my home using a spare bedroom. It consists of a 5 foot drafting table, three computer desks housing four Apple computers, a TV, an American Fender Stratocaster, a fully functional airplane pedal car, a six string Takamine acoustic, a drawing stool, two computer chairs, three ink jet printers, stacks of books on cartooning, logo design and marketing. Shelves full of greeting card stock, polka dotted envelopes, blank CD's, mailing supplies and hundreds of pages of cartoon sketches.

Make your studio fun and a place where you will enjoy spending many hours. If you truly want to be a successful cartoonist you will need a comfortable spot to get those juices flowing. I'll give you ideas in the future on what essential cartooning supplies you will need to create a professional cartoon studio.

Labels: Cartoon Supplies

I do not specialize in caricatures but I do get requests several times a year. The image above is for a local business that deals with cleaning supplies. You might recognize the guy on the right. That's NBA star Brent Price.

Labels: Caricatures, Niches

Here's an example of a simple Flash animation. Flash has become the standard in animation today. To create movement you must have vector art images. Vector art can be created in Adobe Illustrator and then imported into Flash.

Flash animations are great for eCards. Start your own eCard site or create tiny animations for eCard clients. Flash designers can make $50 per hour and more.

Learn more about Flash and see how much fun it can be by visiting this awesome animation web site. Create your own Flash movies without any experience. Go Animate.

Need your cartoon logo animated? I can help do very simple Flash animations or create animated GIF files. Contact me for more information.

P.S. You can right click on a Flash animation and it will provide you with a few Flash controls.

Labels: Animation, Cartoon Logo, Flash, Niches

Welcome Toonheads and Clients!

How about some updates, tips, samples projects and money making ideas? Although I'm swamped as usual I'll try to keep you updated on what's going on around the Curtoons Cartoon Studio - and there's plenty!

Keep checking in and see some of my all time best cartoon logos and many samples of designs I have not posted yet.

I may even serve up a video or two on how to cartoon. Come back often!!