Working with cartoonists (final chapter)

There’s an error in the title. I should write “working with a cartoonist, i.e. me”. Because I actually don’t know any other cartoonists personally, nor could I say how they work. I can only give you some insight into my own modus operandi. It’s fairly straightforward, but I’ve had to explain it to prospects many times before, so maybe someone will find this useful.

First off, there is of course the client briefing. It doesn’t have to be very specific, but it’s best to start off with a clear understanding of the client’s need. For instance, when the cartoon is to accompany an article, what’s it about? I don’t need the full text, just the gist of it will do. Which message do you want to convey? Do you want an innocent illustration or a candid cartoon? Obvious questions, but you’d be surprised how many times people don’t even think of these things. Of course, it isn’t up to the client to make stuff up themselves – that’s my job. Suggestions are always welcome, though. Creating something out of nothing is very hard.

In the next step, I do this secret trick which involves a bit of mental voodoo, some mysterious chanting and an extremely disturbing kind of exotic dance. Resulting in one or more ideas, which I then sketch out on paper. I scan these in and mail them to the client. It’s only after his/her final approval of a draft that I work it out in its final form. Even though all my work is done digitally, it takes quite some time to get it right, and it would be silly to have a fully worked out cartoon rejected, wouldn’t it?

The last stage is the one of me anxiously waiting for the client to pay the invoice. Notice that this whole process can easily be done without ever having to meet the client in person. It’s the 21st century baby!

So that was it from me, here endeth the lesson. Hope you enjoyed it!

Comments

[Liam]

To help me understand, do you have pictures of the dance?

Liam

[Jeroen]

Should I be worried about the fact you'd want to see that?

Or do you need something to counterbalance your disturbing cycling exposés? :-)

[Liam]

If you'd seen me on Saturday you'd have wondered why I wasn't locked up for pure stupidity!

I have enjoyed your posts Jeroen - when will you start posting on your other site about being a guest blogger???

Liam

[Sue]

You leave his other site alone - it's perfect as it is!

[Jeroen]

You tell him Sue!