How to Get Into Cartooning: A Beginner’s Guide

Cartooning is a joyful and expressive creative pursuit that you can explore with just the essentials: a pencil, paper, imagination, and a little guidance. Here’s how to kick things off on the right foot, along with recommended tools and resources to fuel your journey.

1. Start with the Basics: Pencil & Paper

Every great cartoon begins with a simple sketch. Here’s your starter toolkit:

• Graphite Pencils – Grab a few pencils in 2B, 3B, and 4B to explore different line weights and shading. These are ideal for loose, expressive lines and erase easily. (SJ.Vickery Designs Ltd., The Graphics Fairy)
• Sketch Pads and Paper – A smooth surface is ideal for inking and renders better pencil control. A mixed pack with smooth and textured paper gives you the flexibility to explore. (SJ.Vickery Designs Ltd., The Graphics Fairy)
• Eraser & Sharpener – Don’t overlook these—they keep your tools in top shape.

From fellow artists on Reddit:
“Pencils, good white erasers, a sharpener, a ruler… A ‘how to draw’ book that covers all the basics… inking markers… charcoal, colored pencils…” (Reddit)

2. Learn the Fundamentals

A structured guide or tutorial can help you draw cool stuff in simple steps:

• Consider How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes—an acclaimed series that builds complex art from easy shapes. (Wikipedia)

3. Upgrade Your Tools: Pens, Inking, and Markers

Once you’re comfortable sketching, level up to inking and coloring:

• Inking Pens:
  • Reliable choices: Sakura Pigma Micron, Faber-Castell PITT markers—both waterproof and archival. (Daisy Yellow, Reddit)
  • Budget favorites from real artists: “Pentel Arts Hybrid Technica pens for fine lines and Pentel Pocket Brush Pen for varying strokes. Also, Gelly Roll for the most opaque white pen ever.” (Reddit)
• Advanced Tools:
  • Rotring Art Pen & Rapidograph: Refillable and high-quality—ideal if you’re ready for long-term use (though they require maintenance). (ProCartoon)
  • Dip Pens (e.g., G-pen): Classic comic tools offering expressive lines—but trickier to handle. (Reddit)
• Markers:
  • Professional pick: Copic markers (refillable, durable), beloved by pros like Adam Hughes. (Wikipedia)
  • Budget-friendly & still excellent: Alcohol-based alternatives that perform nearly as well. (Wendichen)

4. Practice and Explore

• Start with simple shapes and low-pressure sketching.
• Practice inking over your best sketches.
• Experiment with shading, line weight, textures, and simple coloring.

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Quick-Start Product Recommendations

Looking for the perfect beginner bundle or a fun starter kit for cartooning? Here are some Amazon-esque picks based on trusted resources and user feedback:

71‑Piece Drawing Kit + Art Mannequin

All‑in‑one artist starter set

£29.00

How to Draw Awesome Cartoons Kit

Step‑by‑step cartoon drawing kit

£9.29

Featured Picks:

• 71‑Piece Drawing Kit + Art Mannequin
  A comprehensive set including pencils, color pencils, fineliners, erasers, blending tools, and even an art mannequin—great for practicing posture and body shapes. Perfect all-in-one starter.
• How to Draw Awesome Cartoons Kit
  Includes double-ended markers, a fine art pen, a sketchpad, and an instruction book with step-by-step guides—ideal for beginners wanting guidance alongside tools.

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How to Use This Guide

1. Grab basic tools (pencil, paper, eraser) and start with simple sketches.
2. Pick up a how-to-draw book like How to Draw Cool Stuff for fundamentals.
3. Select your preferred pen or marker for inking and coloring.
4. Practice regularly, experimenting with shapes, poses, line styles, and techniques.
5. Enjoy the process—cartooning is about expression and fun, not perfection.

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