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