Behind the scenes of a cartoon | Different minds | Personal updates
Newsletter #54
In This Issue:
Behind the Scenes of a Recent Cartoon
Different Minds At Work
Lightning-Fast Personal Update
Top Cartoons
Behind the Scenes of a Recent Cartoon
I was more than three hours into making a recent cartoon when I realized, "This isn't working."
I was trying to capture the experience of catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. I planned out a four-panel cartoon and did a bunch of sketches...
Then I started doing all the black lines and color...
Eventually, I started formatting the cartoon. Here's what it looked like as a four-panel cartoon (still in a rough form). This was when I started thinking, "Something is wrong." It just didn't have the vibe that I was going for.
I don't know... it just seemed sort of slow and boring.
But I'd spent so much time on it already! I was thinking, "There has to be a way to save this thing." So I thought for a while about what the cartoon *should* be. If two friends are excited to meet up, the characters should be more animated. The whole thing needed to be shorter, too.
So I went back to the drawing board and pumped up the emotions.
Then I decided, "This thing needs to be two panels." And right after that I thought, "And the two panels should be stacked, not side-by-side."
So I tried that out and voila! I think it's a much better cartoon than where we started.
In the end, it took nearly five hours to create this two-panel cartoon, thanks to all the rework. But I'm glad I did it because this one has been shared on social media more than any cartoon I've posted recently. People are tagging their friends, and it's making me so happy to see all the connections happening.
Incidentally, sometimes I can't solve a cartoon problem right away. I'll recognize that a cartoon needs something, but I can't figure out what. Or I'll have a good beginning, but not a good ending (no panel 4). So in those cases, I just put the cartoon to the side and wait it out. Eventually I figure out how to make the cartoon work. Sometimes it takes months, but it always works out.
So that's the story behind this cartoon! If you ever have any questions about my cartooning or process, shoot me an email at adriennehedger@me.com.
Different Minds At Work
Some of you might remember that I love the comic Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle. I pre-ordered the book and it's not coming out until November, but I'm already exited!
Well recently I saw two of his cartoons that touched on topics I've also covered, so I thought it would be fun to show you two different takes.
I've noticed in the cartooning world that there are certain topics everyone covers -- and I love to see how people put their own unique spin on things. It's like every cartoonist has their own universe of characters. So while we may put those characters in similar situations, the way it all plays out is different, because our cartooning styles and points of view are different.
For example, here's my take on cleaning the house before guests come over:
And here's how a similar scenario plays out in Nathan's Strange Planet world...
Similarly, here's one of my cartoons about an awkward moment:
And then here it is in Nathan's world:
He's so good. Man, I love his comic.
Anyway, I'm a comic nerd, so maybe I get into this stuff more than most people. But every day I look forward to seeing what other cartoonists do, and how they cover topics. I think it's so interesting to see all the different ways people think.
If you've got a favorite cartoonist you think I should follow, let me know!
Lightning-Fast Personal Update
I haven't done any personal updates for a while, so here are three things going on at my house:
1. The dog is taking up my space in the bed, causing me to almost fall off the edge. I would move him, but he looks so cozy!
2. School supply shopping has gotten SO MUCH easier as my kids get older.
3. It's time for my daughter Claire to get back to school.
Eventually Claire DID remember how to spell it, but yeah. It's time for school to start.
Top Cartoons
I post cartoons regularly on Instagram, Facebook, and on my website. So follow along!
This cartoon about books was the most popular cartoon since the last newsletter. I created it for National Book Lover's Day on August 9.
I got so many great comments on Facebook and Instagram -- with even MORE examples of things book lovers do. So I decided to make a Part 2 based on all that input...
I feel you, Ned. I've done ALL of these things. And fellow book lovers, I'm guessing you have too!
The Hedger Humor "Tip Jar"
If you enjoy my Hedger Humor cartoons, consider checking out my Patreon page to learn about rewards for people who support my cartoons. For as little as $1 a month, you'll get access to behind-the-scenes videos, and there are other rewards too! All the details are over on that site.
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