How to train

A degree from a university — or even an arts school — is not usually a requirement for cartoon  artists, owing to the nature of their work.  When formal education is called for, most cartoon artists choose a certificate or undergraduate degree program in any of the fields of graphic art, studio art, fine arts and multimedia art. Drawing, photography, color theory, digital media and 2 dimensional design are among the skills studied in a formal program of education, and these are the kinds of skill sets that those without formal education have to come by through experience, and far more gradually.  In this respect, a college education would certainly be beneficial for an aspiring cartoon artist.

Outlook for jobs

It’s likely that open positions for artists will continue to see an industry wide uptick to the tune of about 12% next year.  Those who are experts in multimedia or digital arts are predicted to see the fastest job growth rate. Cartoon artists who have not had training in multimedia and digital production software will need to get those skills, since much of the art commercially produced is digital.  Employers will often provide training in the use of these programs, but require at least some familiarity as a term of employment.

Average Salary

The annual median salary for a “fine artist,” about $44,850, applies to only some cartoon artists.  The true average annual salary may be significantly higher or lower, depending on the place of employment and the job requirements.  In order to earn a higher salary it is often necessary to move to an area of the United States where publishing is a major center of employment, such as New York City or Los Angeles — but there are independent publishers of comic books, animated films, and other artistry that requires cartoonists scattered all around the country.  Explore your options and you will find the perfect fit for you.

Here is an infographic that shows what various colors in the costumes of both DC Comics and Marvel Comics stand for, and the prevalence of their uses.  The use of color in comics is a true science, and while most of us readers never think too deeply about the colors of costumes for good and evil characters, the subconscious reality is there.  Some of this goes back to the old “white is good, black is bad” technique of colorizing.  Since then the spectrum of colors that fall under those two general perceptions has broadened significantly, and in some cases made a complete reversal.

I went to  go see the first movie with my dad to go have some father daughter time. I can remember it being one of those movies that you would want to see over and over again. At the time I had never even heard of the comics that the movie was based off of, but then again I’m not really the kind of person to read comic books and cartoons.

That’s one of the reasons I was so surprised that I liked the movie so much. I think the thing that appealed to me the most about the Fantastic Four. They kept me entertained with action and adventure. After watching the movie I found out that there were comics that went along with the movie, what I found was this infographic telling all about the Fantastic Four. It even had many of the common questions and answers that people have about the Fantastic Four as well as various other types of information telling about the Fantastic Four.

Do you know who the brain behind your favorite show is? How about the person who drew that amazing cover that grabbed your attention and wouldn’t let go until you have finished. These people are amazing artists and deserve some credit. On of the most popular cartoons of all time is Tom and Jerry.

Tom and Jerry first aired in 1940 and the most recent release was 2005. Tom and Jerry is an ongoing battle between a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry. Unlike many cartoons that have characters talking to each other, Tom and Jerry never interact with words. Everything that you need to know about them is expressed through their actions. Jerry, the mouse is always outsmarting Tom, the cat in one way or another. Tom continually tries to get Jerry but never succeeds.

Tom and Jerry was originally written by William Hannah and Joseph Barbera. They wrote the original 114 episodes that contained the comic violence between the characters. Tom and Jerry was brought to life at the MGM cartoon studio in Hollywood, California. The original series aired from 1947 to 1957.

Behind the characters Tom and Jerry stood William Hannah and Joseph Barbera. William was born on July 14, 1910 in Melrose, New Mexico. He passed away at the age of 90 on March 22, 2001. When he was younger he moved a lot but his family finally settled in California. Here he attended Compton High School and briefly attended Compton City College but was forced to drop out during the great depression. He met his wife Violet in 1936.

Joseph was born of March 24, 1911 in New York City, New York and passed away at age 95 on December 18, 2006 in LosAngeles, California. He grew up and was educated in New York, he moved to California in 1937. A short time after that William and Joseph met up and started the idea of Tom and Jerry. They were extremely successful and they joined together to produce Hanna-Barbara, which became the most successful TV animation studio. They produced The Flintstones, Tom and Jerry, The Huckleberry Hound Show, Top Cat, Scooby-Doo, The Quick Draw McGraw Show, Yogi Bear,The Smurfs, Wacky Races, and The Jetsons.

The next time you go to pick up a comic or watch a cartoon pay attention to the people behind the character. They are the ones that capture your attention and make you fans.

The early American cartoons, particularly those commissioned by the Warner Brothers, were intended for adult audiences. When Stephen Spielberg revisited the Bugs Bunny franchise later in Tiny Toon Adventures and the Animaniacs he kept these references in, even though the cartoons he designed were designed to appeal to children. The references in the original cartoons, which were intended to be for adults, were left in because only adults in the modern era would understand them.

Cartoons are no longer just fodder for Saturday mornings. A number of networks produce cartoons for people of all ages. A recent stir, but a good one, has been caused by the Bronies. Bronies are male adult fans of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” How this show acquired adult male fans is something of a mystery, although one of the people who worked on My Little Pony also worked on the Cartoon Network’s The Power Puff Girls. More than one analyst has been baffled by the existence of the bronies, but it is a mystery better left not commented upon.

Cartoon Network has introduced a number of cartoons aimed at adults. The nightly segment can include such offerings as Moral Oral, the Venture Brothers, Metapocalypes, Robot Chicken and many different types of anime that are violent and would not make it onto US prime time television. Sadly, this does not include One Piece. Then again, it’s hard to find a time when One Piece should be played, and this has nothing to do with the audience to who the show was marketed. Even shows, such as Phineas and Ferb, often gain an adult following.

The major thing cartoons do for American audiences that sitcoms do not is that people do not like having their intelligence insulted. Cartoons can include intelligent humor that will appeal to the adults while including many of the same things that appeal to children. This inclusion lets children and adults enjoy many cartoons together. The cartoon makers know that adults need to be entertained by the cartoons as well.

A person can find cartoons on Cartoon Network, Toon Disney, and even on prime time TV. Fox’s Sunday night line up has been called animation domination for several years ago. The Simpsons has the prime time slot, but the other slots are still filled by Seth McFarlane. The Cleveland Show and the Long Running Family Guy remain on the air.

Those delightful little blue people found a way into our hearts in the early eighties, and now in the 21st century they will be enchanting a completely new young audience on the big screen. Another eighties cartoon that was very well loved called, “Alvin and the Chipmunks”, was brought to theaters as a live action movie as well. It was a box office smash. The loveable and cuddly bear from The Hundred Acre Wood is making a comeback in the movies too, “Winnie the Pooh.”

No one may have saw this one coming, but there is going to be a new cartoon movie featuring that silly old bear. Young and old alike will be able to share in the joy of watching him and his delightful friends in a new adventure. These movies have been able to bridge a gap between kids of today and their parents who grew up enjoying these cartoons. Many comic book collectors will also get a thrill out of all the new movies created from their favorite comic book heroes.

The latest installment to come to the movies theatres is X-men. This popular cartoon continues to bring forth new live action movies. Not many cartoons or comics are able to cross over to the big screen and still captivate audiences. One of those comics that failed at being a box office success is “Archie.” Archie is a comic that has been around since the 1930’s, and is still popular today.

There was an attempt made at a live action movie, but many people did not draw to the film like expected. Even with the various flops that have occurred when it comes to creating movies based on a comic book or cartoon there are some that excel and become classics. The comic book created by Marvel comics about the “Incredible Hulk” will forever go down in history as one of the best crossovers. From the made for TV series, to the later created multimillion dollar box office movie, “The Incredible Hulk” has become very well known and very well loved by both young and old.

With the growth of so many cartoons and comics that are available now, one might wonder what will be the next turned into a movie made for the big screen. Perhaps someone will get the brilliant idea to turn many of the comics about female superheroes into live action movies. Who knows maybe one day there could be a new movie about Batwoman, to help revamp an interest in her character. With all of the male superheroes already getting the spotlight it just might be long overdue.