Sketchbook Practice: Cartoon Sketching

Every month, I write a post on how we can fill the pages of a sketchbook.  

Do you remember the feeling of excitement when buying a fresh sketchbook? But when we sit down and see the blank page, we are at a loss. We either don't know what to make or are too afraid to create something that isn't perfect. I was that person. But over the years, I've learned to just play in my sketchbook. There's always an eraser for mistakes and there's always a new page to try again, right?

During the Sketchbook Revival Workshop last year, I learned about Cartoon Sketching taught by Brandon Dean Johnson. He is an artist, producer and CEO of Create Now, and he makes drawing cartoons quick, effortless, and fun!

During his demo, Brandon sketched out a unicorn stuffed animal. He says, "You need a fast hand when drawing." Note to self: don't overthink while drawing. 

He used simple materials like markers. Notice that he used a limited palette and swatched his colors on one side of the paper.

After coloring the unicorn, he made an outline using a black marker/crayon. 

He added some shading, shadows and highlights, then he signed his work. He did this drawing in a few minutes (he works in animation where they practice a fast turnover). He says he can scan this and use Photoshop to clean it up as a final step.

I drew along while Brandon was doing the demo. This is what I made...TADA!

There was time to make another sketch:

Brandon quickly created a rough sketch of a dancing elephant.

Then he added some details.

Then filled in with crayon (he didn't forget to swatch colors at the side of the page).

Here is my version of the dancing elephant...TADA!

Let me tell you about the paper that I used to sketch...it's an expired calendar! I didn't want the blank pages to go to waste. Maybe I'll glue these drawings to my sketchbook or scan it like Brandon does to make his final art.

As a final tip, Brandon has these recommendations:

Please try your hand at cartoon sketching. That way, you can turn your blank sketchbook page from "blah to TADA!"

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