Political cartoons aim to illustrate a certain issue and represent a viewpoint regarding it. Political cartoons generally make use of simple artwork to get their point across quickly and cleanly. Most political cartoons aim to illustrate perceived problems or defend political positions.
Consider the issue you want to cover in your cartoon. Think of what you want to say about the issue. Imagine how you might represent the issue in your cartoon.
Elephants and donkeys are good examples of commonly used symbols to represent political parties in the United States of America. Eagles are used to represent the United States of America itself.
Exaggerating a person’s features can help make them more recognizable. You can use exaggeration to make someone appear in a certain light, depending on the message you want to send. Generally, caricatures are used to make fun of someone or their message.
Using labels can be a good technique to make the message of the comic clear. Although labels are acceptable in political cartoons, try not to overuse them. Label only important aspects of your comic.
Think in terms of “like”. For example, international disputes about borders could be like children arguing on a playground about who owns the slide.
Think about how best to use your space. Ask yourself what elements are most important. Give them the most space and attention in your layout. You might find that some original ideas don’t fit or are cluttering the comics’ intended message. Consider removing these extraneous elements.
Start outlining with a pencil, allowing you to make changes later on. Once you are happy with how the sketch looks begin to clean up your lines. Clean your lines by either making them bold or by erasing any rough areas and drawing them smoothly. It’s okay to make some last minute changes and add some finishing touches. If you are happy with how your comic looks you can finalize your lines using black ink.
Speech bubbles are generally smooth and oval shaped, with a triangular extension that points towards the person speaking. You may also want to use thought bubbles. Thought bubbles are like speech bubbles but appear as small clouds, holding your characters inner dialogue within them.
Colors can carry meaning. For example, the Democratic party of the United States uses blue. You can use any coloring tools you feel comfortable with including colored pencils, ink, or even crayons. You may also consider scanning your black and white image into a computer and digitally coloring it.
There are many programs that allow you to create a comic using digital art, much like you would with a pen and paper. Some services come with art preloaded, allowing you to use this art in your own layout by simply dragging and dropping figures and elements where you want them.
Ask your friends and family for their honest opinions about the comic. Any discussions that result can be used for ideas when creating future comics. Ask your friends and family if they feel the “message” of your comic is clear. Discuss what they like about the comic or what changes they might have to suggest.
Some social media sites cater to artwork or comics. Social media allows you to share your comic with a wide audience. On-line communities can offer helpful feedback, allowing you to improve your comics.
Submit your comics to publishers or publishing syndicates. There are many independent publishers that also accept comic submissions. Check with local or smaller publications to increase your chances of getting published. Self-publishing a collection of your comics might be an option for you.
