Example of an editorial cartoon by Mark Litzler
It occurred to me that I’ve been blogging about my side-passion, editorial cartooning, for a few months now, and never fully delved into what the world of editorial cartooning is. This is a brief breakdown of editorial cartooning; this could be used as a guide for an aspiring cartoonist who isn’t entirely sure what direction to take their art.
What Is It?
- Classically speaking, editorial cartoons are graphic interpretations of a cartoonist’s opinions and thoughts on a particular topic, created specifically for a newspaper
- These days, editorial cartoons are created for newspapers, their affiliated websites, and a variety of other sources of news that would not be categorized as official “newspapers”.
- Although the phrase “editorial cartoon” is often used interchangeably with the phrase “political cartoon”, they are not the same thing. Editorial cartoons are not always political in nature.
- Editorial Cartoons reflect current events, and are usually created within a specific time restriction to meet deadlines.
- They are different from the cartoon strips that most people envision when hearing the word “cartoon”. Instead of the multi-panel set that is typically seen on the comics page, editorial cartoons are most often single panels with no recurring characters.
What Makes A Good Editorial Cartoon?
- Most importantly: Excellent Linework & Smart Writing
- Originality! Whether it be style of drawing, topic, or voice, original content is important.
- A distinct opinion or angle
- The drawing and wording cannot stand alone. The two must rely on each other to fully portray the intended point
What Should You Use in an Editorial Cartoon?
- Symbols – Use widely recognized symbols to make a point. (Ex: a grapevine is a symbol for gossip)
- Caricatures – Exaggerated features on prominent figures is a common motif in editorial cartoons
- Humor – Be funny! The whole objective is to make a point through the power of humor or satire.
To see the article that inspired this post, click here.