Cartoonists

A cartoonist is an artist who creates cartoons, ranging from single-panel jokes to serialized comic strips and longer graphic narratives. Cartoonists may work alone or in collaboration with writers, editors, or producers, and they can focus on drawing, storytelling, or a combination of both. The term covers creators who produce content for print, digital, or broadcast outlets, as well as those who work in animation, publishing, or webcomics.

Historically, political and social cartoons emerged in newspapers in the 18th and 19th centuries, using imagery to comment on current events. The 20th century expanded the field with comic strips in daily papers, comic books, and later graphic novels and animation. Today cartoonists operate in a range of genres, including editorial cartoons, gag cartoons, children’s illustration, and information or science-themed illustration.

Practice and technique vary, but common skills include concept development, character design, composition, timing for sequential panels, inking and coloring, and lettering. Many cartoonists work digitally, using drawing tablets and software for layout, coloring, and vector art. Collaboration with editors or writers, revisions, and fact-checking are common, as is self-publishing and direct-to-audience distribution.

Distribution and impact: Cartoonists reach audiences through newspapers, magazines, books, comics shops, web platforms, social media, and animation studios. Editorial cartoons can influence public discourse, while comic strips and graphic novels entertain and educate. Professional networks include artist collectives and associations such as national or regional cartoonist societies, which organize exhibitions, awards, and conferences.