cartoon

Cartoon is a term with multiple senses in visual arts and media. Historically, a cartoon referred to a full-scale preparatory drawing used by artists to transfer a design onto a final surface. In contemporary usage, it most commonly denotes a simple humorous illustration, often published in newspapers or magazines, sometimes a single panel or multi-panel sequence, known as a comic strip. The term also designates animated films or television programs created by sequencing drawings or images to simulate motion.

Origins and development: Cartoon drawings have roots in classical art and later served as satirical commentary. In the 17th through 19th centuries, political and social cartoons influenced public opinion. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of the newspaper comic strip as a mass medium. Animation emerged in the early 20th century with pioneers such as Winsor McCay and Walt Disney, who advanced motion cartoons through cel animation and professional studios.

Forms and techniques: Editorial cartoons rely on caricature and satire to convey a viewpoint in a single image. Comic strips combine panels to tell serialized stories with captions. Animated cartoons are produced by sequencing drawings or images to create movement; traditional methods include cel animation and stop-motion, while modern production often uses digital ink, paint, and computer-generated imagery. Styles range from short gag-driven pieces to feature-length animated films.

Impact and terminology: Cartoons have influenced public discourse and entertainment across generations. In common usage, "cartoon" may refer to any animated work or to a humorous illustration; "toon" is a colloquial abbreviation. The field now spans print cartoons, web cartoons, and a wide range of animation across television, film, and online media.