But the practice needs direction and that comes from careful and analytical observation. When you are training yourself pick a single topic for a practice session. Depending upon your choice you could pick the overall impressions, face shapes, hands (some find this tricky), feet or specific features such as noses or eyes.

Drawing cartoon of children set specific challenges.

Firstly, note the difference in the body proportions of a kid compared to a grown up. Kids have a significantly larger head in proportion to their torso size and the cartoonist does well to exaggerate that. It sends a clear message to your viewers that this is a kid.

Take a careful look at the next baby you see and note how short the arms and legs are compared to the length of the torso. At the age of a few months they are very short and over the coming years they lengthen to reach the adult proportions. Again this is an indication of age to your viewer and needs to be in harmony with your other proportions.

Next, children have smoother skin than older people. Use gentle curves and minimal lines to get your effect. No wrinkles here, but maybe a few freckles to complement that impish grin?

One of the beauties of cartooning is that you can play games with these proportions. At an extreme the caricaturist draws a head and face that is enormous compared to the body size as that’s the bit that’s important to them. But generally the rest of the body is on proportion to itself, even though still tiny compared to the head. As you become skilled you will discover for yourself where you can play games like this to suit your own style.

Remember, the more you practice the easier it is and the better you become. As you work on a new bit you may take a step or two backwards, but do not be discouraged. That backwards step is the platform for the next leap forwards. Do a little every day – but set yourself a purpose every session.

There are families of signs that are categorized into groups of elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. For example, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are all Fire Signs, but each one expresses that fiery temperament in a different way. Fire is action oriented and contagious! Imagine three children have a red crayon. The Aries might use it as a sword to poke the air in an imaginary battle. The Leo might melt the crayon on paper to make it look like a Sunburst, and the Sagittarian might use it as a writing implement.

The Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. They all represent the feeling body. Water as an element has many expressions; it can be a nurturing river like the sign Cancer, go to extremes of heated passion or icy cold like Scorpio, and compassionately embracing or disillusioned by fog like Pisces.

Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are the Air Signs. These represent the mental energies within us. Some people are very quick-witted, curious, and knowledgeable – that’s Gemini! Others weigh things out and are considerate of others – that’s Libra! And some are true innovators, unique and take those pathways not taken – and that’s Aquarius!

For the Earth Signs we have Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Taurus needs to have physical stimulus to his physical senses. Virgo is the organizer and seeks precision and perfection in what he does, while Capricorn is the commander-in-chief ready to handle responsibilities for all.”

We can also take a look at humor. What is humor you ask? Humor is an emotion you feel maybe when there is something funny happen or even when see some thing happen and laugh at it even if its not funny. This is called finding the humor. Just like jokes different types of humor can be clean or dirty. Why do we categorize them clean and dirty? Well the are lots of reasons but the most obvious reason is clean jokes normally fall into the G to GP rating area that are safe for a young audience. Why do we need clean jokes? Clean jokes are important because everybody needs a laugh sometimes. In some places such as work or family oriented gatherings dirty jokes are viewed as inappropriate.

The great thing about finding good clean jokes is that you can share them with other people without the fear of offending them in any way. In fact you may just be able to put a smile on each of their faces. The next time you find a great clean joke pin it up in your office or e-mail to all of your friends and family.