Before going on do remember that drawing cartoons is not a search for representative likeness, but the capturing of the essence of a picture in as few lines and colors as possible. This doesn’t mean that they are achieved easily, as identifying that essence and capturing it well are real skills. All it takes is a bit of practice correctly carried thru.

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 so many new options that you would be left confused. You can now enjoy cartoons on television shows, morning newspapers and the internet. Whenever you are lonely or sad, turn on your favorite cartoon and roll away in laughter. Remember that your responsibilities increase as you grow old, but the child inside you does not die. You can always bring that back by reading the morning Garfield strip or checking out the new SpongeBob show.

The comic strip in the newspapers was a favorite for most people as they grew up. What started out as a small strip has grown into a variety of world famous cartoons. You can probably remember Archies and Garfield. Now you can choose between a variety of cartoon strips from Calvin and Hobbes to The Wizard Of Id. If that is not enough, you can also catch your cartoons as television shows on morning channels. What can be better than bugs bunny outsmarting the hunter or the road runner defeating his smart enemies. You would laugh and laugh until you have tears in your eyes. From getting hit with anvils to blasting each other with cannons, it’s a dream world of fun and laughter.

Cartoons have some of the funniest jokes and the wittiest punch lines. You can laugh at anything and anyone in cartoons. You could even make one yourself. Remember the bully who troubles you at school? Why not draw him as a fat slug and show him falling under a piano. That can surely bring a big grin to your face. Cartoon humor has been growing constantly.

If you are bored of the repeats on television, switch on your computer and log onto any cartoon site. You will hold your stomach, crying out in laughter as you see the funny range of cartoons. One year old talking babies or a family of idiots, all of them can make you laugh for hours. Books and movies, people and places, things and thoughts, all come alive with cartoons.

If you love cartoons, there is always something that you have never seen before. Starting from Mickey and the Disney Gang to Pokemon and SpongeBob, all are genius shows. If you feel you have watched them all, you can always watch exclusive clips or unreleased extras on the net. There is never a dull moment with the huge collection of cartoon pages and websites that is sure to make anyone laugh with pure fun. A bundle of laughs and memories of joy, cartoons keep being a part of our lives. It is up to you to enjoy the world of cartoon humor and always keep the laughs alive when you are feeling down.