1. How do you get your cartoons into your computer? First, I sketch out the cartoon very loosely on paper. I usually have a good idea in my head of what I want, but if I have to illustrate a clients' idea, it may take awhile before I get the idea across in a composition we both can agree upon. Then I tighten up the sketch and depending upon my mood, I will ink it in on the paper or overlay a type of tracing paper called vellum, on the drawing and ink it in on the vellum. Once the cartoon is inked, I xerox it and scan the xerox copy with Adobe Streamline. I have found that the xerox copy creates perfectly black lines and scans better than the inked drawing almost every time. Then I convert it to EPS format with Adobe Streamline and import to Adobe Photoshop 4.0 where I color it using a web-safe palette and export it to Gif89a format . Exporting to a GIF image creates a white background around the cartoon which can be made transparent or, if the image contains white elements like teeth, I will add background of ghost green or some other light color in order to have a color besides white to make transparent. For a more detailed coloring demonstration, click here.
2. Why are you letting everyone use this great stuff for free? Sure, there's loads of ordinary clipart already out there in the world that people can buy and use, but it's not mine and it's pretty ordinary. I like having people see and use my work. It's an ego thing. And if they appreciate it, I'm glad to let them use it for free...non-commercially of course. I get lots of email too, I like that.
3. How much do you charge for your work? Since every project is different with respect to copyright issues, usage, etc., please email me with details of your project and I'll get back to you right away. I think you'll find my prices very reasonable for the quality you receive.
4. Where do you get your ideas for these 'toons from? Many come from the alt.binaries.clipart newsgroup that I lurk in. If someone mentions a need for something that I have, I let them know about my site. And if I see a lot of requests for a particular cartoon, I'll work one up when I have the time. Others come from past work that I have done for clients.
5. Can you draw a ( insert cartoon image here ) for me? Yes, I probably can, although I may need a bit of reference material from you. But it may take some time, depending on the number of real clients that I am currently working with and people in line ahead of you, so please be patient. Of course my real clients come first, so if you're in a big hurry, money helps.
6. Do you have clipart of ( insert cartoon image here )? If you do not see it listed on my Clipart List or the CD, no. Currently, everything useful ( and some not so useful ) I have done is on my website
7. Can I use your cartoons on my ( newsletter/ christmas cards/ etc. )? Yes. As long as it is not in a commercial ( money making ) manner, please feel free to use them as much as you like. However, I do ask that if there is any convenient way at all for you to do so, please credit me or put my URL on your project so others can find this site too.
8. How long does it take you to draw a cartoon? Usually a few hours or so depending on how inspired I am or how detailed it is. Sometimes days.
9. How long does it take to learn to draw like this? I have been drawing ever since I can remember. Most of the artists I know have too. But I started drawing cartoons only when I began working for The Home Depot as an advertising artist a few years ago.