’Toon In Today!
A month-long challenge to revisit our childhood
Say what you will about social-media algorithms, but I’ve found with regular pruning (and occasional blocking) that I can curate a satisfactory feed of artistic material. Some days can yield a downright inspirational collection of new comic strips, illustrations and historical artifacts. Not to mention the ubiquitous monthly challenges like “Creatuanuary” “Mer-May” and “Inktober” where artists are invited to respond to daily prompts or simply post their fancies on a theme.
Thanks to the luck of the draw at Comic Con Oakland, I was seated next to Andrew Rodriguez, one of the instigators of “JuneToon,” dedicated to “cartoons, anime, ‘90s, Disney and Looney Tunes vibes…” Well, they had me at cartoons, so when this challenge surfaced last week I jumped in with my Apple pencil firmly in hand. Even though this business of calling animation art “toons” has never sat well with me (foisted upon us by the creators of Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1989) I accept that the film and its influence has completely revitalized the scene. Why let a little four-letter word spoil the fun?
Fun has been my operative word since June 1. While most of the other artists have leaned into characters from around the turn of the century for their subject matter, I have decided to go back a few more decades, to draw the quirky, obscure, and downright foundational cartoons of my childhood. I won’t rule out making more recognizable choices for some the remaining prompts, but I resist it. The real challenge, even beyond trying to capture a diverse set of styles, is to search my memory for oddball figures who are deserving of a little love.
I admire artists who can take a character design and render it in their own distinctive style, but I find it instructive to try and understand the original intentions. As an animator, I was indoctrinated into the traditional method of “staying on model” - drawing and redrawing a character according to its original design and erasing any influence of multiple hands at work. Having to surrender my style every day for a month is refreshing and challenging at the same time.
I’ve collected the first week’s worth of drawing here, but if you’re on Instagram or Facebook, maybe you’d like to check out my progress. And if you care to follow me, that would be a bonus. I promise not to add anything to your feed except smiles.
Thanks for reading!
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PS - I got so carried away with his exercise that I plumb forgot to launch the next issue of When We Were Trekkies on schedule, but never fear! Chapter 9, set at the 1976 Star Trek Con, will begin next Monday, June 15. Hope you can join us!