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Obama Knot and The National Lampoon

Here’s my new cartoon – Obama tied in a knot.  As I was watching the inauguration it seemed to me that Obama won’t be moving too quickly to make all the changes he urged in his speech – therefore, he’s tied up in a knot.  Not too deep, but fun to draw.  Here is the rough pencil sketch …

ObamaKnotSketch600 Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoons

I had to erase and think a bit to figure out how to tie the president into a knot. I was a lousy boy scout.  Here he is in line art, the way most people will see the cartoon in the newspapers.

ObamaKnot600BW Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoons

… and here he is in color.

Obama600WideColor Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoons

And here is the cartoon the very next day in my local newspaper (The Santa Barbara News-Press).

NewsPressKnot600wide Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoons

3634918376 16c64e4bc8 o Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoonsMy previous cartoon was based on a famous old National Lampoon cover. I loved the old National Lampoon – this great one is from 1973, when I was a junior in high school. One of my favorite parts of the National Lampoon was the Chicken Guts comics by Randall Enos – who I now syndicate as an editorial cartoonist!

Unfortunately, I don’t think this cartoon will get reprinted much, because it is name-calling-Republican-bashing, because it requires some popular cultural knowledge, and because it is in a vertical format, which doesn’t fit the standard hole that editors leave open for the editorial cartoon.  Oh well – I’m the boss here at Cagle Cartoons, so I can draw what I want, even if nobody else wants it.

125654 600 Obama Knot and The National Lampoon cartoons

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Watch Steve Sack Draw Lance Armstrong

Here is a movie of Steve Sack drawing his latest Lance Armstrong cartoon on his iPad.

And here is the cartoon …

125591 600 Watch Steve Sack Draw Lance Armstrong cartoons

 

Check out our great collection of Lance Armstrong cartoons.

 

 

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Bill Day Fundraising Update – Only $2,000 To Go!

aa bill day Bill Day Fundraising Update – Only $2,000 To Go! cartoons
aa day total Bill Day Fundraising Update – Only $2,000 To Go! cartoonsClick here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!With 10 days left in our Indiegogo fundraising drive to fund the work of brilliant, unemployed cartoonist Bill Day, I’m happy to report that we’re less than $2,000 away from reaching our goal!

Today has also been labeled “Bill Day Day” by the folks behind the popular Facebook page The Pragmatic Conservative. They are posting a Bill Day cartoon every hour, on the hour. So make your way to their page, “like” Day’s cartoons and share them with your friends on Facebook.

Hopefully, we can raise the $2,000 needed and put Bill over the top today! So please continue to spread the word – we may be in the final stretch, but we’re not going to get there without your support, and Bill needs your help now more than ever!

Click here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

If you haven’t donated yet, please consider doing so. There are some really great perks still available for donors – everything from signed prints of Bill’s work to an actual original piece of Bill Day artwork that you can frame and hang up in your home or office!

Donate enough and you could even receive a custom Bill Day cartoon drawn about any subject or topic important to you! That’s a one of a kind item that you can cherish your entire life!

And forward this newsletter to your friends, relatives, co-workers, enemies – the more people that know about our fundraising drive, the more likely we’re going to be successful in preserving one of the most important political cartoon voices in the country.

Again, thank you for all your generosity and support of political cartoons. You guys are the best!

Click here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

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Edward Hopper and the Trillion Dollar Coin

Here is my new cartoon, based on Edward Hopper’s famous 1942 painting, Nighthawks. and the original for comparison.

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HopperNighthawks Edward Hopper and the Trillion Dollar Coin cartoons

Here’s a little detail, blown up as it can be hard to see on the Web …

HopperDetail Edward Hopper and the Trillion Dollar Coin cartoons

This was fun.

Here is my previous cartoon, on the trillion dollar coin.

125346 600 Edward Hopper and the Trillion Dollar Coin cartoons

The trillion dollar coin is a great idea, and should be great fun for cartoonists.  This one by knuckle-dragging, conservative cartoonist, Eric Allie, is quite funny.

125384 600 Edward Hopper and the Trillion Dollar Coin cartoons

There haven’t been as many trillion dollar coin cartoons as I expected – maybe they are coming soon.

By the way, back when I was working in the toy industry it was a time when toy execs were getting lots of government pressure and press criticism about unsafe toys. I often heard the toy industry argument that many more kids are killed each year by choking on coins than by toys, and the government could fix that easily by putting holes in the middle of coins, as some foreign countries have done.  But nobody cares about unsafe coins and the government was being hypocritical by focusing on unsafe toys while doing nothing about unsafe coins. That’s also an interesting argument with the gun debate, since so many kids continue to be killed by coins, but I’ve never thought of a way to do it in a cartoon, since kids choking on coins (or shot by guns) is nothing anyone wants to see in a cartoon.

Now I’m rambling.  Time to stop.

 

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Bill Day Fundraising Update – Over $30,000 Raised and Editor & Publisher

hdr bill day support Bill Day Fundraising Update Over $30,000 Raised and Editor & Publisher cartoonsClick here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

I have two cool news items to report in our Bill Day fundraising drive. First, we’ve exceeded $30,000, and now just have $5,000 remaining to successfully fund the work of brilliant, unemployed cartoonist Bill Day!

Second, Editor & Publisher magazine did a story on our fundraising campaign. E&P’s Rob Tornoe spoke with Bill, who said the outpouring of support in this crowd-sourcing effort means a great deal to him.

Picture 16 Bill Day Fundraising Update Over $30,000 Raised and Editor & Publisher cartoons“If we’re successful, it will allow me to continue my passion of drawing editorial cartoons at a time when it’s very difficult for me to continue,” Day said. “We’re so close, and I feel honored that so many readers feel so strongly about my cartoons to support me.”

Day went on to say that he is moved by the experience, and is thankful to everyone who has donated “for their willingness to help the cause and promote the art of editorial cartooning so it doesn’t die… their generosity is truly touching.”

Click here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

Please continue to spread the word about our fundraising campaign. We’re in the final stretch, and need your help now more than ever!

If you haven’t donated yet, please consider doing so. There are some really great perks still available for donors – everything from signed prints of Bill’s work to an actual original piece of Bill Day artwork that you can frame and hang up in your home or office!

Again, thank you for all your generosity and support of political cartoons. You guys are the best!

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How to Draw a Political Cartoon by Daryl and Steve

My cartoonist buddy, Steve Sack of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune just sent me this e-mail and video:

Hi Daryl,

That was the first time I drew an edit toon on the Ipad. I used a stylus, which is better than a finger but still not all that precise. App is called Sketch Club. Cost me three bucks. I may do more vids like that from time to time, depending on time and the image I’m attempting. The program doesn’t have all of the Photoshop features and effects one often needs. I just got it Sunday so I’m still learning how useful it will be.

Steve

I can’t get past drawing on paper, although I rely on Photoshop and my Wacom Cintiq.  Here is my rough pencil sketch, in pencil, on a piece of 11″x17″ paper.

PogoSketch600forWeb How to Draw a Political Cartoon by Daryl and Steve cartoons

Next I draw it with a 4H hard pencil on vellum and scan the drawing at high contrast and high resolution for most people to see in black and white in the newspaper – looking like an ink drawing.  I have to design everything so it works in black and white, and I usually like the black and white versions best – here I did that by making the speech balloons black, so they stand out and are readable making the point of the cartoon.

600wideBWDebt Ceiling Pogo How to Draw a Political Cartoon by Daryl and Steve cartoons

Next I put in the color in Photoshop, under the black line art layer.

PogoColor600wide How to Draw a Political Cartoon by Daryl and Steve cartoons

Continue reading “How to Draw a Political Cartoon by Daryl and Steve”

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Better Not Insult Adam and Eve

entert03 Better Not Insult Adam and Eve cartoons

Egyptian Cartoonist Doaa El Adl of the Al-Masry Al-Toum newspaper.

It didn’t take long for the new Islamist government in Egypt to start acting like other nutty Islamic regimes when it comes to cartoons.  The latest wacko religious intolerance comes in response to the cartoon below, by Egyptian editorial cartoonist Doaa El Adl.

The cartoon, published on her newspapers online site, shows an Egyptian man with angel wings lecturing Adam and Eve.  The three are on a cloud beneath the infamous forbidden fruit tree.  The man is telling Adam and Eve that they would never have been expelled from heaven if they had simply voted in favor of the draft constitution in the recent Egyptian referendum.  Some of the supporters of the referendum were quoted as saying a “yes vote” guarantees one a spot in heaven, while a “no vote” guarantees one a spot in hell.  Neither Adam nor Eve in Doaa’s cartoon is uttering a word. In short, the cartoon is critical of Egyptians who have recently politicized religion.

The cartoonist is being sued by Egypt’s new Secretary General for the Defense of Freedoms, Khaled El Masry; he claims that the cartoon insults Adam, who is considered a prophet in the Muslim religion.  Egypt’s Attorney General has ordered an investigation.

DoaaElAdlToonAdamEveLectured Better Not Insult Adam and Eve cartoons

This is the offending cartoon. The angel who appears to be a typical Egyptian man, is telling Adam and Eve that they would never have been expelled from heaven if they had simply voted in favor of the draft constitution in the recent Egyptian referendum.

I met Doaa El Adl at the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention a couple of years ago in Florida, shortly after the revolution in Egypt.  She was the only woman cartoonist in a large group of Arab cartoonists sent by the US State Department to visit their colleagues in the USA.  In our conversations she was beaming with pride and optimism about Egypt’s revolution and her high hopes and expectations about Egypt’s future.

In Egypt, editorial cartoonists are especially important.  There are lots of popular, thriving, competing newspapers in Egypt, and most of them run their editorial cartoon in color on the front page. The editorial cartoonists are the most important voices in each newspaper, and clearly, the most threatening voices to Islamic-extremist politicians. I doubt that Doaa is being sued because of insulting Adam, rather she is being sued to chill her voice, and make it costly to be a cartoonist who is critical of Egypt’s new religious junta.

This is a shame.  Doaa is talented, brave and eager to seek a better future for Egypt – just what Egypt needs right now.  Read more about her case on the Cartoonists Rights Network site.

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Bill Day Fundraising Update – Closing in on $30,000

Click here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

bill day Bill Day Fundraising Update – Closing in on $30,000 cartoonsOur fundraising campaign to pay a salary to brilliant, unemployed cartoonist Bill Day is now in its final stretch. With only 19 days left in our campaign, we really need your help to get to the goal of a $35,000 for Bill, to keep him drawing cartoons and avoid foreclosure on his house! Bill is an important cartoonist, we can’t afford to lose him!  Please help!

This weekend, Bill filmed a short video of his own, where he talked a bit about the history of political cartoons and their importance in the growth of our society. It would be a shame to lose Bill’s unique voice in our increasing homogenized media environment.

I’ve been struck by some of the heartwarming comments posted by people who have already donated to Bill’s campaign. “Bill Day is a brilliant political voice and I hope others will join in to keep that voice heard,” a donor named Gerald wrote.

Another donor named Jean commented, “Support Bill Day – he is a national treasure! He helps us see into the heart of things in a way no one else does.” I couldn’t agree more.

Picture 13 Bill Day Fundraising Update – Closing in on $30,000 cartoonsThe good news is you still have time to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Not only would you be helping to keep our dwindling profession alive, there are some really great perks you can receive for doing so – everything from signed prints of Bill’s work to an actual original piece of Bill Day artwork, suitable for framing.

Click here to make a contribution to save Bill Day!

So please, considering donating today, or even making a second donation – there is nothing more cool than an original Bill Day cartoon hanging on your wall – except TWO original Bill Day cartoons hanging on your wall!

And thank you all for your generosity and commitment to political cartoons!

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Welcome Steve Sack!

I’m happy to announce that we have added my cartoonist buddy, Steve Sack, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, to our newspaper syndication package.

Steve has been one of my favorite cartoonists for decades. Steve’s style is deceivingly cute and sweet, masking some nasty, hard-hitting commentary.  Here are a few of my favorites from Steve’s last year.  I’m still laughing at “Rice Konspiracies” below.

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This one surely made Republicans growl …

120799 600 Welcome Steve Sack! cartoons

 

Looney Michelle Bachmann is a local favorite for Steve in Minnesota …

115879 600 Welcome Steve Sack! cartoons

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This Donald Trump hair cartoon is great …

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I thought this one was wonderful just because of the way Steve draws helicopters …

113528 600 Welcome Steve Sack! cartoons

I’d suggest that a cool way to spend New Years Day is a stroll through our
Steve Sack cartoon archive.  It is great fun.

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Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso

Here is my latest cartoon, about the Republican infighting while Obama just sits back and waits for a deal.

BattlingGOP 600wideCOLOR Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

 

This Fiscal Cliff mess came about because of the failure of the “Super-Committee.” I remembered a drawing a did of the Super-Committee some time ago, with a nice fight scene between super donkeys and elephants …

98752 600 Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

I liked that Super-Committee cartoon. Super political stuff is always great for cartoonists, especially when super-politicians fail. It occurred to me that I could use the fight scene again, if the donkeys were elephants, so I printed it out lightly and sketched in some rough changes, adding Obama and making the donkeys into elephants in the same, fighting positions …

Sketch600wide Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

… and then I drew over it for finished line on vellum.  This black and white line drawing is what most people see in the newspaper …

BattlingGOPlineart600wide Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons
… and then I colored it in layers on Photoshop. The line drawing is always better than the color, but readers and editors never seem to think so.

The previous cartoon was also about GOP angst, this time in the form of Picasso’s Guernica (below).

guernica600wideforweb Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

Oh the GOP suffering; oh the humanity!  I did pretty much the same thing with this one. I printed out the Guernica painting and traced a nice line drawing on vellum.

124469 600 Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoonsI wanted it to look like it came from my hand, which is why I did all the cross hatching and un-Picasso like line quality.  Then I added the gray tone …

124470 600 Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

Oh!  Those poor Republicans! My most recent one was the New Years Fiscal Cliff cartoon below. This one probably works better on the Web because you have to scroll down to get to the gag.

124677 600 Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons

My wife thought this one was too cruel to babies. She told me I shouldn’t draw it. My Australian cartoonist buddy, Peter Broelman did a similar one today, without being cruel to the baby – and his will get reprinted more because it isn’t in a vertical format.  My wife likes Peter’s better too.  Oh well.

124642 600 Cliffs, Fighting Elephants and Picasso cartoons