Chewing Pencils

I’ve received official word from Matt Golding that a winner has been selected. But before I do, here are the links to all the submissions to the drawing project - if you haven’t had a look through them yet, make sure you do! Not only are there some great cartoons, but some excellent tips to help you in your quest to make some money from your drawing.

The submissions:

January 1st - Jason Chatfield

January 2nd - Bee Mackey

January 3rd - Ming

January 4th - Dale Wilkins

January 5th - David Hayward

January 6th - Dan Duhrkoop

January 7th - Tom Lovett

January 8th - Raymond Nakamura

January 9th - Greg Kogan

January 10th - Frank Dutton

January 11th - Matt Glover

January 12th - Ross Klettke

January 13th - Andre Charbonneau

January 14th - Mick Ward

Personally, I want to thank everybody for participating. A group project is not a group project unless there is, well, a group! So thanks once again for your support. But enough from me. Here’s what Matt Golding has to say about the entries:

Well done to everyone for your entries. There were three entries that really took my eye.

I really liked Dan Duhrkoops cartoon of paper roughing up scissor. A wonderfully lateral idea and a great drawing. I find sometimes what seems to be the simplest things to draw are often the hardest, and he’s managed to draw sheets of paper ( without arms or legs ) and make it look convincing. I felt that the story of what was happening in the cartoon could have been helped by including the other half of the scissor, a loosened bolt and a screwdriver in the background, but hey, the papers don’t have arms or legs to use tools so that’s probably just too bloody silly!. But overall, a funny cartoon and an even funnier last name…no offence Dan, it can only work for you.

Andre Charbonneau also has a great name and an even better first ever cartoon. I like the joke, and the composition and linework looked like it was done by a seasoned professional. So congrats to him for the three “L’s”…line, layout and laughs. If that was your first gag cartoon…I’ll look forward to seeing the second, third and fourhundreth.

Ross Klettke also did a wonderful cartoon on the two birds and their flying machine. His linework and colour is bold, confident and original. I love the absurdity of the gag and the little extra bits that add to the visual humour…the little yellow hard hats are great and the freedom shown in the drawing of the plane is excellent. He might think of changing his name though, Klettkekroops-bonneau would really stand out in this competitive and cut throat arena.

Judging of cartoons is a funny business, and it is always extremely subjective. I normally show my cartoon ideas to 2-3 people to get feedback on whether they are working, and I’m always amazed at the different responses I get. What one person thinks is the funniest cartoon they’ve ever seen, will leave another person cold. So take heart from that and don’t set the dogs onto me if I’ve somehow slighted your family name in this decision. On the other hand, bag me out on the blogg and debate where I got it wrong. Criticism is an important part of judging and learning how your ideas and drawings are working. If you show your work to someone that always says your work is fantastic and oh so funny, but when pushed to explain exactly what the joke is and can’t… find a new sounding board or a new mum!

drum roll

The winner is… Mr Klettkekroops-bonneau! (Ross Klettke!)…great work and congratulations! (Cartoon shown to the left)

And to Matt Glover, well done for giving up your time and effort in putting all this together.

Cheers,

Matt Golding

Ps…One of my favourite cartoonists who I discovered and shared a beer with on a recent trip to Paris, and who has one of the best websites I’ve seen is Mr Voutch…not only a superb draughtsman and humourist, but also the ex-captain of the French boomerang team that came out to compete in Australia circa 1980. Check it out….and if Andre Charbonneau can translate any of the cartoons…Bon Magnifique!!