Chewing Pencils

NAME:Gina Taylor
AGE: 36
LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH, USA
SITE URL: http://justtooninaround.wordpress.com

How long have you been drawing cartoons?

I have been drawing cartoons since I was in grade school. It is how I spent most of my time. It actually allowed me to focus when the teacher was talking otherwise I couldn’t pay attention. Of course drawing cartoons of the teachers didn’t go off so well later on. I can remember staying inside at recess to organize cartoon competitions…those were the easy days.

What made you start to think more seriously about making some money out of it?

I have been freelancing in illustration for a few years now. As I continue to work, I become more and more focused on cartooning. It just seems more natural for me to focus on this area.

Have you done any formal training? If so, what and where?

I have undergrad degrees in education and graphic design. I am currently working in a Masters in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Where was your first cartoon published?

I have created a few t-shirt designs and greeting cards. T-shirts are definitely my favorite.

What materials do you use to create your work?

I use a regular old Bristol board and my trusty mechanical pencil. I scan it using my HP scanner and fix anything in Photoshop. I just received a Wacom tablet and I am looking forward to using it with my Mac laptop. I couldn’t live without my Mac! I also started using Painter recently to color my cartoons. That has been an interesting process.

What hardware and software do you use?

I guess I kind of answered that above. I work on a Mac Powebook with a Wacom tablet, and an HP scanner. I use Illustrator, Photoshop, and Painter when working with my cartoons.

From where so you draw your inspiration?

Everyday life is priceless, especially when you work with adolescents. I can’t depend on cartooning as a full time career right now so I still have my day job, a teacher. The kids offer a wealth of material on a daily basis. Some days it is hard to write it all down.

What are some of the resources you’ve found most helpful?

The most helpful resources are other artists. Seeing how they work through the process of creating their art. I also like taking university classes. It also allows you to make contacts with other artists and discuss process and techniques.

What is the best piece of advice you have EVER been given? The worst?

The best piece of advice would had to have been to draw everyday, whether you feel like it or not. I really can’t think of any bad advice. I guess that is a good situation to be in, isn’t it?

Take us through the process you use to create one of your drawings:

I keep a little notebook with me all the time and write down any and all ideas in it,sketches, anything that might spark something later. When I sit down to draw, I take a look at my little book and doodle through ideas. When I have decided on the gag and the written part of the cartoon then I start drawing. I have a large spiral book that I draw all my cartoons in. After I draw it, I ink it and then scan it into the computer. I use illustrator to add the text and then export it as a jpg, touch it up in photoshop and post it on my blog.

How long does it generally take to create one piece?

Anywhere from 30 minutes to three days.

What do you find the hardest to draw?

I think hands and feet are the hardest to draw. Hand can just drive you through the roof and if not done well ruin the whole character.

What do your friends and family think of you being a cartoonist?

My family are my biggest fans. They are extremely supportive and also the source of a lot of material.

What do you think is the best part about being a cartoonist?

I love taking everyday life and finding the funny in it. I think that since I am a cartoonist I am always looking for the joke. It kind of changes your outlook.

What has been the standout post on Chewing Pencils for you?

I liked the post about the Wacom tablet. I think my favorite was the tutorial on coloring in Painter.

Anything else you’d like to say….

I think I covered everything….except my dogs, the other source of material. I have two great dogs, Xander, a mixed shepherd and Penny Ann, a mixed poodle terrier. They are a constant source of amusement and endless material.