Chewing Pencils

NAME: James Boissett
AGE: 49
LOCATION: Gosford NSW
SITE URL: www.jamesboissett.com (painting site)

How long have you been drawing cartoons?

Since I was about 7 and my dad used to draw a few.

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

I was a part time cartoonist illustrator from about 19 whilst doing a Graphic Design Course and had always wanted to take it further. Working full time in another career limited me however

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

A Graphic Design Course which had illustration as a post graduate choice and I did that for 2 years. All up 6 years part time. Cartooning was not part of it the training though

Where was your first cartoon published?

In the school magazine when I was 16, then by an Advertising agency using some 20 cartoons I did for their corporate client. Following that - some studios, magazines and book publishers.

What materials do you use to create your work?

Ink, watercolour, (I am a watercolour painter), pen, marker

From where so you draw your inspiration?

Anything but most likely people and animals. Inanimate objects such as computers are not a problem

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

You are a natural cartoonist (my illustration teacher who was a book illustrator)

The worst?
“This is hardly the work of a year first form student (year 7). Next time don’t have someone else do your work!”. I stopped doing art at school for 4 years after that art teacher’s comment in my sketchbook. We were told to draw objects in the kitchen at home. I was 12

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

I look for expression of an idea or emotion or look with a whimsical and sometimes cynical approach. I was a prolific collector of comic books as a kid.
I like to instill a character in whatever I am cartooning. Illustrating for a children’s book - I read the manuscript and identify the main characters and personalities adding quirks as I prepare and start do draw. I then choose the likely key situations in the script and draw scenes with the characters, developing and refining the look as I go
A single gag or cartoon - I start with the facial features and this sets the tone for the rest of the drawing which can be a few seconds or several minutes. Colour is longer. Character design flows from this and is more involved but not as free

How long does it generally take to create one piece?

As above it depends. A simple line cartoon with a biro is a few seconds (I did 100’s in my old profession working in offices - cartoon doodles of people etc)
It depends on what it is for - books are more involved . I illustrated one once called Missing Minikin, it took 3 months with 80 drawings plus character design and a colour cover.

What do you find the hardest to draw?

Cars - if semi realistic

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

They have seen me do it spasmodically over the years and would rather I painted but I do miss cartooning.
What do you think is the best part about being a cartoonist?
It can be the most creative form of art, No reference is needed - just an idea with a twist. Driven by a brief or story - that all changes somewhat. Just penning humorous ideas and situations from life is what really interests me I paint realistically from contemporary life

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

I have only just started viewing the site so it is a bit early. Overall it is great to see a site dedicated to cartooning

Anything else you’d like to say….

As a painter I realize that another aspect of my art is neglected and it is an aspect that has been with me since a kid. So I have to find avenues for it to be expressed such as magazine gag cartoons etc. It would be a shame to waste it. My watercolour development would allow me to perhaps develop a useable colour technique that is different perhaps. Loose cartooning would free up my painting maybe.

Thanks to James for taking the time to be part of Chewing Pencils. Make sure you stop by his site to look at more of his watercolour work. Superb stuff!