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I'm a cartoonist who dreams of one day being in The New Yorker. It's near impossible, but hope springs eternal. Here are more of my rejected efforts.

I'd still be making these New Yorker cartoons regardless of the outcome because it seems I don't know any better. This has created an interesting situation; forcing me to examine (and reexamine) my reasons for trying out for the "show". Turns out; I love cartooning more than I thought. So, scribbling and searching out the absurd is, in my humble opinion, an excellent way to spend a few hours each day.

If you enjoy my illustrations, check out my previous post here on Bored Panda.

More info: johnart.org

The average cartoon from concept to completion usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Of course, there are exceptions where either the concept comes very quickly, or the gag isn’t being delivered as well as it could be. Sometimes it takes a few days to get the idea right.

I don’t have any personal favorites. I’d say that I’m more interested in creating consistently well-executed cartoons. Spending a little extra time on draftsmanship and clear ideas is what I strive to do. My favorites are the cartoons where I drew well and had a simple, understandable gag.

I tend to work on cartoons in batches. I’ll go to my local coffee shop with a pad and paper. Sometimes I’ll take my 18-year-old daughter with me and test out ideas on her. I think some of my best cartoons come from her input. I write down concepts in a rough list. I’ll make notes of how I’d like to draw the idea and what seems to be the funniest way to execute it.

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I try to get at least 10 strong ideas down on paper before I ever think about real sketching. Once I feel committed to an idea/gag, I’ll sketch a bit and get the concept and background ironed out. I like to keep my sketches very loose, so I don’t lose any spontaneity during the inking phase. Ideally, I strive to execute 10 (or more) strong ideas per week.

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Some days I just don’t feel funny or have the juice to find absurdity in what’s going on around me. There are times I must force myself to sit down with my pad of paper and start kicking around ideas. Consistency is key. If I do it every day, I’ll have more to show for my effort. Even if my list of ideas is weak, the exercise still makes me better. I admire anyone who can do this well. For me, it ebbs and flows.

I think spending too much time honing a unique style can get in the way of productivity. Not that it should be ignored, but executing a well-drawn, conceptual cartoon should be the focus. Style usually comes on its own once the artist commits to creating on a regular basis.

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As for the future, I’d like to continue getting published. The New Yorker would still be a nice get. Of course, that requires quantity and consistency. Two things I work very hard at. I’m working on three children’s books at the moment. I’d be happy to see them completed.

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Mary Rose Kent
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a long-ago fencer, I want to say great job of getting the gazelle in a very believable advance position!

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IrrelevantNonsense
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d choose a fist bump over a butt sniff any day..don’t know ‘bout y’all tho.,.

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Tom Hanlin
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be perfect for the New Yorker. It's incomprehensible.

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Sleazy Weaver
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ricky gervais is the *unapologetic transphobe who turned an opportunity to learn from his mistakes into an opportunity to publicly mock someone for her gender, repeatedly deadname her after admitting he knows it's wrong, make inappropriate comments & gestures about her genitals, & therefore teach his audience that treating transgender people like this is okay when it is in fact extremely harmful & downright dangerous considering the transgender suicide rate (98% of transgender individuals who experienced 4+ acts of discrimination/violence within a year contemplated suicide. 51% attempted). https://youtu.be/7ICG_hLLfbM

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rspanther
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those really aren't good for you, their diet is terrible, and the liver is shot from too many three martini lunches. The old ones the meat is too tough. The young one are just to greasy, or is it slime? I'm not sure on that.

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Harry pottsh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cows die if there not milked tho. what I would hate was being kicked in the @ss for trying to keep it alive. ( nearly happend at a fair when i was like 8)

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Mine Truly
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If these got rejected, maybe you can try submitting cartoons that address topics in some of New Yorker's articles? Like, find a specific article and then make a cartoon related to it? Just an idea, I don't know how this industry works.

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