How to make it as a cartoonist
© Rob Murray
Rob Murray is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator based in the UK. His gag cartoons, comic strips and editorial illustrations appear in Private Eye, The Spectator, Reader’s Digest and other consumer magazines as well as a wide range of trade publications. Here he offers his tips for becoming a successful cartoonist.
The first cartoon I sold appeared in The Spectator in 2008. It was a fairly cynical cartoon about modern art
I’m not sure exactly why they went for that particular cartoon - often you don’t get much in the way of feedback - but art cartoons seem to be fairly popular, I guess because of the visual element. That was also a fairly cynical cartoon, and sometimes those are the ones editors go for.
Submit, submit, submit
I had probably sent The Spectator about 60 cartoons before they bought that first one.
I think that’s actually pretty good going; I have heard of people submitting for years before selling anything, and I had already been sending to Private Eye for longer, without any success.
Try to find a home for your cartoons
Each magazine has its own rate and making money as a cartoonist can be challenging. All the most prominent markets for a cartoonist - Private Eye, The Spectator, The New Yorker, Reader’s Digest - receive hundreds of unsolicited gag cartoons each week, from which they select just a handful. So even if you make the cut, you’ve only sold one of the ten or so cartoons you sent to the magazine that week.
I find that the best way to deal with it is to slip the rejected gags into a fresh envelope and send them off to the next magazine on your list. One of them might find a home somewhere else.
Other markets to consider are trade publications, many of which publish comic strips, gag cartoons and editorial illustrations, often to liven up the serious nature of their subject-matter. I also draw bespoke cartoons and caricatures for people who are looking for an unusual gift.
Be versatile
Versatility is key. I can create gag cartoons and strips on any theme, as well as larger illustrations to accompany editorial articles or to be used in marketing campaigns. I also illustrate children’s books, educational materials and company documentation. All my original cartoons are available to buy unless I’ve sold them already, in which case I’m usually happy to redraw them for an agreed price.
When you’re first starting out it can be difficult to know how much to charge. I usually have a chat with the prospective client and provide a quote for the job based on the nature of the project, usage, and how long it is likely to take.
Don’t underestimate the importance of words
With most cartoons, writing is perhaps 80-90% of the work. Some of the best cartoonists were probably told they couldn’t draw when they were at school, but their writing is so good that they’ll always be ahead of someone who is strong artistically but doesn’t have the ideas.
As a cartoonist you get to be the writer, director, casting director, cameraman - you’re setting up an entire world but it will only hang together if the writing’s strong.
Have faith in your own sense of humour
When it comes to speculative submissions, you need to have faith in your own sense of humour. Allow yourself to be influenced by other cartoonists, but try to stand out. Say what you think, and make it funny.
The main thing is to stick with it. I’m told I handle the rejection element of the job fairly well. Every cartoon that comes back unsold is a cartoon I can sell to someone else; it’s important not to take it to heart.
The same applies to pitching for regular work: most people you approach won’t think they have the budget for a cartoonist, or they won’t recognise that funny pictures can enhance their magazine. But every so often you’ll find someone who does. And seeing one cartoon in print makes up for hundreds of rejections.
To see more of Rob’s work, please visit www.robmurraycartoons.com
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I’m no cartoonist, but it was still really helpful to me reading this.
As an author, I need to have faith in my own talents because that’s the only way I’ll be driven to keep submitting.
I’ve seen Rob’s work before. It’s brilliant.
I can’t draw, but I seem to be able to do captions to any picture. So I’m half way there … just the wrong half!