EDITORIAL CARTOONING

is an editorial page illustration expressing opinion and interpretation (a column or opinion

in cartoon form). The word cartoon is derived from two words: caricature and lampoon.

A caricature is an exaggerated description, generally by sketching. It is a pictorial

representation of a person or thing in which a defect or peculiarity is exaggerated so as to
produce a ludicrous effect.

A lampoon, on the other hand, is a piece of malicious writing, a personal-written satire

that attacks and ridicules.

A good cartoon appeals to the reader’s sense of humor in order to persuade him/her to
accept an opinion.
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How to conceptualize

1. Read/listen—research your facts well.

2. Decide on your point of view or angle of your chosen issue.
3. Make your comment on the issue.
4. Translate your comment into coordinating, representative graphic symbols (e.g.
crocodile for corrupt officials and typewriter for press)
5. Take into consideration the paper’s target readers.
6. Sketch/make doodles.
7. Draw your final cartoon.

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Ways to present your view

1. Take the issue to a ridiculous situation.

2. Exaggerate the effect of an issue.
3. Use cliché or something contemporary or “in.”
4. Juxtapose or put together two events, even unrelated ones.
5. Take quotes literally. Play with words.
6. Consider the occasion.
7. Make an interesting artwork.
8. Caricature a political figure and add a punch line
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10 drawing techniques

1. Use the acronym “see” for the basic ingredients for an effective cartoon drawing.
a. SIMPLE
Even basic shapes positioned properly in relation to each other would be enough.
b. EXPRESSION
Eyes are the most expressive part of our anatomy. Next, comes the mouth. Third, are the
hands.
c. EXAGGERATE
Overemphasize a feature or several features to make your cartoon funny.

2. In drawing caricatures, exaggerate the prominent features of the subject.

3. Take advantage of your medium.

a. Pen and in, brush and ink, charcoal or dark pencil.
b. Contrast the black and white.
c. Dark areas tend to catch the focus of the eyes.

4. Properly place your shadows. Simplify your light source. Have only one light source.
5. Read and draw left to right.
6. Use less words. Less is more difficult, but the better. Instead, use symbols a lot,
especially familiar ones (e.g. crocodile for corruption).
7. Don’t overwork your drawing (using too much props, background, details, etc.)
8. Keep your message clear to the intended reader, not only to yourself. Ask the opinion
of others.
9. If you can, apply Balance and Composition; Depth and Perspective.
10. Be funny, except in tragic situations.

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Tips for cartooning

1. Limit the use of words and labels.

2. Use universal symbols, those which can be understood at once by your intended
reader.
3. Have your own style. Do not copy or plagiarize.
4. If your cartoon is about the editorial for the day, it must reinforce the stand stated in
the piece.
5. Choose a most interesting issue and express your comment in an arresting way.
6. Do not clutter your cartoon with unnecessary details or complicate your drawing with
artistic touches. These will just distract from the impact of the cartoon. Minimal is better.
7. Cover your cartoon with a frame or border.
8. Use shading to make your article more convincing.

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Steps in Editorial Cartooning
Dr. Net Billones, one of the country’s top cartoonists, suggests the following steps:
1. List down the subjects to choose from.
2. Once the subject is chosen, ask what is the issue? What is the paper’sopinion about the
issue?
Example:
Issue—Press freedom
Opinion—The government is going back to the martial law days as far as press freedom
is concerned.
3. Decide the symbols to be used
Example:
Government—GMA
Press freedom—bird (dove) flying, typewriter, school paper
Repression—chain, scissors, slingshot, bar
4. Draw the cartoon.