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Rachel Renée Russell

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Dork Diaries Book 14

Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

JUST FOR YOU!!
Miss Know-it-All's Advice
Impress Crush

Grumpy Gamer

September 26, 2018

HOW DO I BECOME A CARTOONIST?

Hi Nikki! I’m a high school student who absolutely LOVES drawing, and I dream of becoming a cartoonist or an animator! But I have a problem: I don’t know where to start! Can you please give me some suggestions on how to be prepared? Thanks! 🙂

The Doodling Daydreamer

Hi Doodling Daydreamer,

Hey! Thanks for writing in! I think it’s SO awesome that you want to be a cartoonist or an animator!

If you love drawing, you’re on your way!

Like I tell the people who ask me how to become an author, it mostly takes practice! I mean, there’s a whole business side, but the first step is becoming an artist (or writer) with the skills to make a career of it.

So LOTS of drawing practice – take a sketchpad everywhere you go, learn from other artists’ styles, take classes where you can find them, and if you can’t, check out YouTube art tutorials!

But let’s say you’re already doing the work of becoming the best artist you can be. How do you become a cartoonist or an animator, specifically? Do you need to go to a fancy art school?

Well, they’re separate jobs. So to become a cartoonist, you definitely DON’T need to go to a fancy art school. You don’t even HAVE to go to college, though there’s lots you can learn in college. And I think the best cartoonists don’t only know how to draw, but they also understand what’s happening in the world around them, which is how they can create comics that people think are funny and relate to. And college is a great place to get that kind of broad understanding of the world. (At least that’s what my parents keep telling me. 🙂 )

I don’t know as much about being an animator, but I looked it up on Google. What I found said that a college degree is not required, but that most people hiring animators will be looking for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Computer Graphics or something related. And if you want to create animation for video games, you should earn a degree in video game design or interactive media.

So if you’re college-bound, you might want to consider looking for schools that have programs in those fields.

Another thing I think is important for people who want to be any kind of creative person—an artist, author, animator, filmmaker, etc—is to stay really current with what is successful in that field.

So for a budding cartoonist, spend a ton of time reading all the latest cartoons, comics and graphic novels. Animators? See all the animated movies you can—and not just the big cinema releases, but smaller stuff too. There are all kinds of amazing short animated films most people never see.

I think it’s important to read/watch/listen to what professional artists are making today because you’ll learn from them, and you’ll also learn more about what appeals to audiences. The movies getting produced and books getting published have film production companies and book publishers supporting them for a reason. So check them out for enjoyment, but also try to analyze what makes certain pieces of art successful.

And finally, remember that there’s no rush. The main thing right now is to keep building your skills as an artist. If you’re in high school, you might start thinking about what you want to study in college. But don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Develop your artistry so when it’s time for the business side of things, you’ll have the talent and skills to compete!

I hope that helps! And I hope you keep drawing!

What are your dreams? Are you taking any steps NOW to make them happen LATER? Tell us in the comments!

Category: Ask Nikki Tags: artnikki

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Comments

  1. ARTS thomas says

    October 4, 2018 at 8:31 am

    I like to draw to but I what to be an ARTS but there is a problem: I have no idea’s & no idea where to start at Nikki can you help me.

    • Izzy says

      October 4, 2018 at 3:25 pm

      Well nikki Here! Its okay Just .. START somewhere Dont matter where!

  2. hi says

    October 3, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    hmmm

  3. Anonymous says

    October 3, 2018 at 9:10 pm

    hi nikki how are you doing

  4. OMG(っ◔◡◔)っ says

    October 3, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    I want to be an artist!!(っ◔◡◔)っ

  5. Riichu says

    October 3, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    Hey everyone sorry for that comment, it’s meant for someone else You go girl! I want to become an cartoonist too

  6. NikkiFan596 says

    October 3, 2018 at 5:09 pm

    All you gotta do is KEEP ARTSING (which is not a real word )!!!!!!!

  7. Anonymous says

    October 3, 2018 at 11:28 am

    Oh yeah! That’s good!

  8. miss smarty pants says

    October 2, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    I wanna be a cartoonist too! Also, if you live in California, you can study at Cal Arts Institute. That’s where most Pixar artists came from. Just look it up on Google map.

  9. dizzyrella says

    October 2, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    I know you’ll make a great cartoonist or animator.

  10. Anonymous says

    October 2, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    How do I become a gymnast

    • Miss Dork :) says

      October 3, 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Hi Anonymous,
      I used to do gymnastics when I was 11, so I know what’s it is like. I wanted to compete in the Olympics and wins medals.
      – First, I tried to find a local club that done gymnastics. So that’s a great starting point. Find a nearby club.
      – Ask your parents about joining a club or getting lessons etc. They can help you research and get in touch with the club.
      – Train, train, train. Don’t push yourself too hard, but try your best! It doesn’t matter if you are bad at the beginning, every famous gymnast started off not knowing what to do! I did!
      – Practice makes permanent, I could never do a front walk over, I can now because know practised and kept trying!

      I loved gymnastics and I still do! It’s one of my favourite sports and I do wish that I still went every Saturday. I lost weight and learnt so many cool things!
      You will LOVE it!
      Good luck!
      Love from, Miss Dork x

  11. Someone dorky says

    October 2, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    I love to doodle on any sheets of paper. ANY! Sometime homework too.

    • iheartdoodling says

      October 2, 2018 at 8:26 pm

      me 2!!!!

  12. sassy shine says

    October 2, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    being a cartoonist is an amazing idea

  13. Fashion passion says

    October 2, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    I want to become a fashion designer! ! I already have 2 notebook filld with my designs!

  14. pretty girl jay says

    October 2, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Hey
    you have the same dream as me.
    Always wanted to be a singer just keep on warming up your voice everyday.
    also listen to song a lot.
    I believe you will make it there I believe both of us.

  15. Dorky dork says

    October 2, 2018 at 10:23 am

    Being a cartoonist is great! I want to see if “I’m the only Korean here” who drew the most liked art work for October is looking at this comment. Because I really like your artwork, and I am Korean and was born in Seoul too!

  16. Dorkalicious girl says

    October 2, 2018 at 6:03 am

    I am your biggest fan !!!!!!!

    I hate Machanzie !!!!!!!!

  17. UNICORN says

    October 2, 2018 at 5:34 am

    follow what the unicorn said and she said
    unicorn:FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND NEVER GIVE UP ON WHAT YOUR DREAMS ARE OK NOW BYE!

  18. Riichu says

    October 1, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    I hope I NEVER get a friend like that or I’d be ANGRY!!

  19. Lonely Luv says

    October 1, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    Dear Nikki, you are an amazing woman , so l decided to tell you something important : l have a MAJOR crush on a boy at my church. He is sooo cute, that when l look at him, l feel queezy and l blush and giggle like CRAZY! But he doesn’t seem to interested in me. He tells my friends to tell me that we are friends , but he never in his INTIRE life talked to me! I am too confused! Plus, l am too chicken to talk to him, let alone make eye contact with him. I wish he and l could actually be friends ; then life wouldn’t be too boy-confusing What did you do when you first saw Brandon? What was his first words to you? Pleeeaaaaaeeeeeeese help me!! I really need it!

  20. Crazy Anna says

    October 1, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    I want to become an author since I have lots of ideas! Follow your dreams!!!!

  21. Space Lover says

    October 1, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    that is amazing!!!

  22. Qutie_I a t b says

    October 1, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    I love your books \Nikki

  23. Anonymous says

    October 1, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    Hey, just start out slow. I recomend these youtube channels to help you see animations. They dont tell you how to do it, but i think seeing people who do it might help.

    Jaiden animations
    Shugurr
    Chipflake

    Try coming up with an OC! You don’t have to take my advice though…

  24. Super Dork says

    October 1, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    Doodling Daydreamer you should follow your heart, do whatever that feels right for you, and don’t look back once you got there, continue until you reach out to your dreams.

  25. Little miss Dork says

    October 1, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    I want to become a doctor
    Still working on it

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