The Learning Institute

You can be a cartoonist!

With the Diploma in Cartooning Course (NCFE Level 3 Accredited)

Open any newspaper or magazine, and you'll find cartoons. They're everywhere, from greeting cards to packaging, and even in TV commercials. The most prestigious of banks use them. And some become expensive works of art, like Gerald Scarfe's.

Why are cartoons so popular? Perhaps because they make people smile. Perhaps because they put over a message in a succinct manner. Or perhaps because people find them endearing.

Whatever the reason, cartoons are a particular form of dry wit, and they reveal a lot about the cartoonist's wicked sense of fun.

Wouldn't you like to be a cartoonist?
Cartooning won't make you a millionaire. But if you've got a sense of humour, the world is waiting for you. You can get published, become famous, and get invited to great parties. You can win admiration, prizes and envy.

But never mind all that philosophising. You can also make money from cartoons - with a little help from us at the Institute!

Just one cartoon can earn you £90 from a national newspaper - Wouldn't you like that sort of money for using your natural skills?

"I have found the course very stimulating and the tutor has been extremely helpful and encouraging. I have a more informed view of the world of the cartoonist and my confidence has increased significantly." - student

Who becomes a cartoonist?
All kinds of people become cartoonists. We've taught people from 9 to 76. Our learners have been unemployed, managers, teachers, retired people, housewives - everyone.

You need a sense of fun. You probably make jokes. And you probably see the lighter side in things. Not all the time, of course. Many of the greatest cartoonists have a bleak outlook on life. Some are us are 100% certified manic depressives!

The tutor is great - he gives me very detailed critiques which always give encouragement as well as suggestions for improvement. - student

Many of our learners have let their drawing skills lie dormant due to the time constraints of work and family, and some see the course as a way to fulfil their drawing urges without pressure.

About the course
'You can be a cartoonist' is a fun-filled course for anyone who wants to be a cartoonist. The course helps you to develop your own style of drawing. It increases your abilities, helps you create original ideas, and get published.

You don't need any formal art training or special drawing skills. The course is for complete beginners and also for those wanting to develop their skills. There are lots of practical exercises, tips and advice, and ten tutor-marked assignments.

As an essential ingredient of the course, you receive personal tuition from a successful, professional cartoonist.

"Very informative and helpful. I have enjoyed every minute." - student

Course Content

Module 1
Tools of the trade. Working space. Other items you will need. Cartoon drawing - the basics. Work and learn from the professionals. Developing your own cartoon drawing style. Cartoon heads. Hands and feet. Assignment No. 1.

Module 2
Upgrading your cartoon drawing skills. Giving your cartoons more body. The stick-figure method. Action lines get things moving! How to draw cartoon kids. More action lines. And more action lines! Assignment No. 2.

Module 3
Drawing cartoon animals(and other non-humans!). Make inanimate objects come to life!. Clothing and stereotyping in cartoons. Assignment No. 3.

Module 4
How to generate new cartoon gags and ideas. Use your cartoon file! Look and listen...! New and old jokes. Work at those cliches! The basic cartoon formats. Assignment No. 4.

Module 5
Backgrounds in cartoons. Getting things in perspective. Exaggeration in cartoons. Drawing caricatures. Brief history of caricaturing. Techniques of caricaturing. Checklist when starting a caricature. Assignment No. 5.

Module 6
Using colour in cartoons. Using digital colour. If you want to get ahead get a letterhead. Copyright rules-okay! Pricing your work. The niche market for cartoons. Assignment No 6.

Module 7
Further markets for your cartoons. Your portfolio of cartoons. More on copyright issues. Spot-the-difference cartoon puzzles. Other kinds of cartoon puzzles. Assignment No.7.

Module 8
The comic strip. The idea! Comic strip characters. Panel layout. How to market your comic strip. Industry ‘bibles’ for cartoonists. Checklist for comic strips. Assignment No. 8.

Module 9
Cartoon greetings cards. The importance of research. Key design points to consider. Presentation of your artwork. USA greetings cards market. Niche greetings cards markets. E-cards. Assignment No 9.

Module 10
Specialist areas of cartooning. Manga comics. Graphic novels. Your own cartoon website...? Cartoon classes for kids. How to be a professional cartoonist. Assignment No. 10.

What's in your pack?
A sturdily bound set of course modules that lie flat for ease of study. Detailed, practical information that guides you skilfully towards becoming a professional cartoonist.
Self-assessment exercises. They occur throughout the course to help you get organised for cartooning. They also check that you can tackle each type of cartooning.
Ten assignments. They'll be carefully marked with personal advice by an experienced tutor.
A stylish case that keeps all your course material, and your completed assignments.
A study guide and planner that helps you organise your study.
Question and Answer sheets for you to have your queries answered.
A range of cartooning pencils
Range of felt-tip pens
Paper
And when you complete the course, you'll get a handsome Diploma to frame and display on your wall.
(We reserve the right to improve, amend or extend the topics and pack contents mentioned here).

When you complete the course
Once you complete the course, you'll receive your Diploma, which is recognition of your skills and knowledge. We also send information about your success to your local newspapers. That's a good way of telling potential clients about your availability. We'll also put your name on our list of Approved Cartoonists. And if you register with the Institute you can get continuing help after the course.

"I hope to use these techniques in the illustration of a children's story which I'm writing and to use it in my work with young children." - student

Your Qualification

This course is fully accredited by the national awarding body NCFE, and on completing it you get a national award equivalent to Level 3 of the National Learning Framework (A level standard).

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

To read more about NCFE please go to www.ncfe.org.uk

Students who satisfactorily complete the course are also awarded the Diploma in Cartooning, and are entitled to use the letters Dip.Cart. (Cart. Inst).

The students also receive the Diploma certificate. They are also eligible to register with The Cartoon Institute, and use its services.

About the Institute
The Institute's tutors are full-time cartoonists, who bring their on-the-job experience to the course. You'll get advice directly from active practitioners - not armchair theorists.