Cartoon ideas are literally everywhere…
… and here I have the receipts to prove it 🤓.
Do you see the shadowy shape of “Speedy” emerging from the photograph up above? That odd pattern of rough paint-on-brick-wall prickles my imagination to murmur the word “Hedgehog!” each time I park my car…
This photo is part of an ongoing collection of real-time cartoon ideas and learning opportunities that I have started gathering as I go about my daily doings.
- Going to the physiotherapist for help with my stiff neck? Sure enough, I spotted a cartoon character in downtown Cape Town.
- Fetching my dear friend from the airport? A cartoon popped up on a signboard.
- And of course, the presence of Speedy in my garage, kindly marking the exact spot where I should park my car (I come to a halt when Speedy is in line with my shoulder — that ensures my car is perfectly positioned within the space 😬)
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Now, how do we turn cartoon ideas into cartoons?
Cartoon idea step 1: Zee Sketch!
Every cartoon starts with a sketch and the wall plaster has done the initial work for me. All I do is take the pattern and add a few lines to explore what my imagination is suggesting.
Cartoon idea step 2: Outline
Once you have the sketch in place, it’s time to make it more concrete and create an outline. The easiest thing to do is use a black outline, in ink  (digital or otherwise).
In this case I also added an obstacle in front of Speedy… because there is that large brick shape in the wall and it makes me think of Speedy arriving in front of his own garage… or maybe his front door?
Cartoon idea step 3: Time for some colour – and a few extra (pale) spikes
Keeping things really simple, I added some purply-grey for Speedy’s under-the-quills area, and a tan colour for his quiz little snout. A dab of whit paint to make his eyes shine, and a couple more dabs of pink for his paws, and he’s almost off to the races.
Cartoon idea step 4: Final shadows, wall and floor
Every cartoon idea needs to be grounded so it doesn’t look like it’s going to float away, and some shadows on the ground add a simple but sophisticated touch.
Now we’re all done!
Four cartooning steps from cartoon idea to meeting Speedy the Cartoon Hedgehog direct from my garage wall inspiration 🦔