ART HISTORY

Creative Cartoons
Taking Inspiration from
Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art

One of the things that makes the Bruce Museum

such a special place is the diversity of exhibitions.
The new exhibition, Masterpieces from the
Museum of Cartoon Art, on view through April
20, 2019, showcases some of the most influential
and fascinating cartoon artists. In the panel from
Thimble Theatre Starring Popeye on the right,
you can see many of the hallmarks that make
a cartoon so enjoyable. The characters are
distinct and instantly recognizable. Olive Oyl’s
trademark bun and Popeye’s corncob pipe and
beefy forearms make both of these characters
iconic. The characters talk to one another in
speech bubbles and are lightly tinted; this panel Thimble Theater Starring Popeye by E. C. Segar, March 27, 1932. Ink and
comes from a larger strip that would have been watercolor on paper. International Museum of Cartoon Art Collection, The Ohio
State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. ©1932 King Features
published in newspapers across the country. Syndicate, Inc. Hearst Holdings, Inc.

BRUC E M USEU M
1 Museum Drive • Greenwich, CT
Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art,
on view through April 20, 2019

You Try It!

Hi and Lois by Brian and Greg Walker and Chance Browne.
August 27, 1989 © King Features Syndicate, Inc. Collection of Brian Walker
How hard is it to make your own cartoon? Not hard at all, in
fact all you need to get started is paper, pencils, and a good
idea. In no time you will be on your way to making a cartoon.
First get your drawing materials together, then spend some
time thinking about what kind of a cartoon you want to create.
Here are some things to think about. Will you have a serious
cartoon or a funny one? Will you create an animal character
or a human one? How many characters do you want to have
in your cartoon? Second, and only after you know who your
characters will be, think of a title for your cartoon. Write the
title at the top of your page and then divide the rest of your
page into 3 or 4 sections; these will be your panels. Now all
you need to do is populate your panels with your characters
and voila, you’ve got your first comic strip!

Common Core State Standard:

GET
Creative!
ELA: Literacy: R.L. 3.3-5.3, R.L. 3.7-6.7, R.L.
3.1-5.1, R.L. 6.4-8.4, R.H. 6-8.4, R.H. 6-8.7