Cartooning the Head and Figure

by Jack Hamm

THE QUESTION:
Are there new ways of opening the field of cartooning to any one who likes to draw? THE ANSWER:
Yes!
Here are tried and proven methods that explain, simplify and teach every one, regardless of age, the art of cartooning. Step by step procedures with more than 3,000 illustrations . . .

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Comics, Reference, Cartoon, Crafts

120 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1967

About the author

Jack B. Hamm was an artist who is recognized both for his Christian-themed artwork and editorial cartoons, and for his books on drawing technique. He both studied and taught at the Frederic Mizen Academy of Art. As a cartoonist and comic strip letterer, he worked on the "Bugs Bunny", "Alley Oop", and "Boots and Her Buddies" comic strips before attending Baylor University to study theology. He taught at Baylor both before and after he graduated in 1948.

Jack Hamm started drawing at 5 years old. Hamm went to Frederick Mizen Academy of Art c. 1936-1941. After finding success in cartoons, he was offered his own creation to which he turned down in order to study ministry at Baylor University from 1945 to 1948.

Hamm hosted an early TV drawing program, The Jack Hamm Show, in Texas and conceived of what became The New Testament from 26 Translations, published by Zondervan. His work drew praise from such diverse folks as "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz, Norman Vincent Peale, and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. By the end of his life, Jack Hamm's artwork could be found in over 25 books.

Reviews

[Eaglewings · Rating 5 out of 5]

It exceeds it's value for money by a hundred times. All pages are Black & White. They are Jam packed with valuable information and numerous sketches. All facial muscles have been explained and the chapters on facial expression, posture and motion are fantastic. Its a "must have" for artists interested in cartooning and caricature.

[Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful handbook for beginners. Though this is a very old piece of work its basics are still true and timeless - how to use figure drawing basics for exaggeration for caricaturing and cartooning.

I managed to draw a few using some of the techniques mentioned here.

Its also very well written and can be finished quickly.

Recommended

[Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'm a retired graphic designer, and never had to deal with cartooning until recently, and now just for fun. This book came out in 1967, and yes, most of the cartoons are dated and many are sexist. (Actually, they look more like 1950s to me.) But for that very reason they're different from the "all the same-ish" current books on cartooning, and can give you some very different ideas to play with.

The "Alphabetized Catalog of Emotions" (translate: Essential Expressions Challenge) is a hoot, and a wealth of retro expressions. The instruction starts with the most basic charts of face shapes, types of eyes, noses & mouths. It gets in-depth about what makes each facial expression work. Then simple body shapes to more complex ones, including sitting, running, hand positions, clothing folds, children & old age, etc.

This being 1967, there are no martial arts or superhero postures. But it's still a great book.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely fun to flip through and really see the Jack Hamm-style cartoons broken down to their elements. Not exactly helping as a guide for new artists, however. If you're a fan of classic newspaper funny-style art worth checking it out. But, if you're looking for a manual to teach techniques, mayeb check out another title!

[Akshaya (shae_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An useful cartooning book with lots of illustrations and examples. All parts of body and all sorts of expressions are taught and illustrated

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible resource covering a variety of art styles.

[Tim S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly neat little book on cartooning. The layout can be a bit confusing and some of the pages are of dubious worth, but overall it's almost worth the price alone just for all the reference drawings and the handy tips squeezed into the margins.

I strongly suggest you grab Hamm's Drawing the Head and Figure at the same you get this. Even if you do just want to focus on drawing slapstick-style cartoons, it contains some useful pointers about the human face/figure not included here that will improve your work.

[Toma · Rating 5 out of 5]

New level of excellence. Old school dated 1967.
Every muscle, every bone, every part of every expression explained. More emotions in drawings than in real people. Stunning.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic resource, full of exhaustive detail. I picked it up at the library, so I hope I can find it online (it being over 40 years old at this point.