Author: Pierre Labeau, Contributing Editor

Hello again everyone. I am back from my well deserved vacation! I've noticed that things have pretty much gone to pot around here since I left but I had a few weeks coming and besides, I am back to straighten things out now! I have had some requests to do some cartoon tips. So, let's pull back the curtain from your own latent creative abilities, provided you are new at this business of cartooning, and introduce you to some whimsical people who perhaps you didn't know could come from your own pencil. Pierre (pierre@wetcanvas.com)

First, draw any kind of a semi circle enclosure. Whether it is lop-sided or crooked makes little difference. Next, as a starter, draw a bulb-like nose somewhere in the central area where we're accustomed to "wearing" this rather vital breathing feature. Above the nose draw spots or slits for eyes such as done in the stages numbered "3" above and below. Beneath the nose draw a mouth either smiling (A) above, indifferent (B) below, Mad (C) or laughing (D).

Letting it go at that, already you have some funny faces. If you wish to add some "extras" like ears, wrinkles in forehead or around mouth, hair, hat or collar and tie, this may be done. See figures "4" column. There are many people in this world who have doodled miles of "nothing" while talking on the phone or killing time with restless fingers. Why not turn your markings into pleasurable and even profitable cartooning? It can be done! See you soon!