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Artist With Opinions

Pulitzer Prize winner Walt Handelsman talks about creating editorial cartoons for newspapers

Walt Handelsman begins each cartoon with a simple sketch.

Scholastic Art: What is your job?

Walt Handelsman: I am an editorial cartoonist and animator for The New Orleans Advocate, a newspaper in New Orleans, Louisiana. My cartoons are syndicated, or republished, in more than 200 newspapers around the world. My job is to express my opinions on politics, social issues, and current events in my cartoons. 

SA: Where do you get your ideas?

WH: The idea is the most important part of an editorial cartoon. I spend each morning reading and watching the news. I take notes on the headlines to find a topic for my next cartoon. A strong topic is one that people will have heard about. I usually come up with three or four ideas that I think would be good cartoons.

SA: How do you narrow it down to one?

WH: I make rough sketches of my ideas on paper, scan them into my computer, and send them to my editor. After my editor approves one of them, my day is great! The stress of coming up with an idea for the next day’s cartoon is over, and I can focus on the fun part of making the cartoon.

Walt Handelsman

SA: What is your working process?

WH: I draw the cartoon in ink on paper. I use Rapidograph pens—they have metal tips, so the lines stay the same thickness. I also have markers I use to draw bodies, cars, buildings, and other things. After it dries, I scan it into my computer. I clean up the lines and add color in Photoshop. Making the cartoon takes one to two hours. 

SA: What is surprising about your job?

WH: It’s easy to make spelling mistakes! When I’m doing the lettering, I focus intensely on each letter. Sometimes I don’t “see” the whole word. When I think I’m done with my cartoon, I send it to several people at the newspaper to proofread. 

SA: What is the best part of your job? 

WH: I love the creativity and the way I am engaged with the news. It’s an honor that I can express my opinions through my cartoons and newspapers publish them.

Career Profile: Editorial Cartoonist

Salary: 

Editorial cartoonists can earn from $35,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience, publication, and syndication.

 

Education: 

Many editorial cartoonists have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in cartooning, illustration, or a related degree.

 

Getting Started:

  • Read print and online newspapers and magazines. Learn about current events and form opinions.
  • Draw cartoons for your school newspaper.
  • Try to find a local newspaper that will print your cartoons.

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