Here is a list of the best Cartooning books, some I have read myself, some that I did research on, and all have great reviews!
- Cartooning: The Ultimate Character Design Book (2008)
- Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice (2011)
- Modern Cartooning: Essential Techniques for Drawing Today’s Popular Cartoons (Christopher Hart’s Cartooning) (2013)
- Cartooning the Head and Figure (1986)
- The Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators (2012)
- The Know-How of Cartooning (Dover Art Instruction) (2019)
- Art for Kids: Cartooning: The Only Cartooning Book You’ll Ever Need to Be the Artist You’ve Always Wanted to Be (2010)
- How to Draw Cartoons: This book will help the complete novice turn out professional looking cartoons in minutes (2017)
- Cartooning the Landscape (2016)
- Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics (2009)
- Cartoon Faces: How to Draw Heads, Features & Expressions (Cartoon Academy) (2014)
- Humongous Book of Cartooning (Christopher Hart’s Cartooning) (2009)
- Cartooning For Kids (2002)
Cartooning: The Ultimate Character Design Book (2008)
Chris Hart’s how-to-draw books have sold in the several millions of copies. Now, in his latest, he delivers detailed instructions, inspiring ideas, and invaluable tips for creating appealing and original manga-style characters. Character design is the key to success in comic books and animated films, and with this clear step-by-step guide, it’s a skill that can be quickly learned.
Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice (2011)
The best cartooning is efficient visual storytelling—it is as much a matter of writing as it is of drawing. In this book, noted cartoonist and illustrator Ivan Brunetti presents fifteen distinct lessons on the art of cartooning, guiding his readers through wittily written passages on cartooning terminology, techniques, tools, and theory.
Modern Cartooning: Essential Techniques for Drawing Today’s Popular Cartoons (Christopher Hart’s Cartooning) (2013)
Aimed at beginner artists interested in cartooning and at the countless fans of cartoons, animation, and comics. Not only are cartoons a form of entertainment, but they’re an incredibly popular style of drawing! With a fresh and easy-to-follow approach to cartooning, Christopher Hart shows readers basic tips for creating a cast of the most hilarious, outrageous characters inspired by today’s cartoons.
Cartooning the Head and Figure (1986)
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 . . .
The Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators (2012)
The definitive book on animation, from the Academy Award-winning animator behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit?Animation is one of the hottest areas of filmmaking today–and the master animator who bridges the old generation and the new is Richard Williams. During his fifty years in the business, Williams has been one of the true innovators, winning three Academy Awards and serving as the link between Disney’s golden age of animation by hand and the new computer animation exemplified by Toy Story.
The Know-How of Cartooning (Dover Art Instruction) (2019)
This classic guide by a master animator and cartoonist — and long time Disney artist — is now available for the first time since its original publication in 1946.
Art for Kids: Cartooning: The Only Cartooning Book You’ll Ever Need to Be the Artist You’ve Always Wanted to Be (2010)
Any child who can make a stick figure can learn to create funny cartoons—and this enjoyably illustrated guide tells them exactly how.
How to Draw Cartoons: This book will help the complete novice turn out professional looking cartoons in minutes (2017)
Internationally renowned cartoonist, Brian Platt, gives tips on creating cartoons starting with a simple circle you’ll soon be creating great characters and professional looking cartoons. #88,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2979 in Children’s Activity Books (Books) #28 in How to Create Anime & Cartoons Would you like to ?If you are a seller for this product, would you like to ?
Cartooning the Landscape (2016)
One of the singular talents in landscape design, Chip Sullivan has shared his expertise through a seemingly unusual medium that, at second glance, makes perfect sense–the comic strip. For years Sullivan entertained readers of Landscape Architecture Magazine with comic strips that ingeniously illustrated significant concepts and milestones in the creation of our landscapes.
Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics (2009)
In this action-packed cartooning adventure, kids will have as much fun making comics as reading them! Once upon a time . . . a princess tried to make a comic. And with the help of a magical cartooning elf, she learned how – well enough to draw her way out of an encounter with a dangerous dragon, near-death by drowning, and into her very own adventure!
Cartoon Faces: How to Draw Heads, Features & Expressions (Cartoon Academy) (2014)
Make a face—a funny face! The personality of a cartoon character begins with the face: the head, the features, the expressions. Get that right and you can create a memorable personality.
Humongous Book of Cartooning (Christopher Hart’s Cartooning) (2009)
Chris Hart’s Humongous Book of Cartooning is a great value book covering everything the beginner needs to master cartooning. It teaches how to draw cartoon people, fantasy characters, layouts, background design and much more. This latest cartoon title from Chris Hart, the world’s bestselling author of drawing and cartooning books, packs a wallop.
Cartooning For Kids (2002)
You don’t have to be a great artist to be a good cartoonist. Because cartoons are based in humor, not art; the secret to their success is to think funny. In this handy guide, you’ll find detailed instructions for creating cartoon people and animals. With a little practice you’ll be drawing adults and children, creatures, and more. “A fun, funny, instruction book for all ages.”—Copley News Service.
Best Cartooning Books that Should be on Your Bookshelf
We highly recommend you to buy all paper or e-books in a legal way, for example, on Amazon. But sometimes it might be a need to dig deeper beyond the shiny book cover. Before making a purchase, you can visit resources like Library Genesis and download some cartooning books mentioned below at your own risk. Once again, we do not host any illegal or copyrighted files, but simply give our visitors a choice and hope they will make a wise decision.
Cartooning China: Punch, Power, & Politics in the Victorian Era
Author(s): Amy Matthewson, Harriet E H Earle (editor)
ID: 3214234, Publisher: Routledge Chapman & Hall, Year: 2022, Size: 31 Mb, Format: pdf
Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square: Draw unique cartoon characters using simple geometric shapes
Author(s): Margherita Cole
ID: 3613773, Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing, Year: 2022, Size: 10 Mb, Format: epub
The Know-How of Cartooning
Author(s): Ken Hultgren
ID: 3305471, Publisher: Dover Publications, Year: 2019, Size: 24 Mb, Format: epub
Please note that this booklist is not final. Some books are really best-sellers according to The Wall Street Journal, others are written by unknown writers. On top of that, you can always find additional tutorials and courses on Coursera, Udemy or edX, for example. Are there any other relevant links you could recommend? Drop a comment if you have any feedback on the list.