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Why Peer Feedback Is Essential in Cartooning

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"The first time I showed my cartoon to another artist, I was nervous. What if they hated it? Instead, they pointed out something I hadn't seen—and helped me make it better. That moment changed how I approached my entire creative process." —  Arifur Rahman , cartoonist, writer, and founder of  Toons Mag  and  Cartoonist Network Cartooning Is a Dialogue, Not a Monologue Cartooning may look like a solo journey—but behind every great cartoonist is a circle of peers, mentors, and editors who offer perspective, encouragement, and critique. In the age of social media and instant publishing, it’s tempting to skip feedback altogether and go straight to “likes.” But if you truly want to grow as an artist, storyteller, and communicator,  peer feedback is one of the most powerful tools you can embrace . In this post, I’ll explain why feedback matters, how it has shaped my own cartooning journey, and how you can give and receive critique that improves—not discourages—your cr...
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How Online Forums Help Me Grow as a Cartoonist

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“Before my cartoons reached international exhibitions or were featured in magazines, they lived in online forums—where strangers became mentors, and every critique became a lesson.” —  Arifur Rahman , cartoonist and founder of  Toons Mag  and  Cartoonist Network A Lifeline for the Isolated Artist Cartooning can be solitary. We spend hours hunched over our sketchpads or tablets, caught in our own thoughts. While solitude can fuel creativity,  too much of it can also stunt growth . That’s why, for me,  online forums have always been a creative lifeline —a space where I could connect with other artists, get feedback, learn new techniques, and stay motivated. In this post, I’ll share  how online cartoonist forums helped me grow—artistically, professionally, and emotionally , and how you can benefit from these digital communities too. 1. What Are Online Forums for Cartoonists?  Online forums are  virtual communities where artists gather to discuss...
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Teaching Cartooning: My Experience Running Workshops

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“When I held my first cartooning workshop, I was nervous. Would the students be interested? Could I really teach what I knew? But when the pencils started moving and the laughter began, I realized: cartooning isn’t just teachable—it’s contagious.” —  Arifur Rahman , cartoonist, educator, and founder of  Toons Mag  and  Cartoonist Network Why I Started Teaching Cartooning Cartooning changed my life. It gave me a voice, helped me make sense of the world, and allowed me to speak truth to power through humor and art. That’s why I’ve spent the last decade  sharing cartooning with others—especially young people and aspiring artists —through hands-on workshops around the world. From schools and universities to refugee camps and libraries, I’ve taught cartooning in  Norway, Bangladesh, India, Sweden, and Slovakia . Every workshop is different, but each one proves the same thing:  cartooning empowers people  to express, reflect, and connect. In this post, ...
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