Teaching Cartooning: My Experience Running Workshops
“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, I’ll share what I’ve learned from teaching cartooning workshops—including lesson ideas, challenges, cultural insights, and why I believe every cartoonist should teach at least once.
1. Why Teach Cartooning?
Cartooning is more than art—it’s visual communication, emotional storytelling, and personal empowerment.
What teaching cartooning does:
Builds confidence in students of all ages
Develops critical thinking and media literacy
Encourages freedom of expression
Bridges language barriers through visuals
Creates safe space to address difficult topics (bullying, injustice, identity)
📚 In my workshops, I’ve seen children who never spoke in class express themselves loudly on paper. I’ve seen teens use satire to challenge stereotypes. And I’ve seen adults rediscover joy through drawing.
2. Planning a Workshop: What to Consider
Before jumping in, I always ask myself:
🎯 Who is the audience?
Age group (7–10, teens, adults)
Artistic experience (none, beginner, intermediate)
Language proficiency
Cultural context (rural vs. urban, conservative vs. liberal)
🧠 What’s the goal?
Teach basic cartooning skills?
Explore editorial cartooning and political satire?
Create a group zine or exhibition?
📍 Where is it happening?
Classroom? Outdoor camp? Zoom?
What materials are available?
How much time do I have?
📝 Pro Tip: Even a 1-hour session can be powerful—if it’s clear and focused.
3. My Go-To Workshop Format (Step-by-Step)
Here’s a format I’ve used successfully with groups of 5 to 50 participants:
🕒 1. Warm-up (15 minutes)
Quick drawing game (e.g., “Draw a cat in 30 seconds”)
Icebreaker prompt: “What’s something silly you believe?”
✏️ 2. Basic Cartooning Skills (20–30 minutes)
Facial expressions: happy, angry, scared, confused
Emotions through body language
Using symbols (light bulb, heart, storm cloud)
🧩 3. Storytelling Through Panels (30 minutes)
What makes a visual narrative?
3-panel story: beginning, middle, end
Collaborative comic jam (pass the paper, continue the story)
💬 4. Satire and Message (30 minutes)
What is a political cartoon?
Examples from Toons Mag
Draw your own cartoon with a message
🖼️ 5. Sharing & Feedback (15 minutes)
Present cartoons to the group
Group discussion and positive feedback
🎨 Optional: End with an exhibition wall or a group zine
4. Teaching in Diverse Cultural Contexts
Having taught workshops in Norwegian refugee camps, Indian high schools, and European art colleges, I’ve learned that cartooning is universal—but context matters.
Lessons learned:
Religious sensitivity: Avoid drawing sacred figures; use symbols instead.
Gender roles: In conservative settings, ensure safe space for female participants.
Freedom of speech: Respect local laws while encouraging personal expression.
Language barriers: Visual examples help more than translated slides.
📌 Example: In a workshop in Slovakia, we drew cartoons about “freedom.” One child drew a kite breaking out of a cage. No words. But everyone understood.
5. Common Challenges and How to Solve Them
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| “I can’t draw!” | Start with stick figures. Emphasize idea over perfection. |
| Language differences | Use visual demos and body language. Draw while speaking. |
| Short attention spans | Keep activities short and interactive. Use humor. |
| Shyness | Include silent drawing time. Use drawing games to break the ice. |
| Limited materials | Use cheap A4 paper, pencils, erasers. Creativity thrives in constraints. |
6. Student Reactions That Stay With Me
Here are just a few powerful moments I’ll never forget:
A Syrian refugee boy drew a boat with no paddles. When I asked what it meant, he said: “That’s how we crossed the sea.”
A 12-year-old girl in India drew a cartoon of a woman reading while others criticized her. She titled it “Let Her Read.”
In Norway, a teen said, “I didn’t know you could draw feelings. Now I do.”
These moments remind me why I teach.
7. Tips for Cartoonists Who Want to Teach
✅ 1. Start Small
Offer a one-hour workshop at your local library, school, or art café.
✅ 2. Focus on Expression Over Perfection
Many people fear drawing. Show that cartoons are about ideas, not realism.
✅ 3. Prepare Visual Examples
Have your own cartoons ready to explain concepts. Students learn from what you do, not just what you say.
✅ 4. Be Flexible
Read the room. If your plan doesn’t work, improvise.
✅ 5. Leave Room for Sharing
Let participants present their work. It builds confidence and community.
🎯 Pro Tip: End with a group photo (with permission), and invite participants to join CartoonistNetwork.com to continue their journey.
8. FAQs
Q1: Do I need teaching experience to run a cartooning workshop?
No. Start with passion, preparation, and empathy. You’ll learn as you go.
Q2: What if I’m not a professional cartoonist?
You don’t have to be famous—just knowledgeable and supportive. Share your journey.
Q3: How do I find places to teach?
Contact schools, libraries, art galleries, youth centers, NGOs, and community festivals.
Q4: Can I charge for workshops?
Yes. Many cartoonists offer paid workshops. Start free to build experience, then set fair rates.
9. Final Thoughts & Your Next Step
Teaching cartooning has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career. It’s not about creating perfect artists—it’s about unlocking people’s ability to communicate, laugh, question, and reflect through art.
Whether you're a full-time cartoonist or a weekend sketcher, you have something to share. Someone out there is waiting to learn from you.
🎨 So here’s your invitation: plan a cartooning workshop in your community.
It could be in a school, a café, or even online.
Bring paper, pencils, and a few of your cartoons.
The rest? It will unfold in laughter, lines, and lessons.
✅ Want to get started?
Download my free Cartoon Workshop Starter Kit (lesson plan + materials list)
Visit CartoonistNetwork.com to connect with educators and artists
Or leave a comment: Have you ever taught or attended a cartooning workshop? What did you learn?
Comments
Post a Comment