The Cartoonist's Muse: A Guide to Generating and Developing Creative Ideas

by Mischa Richter, Harald Bakken

Describes the art of creating a cartoon, from developing an idea and carrying it through to a finished cartoon

Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Rex Hesner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lead author, Misha Richter, was a celebrated cartoonist and contract artist to the *New Yorker* for half a century. His insights for generating cartoon ideas include specific "sources" (e.g., cliches, settings, characters, etc.) common to most cartoonists. The book is packed with dozens of Richter's cartoons, all of which aptly illustrate his concepts of creativity. Though published over thirty years ago, the book's themes are still valid.

[Phil Witte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will appeal to professional, single-panel gag cartoonists an an aid for generating ideas. Richter was a regular contributor to the New Yorker a few decades ago, and the book is filled with his cartoons and the work of earlier cartoonists. Some of the gags are dated to be sure, but the concepts the authors examine--cliches, stock characters, settings, and source material in general--are still worth considering..