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Blitz Big Book Of Cartooning
Discover the tricks of the cartooning trade with help from Bruce Blitz, host of the Emmy-nominated PBS program Cartooning with Blitz. Transform the simplest doodles into elaborate illustrations of a policeman, a lion, or even a unique, original comic strip!
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
14 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Blitz
32 books17 followersBruce got his start in cartooning by doodling on anything and everything in his house while growing up in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. “I especially liked drawing on this terrific piece of white cardboard that used to be packaged with my father’s freshly laundered shirts…to this day, that is the best drawing paper there will ever be”!!
Playing keyboards in rock bands while growing up and then professionally for many years, Bruce would always take time to doodle. “I used to draw the band members and customers while on break wherever we played…years later I started drawing fulltime as a caricature artist at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville Tennessee."
ruce Blitz is the creator and host of the national and international Television Series, "Cartooning with Blitz".
With 104 episodes, he was rewarded with four Emmy-nominations for his popular program. Cartooning with Blitz, is a fast-paced cartooning variety show with everything from drawing animals, comic strips, cartoon portraits, spinning the Wheel of Features, which can create over 100,000 cartoon faces, to going on fascinating trips like the Museum of Cartoon Art, Busch Gardens as well as interviews with celebrity guest cartoonists.. Bruce wrote and performed all the music for his TV series, for which he received an Emmy-nomination.
As the host of this unique program “Cartooning with Blitz”, he demonstrates how to draw; interviews celebrity guests like Dr. Joyce Brothers, John Cullen Murphy who drew the long running comic strip Prince Valiant, Denis Lebrun of the comic strip Blondie, Mort Walker and Beetle Bailey, Chris Brown and Hagar the Horrible, Pulitzer prize winner Mike peters who writes and draws “Mother Goose and Grimm”, Will Eisner Known as the father of the Comic Art form and has created the well-known character “The Spirit”, Duck Edwing from Mad Magazine , Jose Delbo the artist that has drawn Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman, and many more!!
Playing keyboards in rock bands while growing up and then professionally for many years, Bruce would always take time to doodle. “I used to draw the band members and customers while on break wherever we played…years later I started drawing fulltime as a caricature artist at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville Tennessee."
ruce Blitz is the creator and host of the national and international Television Series, "Cartooning with Blitz".
With 104 episodes, he was rewarded with four Emmy-nominations for his popular program. Cartooning with Blitz, is a fast-paced cartooning variety show with everything from drawing animals, comic strips, cartoon portraits, spinning the Wheel of Features, which can create over 100,000 cartoon faces, to going on fascinating trips like the Museum of Cartoon Art, Busch Gardens as well as interviews with celebrity guest cartoonists.. Bruce wrote and performed all the music for his TV series, for which he received an Emmy-nomination.
As the host of this unique program “Cartooning with Blitz”, he demonstrates how to draw; interviews celebrity guests like Dr. Joyce Brothers, John Cullen Murphy who drew the long running comic strip Prince Valiant, Denis Lebrun of the comic strip Blondie, Mort Walker and Beetle Bailey, Chris Brown and Hagar the Horrible, Pulitzer prize winner Mike peters who writes and draws “Mother Goose and Grimm”, Will Eisner Known as the father of the Comic Art form and has created the well-known character “The Spirit”, Duck Edwing from Mad Magazine , Jose Delbo the artist that has drawn Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman, and many more!!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 14, 2025
You can come right along and experience the magic of picture drawing artist studio picture drawing artist art drawing artwork sketch picture work magic as you would learn much about how to draw many neat cartoon character pictures down on clean white paper with Bruce Blitz the world-famous talented right-handed artistic North American TV cartoonist picture drawing artist studio picture drawing artist within his picture drawing artist studio gallery where he drew many great cartoon character pictures down on clean white paper with every pencil and every black-colored ink pen before the pictures would get completely colored in. Bruce Blitz was born and raised in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania town because something meant that he grew up within doodling cartoons in the margins of his sensational notebook as well as playing the musical piano then the musical organ in the rock bands all located around the Philly area. He then turned professional with both of these skills and worked in a wide variety part of artistic fields. He created and hosted the well-known 104 episodes of the Television Series, "Cartooning With Blitz" and was somehow nominated for 4 well-known Emmy awards, one part of which was there to be for his sensational music that he wrote then performed for the series. Bruce has developed a complete line part of How To Draw Books, DVDs, Art Supplies and Blitz® Art Kitz that feature his sensational cartooning inventions such as, “The Blitz® Re-Tooner™”, “Blitz® Insta-Cartooner®” and “The Blitz® Wheel of Features®”. Then many of his books and DVD movies and TV shows have been translated to well-known other different languages and seen in different countries. He has successfully marketed his unique line part of drawing products in stores, catalogs as well as the well-known 43 sellout appearances on The QVC Shopping Network. Bruce has also created and hosted the well-known 95 shows for Comcast Cable’s On Demand popular kid show, “Activity TV.” He has appeared on other TV shows such as the Joan Rivers show located at where he taught Joan and her audience how to draw. In addition to developing products, speaking and creating TV shows he just owns and operates 2 well-known cartoon portrait concessions at Citizens Bank Park, the home town of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team! All of this, because just like when he was a kid...he cannot stop doodling! “Telling yourself you can, is good... showing yourself you can is BETTER” !
June 20, 2020
I think the only good drawings I can do are cartoons
September 10, 2021
A great entry level book for cartooning.
November 16, 2024
Bruce Blitz’s Blitz Big Book of Cartooning is a vibrant and comprehensive guide that marries technical instruction with an infectious passion for the art of cartooning. Aimed at artists of all skill levels, the book's unpretentious tone belies the depth of knowledge it offers, making it a remarkable resource for aspiring cartoonists, educators, and even seasoned illustrators seeking inspiration.
Blitz's approach is rooted in a philosophy of accessibility, a hallmark of his career as a celebrated cartoonist and educator. The book opens with an introduction to essential tools and techniques, demystifying the medium for beginners. Blitz is meticulous in his explanations, breaking down complex processes like character design, expression, and perspective into digestible steps. His emphasis on visual storytelling—how lines, shapes, and gestures convey emotion and narrative—is both pragmatic and philosophically rich, echoing the idea that art is a universal language.
One of the book's standout features is its section on drawing different types of characters, from classic cartoon archetypes to animals and caricatures. Blitz's examples are dynamic and varied, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. His illustrations leap off the page, exuding a playful energy that reflects his own enthusiasm for the craft. He provides ample space for readers to experiment, encouraging them to develop their unique style.
Blitz also delves into the history of cartooning, offering a succinct but insightful overview of the genre’s evolution. By grounding his instruction in this historical context, he elevates the book beyond a mere "how-to" manual, situating cartooning as a vital and evolving art form. The inclusion of tips for professional cartoonists—such as advice on gag writing, comic strip layouts, and animation basics—extends its utility to those looking to turn their passion into a career.
For all its strengths, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning has a few limitations. The book’s whirlwind pace can sometimes leave readers yearning for more depth in certain sections, particularly in advanced techniques like shading and digital tools. However, this breadth-over-depth approach aligns with the book's intent: to inspire and equip readers with foundational skills while leaving room for individual exploration.
What sets this book apart is Blitz's unmistakable voice. His writing radiates warmth and humor, making the learning process engaging and approachable. He empowers readers not just to draw but to think like cartoonists—observing the world with curiosity, exaggerating its quirks, and distilling its complexities into simple yet profound imagery.
In sum, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning is a masterful blend of technical guidance and artistic philosophy. Bruce Blitz doesn’t just teach readers how to draw; he invites them into a world where creativity knows no bounds. Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or revisiting a childhood passion, this book will leave you inspired to put pen to paper and explore the limitless possibilities of cartooning.
Verdict:
A delightful and instructive guide, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone with a love for visual storytelling. Its charm lies not only in its practicality but also in its ability to ignite the creative spark within its readers.
Blitz's approach is rooted in a philosophy of accessibility, a hallmark of his career as a celebrated cartoonist and educator. The book opens with an introduction to essential tools and techniques, demystifying the medium for beginners. Blitz is meticulous in his explanations, breaking down complex processes like character design, expression, and perspective into digestible steps. His emphasis on visual storytelling—how lines, shapes, and gestures convey emotion and narrative—is both pragmatic and philosophically rich, echoing the idea that art is a universal language.
One of the book's standout features is its section on drawing different types of characters, from classic cartoon archetypes to animals and caricatures. Blitz's examples are dynamic and varied, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. His illustrations leap off the page, exuding a playful energy that reflects his own enthusiasm for the craft. He provides ample space for readers to experiment, encouraging them to develop their unique style.
Blitz also delves into the history of cartooning, offering a succinct but insightful overview of the genre’s evolution. By grounding his instruction in this historical context, he elevates the book beyond a mere "how-to" manual, situating cartooning as a vital and evolving art form. The inclusion of tips for professional cartoonists—such as advice on gag writing, comic strip layouts, and animation basics—extends its utility to those looking to turn their passion into a career.
For all its strengths, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning has a few limitations. The book’s whirlwind pace can sometimes leave readers yearning for more depth in certain sections, particularly in advanced techniques like shading and digital tools. However, this breadth-over-depth approach aligns with the book's intent: to inspire and equip readers with foundational skills while leaving room for individual exploration.
What sets this book apart is Blitz's unmistakable voice. His writing radiates warmth and humor, making the learning process engaging and approachable. He empowers readers not just to draw but to think like cartoonists—observing the world with curiosity, exaggerating its quirks, and distilling its complexities into simple yet profound imagery.
In sum, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning is a masterful blend of technical guidance and artistic philosophy. Bruce Blitz doesn’t just teach readers how to draw; he invites them into a world where creativity knows no bounds. Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or revisiting a childhood passion, this book will leave you inspired to put pen to paper and explore the limitless possibilities of cartooning.
Verdict:
A delightful and instructive guide, Blitz Big Book of Cartooning deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone with a love for visual storytelling. Its charm lies not only in its practicality but also in its ability to ignite the creative spark within its readers.
June 22, 2016
Cartooning 'seems' to be a dying art with the influx of vines and picture screen shots. however, I had oodles of fun going through this book and being inspired to draw again! The author gives everything one needs to get started.
April 7, 2013
Lots of cartoon drawings in here.
No good purport ions.
No good purport ions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews