toonstopia

My name is Chris Wannell and I have several interests, but the one that is relevant here is drawing and cartooning. I started drawing a couple of months ago using books borrowed from the library and have been reading up on cartooning techniques. I have jnow ust started a correspondence cartooning diploma course with the London Art College.

I have been trying to work out what started my interest in cartooning and have come to the following conclusion. Throughout my childhood I had a great interest in comedies and collected tapes of "Tony Hancock", "The Goons", "Not The Nine O'Clock News" and many others, even now I avidly collect CDs of "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", "Old Harry's Game" and many others.

I always fancied the idea of being a stand up comic, standing in front of an audience and basking in their adoration as they hang on my every word dazzling at my rapier wit. Being realistic though, I realise that I would suffer from stage fright and would freeze as soon as the spotlight hit me. Coupled with that, I have problems vocalising my thoughts and hence am a slow speeker and get stuck getting some of the words out, so because of this I think a career as a comic is out of the question. Cartooning though is a perfect medium for a shy comic, as I don't have to face an audience, and I don't have to be a fast speaker and have plenty of time to look up any words that are causing me trouble.

I have uploaded some caricatures and scaned some of my cartoons which I have done using a cartooning dip pen and black drawing ink. I am also getting used to drawing directly to the PC using a Bamboo Fun Graphics Tablet and Artrage 2 as a drawing programme so I'd be interested in receiving any comments on these, Hope you enjoy.my work.

All the best

Chris