The definitive guide to digital cartooning, ToonArt maps out this brave new world over four beautifully illustrated parts. Written from the inside, with the help of leading figures in the world of Web-based comics and cartoons,it's a perfect entry point for newcomers to the scene,and offers plenty of advice for the budding artist.

Part 1 The move toward digital and online cartooning is only the latest step in the history of sequential art. The first part opens by defining what we mean by comics and cartoons, then takes the reader on a journey from the first comic strips through to the present day.

Part 2 is all about the creative process, outlining the decisions that go into a successful digital cartoon,and the practical steps in its creation. After a detailed overview of a strip from beginningto end, part 2 continues with practical workthroughs on illustrating,coloring, and lettering cartoons.

Part 3 presents a showcase of the most exciting digital cartoons and comic books around. FuU-color examples are backed up by notes from the creators, outlining the ideas behind their work, the styles that influenced them and the tools and methods they use. Chapters explore the vast wealth of toon subjects, from the comic book staples of fantasy and science-fiction, through realistic drama, to cutting-edge, underground material.

Part 4 takes us further into the future, with comment from leading artists on what"s next in the world of digital cartoons. Toon Art finishes with useful links to further reading and the best specialized sites on the Web.

Introduction

Part 1

A Brief history ofcortooning

Definitions and divisions

Toon timeline

Port 2

The creative process

2.1 Creating digitally

Getting Started

Choosing form, format and formula

Creating characters

Writing a storyline

Sketches

2.2 Behind the scenes with

the experts

Toon typography

Vector-based drawing

Pixel-based painting

Using layers in Photoshop

Using highlights for depth

Making word balloons

Digital painting

Flash animation

Creating broken saints

3D graphics and animation

3D design

Creating walk cycles

Good-old 2D or 3D CG ?

Locks on the digital door

Part 3

A showcase of the

best in the business

Toon hilarities

Toon thrills

Toon reveries

Toon travels

Toon personas

Toon symphonies

Toon test tubes

Part4

What does the future hold?

New routes, new risks

Adapting comics from the Web to TV

A leap into the future

Reference

Index