The Cartoon Art Museum Adventure


 This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. Many students in my class enjoy reading. Some that are resistant to reading find books with cartoon art to be very motivational. This spring break I decided to learn more about the art of cartoons. In San Francisco there is a small museum that fit my goal perfectly. Inside, there were lots of examples of art and even some examples of how cartoonists worked from an initial concept to the final version. This is something that I have taught students in my class. When an artist is working, they are going through several drafts and truly working to find the version they like best. These can be seen in some concept sketches that even show color keys to ensure that there will be consistency across drawings. I look forward to taking what I saw at this museum and finding a deeper understanding for what my students love about this medium. My classroom will have high interest books that will make reading time a fun and important time in the school day.

This greeted me as I entered the museum.

I would love to show students this vintage animation camera.


Poison Ivy is one of my favorite villains from Batman.

I love how delicately Ben Seto drew over watercolor here. It is beautiful and so interesting. I'd love to have students write a short story based on this one image.


Another beautiful cartoon that makes me wonder what the story is about.

My students would love to imagine such a fun hiding place.

I love Calvin and Hobbes! I was beside myself with joy to see an original.

These plants are so inspiring.  



Shown in picture above

So much expression in a movement of the eyes.

Shown above

The line drawing

With watercolor

Complete with people

3 images shown above

I love seeing the evolution of the lighthouse.
Shown above

Cliffs that hold so much personality.

images above.


The final version of the cliffs and lighthouse.

I think students would enjoy seeing the expression examples.

Shown above and below.

Students will be interested to learn of how artists create color keys so that there will be consistency in a character.

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