Written by: Kathleen E. Hoover Publication Date: August 11, 2009
Cartoons provide the perfect medium for introducing children to drawing. Children, especially young children, have fewer creative/artistic inhibitions than adults.Cartoons are fun because the creator can assign any kind of emotion to the subject and from an action standpoint can make the cartoon character spring into action in any way that they chose to.
Last week at the ShellMuseum’s cartoon camp children had a chance to do just that. Dave Horton, local celebrity cartoonist, led the children through a number of skills and techniques culminating in the production of individual portfolios the children were able to take home to share with family and friends. “I love to teach kids,” reports Horton.“I’m always amazed at how well children do.Last week’s group was so enthusiastic; they didn’t want class to end.They just kept drawing,” Horton said.
“Trying to make my drawings look like Mr. Dave’s was the most fun for me,” reported Isaac Bender.Participants didn’t just represent the United States.Blanca and Paula Bravo traveled to Sanibel from Spain. Their wonderful drawings demonstrated there are no language barriers when it comes to cartoon character creation. Classmates grinned from ear-to-ear when their new-found friends from across the pond taught them a song in Spanish.Jaime Gustafson calls England home.“Drawing is so much fun.I learned a lot watching Mr. Dave draw examples of shells,” Jaime shared.
“What I liked best was everything, because I would like to be an artist when I grow up,” reported Emily Walsh.Isn’t this part of what a program like this is all about?
