Cartoon

DEFINITION

A humorous drawing, often for a newspaper or magazine, the term dates to Europe during the Renaissance to describe an exact-to-size drawing for a painting, tapestry or mural. The cartoonist then could use several methods to use the drawing as the guide for the completed work including poking holes with a needle around the outline to receive powdered pigment. The word cartoon is from the Italian word "cartone", which was a reference to the paper on which the drawing was done. Noted American cartoonists include Thomas Nast, James Swinnerton, James Thurber, Rube Goldberg, Walt Disney, Peter Arno, Bill Mauldlin, Charles Adams, Jules Feiffer, Al Capp, Ernie Bushmiller, Herb Block, Patrick Oliphant, Chic Young and George Harriman. Sources: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques"; Kimberley Reynolds & Richard Seddon, "Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms"; AskART database. <br><br>Other than what we watch on TV it is a planning device in mural painting, often a full-scale line drawing of the design, without color and tone.<br><br>A preparatory sketch or design that is then transferred to the final work surface.