Artwork for CARTOON NETWORK (1996)

I've worked for lots of clients over the years as an artist and writer but I've rarely drawn licensed characters. These examples are from a time when I did work on a few things like that. Back in 1996, I was commissioned by Egmont UK to do some illustrations for a 16 page magzine they were doing for Cartoon Network. The magazine was to promote the channel over the Christmas period and was given away free inside a national newspaper. (The Daily Mirror if I recall correctly.) Cartoon Network Christmas Preview was its full title.

Above is the cover I was asked to do. Sharp eyed readers will spot that the characters are mostly based on existing poses but that's what the client wanted. Both Dexter and Johnny Bravo are pretty much cribbed from the model sheets but I had a little more flexibility with Tom and Jerry. I've been reliably informed that Alan Craddock did the colouring on these comics.

Inside, the magazine mostly used promotional art from the company, although there was a nicely drawn four page Dexter's Laboratory strip by Dave King.  

I was asked to draw a page and a half adapting a Cartoon Network trailer into strip form and this was the result...

  

 

A few months later, in 1997, I was asked to contribute more material for the Cartoon Network Easter Extravaganza, another 16 page magazine once again to be used as a giveaway in a newspaper. I think someone else came up with the idea for the cover but the artwork is all mine... 

I also drew a four page strip in that issue starring the Two Stupid Dogs. I don't know who wrote, coloured, or lettered it, as the strip was uncredited unfortunately! I did the sound effect lettering though. 

 

I enjoyed my venture into drawing Cartoon Network characters although drawing licenced strips isn't something I wanted to do regularly. It all adds to the CV though and provides variety to my portfolio.