Boxing Cartoons

[Mince]

Mince, I'm presuming this request is a tongue-in-cheek attempt to rankle the cartoonists who visit this site.

No, it was serious, but I did not seriously expect anything. I don't seriously expect anyone to respond and I don't mind that they haven't.

(So everyone knows, I have now found something that's going to be more than suitable so there's no need anymore.)

For those not in the know, this is probably the number one bugbear in our profession. "You're a cartoonist? Could you dash off a couple of your doodles for me? My son loves surfing. Could you draw him on a surfboard in his Arsenal shirt, waving to the rest of us on the beach? And make me wearing a Tottenham shirt---that'll be really funny!"
Needless to say, a fee for this is never mentioned. The assumption is that no time is involved, we do it for a laugh and we'll happily work for nothing.
This assumption is not correct.

I can see where this gets really annoying, especially when it's from someone who is loathe to give anything in return, and especially when what they want is something that actually takes a lot of time.

Having said that, it happens in all professions. I assume that when the time comes to move this site to a new server, or if this site goes belly up and needs some intervention, someone will be paying me as web site designer, php coder, database expert, SMF expert and general all-round tinkerer to get this done. 

I guess it comes down to what you enjoy and who you're doing it for.

[peter]

Mince are you going to show me how to put photos on this here computer.
I am sure it wont take forty years

[Mince]

I showed you once.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Having said that, it happens in all professions. I assume that when the time comes to move this site to a new server, or if this site goes belly up and needs some intervention, someone will be paying me as web site designer, php coder, database expert, SMF expert and general all-round tinkerer to get this done. 

You do all of those for a living?

[Mince]

You do all of those for a living?

Does it actually matter?

I would not be a programmer by choice because programming as a job is so boring, but I program a lot for my student work, and obviously have had to learn about web sites as well.

Once I pay rent in London, I really am not making much at all. I could easily make twice the money I am now with probably half the work, but I would die of boredom.

[Roger Kettle]

Ah, but you VOLUNTEERED to get involved with the site! As for this kind of thing happening in all professions, I'm not sure how far I'd get with a plumber if I suggested he unblock my drains for free. Seriously, there is a genuine conception by the general public that professional cartoonists will happily "dash off" a few drawings for them on any subject of their choice---with no fee changing hands. Even in the publishing world, we are often asked to provide illustrations for certain projects and told that "Of course, we can't actually pay you but it will be a great showcase for your work". Hmm.
Anyway, this information is gold dust for you! You know know how to annoy a cartoonist---ask him to dash off a couple of his funny little doodles for you!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I always use plumbers as an analogy too. What is it about them?

Roger is spot on. The "showcase" approach is particularly galling, and I'll occasionally respond with something along the lines of "That'd be marvellous - my work's only been seen in the likes of The Sunday Times, The Beano & Dandy, and the odd national daily newspaper so far. So, how many copies does the Ferret Fanciers' Gazette sell each month then...?"

Cartooning and comics has been my job for over thirty years, and it does occasionally get boring, believe it or not. I recognise how lucky I am though, and that I could be doing so many other things to earn a crust that I'd hate within a very short space of time. But that just makes me lucky - not a mug! That said, I enjoy unpaid work immensely when I choose to do it, for a good cause, or people I love/like. But I can't remember the last time I drew anything purely for my own amusement or pleasure. I suspect I was too young to drink beer though.

[Zesty White]

Agreed on the 'showcase' idea. I'm not a cartoonist of course, but the MSc course in medical genetics that runs in the building I work in produces countless intelligent graduates who are told that they cant get a job without experience. Cue a load of people offering 'work experience' and getting good people to do research for them, without them having to apply for grants to pay them.
At the end of a year or so doing 9-5 in the lab and flipping burgers at night, these people are dispatched with a warm handshake and, if they're lucky, their name on a paper somewhere.
What makes it worse is that so many of them are overseas students on visas where if they dont get a job in their field within a certain time, they get sent home.

This is probably not as relevant as I may have first thought, but it's a rant that I've been meaning to have. Thanks for listening 

[Mince]

Ah, but you VOLUNTEERED to get involved with the site!

I officially unvolunteer. 

[Roger Kettle]

Not accepted!

[Vulture]

Not accepted!

You tell 'im, Rog. 'e can't go round saying things like that to YOU!

[Mince]

Not accepted!

Not even with a note from my mum?

[peter]

She won't write one until you show me how to put photos on the web with there new improved system that is completely baffling me.

Your ever loving father.

[The Peepmaster]

She won't write one until you show me how to put photos on the web with there new improved system that is completely baffling me.

Your ever loving father.

I thought you were the same person...

[Mince]

No, my dad and I have been trying to pretend we're the same person because we think a couple of people on here (not mentioning names) think that we're the same person.