Cartooning The Head and Figure by Jack Hamm

Cartooning The Head and Figure:
amzn.to/2rDC8sP
My Blog: wp.me/paJUL-1GR
My Patreon: / luisescobar
When I first started cartooning, one of the most helpful books I owned and still own, was Cartooning The Head and Figure by Jack Hamm.
I had the book on hand by my drawing desk at all times. It was such a handy resources for drawing cartoons I had. I learned tons and even, to this day when I look at it, there's still so many things the book shows that I haven't even tried yet.
Find out more about what makes this book great in my book review.

[@greyfoxzero]

Over 3000 illustrations in 120 pages. Let that sink in. Its that jam packed with examples. Found a copy at a thrift store for 50 cents. Grabbed it without thinking too much about it. Went home and immediately upon opening you are forced with the realization this is fantastic. Not only was he very talented, but his mindset behind the books concept is really hard to compare. I can't think of another cartooning book quite like this. And while it has that retro style the concepts are universal. What surprised me is how he didn't have an amazing career at Marvel or DC. He decided to become a minister. I wonder how many this book has inspired because everyone seems to praise it. Such a great contribution.

[@CordeliaHaygood]

Thank you so much for the kind words/review of the book! Jack Hamm is my great grandfather, so it’s nice to see his work still being appreciated 😊 Papa Jack would be proud!

[@LuisEscobar]

Oh wow, my pleasure.

[@michaelcsweeney8435]

Glad I'm not the only one who appreciates this guy. This was one of the first art instruction books I purchased years ago and I agree with your assessment all around. Clothing and such may seem dated, but, hey, when he drew this stuff he was probably cutting edge. I do love all the examples! Also have his Drawing the Head and Figure book as well. Love them both. Even though I primarily draw for self amusement I still desire my work to have some reasonable results and I feel these books have helped me so much in that regard.

[@watsak6840]

thank you for the review!!!

[@LuisEscobar]

Glad you liked it.

[@swintonscott3166]

I don't think I knew about this guy's books till I moved out here, Lenord had it, and I thought it was great, still is....

[@LuisEscobar]

It's odd. When I was gifted this book, I liked it and found it very useful. Years later I got into training for animation and the book lost status and value for me. Again, years later, I look at it and wonder why I valued it so low. It's really great. Funny how that happens.

[@desertdispatch]

If you are interested in cartooning this book is worth it’s weight in gold.

[@rocketshipevan]

Going to give this a read starting today with the intent of drawing my way through it soon. Cool channel!

[@mkAYY825]

awesome, picked this book up today for 90c :D

[@LuisEscobar]

Great.

[@richardantony2386]

These 'Books Worth Owning' series are so useful. Is Jack Hamm's other Drawing the Head and Figure book worth owning?

[@LuisEscobar]

I own a copy but never really found it all that useful. I don't remember ever using it at all to help me with my figure drawing. Not so with the cartooning book. The cartooning book I used a lot.

[@richardantony2386]

@@LuisEscobar Thanks for your reply. A lot art books and authors seem to be mentioned alot online, but its hard to narrow it down to only useful books. Having an industry professional such as yourself who knows which ones are quality is really indispensable. Thank you

[@showman139]

Would you review a drawing book I'm having trouble with? I want to know whether it is me that is inadequate or the book. If that is something you do.

[@LuisEscobar]

It's an interesting request. I don't know how my review would help. Also, it would depend on the book. I may not want to own it if it doesn't look like something worth looking at. But maybe I can find it at the library and give it a look. What book is it?

[@showman139]

@@LuisEscobar Learn to Draw Disney's Classic Animated Movies: Featuring favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, Peter Pan, and more! (Licensed Learn to Draw). I bought this hoping to add a little disney flare to my drawing but it has been difficult. Also a book I think you might like is Humongous Book of Cartooning (Christopher Hart's Cartooning) Please let me know how it goes. I hope I haven't wasted any of your time.

[@LuisEscobar]

Ah okay, I took a look at a digital preview of the book online. It's not you, it's the book. You want to learn to draw Disney characters and that type of cartoons? Preston Blaire and Tom Bancroft's books are a good place to start but, so is my website where I breakdown everything that Disney book isn't telling you: www.thedrawingwebsite.com/lvl-1/ Specifically when it comes to drawing in the Freddy Moore style. Also, google "Disney Model Sheets" to get the how to draw that the professionals in the studios used to draw the characters: www.google.com/search?q=disney+model+sheets&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW46LenoHdAhUSrVMKHS0KCVsQ_AUICygC&biw=2446&bih=1276 Hope that helps.

[@showman139]

@@LuisEscobar It does every bit of it thank you.

[@showman139]

@@LuisEscobar I want to ask about the book I asked you about where did it go wrong so I can avoid such things in the future? Also thank you again for answering my request.