Design Federation

At 23, Paul Zanetti became the youngest cartoonist awarded a ‘Walkley Award’ for Best Editorial Cartoon, and more than 20 years on, he is still as sharp as ever. Pollies beware!

Where did you learn your cartoon craft?
I didn’t learn it as such. Not in the conventional way. I have never had a drawing lesson in my life. I just started drawing cartoons as a kid, and decided at age 9, to be a cartoonist. I think most cartoonists are self-taught.

How long does the average cartoon take - ideas to sketch?
The hardest part can often be the concept. But once the idea is formed. I do a draft sketch, where I decide the backdrop or set, and then I place my characters, Most often I do just the one draft, sometimes two. Then I pencil in. After that I draw the final pencil sketch and then I ink in. After that, I scan into my computer, and then colour on computer. Drawing takes about an hour, and colour about an hour. Most of the day is taken in research (reading newspapers, listening to radio talkback, scanning news websites. TV news etc).

What is the average day like for a cartoonist?
I am up at 6:00 am. I switch on the TV morning news programs which I absorb for about ½ hour. I am mostly interested in the headline news. Then I get myself a coffee, turn on the computer and read my overnight emails and reply. Then I read the newspapers and catch up on more TV news, and start to listen to talkback radio on the internet, Around 9:00 am I start to draw cartoons. I also draw sport cartoons and general cartoons for various newspapers, So I get those done by lunchtime. After lunch I firm up my ideas for my main editorial cartoon, and start to draw no later than 3:00 pm, and endeavour to finish it by 6:00 pm. I then group-email my cartoon to my newspaper clients.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?
My all time personal favourite cartoonist is Pat Oliphant, who is a fellow Australian, and one of the most respected cartoonists in the world. His work is so beautifully drawn and so bitingly sharp. The pit-bull of cartoonists. I am sure he uses acid in his pen, not ink. Other favourites are Mark Knight in Melbourne, Australia (I started my cadetship with Mark in 1980, and he is one of the world’s greatest contemporary cartoonists), Jim Borgman in the United States, Bill Leak on The Australian (national newspaper).

How do you think/want other people to respond to your cartoons?
I don’t think about that. That’s something I have no control over. I draw what comes out of head. That’s my own point of view. People can either agree, or disagree, or laugh, or be outraged.

Do you maintain a healthy relationship with the pollies?
Yes – as far away from them as possible! That’s healthy.

How has the political climate changed under John Howard’s reign?
It’s mixed. Some people are better off, and they love John Howard. Some have been left behind. Howard has placed emphasis on the economy and employment, so social issues associated with unemployment are not so widely reported. But Australia is a less tolerant society due to hardline security measures since 9/11. That’s not entirely Howard’s creation, but he has successfully exploited security to his own benefit. But I am grateful that political correctness has gone out the window since Howard has been running the national agenda. The political correctness of the previous Labor government was painful.

A picture says a thousands words, so what’s the need for journalists?
Without journalists, there can be no cartoonists. Journos do all the digging and necessary research so that we cartoonists can then simplify the news in a catchy bite. Cartoons are only an opinion anyway. Reporting is the presentation of the facts (most of the time). Facts and opinion. They work hand-in-hand.

Who is the easiest/hardest person to caricature?
Easiest at present is John Howard, but that’s probably because I’ve been drawing him for so long. I recall when I first started drawing a young John Howard 25 years ago. Very difficult. His features were too youthful. He hadn’t grown into them yet. These days any new politician can take a few drawings to get him / her right. The hardest person is always a new face, which can take a bit of studying and practice to get right.

Are elections the best time of year for cartoonists?
Not necessarily. The campaign gets tedious and can drone on and on, especially when the opposition leader just mimics the government policies. I prefer if the news switched and alternated more.

Can you let us in on any trade secrets?
I’m not sure there are any, as each cartoon is instinctive, rather than methodical. It’s not like Colonel Sanders secret chicken recipe.
Hope that helps - PZ

Related Links

zanetti.net.au

All images accompanying Design Federation interviews are © Copyright of the interview subject and may not be reproduced without the permission of the owner.

Tags: award, cartoons, comics, paul zanetti, politics, polticial, walkley