Cartooning workshop pays attention to detail
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Artist Wendy Born Hollander is teaching youngsters the art of cartooning through observation.

Hollander, a book illustrator and instructor at Diney's Place, the Commun-ity YMCA Children's Cultural Center in Red Bank, was invited to teach a session about cartooning at the Howell Library by youth coordinator Veronica Stevens.

Stevens said the cartooning workshop was a way to expose youngsters to art in connection with the summer program "You Never Know."

" 'You Never Know' is the theme of our summer program. Its focus is on mysteries, superheroes, CSI (crime scene investigation) and forensics," Stevens said.

Stevens said a lesson on cartooning was put into the summer program because "we thought this aspect fit right in. This is a fun way to expose the youngsters to art."

In addition to the fun aspect of cartooning, Hollander said this particular art form allows people to pay attention to detail.

"This helps children to become more observant of the world around them," Hollander said, explaining that cartooning is not about knowing how to draw, "it's about learning how to look."

Lauren Saal, 13, came to the workshop specifically to learn techniques that would help her to draw her favorite comic strip, Baby Blues.

"I wanted to learn and get the experience," Lauren said.

Geena Berroa, 12, shared Lauren's sentiments. Geena said she came because she wanted to brush up on her skills. She said drawing is a favorite pastime she shares with her dad. With some help from Hollander, Geena created her own self-portrait.

Tom Sum, 15, said he draws a lot in his spare time and came because he has a love for the art form.

Hollander said learning how to draw is like learning how to master anything else.

"It's like learning how to play the piano, you have to practice. It's just a matter of doing it," she said.

Hollander's work can be found in publications such as Houghton Mifflin books, the Scholastic Press, The Progressive magazine, Hallmark cards, Macmillan/

McGraw-Hill, Cricket magazine and others.

She is scheduled to revisit the Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, on July 19 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and on July 24 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to instruct a mosaic workshop, which is also part of the "You Never Know" summer program. For more information call (732) 938-2300.