Internationally syndicated Pittsburgh cartoonist Joe Wos takes viewers of all ages through the creative steps of drawing cartoon characters while sharing tips on developing skill, artistic terms, and educational facts about the characters. Learning resources accompany each episode in this WQED digital series.
Cartoon Academy was recognized with two regional Emmy® Awards in 2022 by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-Atlantic Chapter in the categories of Education/Schools Short Form Content and Talent/Host.
Dinosaurs
T. Rex Territory
We take on drawing the King of Dinosaurs, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and learn about the importance of creating a setting by using foreground, middleground and background.
Try Try Triceratops
Take a trip into the past and learn how to draw the mighty Triceratops! In this episode, we will learn how the use of texture and shading can help to bring your drawings to life.
Jurassic Pals
Joe shows the importance of scale by drawing an Apatosaurus and a Pterodactyl. Learn why composition is key when drawing these two dinosaur pals.
Under the Sea
Welcome to the Ocean Floor
Dive deep with Joe Wos by drawing an octopus, blobfish, and anglerfish. Learn about the importance of depth and dimension.
A Work of Aarght
Joe Wos immerses us in the world of pirates and sea monsters. Learn about the use of costumes, symbols, and texture as tools for bringing your drawings to life.
Can a Shark Have Friends?
With the help of a shark, seahorse, and crab, Joe Wos shows the importance of developing a personal drawing style. He also shares some of his early influences.
Outer Space
Lunar Friends
Travel along as we blast off to the moon and learn how to draw an astronaut and his robotic friend. In this episode, Joe teaches us how to use our imagination in our drawings.
Alien Encounter
In this episode, Joe Wos draws us into a close encounter of the alien kind! Follow along as Joe utilizes a rocket, some spacecraft, and an interplanetary friend to demonstrate motion and movement.
A Passion for the Planets
Join Joe as he shares his passion for drawing planets such as Saturn, Pluto and a few that have yet to be discovered! Learn how to fill the cosmos with emotion by giving human traits to our neighboring planets.
Winter Wonderland
That's Snow Business
Joe walks viewers through a winter wonderland and the steps to creating a cartoon snowman. Students get more advice on bringing characters to life through costume.
Playful Penguin
Grab your paper and pen and float on down to the South Pole where we will draw an ice-skating penguin. You'll also get a lesson in the concepts of shape and form.
Seal of Approval
Meet two North Pole pals: A Narwhal and his best friend Seal! Students will also learn about character relationships.
Household Pets
Dog Gone Cute
Learn to draw an adorable dog using letters, numbers, and simple shapes. Joe will also share tips on using props to set a scene.
A Very Fancy Hamster
In this episode we draw a hamster all dressed up in his top hat and tails. Students will see how costume can help transform a character.
Something's Fishy
Our fishy friend looks a little worried when we draw a cat to keep him company! Students will also learn about the relationship between predator and prey.
Down on the Farm
Playful Pig and Delightful Duck
Learn how to draw a pig and duck using easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Students will be familiarized with art terms such as “setting,” “symmetry” and “profile.”
Rooster on the Roof
Learn how to draw that barnyard alarm clock commonly called the rooster. Students will also learn about conveying emotions through facial expression.
Cow
Students will create a real scene at the farm. Incorporating a cow character, barn, and scenery. Students will also learn the basics of art composition.
Down Under
Kangaroo and Joey, Too
Draw one of “Down Under’s” most popular denizens - a kangaroo and its baby, commonly known as a Joey. Students will also learn about adding background to an illustration.
Koala and a Kooky Kookaburra
Take to the trees of Australia where we learn to draw a Koala and Kookaburra. Students will also learn about using line to create the illusion of texture.
Platypus and Crocodile
Learn to draw one of the world’s most unusual animals, the platypus and another Australian water creature, the crocodile. Students will also learn how similar features can be used to create completely different characters.
Cartoon Academy: Quick Draws
Enjoy these mini episodes of Cartoon Academy. In little more than a minute, Joe shares fun tips on everything from character personality - to practice!
Colorful Personality
Learn how color helps convey emotion.
Practice Makes Pretty Good
The best way to learn is to practice!
Tooling Around
Different tools provide different types of lines.
Doodling
Finding inspiration in scribbles.
About Joe Wos
oe Wos is an award-winning, internationally syndicated cartoonist based in Pittsburgh. He has been working professionally as a cartoonist since the age of 14 and teaching cartooning for more than 30 years. Mr. Wos has performed with symphony orchestras, established a world record, and performed live at over 1,000 venues worldwide, including visits as the guest cartoonist of the Charles M. Schulz Museum for nearly 20 years. His educational drawing series "Cartoon Academy" premiered on WQED in 2021.
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