Cartoonist

The term "cartoonist" refers to a visual artist who specialises in the drawing of cartoons (individual pictures) or comics (comic strips). Other terms for cartoonists include "comic book artist," "graphic novel artist," and "comic book illustrator" (sequential images). Cartoonists are divided into two categories: those who manage all parts of the job and those who contribute just a portion of the final output. Books, comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons, graphic novels, instruction manuals, gag cartoons, illustrations, storyboards, posters and tee shirts; advertisements; greeting cards; magazines; newspapers; and video game packaging are just a few of the formats in which cartoonists can be found working.

English satirist and editorial cartoonist William Hogarth, who first appeared in the 18th century, was known for making fun of current politics and conventions; images in this manner are commonly referred to as "Hogarthian" illustrations. The development of political cartoons in England started in the later half of the 18th century, after the work of William Hogarth, and was spearheaded by two of its greatest exponents, James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson, both of whom were born and raised in London. Using political cartoons to hold the monarch (George III), prime ministers, and generals to account, Gillray pioneered the use of political cartoons for lampooning and caricature. He is sometimes referred to as "the father of the political cartoon."