Far Side’s Gary Larson on the key to growing as an artist

Gary Larson, creator of The front sidewas a prolific artist, making his commentary on how illustrators in particular grow over the course of their careers incredibly valuable, especially for those looking to follow in his footsteps and those in the early stages of their careers. As Larson explains, His iconic artistic style developed in the usual way – with time and patience.

in The Complete Front Side Volume TwoLarson wrote about how feedback informed his artistic progress: Specifically that it didn’t, at least for the most part. He advised that instead, in his experience, creative growth – at least in his medium – is entirely an internal process.

Larson’s perspective on developing as an artist should hopefully be a balm for the countless creative people who are still trying to find their voice, to agree their style and actualize themselves in their chosen art form.

Gary Larson explains that growing as an artist means growing as a person

Cartoonist, know you

Although it may not be clear at first glance – as is often the case with The front side – Gary Larson brought his soul to the readers with each of his cartoons. He often did this in such a subtle way that only the readers could understand the artists, who could recognize him in every chapter. Illustration, every punchline. The distinctly “Larson” quality of The front side is perhaps the most liberating thing about it, from a creative standpoint.

Unlike Wu Tang Clan’s ODB, it was “No father to [Larson’s] Style.“That is, he was a fully actualized artist; whether a given panel succeeded or failed in evoking a reaction from its readers, it was not for lack of the attributes that made The front side Unlike anything else in syndicated newspaper comics. According to Larson, the development of his unique style was a natural process, rather than a reaction to feedback, criticism or any outside influence. He went on to say that this was for everyone in his area.

Larson wrote:

If cartoonists improve as the months and years go by, it is only because we are evolving from within, exploring ourselves, our characters.

For him, this was the fundamental arc of the creative journey, so to speak. Although Larson specifically discussed cartoonists, his dictum that artistic growth comes from a process of self-exploration is relevant to any and every creative medium. Considering the lonely nature of so many artistic pursuits, this can be daunting at first, but ultimately it should be a comfort to emerging artists, who should seek to develop the tools they need to succeed, rather than hoping to be given them.

Gary Larson’s simple reassurance should be encouraging to emerging artists

Time + effort = progress

“We just get better with time,Gary Larson added, summarizing his thoughts On creative progress. From this, writers and musicians, and all artists can extrapolate some assurance that they have what it takes to become great in time. For creative types, time is often considered the enemy – but in truth, it is the essential, unchanging variable that every artist needs to learn to embrace if they want to fully realize their ambitions. Of course, it’s not just time, but a consistent, dedicated effort, and an unwillingness to quit over time, that produces results.

In other words, Gary Larson suggests that every day is an opportunity for an artist to get better incrementally, or to take a big leap forward. But it happens, as long as an artist carves out time to practice their craft – whether it’s sitting down to write for five hours, or five minutes, or even just thinking about writing in the shower, or on the drive to work – then time is on their side. Only those who allow themselves to be discouraged are in danger of “losing” time.

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Gary Larson in the driver’s seat

It goes without saying that many artists will ask what role—of mentors, of peers, and of admirers of their work and of critics—should play in creative growth, if it is to be considered primarily as an internal process. Gary Larson’s answer to this question: Not much. Certainly, this may be the most contested aspect of Larson’s artistic advice, as well as the most variable from person to person. For cartoonists, at least, and For Larson in particular, feedback has little bearing on his work.

As Gary Larson explains in The Complete Front Side Volume Two:

Of course, there is editing, but mostly at the beginning; After you’ve moved from your learner’s license to your license, editors make friendly, calm suggestions as you go down the road. It’s only once in a while that they will really scream and lunge for the wheel.

Saturated with the author’s trademark humor, this passage emphasizes the fact that Larson largely worked in isolation. If anything, take into account what his readers like about The front side – or worse, what they didn’t like about The front side – would probably spoil the whole project. Instead, Larson kept doing what he was doing, and over time, his humor and his illustration evolved, although it never lapsed in its essentially “Larson” nature.

Frustration and dissatisfaction were essential parts of artistic growth

The front side Gary Larson and Restless Creativity

For any emerging artist currently feeling frustrated with their creative output, rest assured, this is actually a good sign. Creative people are, by their very nature, a restless bunch; In case, Gary Larson, who was really restless in the sense that he spent his nights drinking coffee and drawing The front side. In truth, frustration and dissatisfaction are what fuel the engine that drives creative improvement. For Larson, it was a matter of drawing and redoing a cartoon all night, swapping out one funny caption for one that was hopefully funny.

In the end, it is a matter of not succumbing to frustration, and of not letting restlessness stop one from writing, that leads to any measure of success. This is, without a doubt, easier said than done – but one need look no further than Gary Larson to find a powerful example. Although cartooning was not Larson’s first choice of career, it became his calling and his legacy, as he identified a skill he already had and committed to working at it with unwavering determination.

For emerging artists, it’s important to look to predecessors like Gary Larson for perspective—but as the creator of The front side Alleyne explained, that is No substitute for learning more about yourself and your art through the process of doing the work. Sit down at the page, or with guitar in hand, and find out what comes out of it. Gary Larson’s advice is valuable to the extent that it should encourage artists to believe in themselves and to dedicate themselves to finding their own unique style, as Larson did with The front side.