Cartoon Drawing Workshops

DRAWING THE LINES: Cartooning Workshops with Australia's Top Political Cartoonist

Ever wondered how political cartoonists turn the day's headlines into sharp, funny and thought-provoking illustrations? Now is your chance to learn from one of Australia's best.

Join acclaimed cartoonist Megan Herbert (Australian Political Cartoonist of the Year 2024) for a series of hands-on cartooning workshops at Burnie Regional Art Gallery, presented alongside the touring exhibition Behind the Lines: Are We Rolling? from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Designed for aspiring artists of all ages, these engaging workshops will explore the art of visual storytelling, character design, satire, caricature and cartooning techniques. Participants will gain insight into the creative process behind political cartoons while developing their own unique drawing style under the guidance of one of Australia's leading practitioners.

Workshops are available for three age groups:

1. “Cartoons and Caricatures: Drawing Smart and Funny” (Ages 13-18)

Monday 13 July 10am - 11.30am

Learn all about political cartoons - what they are, what makes a good one and how to make your own – and explore the basics of cartooning and caricaturing with Megan Herbert, award-winning political cartoonist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

2. “Drawing is Seeing” (Ages 18+)

Monday 13 July 6pm - 7.30pm

A fun, interactive workshop demonstrating that the ability to draw isn’t some innate talent inherited by a lucky few, but rather a skill built on keen observation and practice.

With guidance from award-winning political cartoonist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Megan Herbert, participants move through a series of simple drawing exercises designed to break down self-limiting beliefs and find confidence on the page, on a journey from “I can’t draw…” to “Look what I drew!”

3+4. “Political Cartooning For Kids” (Ages 10-12)

Tuesday 14 July

10am - 11.30am First Session

1.30pm - 3pm Second Session

Learn about political cartoons and have fun drawing caricatures with Megan Herbert, award-winning political cartoonist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Whether you're an experienced illustrator or simply love to draw, these workshops offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from award-winning cartoonists whose work appears in newspapers, magazines and publications across Australia.

All materials provided, and all drawing abilities welcome.

Places are limited, so book early and discover how a simple drawing can spark laughter, conversation and even social change.

In conjunction with Behind the Lines: Are We Rolling?

Touring from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Behind the Lines is a travelling exhibition developed by Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, proudly supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians