FAQs

What is the PCO?

Our title pretty much gives the game away: we’re an organisation for, erm, professional cartoonists. We considered Professional Political & Gag Cartoonists’ and Caricaturists’ Organisation…but not for long.

What does it do?

The PCO promotes the work of its members and champions the cartooning arts across the board and around the world. We organise and support exhibitions and festivals. We also stand up for, and have campaigned on behalf of oppressed artists. All before breakfast.

How do I join?

The majority of your earnings need to come from cartooning and/or caricaturing. Then you can send samples of your work or links to a website/social media platform to the esteemed Andrew Birch here: pcomembership@gmail.com

Your application will be considered by the committee and, if successful, you will be inducted via an arcane ceremony that involves being dowsed in Higgins Black Magic ink. Or we might notify you by email.

Do you have a Young Cartoonists membership?

Are you mad? Cartooning is competitive enough without allowing youthful types to muscle in with fresh ideas, exuberance and all that…

We’re actually an organisation for over 18s but there are young cartoonists out there, so keep going! PCO member Zoom Rockman started his career at twelve and is now very successful. Follow cartoonists on social media and check out The Cartoon Museum (see useful links) which runs a Young Cartoonists competition.

What is the PCO’s stance on AI?

The Professional Cartoonists Organisation believes that professional cartooning and caricature should be human-created art. The PCO does not support the use of Generative AI in professional artwork.

For this policy Generative AI is defined as software that autonomously generates or substantially alters artwork including but not limited to images generated by AI software, AI-assisted design decisions or art substantially modified by AI tools. 

In order to ensure that there is still a profession for human artists where human creativity is valued the PCO:

  1. Will not exhibit or promote AI generated artwork
  2. Will not allow AI generated artwork to be included in members portfolios on the PCO website
  3. May refuse membership or review existing membership of artists whose social media or web presence contains widespread use of generative AI, sell Generative AI artwork, or who submit AI generated artwork for paid publication that displaces human created artwork.

 

Guidelines for members:

  • Members who choose to experiment with AI should be transparent in their use of AI for example clearly stating where AI has been used on social media posts, blogs etc. 
  • Tools or software that assist the manual creation process but do not autonomously generate or substantially alter creative content (for example: digital brushes, colour correction, or layout tools) are permitted.
  • The PCO recognises that it may not be possible for members to avoid digital tools or software that include AI features. These features should not be used to create or substantially alter artwork associated with the PCO.
  • The use of AI tools to animate an artist’s own original artwork is currently under review.

How do I commission a cartoonist/caricaturist, etc.?

You have found the PCO so you must already know that cartoons get the message across quickly and simply. Cartoons draw the eye and get to the core of the matter.

On this site you will find reliable professional cartoonists to deliver what you want, when you want it, and within a realistic budget.

1. Choose a cartoonist/caricaturist

Browse the portfolios for the style of cartoon or caricature you are looking for. Or, if you are looking for a particular artist, go to our A to Z section.

2. The brief

When you decide to commission an artist, you will need to agree a brief from which he/she can work. They will not be surprised if you already have a strong idea about what you want. But it will be to your benefit to talk openly about what you are thinking, and why. Cartoonists/caricaturists are creative people and it is often at this earliest stage that their input is most useful.

This exchange of ideas can be as simple as a conversation, but it is usually best to write down the key points and to swap notes with the cartoonist, so you can refer back to them if you need to while the work is being done.

3. Get a quote

This early stage is also a good time to sort out the fee for the work. Typically, the artist will be interested in knowing where the work is going to appear, its usage and its physical dimensions, in order to give you an accurate quote.

The artist will start to think about the particular demands of your job. This will lead to a “rough” drawing or set of ideas that you will be able to review before any final images are created.

Getting agreement on a final image is usually painless, although it sometimes takes a little bit of further negotiation. The finished artwork will be produced for your final approval and supplied in whatever format, traditional or digital, suits you best.

Can the PCO provide any other useful links?

We certainly can. Here are a few that might come in handy: