UK Freelance
Cartoonist
Chris Altham
UK Freelance Cartoonist Chris Altham.com – For the amount of years I’ve been ‘at it’, I must be one of the most experienced professional cartoonists for hire in the UK. I’ve always worked as a freelancer which has enabled me to be creative on a mass of varied projects around the world. So, welcome to my cartoon portfolio website, showcasing my scribbles and illustration work as a; commercial freelance cartoonist, mural artist, drawing tutor and creative mix designer. Professional Cartoonists’s Organisation member.
The Larks cartoon – silly sud washing car in the rain
Recent Work
Cartoon animations to promote The Potteries Pound.
Crime prevention cartoons
Animation Cartoons & Storyboarding
Busy Scene Cartoons
Seasonal cartoons like Halloween
Creative Mix Designer
On one hand I’m a cartoonist and on the other I’m a Creative Mix Designer.
Experienced UK Freelance Cartoonist for Hire…
Working as a freelancer all these years has allowed me to work on a mass of varied projects with top creatives and marketers from around the world. So if you’re after an experienced professional cartoonist who knows how to successfull drive a project forward time and time again, drop me a line anytime.
The latest The Larks cartoon strip depicting daily life in the Potteries and Staffordshire.
A recent cartoon of The Larks, a saterical view of family life in The Potteries, Stoke on Trent.
It was only a matter of time...
Starting out with a ream of paper and a pack of pencils in 1988 I’ve worked through all of the main developments within the industry, running around collecting bromides & delivering pasteups, supping tea whilst Apple Macintosh booted up, faxing blank sheets and delight of dialup reducing the need to rush out in the rain to catch the late post.
And now the tinternet and digital tech era…Â which shrunk the world overnight and enabled me to work for clients around the globe like they were next door.
I still have that passion for running to keep up with the industry but I also have a passion for creative education, running cartoon workshops and private tuition but at a slower more comfy pace.
Who is this cartoonist fella?
It's been an absolute doodle getting a scribble on all these years...
I originally set up as a cartoonist with the help of The Princes Trust back in 1988. Born into a creative family with an appreciation for all creative fields plus a natural thirst for learning is testament to my accomplishments as a creative mix designer. These skills are interwoven and prove a highly complimentary mix, enabling me to offer the whole caboodle and not just a doodle.
Rusty meets Dusty
“Looking a bit tin on top there mr!”
“Hey, I thought you had a heart!”
Ooo er Vicar!
My Commercial Freelance Cartoonist Work – Global & Local
I’m a seasoned commercial cartoonist with a global clientele, and have carved my niche in the art of storytelling through humorous comic illustration. With years of experience under my belt, I skillfully blend creativity and professionalism to deliver captivating cartoons that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Whether it’s for advertising campaigns, editorial content, or corporate branding, my unique style and keen understanding of client needs ensure that each project is both impactful and memorable. With a strong passion for the art of cartooning, I strive to inspire others and draw attention to important messages by connecting my clients with their target audience, utilising the best way I know.
I have a long established proven track record of connecting clients with their target audiences. With a combined background as a UK freelance cartoonist PLUS a creative marketer, I’m able to pull many skills and vast experience together to help promote your next campaign.
You only get one with AI.
See the difference with a real cartoonist.
Editorial Cartoons
Editorial cartoons are often thought of as political cartoons, that reflect current topics and times. Along with this the field is so varied with cartoons accompanying many articles in printed press and online. Here are a selection of my own.
There’s never a shortage of inspiration for political cartoons – ‘Keir Starmer Sausage Drama’, ‘Steer Karma’. Ooo, I feel a Trump coming on…
Steer Karma cartoon – pensioners struggling to heat their homes and keep their vehicles on the road.
UK Riots cartoon – living in a multicultural society certainly has it’s benefits.
Relax & Meditate cartoon – reaching that inner relaxed state where we can bare our souls.
Heavy Metal Detectors cartoon – heavy metal detectors find Saxon in Barnsley.
Keep Warm Open the Fridge Cartoon, Cost of Living Crisis.
The use of digital currency by children cartoon.
NHS Walk this Way Cartoon – advice for keeping safe in icy conditions.
Dry January Cartoon – Pub Chat.
UK Freelance cartoonist book illustrator
Book Illustrations
for publishers including Hodder Education / Hodder Gibson, Bloomsbury Publishing and more.
Organisations I’ve had the pleasure to cartoon…
36 years working from the UK as a freelance cartoonist for hundereds of great clients creating thousands of standout cartoons
Draw from my experience
Cartoon master classes for all ages and abilities.
What You’ll Learn:
- Character Design: Understand the basics of character anatomy, expressions, and movement.
- Storyboarding: Learn how to plan and structure your comic strips and animated stories.
- Drawing Techniques: Master various drawing techniques to bring depth and personality to your characters.
- Digital Tools: Get hands-on experience with popular digital drawing tools and software.
I provide private tuition cartoon drawing classes inperson plus online.
If you want some inspiration there are some cartoons to draw here.
How to draw a sausage dog Dachshung cartoon
How to draw a cat cartoon
I’ve scribbled my way to become one of the top UK Freelance Cartoonists, so if I can do it, so can you!
What are the types of work?
As you can imagine, with over 36 years I’ve created designs for an extensive arrary of projects, for example; health, tech, medicine, cycling, construction, law enforcement, sport, energy, education, pharma industry, tourism & leisure, education, publishing and loads loads more.
Warmer Homes project for Centre Space Arts
‘The Larks’ cartoon strip
featured exclusively in The Knot News
Follow UK Cartoonist Chris on Substack<
All work © Chris Altham UK Cartoonist Potteries Dialect explained…
The whole Caboodle, not just the Doodle...
Creative Mix Designer
On one side I have my creative brain which never stops, the other is my marketer which knows just what to do with it.
The whole caboodle
Running along side my work as a long established cartoonist, I’m also an accomplished creative marketer.Â
From design and print to web design and SEO, I have a provent track record to offer my clients the whole caboodle.
And if you’re after a highly creative individual to integrate seamlessly with your team, I’m ready to run from day one.
Drawing Tuition
I provide tuition not just for drawing but computer skills, graphic and web design plus working with digital drawing tablets such as iPads and Wacom.
Inspiring others is the best feeling.
Credit: Optical Designs Photography
36 years as a graphic designer, 30 years as a web designer and SEO guy.
My very first website was a basic html which reached nearly 2 million visitors within the first five years. This lead to me working for clients around the world.
Recent Freelance Cartoonist Projects
Online Cartooning Classes
A snippet from an online class held yesterday. We draw in stages and explain why each little bit of detail is included to bring each cartoon to life; illusion of height, fear, gravity, the weight of the belt, even perspective with the rungs on the ladder and so much more.
Read more: Private Art Tutor
Hand-Drawn Cartoon Mural
I was invited to create a 40 foot wide cartoon mural to showcase a creative digital tech exhibition. Very enjoyable and great feedback.
I’m proud to work in association with
centrespacearts.co.uk for murals and community focused projects
Banksy Revealed
Well it’s cartoon drawn in an old bank, so I’m claiming this one as my very own #banksy 😀
Freehand drawn on to painted boards using black Posca pens.
Create Days need 2B drawn, not just imagined
UK Freelance Cartoonist Chris Altham > every days a punday!
Teaching, Creating, Connecting, Inspiring, Nurturing the next gen of creatives
Proudly Supporting Creative Education
I illustrate easy to follow step by step cartoon tuition along with cartooning tips for students to develop and add their own flare. The cartoon classes are inspiring, supportive, friendly and always rewarding.
Wether working traditionally or digitally, all classes are an exciting creative journey with tips and advice that can last a lifetime.
Face-to-face + on-line tuition
Cartoonists of the future are just a scribble away!
My Cartoonist Work with Centre Space Arts
Creating engaging events that bring together communities through creativity + showcase critical matters, such as mental health, fuel poverty, community integration.
Grateful Credits:
Centre Space Arts Community and Social Events Producers
Framescape Community Digital Tech Creative Arts Studio
Optical Designs Professional Community Events Photography
Digital Drawing Cartoon Workshops for Framescape
Framescape is a non-profit community project that is supporting, educating and inspiring current and future generations of digital and technical professionals in Stoke-on-Trent.
We are committed to cultivating local talent in collaboration with private-, public- and third- sector partners, establishing The Potteries as a national and global hub for the createch industry.
Grateful Credits:
Non-profit Community Digital Tech Creative Arts Studio –Â supporting, educating, inspiring current & future generations of digital & technical professionals in Stoke-on-Trent.
British Ceramics Biennial
A contemporary ceramics festival in Stoke-on-Trent that runs every two years alongside year-round artist residencies, commissions & learning. Next biennial: 2025
