The blog of Richard Thompson, caricaturist, creator of "Cul de Sac," and winner of the 2011 Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

A small exhibit honoring Richard Thompson in South Carolina

 A small exhibit honoring Richard Thompson can be seen at the West Ashley Library in Charleston, South Carolina, through the end of October.

 







Sunday, September 19, 2021

Richard Thompson's Cul de Sac art on auction



Richard Thompson Cul de Sac Sunday Comic Strip Original Art (Washington Post, 2000s). The "natural warmth" that Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) praised in Thompson's work is well represented in this undated installment -- an exploration of the slapstick possibilities of static electricity. Added Watterson: "Cul de Sac avoids both mawkishness and cynicism and instead finds genuine charm in its loopy appreciation of small events. Very few strips can hit this subtle note." A personalized inscription appears at lower right. Ink over graphite on Bristol board. Image area, 16.5" x 8.25". Excellent condition.

[It's at $725 tonight, which is too much for me. According to the inscription, Richard gave it to cartoonist Jeff Stahler]

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Some Air & Space art

 Richard's old friend Brian Nicklas just found some art that Richard had given him, and sent scans along for everyone to enjoy. Some of these look like they should be printed out and added to your "Incomplete Art of Why Things Are" book to further complete it.












Saturday, August 8, 2020

Richard Thompson fans at Who's Out There? blog

I recently got an email from one of the writers, noting,

At WOT, we really, *really* like Richard Thompson… and so refer to him at every semi-relevant opportunity.

Beyond Richard, there's a lot of fascinating bits about cartoonists, and tentacles, on the site. I enjoy reading the 2 updates they do every week.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Thompson art for National Geographic's Everyday Science Explained

Yesterday, we took a look at the 2003 edition of the book New Everyday Science Explained, and I had a suspicion that the earlier Everyday Science Explained by Curt Suplee (National Geographic Society, 1996, ISBN 0-7922-3410-3) might have more images, and more in color (since Richard usually worked in color watercolor and never in grey washes that I can recall. I'm sure there's exceptions, but...)

As you'd expect from that opening, I was right, and thanks to a National Geographic contact, here are his illustrations in glorious color, along with a new dozen or so. More, bigger, and better!




































Wasn't this version much nicer? Since they were already paying for full color pages, I have no idea why the publisher dropped the color on most of the images for the 2003 book.