Getting ideas? Omaha political cartoonist JEFF KOTERBA relies on the newspaper, the pencil -- and coffee

Today, longtime Omaha World-Herald political cartoonist JEFF KOTERBA shares insights into his daily creative process. Listening to, and reading, Koterba on his site reminds anew that there are at least a handful of commonalities among more than a few newspaper editorial cartoonists. They include, in Koterba's words:

5. "It really takes a newspaper's content to give me ideas."

4. "Coming up with the idea is the most challenging part of my job."

3. "I'm one of those people who can think only when typing on a computer or with a pencil in his hand."

2. "I have nothing against using computer software to color cartoons, I just love the tactile nature of painting, the feel of hand on paper, the feel of the brush, paint and ink on my fingers."

1. "Looking for ideas is an arduous process, requiring lots of sketching, thinking and walking around. Also, coffee. Lots of coffee."

Koterba also shares this swell line, about his hand-painted cartoons: "A cartoonist once asked me what software I used to get such an authentic and natural watercolor look. That was quite satisfying."

[h/t: dailycartoonist]