How 73-Year-Old Artist Doug Hill Sold 45,000 Greeting Cards With One-Panel Comics

A single panel is all it takes to capture an audience. 73-year-old artist Doug Hill, better known as Laughing Hippo Studio, is proving that old-school newspaper-style humor still packs a punch in the digital age. His work, characterized by clever puns and unexpected twists, has struck a chord with a global audience craving simple, relatable joy.

A Late-Blooming Digital Career

Hill's journey is far from typical. After serving as an army cartoonist and spending 31 years as an art teacher, he didn't fully dive into his own comic series until after his retirement in 2010. It wasn't until 2017 that he seriously began sharing his work on Instagram. Today, his platform serves as the professional cartooning career he never had during his working years, reaching thousands of followers who appreciate his "Boomer Humor."

The Mastery of Pencil and Paper

While most modern illustrators have switched to tablets, Hill sticks to his roots. He creates his illustrations using a pencil, paper, and a Papermate flair pen. He only uses Photoshop for coloring and adding text. This tactile approach has paid off significantly; he has sold over 2,000 cartoons and more than 45,000 greeting cards. His secret? Jokes based on real life that many people can identify with.