ADVERTISEMENT

Doug Hill, at 76 years old, continues to charm and engage audiences with his unique blend of humor through his Laughing Hippo Studio comics on Instagram, where he has garnered over 5K followers. Drawing on his extensive life experiences, including being a family man with 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, Doug's comics often explore family dynamics, everyday situations with a twist, and respond to current trends and news with a humor that bridges generations.

His background in art education and a diverse career that spans over five decades informs his creative process, blending traditional techniques with a keen eye for the comedic potential in the mundane. Despite the shifts in his artistic pursuits—from adult magazines to greeting cards and online comics—Doug remains committed to the traditional pencil and paper method, with digital tools playing a minor role primarily for coloring. 

More info: Instagram | cartoonstock.com

In a recent exchange with Bored Panda, Doug opened up a little bit more about his work and life.

Doug shared, "Well, I've never really aimed to target a specific audience. I guess my humor naturally appeals to a wide range because I draw from a lifetime of experiences. The fact that I'm 76 probably flavors my cartoons with a bit of boomer humor, but honestly, I just write about life as I see it. Whether it's something funny I've noticed on television or something absurd about daily living, it's all fair game. My grandkids think some of it's funny too, so maybe I'm doing something right!"

RELATED:

    Reflecting on his over 30 years in teaching, the artist noted, "Teaching never really changed the way I make comics, but it sure did give me a lot of material! And perhaps, without realizing it, the way I approach teaching—breaking down complex ideas into something digestible and entertaining—has seeped into my cartooning. I've always included a cartooning component in my classes. Sharing what I love about comics and animation with my students has been one of the best parts of teaching."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Doug admitted the challenges and his approach, stating, "I wish I had a magic formula for this, but I don't. Sometimes, just stepping away and doing something else lets the ideas start flowing again. I might catch a phrase on TV or mishear something someone says at the store, and suddenly, there's a cartoon forming in my mind. It's funny how creativity works—often when you stop trying to force it, that's when it decides to show up."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The comic artist also discussed the evolution of his work, saying, "Over the years, my style has definitely evolved, shaped by everything from my early days copying Mad magazine cartoonists to my formal art education and even my stint in the army. Transitioning from magazines to greeting cards was a big shift, too. Each stage has taught me something new about my craft, whether it's refining my drawing skills or finding new sources of inspiration."

    ADVERTISEMENT

    On his preference for traditional tools, Hill explained, "I've always been more comfortable with pencil and paper. There's something about the tactile feel of drawing that digital tools can't quite replicate for me. Sure, I use Photoshop for coloring and text, but the heart of my work is all done by hand. It's how I started, and it's how I'll probably end. Plus, I think there's a certain charm to hand-drawn cartoons that just feels right for the kind of humor I'm going for."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #11

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    FranklySpeaking
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect situation to find out if your boss is an idiot or not. Tell the truth. If he fires you, you didn't want to work there anyway.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sleepy children love Moon
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    IMO, I think it's super annoying how hard it can be to get help from our parents when doing homework. like, the teachers always say "oh yeah, if you need help just ask your parents, they'll know what to do." um, no they won't. I have to teach them the math or the science that I'm doing, which just counteracts the point of me asking for help. eventually I just end up looking it up online which isn't what the teachers want, but what I have to do if I want to get the homework done.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they'd left one finger unwrapped, he could have given the perfect answer.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #24

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kevin gore
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It does because the roof snow melts and drips into the open grille

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #25

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Arnold Larkins
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol, I wish I can wake up at 4:30. Maybe I could get to school on time

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I knew a TV weatherman who received a call from a woman demanding he shovel 6" of "cold and sunny" off her driveway.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #35

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Enclave destroyer
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact hippos teeth are self cleaning as they move their mouth their teeth scrap plaque off each other.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Arnold Larkins
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Whos What's-his-name?" "The guy who worked on those thing-ma-bobs" "That guy who also helped on those thingy-ma-jigs?" "No, that was That-other-guy"

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ken Beattie
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Blackmailing an officer, that's off to jail for you little lady!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #43

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #45

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Enclave destroyer
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If my preschool science is up to date girls are carriers and are asymptomatic it stops being infectious around age ten

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #46

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Arnold Larkins
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Team Choo Choo eaters vs Team Here comes the Aeroplane eaters. Which side are YOU on?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #53

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #54

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    DragonofMordor
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The deer aren't going to decide that you are better food than what you are offering and eat you.

    #55

    67 One-Panel Comics That Might Brighten Your Day By Laughing Hippo Studio (New Pics)

    laughinghippostudio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the time to say, "if you'd been a better son, they wouldn't have needed to try for an upgrade ".

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda