Anatomy of a Caricature Assignment #3

Some time ago I discussed…and illustrated…the process that went into a commissioned caricature drawing – in that case a request by the mother of a bride to draw the girl and her fiancé, for their wedding reception Sign-In Board. This time, it’s also for a couple. But it was at the request of the husband. As a surprise combination anniversary and birthday gift for his bride.

Welcome to the July edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist from Caricatures by Joel.

Sergio wanted to show himself and wife Patricia in hiking gear, in a picturesque setting as is their recreational custom to do so. Oh…and somehow show France and Italy on a map, because those are two places that are dear to the two of them (Sergio was born in Italy).

I worked up a pencil sketch, with the two of them in the foreground, with some kind of forested area behind them, and a mountain range in the backdrop.  

Then I thought, how do I indicate France and Italy? So I took the liberty of drawing a globe – the Eastern hemisphere, with Europe prominently indicated – that would hang in the sky, moon-like.

But I was also asked to indicate those countries through icons familiar to the two of them. So I left a space for the Eiffel Tower in France…and a glimpse of an historic castle found in Sergio’s hometown.

Once I settled on that concept, I black-inked the outlines of all the elements (to, frankly, give it the typically bold look of a cartoon -- as opposed to a softer rendering for more "serious" portraiture)…this time doing some nuanced amending of such things as Patricia’s jawline, and what Sergio was to do with his “free” hand. Stick it in his pocket…or give the more visually active “thumbs-up” sign? I chose the latter.

Then, finally, came the color. I had elected to use color pencils for a more “rough-hewn” look given the nature of the subject. And, to further give the art a “mixed-media” look, I inserted Sergio’s photos that he had sent to me as reference for the icons corresponding to their respective locations.

Upon further (continuing?) review, I thought that the background art was battling too much for attention with the two main sujects in the foreground. So I softened the intensity of the color somewhat by using a simple pencil erasor. 

I also noted that the silver in Patricia’s hair was more prominent than not, so I lightened her hair in a similar manner.

And the final art ended up looking like this.

As you can see, caricature art is not limited to drawing guests live at an event. (Though we’re more than happy to do that!)

If you’ve got someone, or someones, in mind – whether it’s a colleague retiring, a child celebrating a bar mitzvah, a couple getting married, a family member having a birthday – a custom-created, one-of-a kind caricature is a meaningful and lasting way to show your appreciation for those individuals with a truly unique gift they'll always treasure.

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another rendering of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Anatomy of a Caricature Assignment

Back in March,

I was commissioned by a Mom to draw caricatures for a “Save the Date” announcing an engagement party for her daughter and future son-in-law. 

Mom had these elements in mind for me to creatively integrate, when she sent me their photo as reference: 

· She wanted a “book theme”

· She wanted to indicate the venue for the event

· She wanted the couple’s dog to be included (I was sent a separate photo of “Huckleberry”)

· She wanted green and orange to be the "themed" bridal colors 

Welcome to the August edition of Not Your Usual

Caricature Artist.

I then rough-sketched out how I wanted the couple — and their dog — to appear, and sent the sketch to her for conceptual approval.

She liked the approach, but asked that I change the “title” of the book they’re holding to simply state the “Who,What, Where and When” of the event within the pages of the book.

With that established, I then did a more refined sketch of how the couple actually looks.

Upon further approval, I did a tight pen (Sharpie) outline of the layout on an 11” x 14” Canson art pad “50-pound” sheet.

After which, I colored it in, using Prismacolor (Magic Marker) and fine point Sharpie for incidental, nuanced touches throughout.

Voila — It’s now ready for double duty, come October, as a “Save the Date” mailer before...and as a “Sign-In Board” at the event. 

Want to know more? 

Do I have to draw you a picture..? 

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another illustrated rendering of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Joel

Have you thought about a Template?

Sometimes I'm called upon to create a template that serves as a "core" drawing.  Generally, a pre-printed illustration on the sheet that acts as the illustrated theme of the event. From that already established tableau, I then just add the head of the individual I'm drawing.

It's a fun way for companies -- or even a bride and groom for their wedding, youngster at their bar/bat mitzvah or family at long-awaited reunions -- to engage their guests in a memorable, long-lasting way.

Welcome to the May edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist from Caricatures by Joel.

Here are some samples. The drawing's already pre-printed. Now all that's needed is the head to fit in the open space.

This was created for a national company hosting an event for their staff at the Charlotte Motor Speedway:

 

This template was developed for a French-Canadian company holding its employees gathering at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte:

This next scenario was created for the Charlotte Knights' double dip -- first the all-day festival at Romare Bearden Park and then, later that evening, at the home opener in the new BB&T Ball Park:

This more modest initiative is part of Sales Productivity Coach Philippe Le Baron's campaign to enhance his brand by selectively putting a client's head atop the body of a lion tamer (the aspired-for effect of his program for sales managers), and then presenting that client with a uniquely customized gift.

(And here's what Philippe had to say about it...)

Watch the Video [00:49 min]

As you can see, templates like these can be utilized both at live events and working from photos for gift giving or later display.

What idea do you have for a template?

I'm already templated in this space for the first Tuesday of each month -- see you next time for another installment of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.


Joel Kweskin
Caricatures by Joel

Play Ball!

It's April. And that means it's time for another season (lasting a full seven months, actually) of the National Pastime. Now, in our country's current collective consciousness, that title may refer to Football. But to those of us who are old-fashioned purists for the term, that means the greatest game this country ever invented -- Baseball.

Welcome to the April edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Before you say Basketball is the greatest game we ever invented, here's an historical tidbit: James W. Naismith, the athletics coach at what later became the University of Springfield (Mass.), created the game of Basketball in 1891 as a form of recreation and exercise during the winter months, to keep active until the Spring...his school Baseball players.

But I digress.

 

Since many of you know me as a fan of the superlative caricature and cartoon art of Mad Magazine, I thought I'd team up my two passions and display some of the fun Mad has had with Baseball through the years:



Surprisingly, I find I've done next to nothing on Baseball myself. Save for this recent piece I did for a good friend of mine with whom I went to The High School of Music & Art in New York.  Mike Brent has gone on to a happy and fulfilling career as a wonderful painter and portraitist:

 

Although we're not looking at purely baseball players here, these are two Bar mitzvah boys -- one of whom, the young man in the hat, is my son Benjamin -- who enjoyed the game along with others.

 

I'm fudging with this last guy. He, of course, is an NBA icon and principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, soon to be Charlotte Hornets. But in 1994, he followed his father's original dream for him and played minor league ball for the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons. Over 127 games, he hit a meager .202, but managed to drive in 51 runs and steal 30 bases!



Good thing, however, he soon went back to his day job.

My monthly job is to send out this newsletter. 

Hope you enjoyed Not Your Usual Caricature Artist. Look for it again the first Tuesday of next month.

Joel Kweskin

Caricatures in the Palm of Your Hand

The Palm is as famous for its caricatures festooning the walls of its restaurants throughout the country  as it is for its renowned gourmet meats and lobster. 

 

Welcome to the March edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

According to Wikipedia, here's the background on that curious marriage of cartoon and culinary arts:

"When Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened The Palm Restaurant in 1926, they had no money to decorate. Luckily, their location on Manhattan’s Second Avenue was in close proximity to the headquarters of King Features Syndicate and attracted a large clientele of cartoonists. In exchange for their meals, artists would often draw their own creations on the walls of The Palm.

"Over the years, the tradition of decorating our locations with caricatures has continued as we’ve expanded across the country and internationally. Before a new restaurant opens, 200 to 300 local notables' likenesses are placed on the walls, and new caricatures of regulars and celebrities are added regularly. Not surprisingly, the most in-demand wall space is at the original Second Avenue location, where only five caricatures are added each year due to space constraints."

 

Here in Charlotte, where we also have a Palm, sits Harry's Tavern & Grille, in the Ayrsley community, on S. Hwy 49, near I-485. The management enlisted me to draw some famous "Harrys" to carry through with their name, which now hang on the back wall of the restaurant. Among them are:

     

 You may not have a restaurant, but I'd be happy to help you adorn an office wall with fun pix of you, your staff, whomever...

See you again the first Tuesday of next month with an un-harried look at caricatures via Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.