Caricature Express

That’s a question that I’m frequently asked. How many faces can I draw per hour.

Fair question - Although an Artist is At The Party for Entertainment more than for Production, a client might want to know what to expect. I naturally draw about ten faces per hour in a Party setting. That’s without controlling it - without trying to make a certain number per hour. So that’s my answer - I draw approximately ten faces per hour.

But so often a client will want me to go as fast as possible - “Approximately ten per hour? That means you would draw more than ten per hour if you hurried, right?” Or, at the event itself, if the guests think that they’re just there to get lots of Things - Even though they’re watching Artwork being created, even though I might have initiated pleasant banter, even though people are involved and laughing……
On top of all that, some people still think they’re not ‘getting’ anything unless it’s their face being drawn. This certainly doesn’t happen All the time. But often enough that I notice how it affects the Pictures.

I try to accommodate the clients and guests. If they want production, I focus on That. The pictures are good enough. But if they want the Real Thing, there’s so much more I can draw. Here’s a picture that I drew quickly at a Corporate Picnic. because I sensed that my Audience was most intent on waiting their turn to Get a paper put into their hands. A nice happy picture - but I wished I had time to experience that unique Face. So I drew it again here in the Studio. Just for myself.

They’re both basically the same thing - Quick Cacs, I call it. The better one could have come out at a Party if I hadn’t been feeling pressured to produce, produce, produce at that particular moment. It’s just a matter of allowing a little extra time to look at the face and feel what it’s doing. And a little extra time to look at my finished picture and see what else it needs. I do take the moment to do my best picture more often than not. But it’s more important to do my best Job when I’m hired for a Party. To do what’s needed in the moment.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

Just making up faces. Just relaxing:

Well, actually the 3rd picture here was drawn while
I was watching the movie ‘Dodgeball’. So it’s kind
of an actress in that movie.

BTW,the 1st picture was drawn after studying
shiny materials like chrome. I just wanted a chance
to make those earrings.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

When I work in Central Park, I am prepared for all three
activities - Caricatures, Face-Painting, AND Balloons.
(See facepaintingexpress.blogspot.com or caricatureexpress.blogspot.com )

Much to carry! So I bring limited supplies for the Caricatures.
That means that my pictures are going to be simpler.
Not quite as exaggerated.

I took a few photos of them recently.
Hmmm, perhaps simpler and easier is real nice.
Just as special as the wilder pictures that I usually try to draw.

Should I continue to work so hard? Or should I just relax a bit and enjoy
that I can do this. Comments/Opinions Welcome.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

Aha. This is how we learn.
How we figure out where we are now
and what we need to do now.
It changes as surely as whether or not I need to wear a jacket.
It changes as surely as what size clothing to wear.

Today I was just jumping in - drawing quick black/white pics. For practice.
The first one is fine:

The 2nd one is too:

Quickly. On to the 3rd one.
AAGGHHKK! This is what happened!

I threw it onto the floor. Jumped in again. I can do this:

Or so I thought. It was still Unacceptible to me.
So I caved in - took an extra minute for a Predraw, and
Voila:

I’m thinking that these days I should make that predraw for
a 3/4-view male. There have been plenty of times that it
wasn’t needed, but for now
it looks like this is what I need to do.
Knowing what approach to use
is as important as knowing when to open the throttle on the open road
and when to creep along with the rush-hour traffic.

Know Thyself. At every moment.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

If an Artist shows me a sketchbook of all perfect pictures, I doubt if it’s the real thing. Sketchbooks, time-off, that’s for learning, trying new things. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

This first picture that I’m posting today - It’s embarassingly horrible. Could that have come out of Me???

So I redid it - And this second picture is just ridiculous:

Get a grip, Alison. I slowed down, did a predraw, and finally came up with a usable picture. Drawing in my living-room is so different than drawing at a Party or in the Studio: