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Post by lifedoesntimitate on Apr 1, 2005 14:22:15 GMT -5
Hey, everyone -
Okay, I have some questions, or requests for help, or something along those lines. But first, a little context.
About a week ago, I was at a mall where there was a live caricaturist kiosk doing... live caricatures. I'm typically the guy who can literally watch a caricaturist work for hours on end. I don't do the annoying comments, but I'll usually end up conversing with the artist a little, sharing my experiences, picking up some tips, etc.
Anyway, while I was watching, there were two artists: the owner, and the employee. In the first twenty-five minutes or so that I was there, the employee finished (in that he had already started way before I got there, so the entire picture must have taken well over twenty-five minutes) a single drawing, while the owner completed six people: two on one and four on another.
When I got to talking to the artists, and it came out that I sort of dabble in caricature also, I was quasi pseudo offered a job. I'm not entirely sure how official the offer was, but it got me thinking. I plan to go back tomorrow and see about saying yes, if in fact the offer is still on the table.
My reasons are that I think it would be a great training ground. Also, and this may sound crass, but since it took one guy over twenty-five minutes to draw a kid sitting on Shrek's lap, clearly this isn't the type of place that's incredibly strict with things like that. On top of that, the dad was very unhappy with the finished product, and I kind of agree, so clearly emphasis isn't really on quality. I think I could fit right in and learn so much.
My questions. Would you please give me some of your experiences with drawing live? Advice for drawing live is also very appreciated. How do you deal with the kinds of people that are there? What kinds of people are there? Anything else that I have missed, please feel free to address.
I'm very excited and dreadfully nervous. Thanks for all your help.
-- Eric
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Post by Shelley on Apr 1, 2005 17:35:48 GMT -5
I have a question.What are they using for paper?I like to work on smooth 110lb skeetch book but cant find anything to work on for gigs.I got some card stock but the markers bled.
Has for as the job goes- go for it ,it would be great training.
What did they say to the Dad that didnt like the drawing with shrek ?
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Post by nelsonsantos on Apr 1, 2005 18:13:48 GMT -5
just bring some adhesiv tape, when someone stars to talk shut his mouth up! Beware of infiltrated agents who work for the FBI, avoid drawing bin-laden characters this will bring you trouble.
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Post by lifedoesntimitate on Apr 1, 2005 21:21:43 GMT -5
Thanks Shelley and Nelson.
Shelley - As far as the paper goes, I'm not really sure what they use, but what I use is just a normal Strathmore Sketch pad 11"x14" 60 lb. That seems to work pretty well, and the bleeding and blending is pretty minimal.
I used to use 110 lb. white index card stock, based on the advice of the Jim Van Der Kyel video, but found that unless you use very quick strokes, it would spread very quickly.
Also, I never use Design Art Markers, even though I know every live caricaturist is supposed to swear by them. They're the "only true black marker", I've heard. I don't use them simply because I can't control them. They are so full of ink that they spread way too quickly for me. Luckily, they've been discontinued, so I don't have to worry too much about the Marker Envy Syndrome.
Hope this helps.
By the by, the father didn't really like it, but later it was learned that this was because he didn't realize it was supposed to be a cartoon version of his son, instead of a portrait. Once he figured that out, he liked it fine. I asked the owner what would happen if a customer just didn't like the finished product. He said that one of two things would happen: either they would re-do it and charge for both, or just send them on their way. I don't think charging them for both makes sense, but that's their policy.
-- Eric
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Post by Frank Zieglar on Apr 1, 2005 23:36:40 GMT -5
One difference between drawing at a mall vs some other live event.
At an event the people are buying a memory/sovenior.
At a mall that they can visit any day of the week - so they are shopping for a product. At a 'touristy' type mall that might not be so.
Paper is irrelevant - use whatever you like working on.
The marker is irrelevant - use whatever you like drawing with.
The materials don't make the caricature - the artist does.
If you get to much bleeding with you marker/paper combination - then you are drawing too slow.
A quicker stroke won't bleed as much. Thicker paper sucks up all your ink out of the marker too fast - IMO.
><> Frank Zieglar <><
-- FUEDALISM: Your lord lets makes you take two cows and care for them. He takes most of the milk but leaves you some.
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Post by toonMom on Apr 4, 2005 5:25:09 GMT -5
I have nothing to add here, but this is a good topic. Good luck Eric, keep us posted!
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Post by donpinsent on Apr 4, 2005 6:54:53 GMT -5
i like to make sure the subject knows going into it that this is a caricature, not a portrait. usually, that's not difficult since there are samples of my work surrounding me and the word "caricature" on every bit of signage i have. anyone who still doesn't get it after that is just not paying attention!
anyway, i think it's kind of deplorable for the caricaturist to charge for a drawing that the subject doesn't like, much more so to charge him double to try it again. my policy (which, i may ever-so-humbly point out, i haven't had to fall back on yet, but i have told some people who were hesitant to have their caricature drawn) is, if i finish the drawing, and the customer doesn't think it looks like him/her, we tear it up and they walk away.
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Post by lifedoesntimitate on Apr 4, 2005 14:07:26 GMT -5
Thank you all for your replies.
Don, I have to say that I agree with you. To make them pay double... I don't know. I think maybe that's just their way of encouraging people to leave, on the assumption that the piece they show them is the best the artist can do and another would look the same. I don't suppose many people would opt for paying double, so they would just leave. Just my guess.
Let me also give a little context (I would have before, but I felt like I was already rambling, so I cut myself short). There was a bit of a language barrier to begin with with the father in the story I told. That may have contributed to his misunderstanding. Also, there are caricatures posted all over the kiosk, but one of them that in my opinion is pretty prominent of Renee Zelwegger (sp?) looks significantly more portrait than caricature, so that may have helped with confusion. Also, the name of the place is Avetti Creations (Avetti being the last name of the owner). So, really, there's nowhere that explicitly says "caricature".
That's all.
-- Eric
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Post by corky on Apr 8, 2005 22:04:25 GMT -5
I really wonder about the amount of time it took to draw the caricature...it seems way too long. I usually keep it to 10 minutes or less, if it's 25 minutes, I'm drawing a portrait. I wonder, too, if the dad maybe was unhappy because the owner could do so many in the same amount of time, so the customer can go on his way.
If I were you, I would definitely go back and see if the offer is open. It's the best way to learn how to judge faces quickly, and grab the essence of the caricature, in a short amount of time. The first live gig I did, I took 20 minutes per caricature. Now I can do one in five.
Good luck with that!
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Post by vtslim on Sept 28, 2005 0:40:25 GMT -5
Ah, live caricature how do I love thee, let me count the ways... Umm...what did you ask again? Oh yeah...Take The Job! I can think of no better way to improve than constantly drawing! If people asks me what I do if someone doesn't like their picture I say I start crying and they pay me anyway. You are not saving lives, if someone is cranky just smile, take their money and flip them off behind their back (figure of speech). My first live drawings were AWFUL but I got better. Good luck! -Slim  |
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