Question/ Makin' Money!!

[lifedoesntimitate]

I'm not entirely sure if this is the correct category for what I'm asking, so feel free to move it if it's wrong.

Basically, I was wondering if anybody knew of any good tutorial (book form, video form, ideally internet form) for drawing live caricatures. You know the standrd type of amusement park caricatures that you see? That's kinda what I need to learn.

I got a possible job offer at Universal Studios, Hollywood for doing caricatures. The thing is, I'm not fast, and I don't really have the style they are looking for. So, if such a tutorial exists, I'd love to know about it.

Also, I have a question for those of you who don't do live caricatures. How do you all make your money? Do you have another job and just kind of do caricatures for this and other message boards on the side? Do you have websites and people send you pictures and you send them a caricature? I have a feeling it's maybe a little bit of both.

For those that do the website thing, how do you market yourself to get your name out there? Is it primarily word of mouth? Also, how do you get paid? I assume you don't give out your home address and have them send a check directly to you. I know I'm really naive and ignorant, but I just simply don't know how it works.

What I'm thinking is that if the Universal Studios thing doesn't work out, I'd maybe like to start selling some caricatures on line or maybe doing some T-shirts or something, but I just don't know how it all works. Any help would be great.

Thanks all.

-- Eric

[corky]

Most website artists use Paypal, or a similar system, to ensure payment. As for tutorials, I'm sure that many of our fellow caricaturists will have some great ideas for speeding up your work. I've done live gigs many times, so here's my little bit of wisdom; get the general shapes first, then work on the large brush strokes, such as hair, eyebrows, the features. Don't worry about adding too much detail, like shading, that just takes more time. A few strokes of the pen to indicate a shadow, and vary your thickness of line by using two different pens, and get the general likeness of the person, with some exaggeration.

't

[lifedoesntimitate]

Thank you stoontoons. I'm sorry I haven't responded until now. I really appreciate your advice.

I was looking on line for some way to sell T-shirts and whatnot, and I found cafepress.com, but you can't sell images of third parties, so that's out. Does anyone know if, legally, the same rules would apply if I started my own website? Also, how would I advertise such a thing?

Any help would be great.

Thanks a lot.

-- Eric

[singleservingjack]

I'll add my question here rather than start a new thread as it's on the same subject; hope you don't mind me semi-hijacking your thread Eric!

I have a website set up already, PayPal set up etc etc - now I need to get people to see it! How would you recommend I market and/or advertise the website? I post on another forum with a relatively large number of members and have sold a few prints and gained a couple of commissions there, so I would hope that by boosting the hits my site gets I would win some more business

[heineken]

me personally think live caricatures are fun...u get to interact with the person getting drawn....BUT..you have to get past the nervousness..there going to be hecklers...and you'll have to drown them out...me still use a crutch(pencil)..for basic layout when i do caricatures....but i pick up the pace on coloring...to make up for lost time....before starting...get a good look at who ur drawing...get there head shape..eye shape....nose...etc,,,...then look for that one thing that stands out on that person...highlight it..but don't over do it...(thats me anyway).....draw a light 1 line sketch of the head shape..then eyes...nose...mouth..hairline...outer hair shape..then start adding your thick and thin lines..(very important...THICK AND THIN) so u need to practice thick and thins..learn to control your marker..hopes this helped....


look at the thick and thins...adds depth

[Frank Zieglar]

Why draw a light skecth first?

Just start and finish with your marker - for live drawings.

[heineken]

if you read it.i said "MY CRUTCH"!!!...not suggesting that he should do it..thats just my method...

[Frank Zieglar]

That doesn't answer my question, Heineken.

For live, quick caricatures - most of the artists that I've seen that do pencil first: DO NOT NEED TO. They just won't give up the pencil.

Their pencils have a good likeness and if it had been the marker it would have been just fine. Then when they retrace over the pencil with the marker - they make very little change. So again, it could have been done straight from the marker.

I believe that you Heineken, could give up your pencil for live drawings. Get your confidence up.


Studio work that is gonna be redrawn numerous times - I understand the need to pencil until ready to ink.

[vtslim]

Well...how to make money at caricatures? Go to a place with a lot of people where they are having fun and shopping and draw them! Seriously! If you don't want to hassle with festivals or theme parks I have done well at flea markets. They usually only charge a few bucks a day! Festivals are good money but they take a little advance planning and up front money. So far, my favorite place was the boardwalk! Find a city with a outdoor plaza, boardwalk, or whatnot and find out if you need a permit to set up. In Savannah, GA first we needed one ($25.00 per year) then we didn't! The money was REALLY good and there was almost NO overhead! Watch out for the tax man though. If you start making real money and drawing is no longer just a side hobby then you should talk to an accountant about tax stuff! I'm looking to create a website this winter as I think that could be serious cash flow! Is this true people with websites? Did you find your business pick up? Did you attach your page to entertainment agency websites and stuff?

[vtslim]

Oops, one other thing...Heineken, I feel your pain! when I started I too pre-drew with pencil. I did that for several years until I got a job at an amusement park. They don't LET YOU use a pencil and nothing improves any skill like constant practice! Just think, I drew there for two years times five days a week times eight hour days...A MILLION HOURS OF DRAWING!!! I hope you get that job! If you don't then try and get something stable like a flea market or plaza set up. Good Luck!

Slim
;D