does it count?

[Ricky]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question. One thing I started doing when I want to draw a caricature is look at other artist's styles, find a similar face shape and use that as a guide to help exaggerate. Obviously i'm not actually copying the other artist's work but I'm using the face "shape" as a guide. Does this count or is this bad practice?

Ricky

[donpinsent]

there's nothing wrong with that, as log as you're learning how to do it on your own, in time. just don't get so dependent on it that you never learn how to do it any other way.

[vtslim]

As long as you send that artist royalties in the amount of a billion bazillion dollars I don't see any problem.

-Slim
;D

[craig]

I still study others caricatures, I think its only natural when you have an interest in the art.

The only advice I can give is practice loads! Heres what I've been doing for a while now... I buy a newspaper every day to read during breaks and lunchtime, now I bring a pencil and paper and sketch who's in the news that day. Some will be instant write offs but as time goes by, more and more you'll get it right, or at least get close. try this for a few weeks and soon enough I'm sure you'll find your own style.

C. ;D

[Ricky]

awesome you guys....thanks. Craig, I'll try that with the newspaper. I'll also be working more on my quick caricature sketches also. Beware because I'm on the prowl for new victims. One of my biggest problems is that I don't know what to exaggerate. I can never tell what features to stretch, push, pull, and all the other fun stuff. I need to work harder in this area.

thanks,
Ricky

[toonMom]

Don't worry about the seeing part Ricky, that will come with time and practice. When I very first started to draw caricatures in Mauri's class, he would say "Look at the spacing between the features". I would look at 100 different images of 100 different people, and they all seemed to have average "spacing". Then, as time went on, I could start to see the subtle differences in people. Then I started going to school and lost all my free time! But I'm sure if I would have continued to practice every day, I be able to pick up on it even more.

In Art History, we hear the same thing with every artist. They all started by copying other great painters. That's what they would do for the first few years of their training. So I say, if it's good enough for Michelangelo, it's good enough for you! Like the others said, don't let it turn into too much of a crutch though.

[JC]

All great information from you guys. ToonMom said it perfectly. I feel like I look at pictures and they end up all looking the same. I am starting to finally see things in people right away. when I am out and about, i look at people now and instantly start to think how I would draw them without meaning to do it. Kind of gets me fired up. I do find myself looking at several others and seeing where they make their changes. I do finally believe in time you end up with a little of your own style. Or atleast I hope so.
I like Craig's info....i am going to start that process tomorrow.

thanks all....now off to play the lottery so I can get the bazillion dollars to pay slim if I get caught copying.

[donpinsent]

toonmom's right. the skill of recognizing exaggeratable features comes with time and practice. stuff that automatically stands out to me, i've noticed many other people don't notice until they see a caricature, and then they'll say "yeah, he does have two noses, doesn't he?"
my further advice: it's important not to try considering a person individually, but rather, how he or she compares to other people, if you understand what i mean. don't try to see what a person has that you can exaggerate, try to see what he has that the guy next to him doesn't have. ask, "why does jay leno look like jay leno, and not like, say, me?"

[Ricky]

thanks toonmom....your comments really mean a lot to me.

JC, thanks. Yes, I want to see in caricature - I mean look at someone and automatically see them as a caricature. (GOOD LUCK with the lottery) ;D

Don: wow, the way to put it really helps. Thanks.

Thank you everyone. Your encouragement really means a lot to me.

[vtslim]

Here's a little trick...take your photo reference and tape it up on the wall. Now walk to the other side of the room. Now that you can't see the details...what jumps out at you? Do they have big teeth? a pointy head? Make some mental notes and when you go to draw the picture stretch those things that really "popped out" from before.

-Slim
;D

ps...Good luck on the lottery JC and by the way...it was a BILLION bazillion dollars

[AboutFaces]

C'mon, JC. We all know pro baseball players already get paid a billion bazillion dollars. And congrats on a great season, btw. We love you guys here in DC!