How to Get Started Drawing Caricatures

Caricatures can run the gambit from incredibly cartoon like to almost realistic looking, but they remain a popular and profitable form of art. Learning to draw caricatures can be a great hobby or a smart career move. Here are some tips for getting started.

Instructions

1. Observe your model carefully. Get started by studying your subject's most prominent features, mannerisms and expressions. If you add these correctly, they'll capture the personality and make the subject easily identifiable.

2. Exaggerate the subject's quirks. If your model has a big nose or strange teeth, draw attention to those features using thick bold lines and distorted sizes and shapes. Get started by drawing the most prominent features first.

3. Vary your line thickness. Because most caricatures lack a lot of shading, be sure to use line thickness to add dimension. Use thicker lines for the chin and nose, for example, and softer lines for the eyes and other features.

4. Practice drawing different people with different tools and styles. The more experience you have, the better the characters you'll produce. If you're just getting started in the art of caricature, expect it to take some time.

5. Use good composition. Where you place your caricatures on the page determines how dynamic and interesting the portrait will look. Place multiple figures slightly behind each other to add depth to your depiction.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to any accessories or jewelery they have on them. Adding earrings or a cell phone can help give your depiction a personal quality.