How to Draw Caricatures of People & Animals

Getting your caricature drawn by a street artist is a time-honored tradition. Whether you’re posing in the corner of a crowded European square or at your favorite local amusement park, everybody wants to see what features stand out when looked at from another’s perspective. And it never fails: every guy wants to get a picture of himself looking goofy with a hot date by his side. Even in the newspapers, caricatures have been important to the emergence of the cartoon as a means of cultural commentary. Caricatures have a unique place in our culture, extending from the everyday to the elite, lampooning the average Joe and the Austrian-born governor of California.

Learn how to draw caricatures of people, faces, and animals in this free art instruction video. Our expert sketch artist will show you techniques for exaggerating the facial features, a cornerstone of caricature work. He’ll also give you some tips on what tools to use—what types of paper, pens, markers, brushes. Finally, watch as he walks you through several drawings, including pictures of a woman with glasses, a child, a girl with pigtails, and a small dog. Enjoy!