Mailbag
July 26th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
This is a question from a while back that I thought was timely to repost today: Q: It’s obvious that networking is a very valuable practice in the cartooning and illustration world, but are situations such as a comic-con or other gatherings of that nature an appropriate venue to try and foster such contacts? Those with booths and tables are likely there primarily to sell their own work, so would they view that sort of thing as an annoyance or an opportunity? A: Comic cons are weird animals, to be certain. I actually haven’t been to that many cons, but I think I know what… READ MORE
July 19th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Would you know or could you give the history of the pencil, airbrush caricature like you do in the parks? Was it the Fasen’s that put it together and brought it to the amusement parks? A: Great question, one I happen to know the definitive answer to as I was there when the live airbrush caricature was “invented” and know the whole sorted story. Live airbrush caricatures are seen in theme parks, fairs, festivals, malls, tourist centers and many other places where crowds of people gather to spend money. The technique has been adopted by many artists as it is quick, efficient and very… READ MORE
July 12th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I have read on your blog about movie and TV parodies you have done where you say you loved the movie/TV show and ones where you say you didn’t like the subject. Would you rather do a parody of a show you really like or one you really dislike? What was your favorite parody for MAD? What was your least favorite? A: Since you specifically asked my preference between those two choices I would prefer to do a parody of a show or movie I really like, but honestly either one is preferable to doing one of a subject I care nothing about. It’s… READ MORE
July 5th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: This is a simple question that I started wondering about when I saw your photos of your operations in St Louis. I see you have examples of caricatures in your various shops. Are these examples of your work or the work of the artists that work in your shops? If these are the hired artist’s own examples then my question is mute. I ask this only because I remember you telling of other artists being caught using your work as their examples. This would seem to be the same thing except that you are granting permission for the usage of the drawings. The drawings… READ MORE
June 28th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I’m really interested in CG and was wondering what your views on 3D (or CG) caricature are, and do you know of any talented artists you could mention for me to check out?¬¨‚Ć I’ll always like pen and ink, but I could imagine there are some interesting possibilities with CG. A: I’ve never worked in “CG” before but like any medium it has great possibilities in the right hands. There have been some terrific 3D caricature animations done via stop-motion film and using puppets. For the former I have linked before to this video which is one of the best I’ve seen: Ooops. Can’t… READ MORE
June 21st, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: How much of the ability to see caricatures is natural talent, and how much can be learned from a course or a book? If someone has drawing ability, does that mean they can be taught caricaturing? A: I’m a believer in the old adage that art is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. That simply means that “talent” is only a small part of a person’s art… it’s the hard work that makes the largest difference. An artist with a ton of natural talent but little drive or desire to excel will not go as far as the less talented artist with an insatiable hunger… READ MORE
June 14th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Concerning drawing live caricatures: What do you do if the subject’s key identifying characteristics may be something they are ashamed/embarrassed about? For example, a person whose eyes don’t point in the same direction, a lady with a long, “horse-like” face, people with extremely crooked teeth, people with an extremely pronounced underbite, people with more chins than they would prefer to have, and the list goes on. On one hand, these “unattractive” features might be needed to clinch the likeness. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. A: Good question. A lot of the answer involves that “sixth sense” I talked… READ MORE
June 7th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: You’ve noted that a bad caricaturist can get trapped using a set of pre-defined exaggeration points – enlarging a chin, making a nose bigger, giving the eyebrows an odd slant, etc. – and that when you are working you try to find something more personal or a little more interesting and less “by the book”. When you are on the clock, where do you draw the line between making the subject look like the typical caricature one might see vs. something YOU find satisfying? A: I think what you are referring to is what I call “generic caricature”, where a caricaturist basically draws the… READ MORE
