Shakira

This is actually a step for me in exaggeration. I find it easier to lay out the features then distort them while painting. Kinda like sculpting, I suppose. I've never sculpted anything, but this seems pretty close. Anway, we'll see if this method helps.

Jim from The Office

As a tribute to the writers' strike being over, here's one of Jim (John Krasinski) of The Office. I love that show and look forward to seeing new episodes in the coming weeks. The reference photo didn't show the kind of personality I was looking for. Jim often makes this great face right at the camera. The kind that says "these people are weird. Don't ask, I just work here." Still, it was fun to do and a good learning experience. I guess.

Exxon CEO

Not sure what this guy's name is. Not important really. All I know is that he is/was the CEO of Exxon. This is another one of those photos that demands to be caricatured. I've been told I made him too handsome. Perhaps, but I was pleased with the way it came out. For me, at least.

Squished Face

I think I can safely say that this is my first attempt at drawing somebody with a squished face like this. Not so much "caricature" going on. It's more technique and likeness practice.

Cross-eyed guy

So I've been experimenting with a new method of caricature. I've been skipping the paper stage and drawing directly in photoshop. My high-speed Wacom Graphire 2 (yes, I said 2 -- circa 2001, thank you very much) makes it possible to sketch my subject with the reference photo right next to it. I think before, maybe, there was problem somewhere between the time I looked at the reference photo and me putting the pencil to paper. I further conclude that perhaps after all these years of doodling I got into some habits, neither good nor bad, and they prevented me from drawing what I actually saw. Interesting, I know. So anyway, here's my second attempt at this new process (the Tom Richmond caricature was the first). It's of some guy who's photo is part of the Caricaturists' Caricatures thread over at DrawingBoard.com. I liked this one a lot because I used the blur filter to make the nose the focal point. The bee was added as a recommendation by Mike Hasson of aboutfacesentertainers.com. Thanks, Mike.

Tom Richmond

I had never been on the internet until I moved to Atlanta 10 years ago. My roommate let me use his computer to surf the net. I stumbled upon Tom Richmond's website. Honestly, I had never heard of him, but his artwork was amazing. He's a freelance cartoon illustrator and does a lot of stuff for Mad Magazine. I remember he had a "Me Gallery" which is a collection of all the caricatures that people have done of him. He's since expanded the website and even blogs on a consistent basis about what he's working on, industry stuff, gadgets, etc. It's a must read every day.

Anyway, I finally, finally got the guts to take a stab at his caricature.