There's something nice about pen and paper!

What's it about?

Drawing on traditional paper is still something very special even in this technological age, it's like turning the pages of a book rather than reading on line! I draw on mostly A4 paper, but can if asked use A3 which is a lot bigger. When the drawing is done and I've shown it to the sitter it can be rolled up to make it portable. 

Although it's simple, no wires or tv screens, people can still watch me draw from behind so it still entertains those watching and there's something nice about a receiving a work of art on paper it allows it to be framed especially at the convenient A4 size.  

Enquire Now

What Pens do you use?

Through the year's I've gone through lots of different pens, like any artist I'm always trying new versions, but essentially they fall into 3 main types.

1. Brush Pen for black lines, currently I use a Pentel Touch which seems to last longer than the Tombo brush pens, I can't get such a broad stroke so to back it up I use Faber Castell Pitt artist pen. 
2. Shading I use blocks of graphite which last a lot longer than the grey marker pens I used to use. 
3. Full colour I will use Prismacolour art stix. Unfortunately these are quite expensive and I think can only be purchased in the USA. 

The drawings will not smudge and can be framed easily.  

Equipment

Paper

The paper is standard A4, it has a border printed on it so the caricature is framed, I can also print a message or add a logo to make it more personal, please allow a few days if you want me to overprint a message. 

As previously mentioned I can work on A4 or A3 paper. 

Caricature Gifts

Don't forget you can have a caricature drawn in either mono or full colour from a photograph, they are very reasonably priced and make excellent gifts! 

Ideal for Events, Functions and Exhibitions

How does 'Live' caricature work in the corporate world?

I've drawn at lots of corporate functions, caricature is a fun way to bring people together and create a talking point, it's also something the client or employee can take home with them afterwards. Caricatures can be branded with your message or logo and can be digital  - where I draw on an Ipad and have a picture frame digital screen for people to see me whilst I draw then printed onto a glossy postcard - or traditional paper! 

Enquire now

These are just some of the types of events I've worked on: 

• Christmas Party
• Training Days
• Conferences
• Exhibition Stands
• Trade Fairs
• Friday Fun & Dress Down Days

What time works best on the day?

The shorter booking times from 1 - 2.5 hours are ideal for pre dinner drinks or between sessions, it's a good way to break the ice and get people chatting. Longer booking times are used as part of the general entertainment and these normally are 3 hours plus, obviously for exhibitions and trade shows it generally works on a day basis. 

What caricature options are available?

Black and white or full colour?

The first thing to decide is whether you want black and white (with tone) or full colour. Both are very popular and it is really down to personal choice (see examples). Black and white is the fastest taking on average 3-4 minutes per person and full colour a little longer 6-7. 

Digital or traditional ?

Next is whether you want digital or traditional style caricatures.

Digital caricatures I draw on my Ipad or Surface, it's still done by hand but the image will be saved as a digital file. Once the drawing is done (your guests can watch what I am drawing on the picture framed screen) i'll turn my Ipad around and show the guests, then i'll send the file to print onto a glossy postcard which the guest can take away. All the files from the day can be saved and uploaded after the event to a storage area for people to access and download. 

Traditional caricatures I sketch on A4 paper (unless you request A3), the paper has a nice border pre-printed so the caricature is framed. Once complete I show the drawing then roll up and put an elastic band around to make it easier to carry. 

Set up or walking around? 

Mostly for weddings people have me set up in a designated area, this way I can have the pull-up display next to me which shows what I do along with the time  I'll be working until. I can work anywhere with a small table or a few chairs or in the bar area. I also have my own chairs for setting up in a garden or outside in the summer time. I often get an informal queue forming which is great as people chat to each other and watch me draw, often heckling etc - all part of the fun! 

I also draw 'on the hoof', walking around drawing which is often used in my corporate gigs where i'll work around diners whilst they are sat eating or move around groups and mingle drawing as I go. If I am walking and drawing I cannot offer full colour or A3. 

Framed Caricatures

 Whether it's a leaving gift or a work colleagues birthday, I can produce a caricature from photograph see also the section on Gifts. 

Place Settings