Yesterday saw yours truly thrown well out of his comfort zone. I did my first 'live' caricaturing show at a corporate event at the WACA in Perth. Sadly, in all the excitement, I only took the one photo of a caricature I did of a gorgeous 7 month old boy - who never sat still at all !It was a great experience handing out quick sketches, that at home would have been destined for the shredder, to the gratitude of amazingly (to me !) appreciative people.
Experienced all those things that people told me that subjects would do - eating, answering mobiles, holding conversations across the room. Did about 25 in the three hours which was OK - really only started to caricature in the last hour as the confidence grew and more middle aged blokes more suitable for 'the job' sat down. Started with a run of young lovelies - the worst beginning - make them gorgeous said Kelly - what if they already are !!!
Went with Mick Devine a local Perth caricaturist to get some tips and a feel for it - in fact my line was so steady I never saw any of his work. Got up after the quickest three hours I can remember with no aches and pains, which surprised me, I thought RSI would set in.
Mistakes - used coloured pastel pencils, a lot of them, sharpened both ends - they go blunt quick and don't show up too well. I did buy some Sharpies, which I liked, from Kid at the NCN Convention - they must dissolve in air cargo as I haven't seen them since I got home.
I tried to get too good a likeness - not wise at this stage - got visions of Joe Bluhm's caricatures. looked at mine - decided no one in this room, except me, knows who Joe Bluhm is !!! (sorry Joe) AND I'll never, ever use A4 size paper again - way too small - got a great face where am I going to put all the hair and cleavage !
Did I mention I enjoyed myself, my drawing may have been below what I normally accept but my patter was pretty good !!!
"Call that a big nose mate ?"
17 comments:
Nice drawing Terry, I bet your relieved that you've finally broken the ice...and doesn't time fly when your having fun !
You are very brave to go live - doubt I will ever have the nerve or the talent to try. Interesting to hear of your experiences though and as your digital work is so polished how you coped with the quick sketches. Take more photos next time would love to see more.
Cheers Anthony - wish I'd taken a few more shots but using the pencils they wouldn't have come out too well. Te time just flew - I was amazed when Mick said 'time to pack up'.
Thanks Tony - it was a bit 'in the deep end' I'd been doing commissions all week and just did a bit of warm up practice in the morning. It's certainly a different beast to gift caricatures.
I enjoyed it though and know I'll get a lot better - and they seemed to like the crap I did yesterday - amazing !
I'm delighted for you Tel, about time you broke your cherry, hope the rest of the caricatures where better than your photography.
Cheers Niall - I only started doing it when I heard about your new BMW's and the villa in Spain.
I wanna be rich too .................................
Tel,
nobody knows what's happens tomorrow .....many doors stay closed but you open a new door,keep it open en enjoy yourself,that's for me the essence of drawing caricatures,enjoy myself,enjoy the reaction of people socializing,enz...enz...
it's a great feeling,I love it,
jan
Thanks Jan - slammed a few in my time, I don't do that so much these days.
These days I forget where I put the keys !!
I 'really' know what you mean Jan - cheers.
Amazing works Tel!!
Hey Tel....I was doing my own gig and was wondering how you were making out (maybe I'd better "re-phrase" that) DOING, on you first gig. So glad to hear you did well! That gig Tel, is the one you will remember for the rest of you days!!
Here's a bit of sage advice from an "old master"....don't draw the eyes all the same.....
Thanks Nico - glad you dropped in.
Kelly as they say the 'eyes' have it !!
Finally Mate, I could've gotten you a lot of cash over the past year after Jas and I left WA.
Good work and I'm looking forward to seeing more. What're you using to do them?
Cheers Luke I'll have to become a 'hired gun' like you guys. I used pastel pencils for this one - an experiment. Would be good with coloured paper.
I will, when I'm comfortable with it, be using markers and I want to colour with Prismacolor Artstix I brought back from the states. They make an amazing job.
To my surprise, this is your first live caricature sketching.:D
Love to see more photos next time.....
Yes Jit it's taken taken me a while to 'break the ice' - I forgot the camera in all the excitement !
Coming up to Singapore in October for a holiday - meeting up with Kamal you should come along too.
Tanks for dropping in.
Sure!
Pls drop me an email at jit@portraitworkshop.com or give me a ring +65 90277555 when you have confirmed your trip schedule.:D
Will do Jit - I'll look forward to meeting up.
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