Tel 'live' - well there's a pulse anyway !!

Over the lead up to Christmas I've done eight 'live' caricature shows for private parties and corporate functions. Here's some samples.

I really forgot to take the camera out of the bag most of the time - peak output was 16 an hour - average about 10.

Still not sure if I enjoy doing it - though the people are great ( and so's the money !!) but I'm nowhere near as comfortable with the end product as my studio work - too much of a perfectionist I guess regardless of the little voice in my head saying 'forget the portrait' I still head that way.

It's all studio work until Christmas and then some heavy practice before 2010 'live' shows.

A bunch more ...

Still wading through the Christmas jobs. Here's a collage of bits and pieces. I'm down to three, as yet to start, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel and heading off to the golf course this morning to see if the 'ol clubs still work.

I've started a couple of celebrity caricatures which I'm looking forward to getting really stuck in to including a Tony Abbott - it'll be great not to have to 'proof' them !

Well it's almost Christmas ...........

I've had a good couple of months and decided to replace the old G4 Powerbook. It's still going strong after six years of being carted around the world being dropped, scratched and generally abused. These days Photoshop makes it squint a bit so I've bought a 13" MacBook Pro - nice bit of kit I must say !

With a trip to Europe next year and a couple of illustrative non caricature jobs that require me to display to groups on an overhead projector ( more on that in a later post ) it's the ideal foil for the MacPro I run in the studio.

It's also just so pretty !!!!!

Tel by Amit

One of the great things about being a caricaturist is having a 'go' at other artists and receiving renditions of yourself. This shot at 'yours truly' was done by Israeli graphic designer and illustrator Amit Boniel.

Amit is just entering into the world of caricature and interestingly does all his work in vector - something I've not even tried.

Also he's very kind, especially with my face, and great attention to detail - left handed - spot on.

Thanks Amit !

Some Christmas Commissions ...

Here's a quick collage of some completed Christmas commissions - twelve more to do and that's it - at this time of year drawing with both hands would be an asset - sadly the right one is for scratching with. The phone has not stopped and I really must resolve to be far more organised next year .... six more 'live' shows to do also - I seem to remember having a retirement party about three years ago !!!!

There is a reason for all this Nola has acquired a taste for cruising the Mediterranean so it's off we go again in 2010 - we all have our crosses to bear - looking forward to it.

... more El Caballo golf !!

The par 4 fourth at El Caballo golf course, one of my favourite holes, nice dog leg to the left - pity is I'm a slicer !! I really miss getting out there as much as I should but with commissions and live shows golf is taking a priority drop ( how sad is that ??). In January when it's 40C (104F ) - I'll probably have lots of time to play.

Incidentally played a week ago and got a warning as we left the clubhouse - watch out for snakes lots around at the moment - searching for the ball in the rough was cautious !!!

This'll 'boar' you - sigh !!

Part of a commission I'm doing featuring a wild pig hunter and his five dogs - my attempt at a tasteful death scene !

If I had to do this to get my ham and bacon I'd become a Vegan - but then again 'No Bacon' !!!!

Sketched out using Sketchbook Pro - lovely software.

Breast Cancer Month

Now that's got your attention !!

October is Breast Cancer Month - at least it is here in Australia - this disease is the most common cancer in women and kills at least 2,600 per year in Australia alone.

My wife, Nola, was diagnosed with it in 1998 - a terrible shock for us both - after surgery to remove the lump and an extensive course of very debilitating chemo and radiotherapy she thankfully made a complete recovery.

In July this year - 11 years later - another lump was found in the same breast. After a lot of heart searching, and a few tears, we made the decision for Nola to have a bilateral mastectomy ( both breasts removed ). The surgery was done and some ten weeks later she's back at work and on the road to a total recovery. The cancer, which was in it's infancy, was totally removed negating a need for chemo therapy. Very dramatic surgery but a small price to pay for having your very best friend still around.

I know this disease has touched a lot of families, a lot more than I knew before 1998, and if caught in time is not by any means a death sentence. Please urge your wives, mothers, daughters and sisters to have the regular check ups and learn self checking, particularly once they reach 40. There is no more worthwhile cause to donate to - trust me !!

Ongoing commissions ...

Here's another collage of commissions, just gone or in the final stages of completion. The weather has picked up, spring is here, so a bit of golf is in the offing.

I've just flicked on Google Ads again so I expect the usual Christmas rush and - shock of shocks - I'm doing three 'live' shows this month. No undo button - strewth it's a worry !!

'I'm a lumberjack !!'

A Photoshop job of Canadian caricaturist Kelly Gannon.

Kel is a fellow Blogger and is very supportive of the camaraderie that exists amongst caricaturists world wide - which is why we visit each others blogs and, between jobs, draw each other.

Check out Kel's blog from the links on the right.

Rocky Horror wedding ??

I've not been posting the usual 'run of the mill' commissions but this one was a little removed from the standard. The client wanted a standard wedding pose but then found out someone else had ordered a wedding caricature so changed the theme. The photos supplied indicated the couple had a pretty hectic social life living over in London and went to a lot of fancy dress parties - voila - a Rocky Horror theme.

Really, really different ...

This commission is right out of the 'comfort zone'. An oil exploration / engineering company that are great clients for caricatures were in a flap to get an urgent diagram for a new building proposal for approval.

' The caricature bloke can draw I wonder if he'll do it ! ' - received on Thursday, completed on Monday - A2 & A3 prints and digital copies.

BTW never again - how mind numbingly tedious CAD work must be - Nola reckons she had never heard so many expletives on one job !! (actually it would be easier in CAD - if you could drive it - Photoshop was grunting with all the layers )

One of life's little experiences ..............

Bangalore Monkey !!!

This is a caricature of William Appledorn a young caricaturist from the US who uses the tag of Bangalore Monkey. Had a bit of fun with his face but I'm still the original 'lazy bugger' when it comes to drawing necks !!

William's a versatile artist with a great variety of accomplished styles - check out his blog from the links to the right.

More cars ...

Just finished another vehicle picture to feature in a car dealers caricature, Photoshop again as I haven't had time to get my head around Illustrator yet. I'm sure that software will make a better job of the reflective surfaces.

This was the Holden HQ Monaro circa 1972 a really hairy chested machine from the era when petrol was cheap and anyone could afford a 350 cubic inch ( 5.7 litre ) V8. They made a great rumbling note which sadly went when all the anti pollution gear went on later generations.

I don't know if this was a bona fide colour for the Monaro but that green was on a V8 Holden Sandman I owned in the late 70's - happy days !!

Here's up close .....

New commission

One of the problems with commissions is the poses / themes that clients want - it's very hard to explain to clients why some just won't work. This client left it up to me - it was for a 25th wedding anniversary and I went with a 'lean on me' scenario which they loved. It allows the faces to work well at a good size without having to fall back on the old 'little bodies' scenario.

Looked great framed with the legs and grass extending off under the mat.

This will feature prominently when I finally update my website - which is well overdue and populated with old stuff. Having said that 90% of my work stems from it.

Arsene Wenger Caricature

Two Black & White's in a month - a rendition of Arsene Wenger the manager of Arsenal in the English Premier League. Arguably one of the best coaches in the world and certainly gets his teams playing a very entertaining brand of football.

Pencil sketch rendered in PS4.

No more squinting .........

After a period of indecision - do I need a Cintique etc ? - I've finally decided to head for larger screen acreage. A new 30" LCD to go with the 24" which now runs in portrait mode alongside.

I must admit they were a bit overwhelming when I first started using them both. How quickly you get used to them though. Brilliant for putting large collages together and having lots of reference stuff up while your working. Watching TV on the second one - poser eh ?

They are both Dell's - the 24" I've had for over three years, just a few problems with the USB hub ( they replaced the monitor after 2 years ). The 3 year warranty is pleasing.

I haven't flipped to the 'dark side' though the smart bit that works it all is the MacPro under the desk.

Remains to be seen if it improves the quality of the work but all the lights in the street dim when I turn it on !!!

Alfred Hitchcock

You can get so bored doing commissions, I really haven't got the time to do this - but - I saw E-Caricatures are doing an on line competition of 'ol Hitch so here's my attempt. Good experience doing a grey scale for a change - I'm not going to bore you with all that 'values' stuff !!!

Back to those jobs on the desk.

Truck caricature ....

Earlier this year I did a series of caricatures of the family and staff of a statewide trucking company to commemorate their 40th Anniversary.

To mark the occasion they had one of the caricatures painted on their newest truck - nice little byline.

The company, Marley's Transport, at one time were the Guinness World record holders for the longest Road Train. One of their Kenworth's hauled 45 trailers measuring 610 metres for 8 kilometers - hell of a job to back that !

Sir Bobby Robson ... RIP & Thanks !

It was a sad day last Friday when I heard of the passing of Sir Bobby Robson. Sir Bobby was one of the greatest football managers of our time and though he went on to great success as England manager and clubs such as Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Porto and Newcastle United he will always have a special place in the heart of every Ipswich Supporter.

It was a privilege to follow the club through the 14 years of unprecedented success he gave us 'Tractor Boys'. The teams he produced are the stuff of folklore in Suffolk, they punched way above their weight and the big clubs visits to Portman Road were a source of trepidation - lovely stuff. A big thankyou from this life long Town fan. Rest in peace.