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.

Commission pile !!!

At the moment I'm snowed under with commissions. I don't like the Blog to go too long without a post so here's a collage of current jobs. I have another 22 I haven't even started - I just counted them - strewth I must charge more !

Full up until at least mid September which is great. I can't sing the praises of Google AdWords enough I turned it off three weeks ago. Compared to all the other forms of advertising it, for me, is streets ahead. I'll be hard pushed to justify paying for Yellow Pages next year I really get so little from it. People don't look in phone books these days do they ?

Golf may suffer though !!

Nico Di Mattia

My humble attempt at the face of Nico Di Mattia in response to his magnificent attack on my face. I received a hi-res version from Nico - that fine brush work is something special.

Gawd it frightens small children !!!

Anyone who visits this Blog will know I'm a great admirer of brilliant young Argentinian Nico Di Mattia, I was going to call him a caricaturist, but he's more than that with a broad range of fabulous skills.

I am very honoured that he's done the above to this rugged old head - really chuffed, top job Nico.

Check out the work of this genius at his Blog and Website.

Mr AFL - Dennis Cometti

A bit of messing around - could never figure out why there weren't an abundance of caricatures of this Australian icon. Especially considering the head has been a bit battered - particularly the nose. Makes him a good target !

Dennis Cometti is the No.1 Aussie Rules TV commentator with an unmistakable voice - and face. This is the 'rough' for a more detailed piece - couple of bits need changing.

Calm down Tel !

One of those jobs where you go 'you beauty' but then realise you've got to restrain yourself and not follow natural tendencies. It's a 21st Birthday presentation caricature and a cool response was requested. I shook !!!

Happy clients .....

One of the marvellous things about being a caricaturist is some of the great people you draw and deal with. Here are some photos of recipients with the final framed caricature. All smiles - great to see.

As a general rule I've found my customers, people who order their friends or family a caricature as a gift, are almost all fun people and great to meet. They may put me 'through the hoops' during the commission but then again my proofing system invites that. The great thing is they come back for another one - three of these are from returning clients. Worth going the extra yard I guess.

Mrs Slocombe

A speed painting exercise that I probably couldn't have picked a more difficult subject for. Caricaturing a caricature. Mrs Slocombe is the role that Mollie Sugden made part of British TV folklore in the very dated 'Are you being served'. Mollie died this week aged 86.

She had more 'pussy' one liners than most blue stand up comedians !

In a week when the world is grief stricken over the death of a talented but very strange man, who you would have wanted under Police surveillance if he lived in your street, Mollie and a couple of others got overlooked.

Not at all happy with it BTW - but there you go !!

Little Un's ...

Something I've not really done many of is child caricatures - these are from a recent commission. I found them really difficult - you can get away with a slip or two on an adults face but it screams at you if you do it on a kids face.

We, caricaturists that is, often struggle with beautiful women. When doing children, particularly when the clients are the parents, is even harder.

After a bit of tweaking they loved them !

Just a wee caricature !

This is a caricature of Rowly, a caricature artist from the Highlands of Scotland. I spent way too long on it but was experimenting with some 'Seiler' effects. I really need more smudge / blur effects - it's no good I'll have to do the course !!

Should post a few more this next week or so I've been driven from the TV - can't help it I'm just not a tennis follower and my dear wife is a huge fan - roll on the end of Wimbledon. ( I've only just survived the French Open !)

I had grave fears she was watching porno the other evening from the sounds coming from the women players !!!!!

Why is there such a huge long void until the European Football season starts again .......

Kim Jong II caricature ......

Now this is different, I made an effort to add to my 'celebrity' file. Kim Jong II North Korea's crackpot leader.

This is the only smiley reference I could find and it's a few years ago. Have you seen the state of his teeth I wouldn't be heading to Pyongyang for any cheap dental work. Unless you really like green !

I have it on good authority they're building a Halitosis bomb - true !!

Ford Mustang Dragster !!

This is yet another vehicle caricature, but a fun one to do. This is the driver and engineer of a drag car race team, you'll note the drivers on the wrong side, no wonder those American car companies are going broke they've been building them back to front !!!

I've just lashed out buying Adobe Illustrator CS4 with the influx I've had of vehicle drawings. It makes a far superior job on producing cars, boats, trucks - all manner of mechanical devices. You can always bring it back into PS to put in all those little embellishments that finish off a job so well.

I paid the extra for the manual, as a former Freehand user, I'll need it.

Mr Justa AKA Tony Mac

This is Tony Mac from Gloucester in the UK, a keen caricaturist and visitor to this blog (gotta look after your readers !). Got lazy finishing off around the neck - I'll fix that Tony !

Something completely different ...

Part of a commission I'm doing for the 40th Anniversary of a large transport company - this is the backdrop to the five caricatures of the family who own it.

Faces are certainly easier !!