Mr Men caricatures at Intel Swindon

Geraldine from Intel in Swindon asked me to go along and draw caricatures of her team during lunch yesterday.
For a bit of extra fun she asked if I could draw everyone with various Mr Man character traits so using a bit of colour seemed appropriate.

With only a dozen or so people to get through and the novel brief, it was an unusual booking but we all had a pleasant and amusing couple of hours and everyone got a silly drawing to take away!

Olympic Themed Caricatures at the Lloyds offices in Bristol

I had a last minute request to draw Olympic themed caricatures at corporate event on Friday 27 July 2012 at the Lloyds offices in Bristol.

The requirements were slightly challenging as the organisers were looking for a caricaturist to draw a large volume of full bodied on the spot caricatures in various humorous sporting poses. In addition I had a cut off time as I had to get to another booking. I normally stick to head and shoulder drawings when volume is the priority and I did consider getting some paper printed up with a pre-drawn motif but I always feel this is a bit of a cop out and a bit boring!

With about one weeks notice I set to work practising sporting cartoon figures and in the event I actually managed to exceed the quota.

In four hours I did some 52 drawings, a number of which were actually doubles so I probably drew 55 to 60 likenesses. I felt I had risen to the occasion and judging by their feedback on freeindex the organisers were delighted!

The only fly in the ointment was when I managed to back into another car in the car park in my hurry to get to my next booking :-(

Live Caricature Fun at Ikea, Bristol

I had a midweek enggagement last Thursday to draw on the spot caricatures at the Ikea crayfish festival where I was providing family entertainment alongside a magician and an Abba tribute band.

Demonpen seen on Chanel 4

Catch a fleeting glimpse of the caricature ledgend Demonpen on telly!

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/four-in-a-bed/4od#3366509

Just in case you happen to be the guy who drew the caricatures that were hanging on the wall - or anyone else for that matter; those aren't mine!

I did actually draw all the contestants and quite a few of the film crew during the afternoon but I guess the show wasn't about my pics. Just check out my nice jacket!

Some fast Caricature Action for Vodafone in London

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to draw on the spot caricatures at a dinner at the end of a Vodafone training day.
On arrival, my contact Matt said there were around 90 people in attendance and asked if I would be able to draw everyone. I said this was unlikely as 15 an hour is generally considered good going and I was just booked for 3 hours but I said I would see what I could do.

I usually take 4 to 5 minutes per person often including bodies and props but to achieve the maximum volume per hour I stuck to simple face only caricatures. At the end of the three hours I had managed to draw a very respectable 60 caricatures.

Despite working flat out, I found time to take a few shots - this is what 3 minute caricatures look like!

There are various things which affect how many caricatures I can do in a given time. Some days I simply draw faster than others but also the general situation and mood are important factors as well as the flow of guests. Obviously, to achieve the maximum possible number, I need to work non-stop which requires a constant flow of willing subjects.

Fundraiser for Amelia's Miracle

Yesterday I had a last minute request to do on the spot caricatures a charity fundraiser for Amelia's Miracle (http://www.ameliasmiracle.com/) at the Crown in Playhatch, Reading. I wasn't doing anything else and the weather was s*** so I decided to go along. It was quite a crush in the pub with a number of quality acts going on. I was kept busy most of the afternoon and was able to hand over a pocket full of notes before I left. Here are a few of my victims!

 

 

A few sketches off the telly

A lot of caricaturists use celebrity caricatures drawn from photos to showcase their skills. Personally, I think it is somewhat disingenuous to use this kind of stuff to promote myself as a live caricature entertainer but I do spend many happy hours practising in front of the TV and computer screen.
Here are a few of my practice sketches.

Hugh Laurie as House

Mackenzie Crook

Bruce Willis

Morgan Freeman

Johnny Vegas

Liam Fox

Dara O'Brian

Filmed for Channel 4

Last week I was hired to draw live caricatures for the forthcoming Channel 4 series Four in a Bed.
The episode took place at the Portcullis Hotel near Bristol. Although they haggled me down a bit over the fee, I couldn't help feeling excited that I had come to their attention and a tad flattered that they had chosen to use my services!

Besides drawing all the contestants I provided a bit of fun with what was euphemistically described as a masterclass. So I had an hour to turn 7 hoteliers into master caricaturists - no problem I said with my fingers crossed! At the end I had to pick a winner "Generation Game" style. All good fun and plenty of laughs. Judge for yourselves when the program is screened this Autumn!

Lauren and Daniel's wedding 25/02/2012

Lauren and Daniel's plight made headlines around Christmas; they lost thousands of pounds when a wedding venue they had booked went into administration. All seemed lost but then, thanks to the amazing efforts of Stephanie Allison of Bristol Wedding News, a massive appeal went out to dozens of local suppliers to save the day and sure enough, within a short time, not only a venue but an entire roster of entertainers had rallied around.

For my part, besides sympathy for the plight of the bride and groom to be, I understood immediately the promotional potential of providing a few hours of live caricature entertainment for free so when I was approached, I grabbed the chance with both hands!

I went along for 2 or 3 hours in the evening. The party was a great success with loads going on and a very happy crowd which kept me busy the whole time. It was all great fun.

Thanks for asking me along Lauren and Daniel and al the best wishes for the future!


A couple of the Live Caricatures done at Lauren and Daniel's wedding.

Caricatures of Caricaturists: Simon Ellinas

Strangely, a lot of top caricaturists have highly "caricagenic" faces. Take the great Simon Ellinas (AKA Blazerman) as a prime example:

As for myself, I wouldn't like to say but I am sure someone out there could stitch me up proper!

Charlie Everett

Wedding Caricaturist / party caricaturist

Caricatures in Ikea over New Year 2012

I had a late booking drawing on-the-spot caricatures for 4 afternoons in the Bristol Ikea on the 28th, 29th and 30th of December and the 2nd of January which was a welcome boost to my finances with the tax deadline looming!

I was drawing caricatures of children and families in the sales and working alongside face painters and a Magician.

Here are some of the highlights.

To see lots more, visit my website at http://www.demonpen.co.uk./

Happy new year!