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.

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.

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

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.