Caricature Strategy
As you continue to get better at drawing caricatures, you will develop your own personal approach. You will learn that a good caricature strategy is essential in designing a good caricature. Sometimes these strategies are obvious, such as accentuating an oversized feature. Sometimes these strategies are more understated, such as when dealing with someone with very delicate features. Here are some good strategies to remember:
When accentuating a large feature like a nose, draw heavy shadows underneath to help project it out toward the viewer.
When dealing with a large head, shrink the facial features to make it seem even larger.
If the person squints when she's smiling, draw the eyes closed and curved into thin slants, arched by the cheeks.
Use a neck (or absence of such) to indicate a thin or heavy person.
To accentuate jowls, draw the bottom half of the head in one sloping curve, right down to the collar. Then plant a separate chin under the mouth.
Caricaturing a pretty face is the most difficult challenge of all. You have to really examine the face carefully to find the dominant feature. When you find it, treat it carefully. A face with beautiful features will allow a much smaller degree of exaggeration in a caricature. In these cases, sometimes the most unlikely feature — such as the hair or makeup — will become the focal point.
Should I practice caricature on my family and friends?
Only if they can be trusted to fill two roles: First, they must be willing to sit for a personal sketch. Second, you must be able to find the right mixture of honesty and support that you'll need to build your confidence.
