Caricatures from Photos

When drawing caricatures from photos it is important to achieve an incredible likeness, and that is exactly what is done at www.DrawMe.com.au.

The only thing I need to be able to draw your caricature (or portrait) is a good quality photo to work from.  A photo with a good facial expression will make the caricature so much more appealing too.

So, who are you dealing with?  Well, my name is Patrick and I have been drawing portraits for about 30 years and caricatures for about 10 years.  

I have worked for some of the biggest companies in the world and regularly receive requests to attend special events, TV interviews, award ceremonies etc.

The caricatures and portraits produced are highly regarded as being of top quality (just check out the feedback on my website).

I offer various size and print options including canvas, framed, mounted, email, and the very popular 12" x 18" print.

The caricatures look stunning in full colour!

Simply email me with your photo(s) and a description of the theme you require and I will get back to you asap with comments and suggestions.  Alternatively, if you already know exactly what you require, simply head on over to my website at www.DrawMe.com.au and place your order.  Payment can be made via secure bank transfer, credit or debit card, or I can send you an invoice.

I have included a few sample caricatures with this article but if you would like to see more then feel free to view them on my website or ask for more samples to be sent via email.  I have 1000s of completed caricature examples.

Once you have placed your order I will get in contact with you to confirm everything and then work will commence.

You can ask to see a proof before final printing.

Postage is via Express Post or Courier service depending on the size and type of product selected.  

Get in contact with me today.  You only deal with one person from start to finish...no call centres, no unfriendly customer service, just a hard working guy out to deliver exceptional results.

Corporate Gift Ideas

I have recently been extremely busy producing corporate caricatures for some big companies across the globe.

The most recent was for a large finance company who ordered 50 caricatures of some of their finance team.

Another was for a return client, GE, who ordered a large group caricature of their recent graduates.

Over at www.Drawme.com.au I produce stunning artwork that can be used as gifts, on websites, Christmas cards, and in corporate literature to portray a sense of fun.

Many of my corporate clients use the caricatures instead of the boring photo gallery that lines the walls of the usual corporate offices.  The caricatures have customers and staff engaged with the unique and fun way to identify their employees.  They break down barriers and lead to conversation points.

In order to draw a caricature all I require is a photo of the person and a brief description of their interests or any theme you would like to incorporate.  I'll then get to work producing your caricatures.

Many schools also engage me to complete team caricatures, staff caricatures, or even designs for retiring colleagues.

The unique designs are an instant hit with many clients coming back for many more...indeed, I have just received an order for 21 new background designs for a client who has been coming back to me for over 5 years now.

Once the caricature has been drawn it is easy for me to design a new background theme at any time.  This means that we can reuse your face and place you on a new background...great for Christmas card designs, different seasons, or new promotions.

I have even drawn caricatures that have been shown at local cinemas for advertising purposes...how unique!

So, head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au now and check out some of the many 1000s of caricatures drawn.

If you are after something particular then please get in touch.  Anything is possible.

Unique Wedding Gifts

Are you still thinking about something to buy for a wedding gift?

Trying to think of something unique?

Tired of the hassle of shopping on the busy high streets?

Can't find something personal?

I know how you feel.  It can be frustrating trying to find a special and unique gift for the happy couple.
How often do you see wedding gifts end up in cupboards rarely to be used?  Or worse, having 2 (or more!) of the same gift.

That will not be a problem with a custom designed and unique piece of artwork which can capture the special day.

My caricatures (see them over at www.DrawMe.com.au) delight and amaze and look absolutely stunning (you just can't get the same effect by looking at these small images online).

I have dealt with 1000s of customers from all walks of life and they all comment on the artwork and how it really makes them smile.

All I need to create your artwork is an idea and a photo of each face to be drawn.  From there I will create a unique caricature for you.

My wedding caricatures are a special favourite with my customers, many of whom have ordered again and again!

So, stop ducking in and out of shops and sit back, relax, think of an idea (or let me do the thinking for you), and send me over a couple of photos.

The whole process is completely painless and only takes a few days before your unique custom artwork is created.

Once your caricature is ready I'll send you an email version for you to check before the final print is sent to you.

There are various choices in terms of finish including the very popular canvas option for weddings.

The prints can be produced in any size up to about 1 metre without any loss of quality.  This means you can use the artwork for small prints (perhaps one for each guest) or even a huge welcome banner!

Many couples have used their caricature for invitations, gifts, as an alternative to a book to sign, table settings, in videos etc

I am always happy to chat about your idea so please feel free to get in touch to discuss whatever you have in mind.

Ready to order?  Then simply head on over to my website at www.DrawMe.com.au and place your order...it's quick and easy.

I really do look forward to hearing from you and being able to create your customised artwork that will be treasured for years.  It will be the envy of everyone at the wedding!

How to draw a caricature

I often get asked over at www.DrawMe.com.au how I draw a caricature.

First, you need a little artistic ability and a lot of patience.

Next, you need to be creative in your output.  Think about what you are designing and try to follow basic design principles.

If you are just starting to draw caricatures then visit other caricature websites and review the work of the artists.  Each has a unique style.

You need to decide what tools you will be using to draw your caricatures.  The cheapest option is just to use a basic pencil.  You may find that a softer pencil is easier to work with and is more forgiving.

Charcoal is another option but can be somewhat messy for a beginner.

Many artists have now made the switch to digital mediums and use a digital graphics tablet such as the popular Wacom brand.

If you are going digital then consider the expense of tablet, computer, and software.

Many artists use Photoshop as their main software although some do use Illustrator or other vector based programs.

If you have used a pencil for your drawing then making the switch to digital pen/tablet should not be too difficult.

The first few weeks can be tricky when using a digital pen, especially if you have been used to using a mouse.  Stick with it.  It does get easier.  I used a mouse for many years and found it quite tricky to make the move to digital pen.  I now find it quite annoying to have to use a mouse.  I love using my pen to draw my artwork.

World Cup Fever 2014

It seems that World Cup fever has finally struck, with customers ordering their unique soccer caricatures from www.DrawMe.com.au

This caricature was drawn for a soccer fan.  In this example he is wearing his own team colours.  However, you can specify any colours you wish.

Is the man in your life a soccer nut?  Do you find difficulty finding a suitably unique gift for him?  One that he will appreciate and that no-one else will have?

I know how difficult it can be finding something for someone so passionate about their sport or who is just so fussy!

I also realise that no everyone can afford to head over to Brazil to soak up the atmosphere in person.

These soccer caricatures help capture the essence of the game, the thrill of the goal, the suspense of the penalty shoot-out, the excitement of the final.

Don't spend hours in the hustle and bustle of the shopping centres.  Simply place your order online and let me do the hard work for you.

All you need to do to create your unique soccer caricature is send me a photo of the person to be drawn and a description of the team colours (if you know them).

If you would like to include any other special items then just let me know and I'll be very happy to add them for you.  After all, the more personal items we include the more meaningful the artwork will be.

So, score a goal with your other half and order your stunning soccer caricature now.

Witches and Caricatures - a wicked brew!

Is it the Wicked Witch of the West or is it just wicked?!?

This stunning caricature was created by www.DrawMe.com.au for a group of ladies who are known as the witches coven (all in good humour of course!).

This caricature looks absolutely stunning in 24" x 36" on canvas.  Indeed, it looks simply stunning at any size!

The lovely ladies sent over their photos and a description of what they were after.  It was then up to me to cast a spell and come up with something worthy of their personalities and sense of fun.

Remember, anything can be drawn for your own caricature to turn it into a unique masterpiece that can hang on your wall for generations.

The canvas prints are produced on archival quality canvas...not that cheap stuff you get from some labs!  They really do 'pop' with colour.

With a few broomsticks, bats, full moon and cauldron this scene really is captivating.

Do you have to purchase for a birthday, wedding, Christmas, retirement, or other event soon?

I know it can be difficult finding a unique gift.  And who really wants to spend hours trekking around shops to only come up with something that anyone could buy.

With these unique caricatures you are creating a moment in time...a snapshot of the person's personality and, of course, their expression.

All you need to do is send over a photo of the victim special person in your life and tell me a little about what you would like to see.

I will then produce a unique piece of artwork for you.

There is a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  You can even buy now and pay later!

So, contact me now and let's get started on a gift that will have everyone talking.

BONUS: Mention this article to receive 5% discount.

Gone Fishing - for the over 70s

It's fantastic that some people are still healthy and active in their 70s and well beyond.  This caricature was created for one such chap...happily still fishing in his retirement years.

I have created 100s of fishing caricatures over the years at www.DrawMe.com.au.  You can order anything you want for the background. Make it as funny or as serious as you want.

One of my favourites is this one which was created a couple of years ago and always draws attention when I exhibit at shows.

The creation of your caricature will begin with you sending me details about the person to be drawn and/or a list of things you would like to see in the background.  You can be as detailed as you wish.

Then send over a good quality photo of the person to be drawn.  A front on view is best and a great expression always makes for a great caricature.

Next, I will confirm everything with you and the drawing process will commence.

The finished product will be delivered to you once you have approved the artwork (if that is what you requested).

Delivery times vary depending on how busy things are although I will always try to accommodate rush orders and have been known to complete extremely urgent orders in a few hours.

So, gather your photos and place your order today over at www.DrawMe.com.au and sit back and wait for your unique artwork to arrive.  Impress your friends and family with this unique gift solution.

Wedding Caricatures

It's that time of year again when weddings are on the horizon and the thought of purchasing that unique gift may have you stumped!

Head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au for a solution to your wedding gift problem.  1000s of unique designs have been created over the years and your design can be next on the list.

The caricatures created are simply stunning and I have had numerous quotes from extremely happy customers telling me how the caricature they ordered was a huge hit at the wedding.

You can order a custom caricature and use it for 'Save the Date' cards or invitations.  You could order mini caricatures to use as table favours.  Perhaps you want a unique way to say thanks to the bridesmaids.

Anything can be drawn over at www.DrawMe.com.au.  The likeness to the photos you supply is amazing.

The difference with my caricatures is that they do not offend (not unless you really want them too).  There are no offensive exaggerated features such as big noses, huge ears etc (again, not unless you really want to). So, you can be happy that the couple will love their piece of artwork...a treasured momento to grace any wall for years to come.

Back to the Stone Age with the Flintstones

Customers are always asking for some great themes for their caricatures over at www.DrawMe.com.au and it is always a pleasure coming up with something unique.

Each caricature is drawn to exceptional detail and contains a variety of features to make each piece of art unique.

The current background that is being worked on is for a Flintstones style theme.  We have a couple sitting in the Stone Age next to a Wi-Fi hotspot using their laptop and tablet devices (is it OK to say iPad...smile!).

Behind the couple we can see a rather curious dinosaur looking at what they are doing.

Obviously this is only the first very rough draft of the caricature background and a lot more work has to be done.  However, I think you can probably tell that this is going to be an exceptionally unique design.

So, do you know someone who is still living in the Stone Age in terms of their use of technology?  This would make an ideal gift and may even prompt them to improve their skills in the use of technology.

If you have a unique request for a caricature then please contact me over at www.DrawMe.com.au to discuss your requirements.  I am always happy to accommodate the unusual!

A busy start

It has been a hectic start to 2014 at www.DrawMe.com.au with a huge volume of caricature orders, especially groups and Valentine's Day orders.

The next busy period is about to commence with many customers ordering wedding caricatures.

Over the last year I have noticed that the quality of photos being sent in has deteriorated. The proliferation of phones with cameras either means that people are just not worried about getting a good shot (as we had to when using film cameras) or the quality of the hardware is quite poor. What are your thoughts? I personally think it is a combination of the two. 

Digital cameras transformed photography. Digital cameras on phones have taken things to a whole new level. Nearly everyone carries a phone with a camera. This provides plenty of opportunity to capture moments we would have been unable to a few years ago. Unfortunately this has led to poor quality images with often blurred or out-of-focus faces. The lack of a camera flash means that images are often dark and very noisy.

As always, I try to work my magic with the images sent in. Experience allows me to often use the poorest of images. However, if you can capture a high resolution image of the face to be drawn, ensuring a good expression, then the result will often be far superior.

Many customers inform me that they want the caricature for a surprise gift. Great. I presume you would prefer to give a caricature that is of the highest quality based on a good quality image? So, take time a send over a photo that will allow me to produce an exceptional piece of artwork for you.

Please feel free to send over your images for a pre-order check. I will quickly let you know if they are suitable.

Order your caricature today from www.Drawme.com.au

Perfect Gift for a Geek

The Tech Geek caricature is now finished and available for purchase at www.DrawMe.com.au.

Colours in this caricature can be customised to your liking.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

This caricature started life as a rough sketch before being produced as a high quality line art image.

Next came the colouring process and final touches before adding a sample face to the design.

ORDER YOUR OWN CARICATURE

If you wish to order your very own customised caricature drawn by hand from your submitted photos then simply visit my website at www.DrawMe.com.au.

Once you have placed your order and submitted your photos and description I will contact you to confirm everything before the order commences.  I may even suggest some minor changes or additions in order to get the very best final artwork produced.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

I have received countless 1000s of feedback messages from customers all over the world, including from some of the biggest companies such as Stella Artois, Smiths, UK Parliament, Qantas, Arnotts, Sanitarium, Tetley, Ernst and Young, Manchester Airport, Budweiser and many, many more!

Read some of the customer feedback messages here: http://www.drawme.com.au/customer-feedback.php

Tech Geek Caricature - Stage 1

The latest caricature design from www.DrawMe.com.au is the Tech Geek, almost similar to someone from the IT Crowd (the popular UK television series).

To the right you can see the rough sketch which will later be produced as a quality line art drawing.

There is a lot of detail in this caricature including various tech geek equipment such as computer, wires, headphones, and more!

As you would imagine, the tech geek spends little time cleaning his room and has papers, an unmade bed, old pizza box lying on the floor...looks like he is totally engrossed in his technology!

THE NEXT STEPS

The next stage of development of this caricature will be the high quality line drawing before full colouring.

WANT YOUR OWN CARICATURE DESIGNED?

Are you looking to have your own caricature designed to your specifications?

Contact Patrick over at www.DrawMe.com.au or just order online and send over your photo and description.

Cheeky Chap Poses for Portrait

This cheeky little chap is the result of a recent portrait commission.

The cheeky little mouth turn almost contradicts the innocence of the glasses.

Each portrait commission from www.DrawMe.com.au is produced to exceptionally high standard and exquisite detail.

If you are thinking about having a portrait painted then all I require is a high resolution image to work from.

Each commission is produced to exacting standards and is all HAND PAINTED.  These are not manipulated photos.

The painting starts as a light sketch before layers of shading are added in greyscale.

Colour is then added along with increasing levels of detail in order to capture an exceptional likeness.

Each portrait commission takes anywhere from 10 hours to 40+ hours to complete depending on the level of complexity and any background elements required.

If you are looking for a truly magical gift to capture your children, friends, family, or even yourself at a particular moment in your life then there is no better way than a portrait.

Order your portrait today from www.DrawMe.com.au/portraits.php and be amazed by the level of service and blown away by the incredible portrait commission.  Be prepared to say 'wow'.

Caricatures USA

As many of my current customers are aware, I ship my caricatures worldwide and also have dedicated print and framing solutions in Australia, USA, and the UK for extremely fast turnaround.

Caricatures for the USA can be sent as high resolution images, full colour prints, or framed in made-to-measure frames and shipped via UPS to anywhere in the USA.

The framed caricatures come ready to hang in a silver style frame with white mount and full colour caricature print.

An example of the high quality silver frame can be seen on the left.

Remember that any theme can be designed to your specifications.

Portraits of Children

I am always receiving requests to produce portraits of children over at DrawMe.com.au/portraits.php.  One thing I do not think many people realise is that my work is produced by hand from scratch.  My portraits are not computer manipulations of photos.

I believe my portrait (and caricature work) is different from other artists as I pay incredible attention to detail in the likeness.  I am passionate about what I do and what I produce.  Each piece of artwork is a reflection of me and my standards.  I always want to achieve the most visually stunning piece of work I possibly can with my portraits.

Each portrait starts off as a basic sketch outline before layers upon layers of greyscale shading are added.

Smoothing of the greyscale then takes place to achieve a beautiful likeness of the face.

Each portrait is meticulously hand painted to incredible levels of likeness.

Many hours are spent achieving this likeness and, at each stage of production, I provide an opportunity for you to see the stages of development.

Some customers even request a video of the portrait being painted.

Once the greyscale layering had been completed it is on to the finer details in the eyes and mouth.

The eyes are such an incredibly important part of a portrait.  They tend to capture a lifelike character and really connect with the viewer.

Next it is on to the hair and hours of work producing those fine strands and beautiful highlights.

It is at this stage that the portrait has really come to life and there are only a few more stages left.

Colouring and texturing can be added as in the above example although quite a lot of customers do ask for black and white portraits.

Once the artwork has been completed it is off for final inspection and printing to archival standards.  There are many options you can select when it comes to size and finish so please just contact me via my website at DrawMe.com.au/portraits.php

Please head on over to my site now and view other samples of portrait work.

Best Man Gift

If you are looking for that perfect Best Man gift then look no further!

Head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au and order a caricature.

You can have your caricature designed exactly as you want and include many of the funny things that your best man gets up to.

All I need is a photo of the face to be drawn and a description of what you would like to include in the background.  It can be as funny or as serious as you want it to be.

The best man wedding caricature is one of the favourites over at DrawMe and it's easy to see why.

It can be difficult to shop for a gift for a best man...something totally unique and says that you have thought about it.

A caricature allows you to include many personal memories, items, dates, etc in an image that is totally unique and will delight your best man.

The caricatures are all hand drawn and have an amazing likeness to the person being drawn.

There are various options when it comes to the size and finish of the caricature.  You can opt for a print, canvas, mounted, framed, or electronic versions.  Each is produced in full colour (or black and white if you wish) and finished in a professional lab (no cheap inkjet prints!) to ensure your caricature will last for years.

Meticulous detail goes into every caricature to ensure a top quality product that will be a treasure hanging on any wall.

Many wedding couples also opt for a wedding caricature of themselves and use this as a signing in image...guests can sign on the mount used within the frame.

Other couples have used caricatures as wedding newspapers with details of how they met.  This could also be done for the best man caricature.

So, head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au and order your caricature now.

Facial Expression

FACIAL EXPRESSION IS THE KEY
TO A REALLY GREAT CARICATURE

When sending in your photos to have your caricature produced by www.Drawme.com.au it is important to think about the background theme and the facial expression required as this will add impact to the finished caricature.

The caricature on the left shows how the facial expression can really make a caricature come to life.  Imagine if the couple were not as expressive...perhaps not even smiling!  Do you think the caricature would look the same?

The photos that the customer sent in originally did not show these expressions so I advised him to think about the facial expressions they would have if they were on a roller-coaster.  He came back with new photos...ones which added that impact and made for a much more fun caricature.

It is also important that your photos are in-focus, of a good size, well-lit, and actually look like the person to be drawn.  You would be amazed at the number of photos I receive where 2 photos of the same person look totally different!

When you take your photo remember that I need an image taken of the subject facing the camera.  Side shots of the face do not make for great caricatures.

Likewise, do not take the photo from above (make the nose seem big) or from below (gives a double chin!).

Once you have taken your photo then send it to me at full size i.e. do NOT resize for sending the photo via email.

Over the past couple of years I have noticed an increase in the customers trying to use images taken from Facebook profiles.  These are usually far too small to work from.

If you want the caricature to have the best resemblance then a digital camera image is usually the best option.

If you have any questions then feel free to contact me via my website at www.Drawme.com.au.

Rock Star Caricature

The rock star caricature is one of the most recent additions to the standard caricature bodies completed.  It joins a whole host of bodies and backgrounds available over at www.DrawMe.com.au.

I will take you through the process of drawing the body so you can see the level of thought and detail that goes into the production of these highly sought-after caricatures and portraits.

Remember that my work is not the quick sketch style of caricature but rather a detailed piece of artwork in full colour (or black and white) which is produced to an outstanding level of detail and with a likeness to the person being drawn that is rarely seen.


STAGE 1: THE ROUGH SKETCH
The rock star caricature started life as a hand drawn rough sketch using a pencil on paper as you can see from the image to the left.

The idea was to produce a fairly punk type of rock star / singer with a mix of gold chains, ripped jeans, big boots, studded wrist bands etc.  A bit of a fusion of the different things many of us would associate with a rock star or modern day singer.

This is the stage where the body proportions are identified and concepts tested.

STAGE 2: THE LINE ART
The next step in the production is to produce the clean line art.  I use either Photoshop or Illustrator as my main tool.

Both programs are used extensively during the production process but it must be pointed out that, at no stage, are photo manipulations used.  This work is all hand drawn and painted.

The finished line art is now ready for the colouring process.


STAGE 3: COLOURING
This process is where the caricature body begins to spring to life.

The addition of colour and shading adds depth to the image.  Identifying source lighting, shading areas, highlights, hue, saturation, amongst others helps to give some character to the image.

I use Photoshop as my main colouring tool.

Each individual area of the caricature body is treated separately so that colour change in the future is very easy to do.  This means that a client can request a colour change to any part of the image e.g. changing the jeans to red or the shirt to blue.


STAGE 4: ADDING THE HEAD
Once the colouring has been completed it is time to add the head.  See my previous post here for details on how I produce the head.

The head is placed in an appropriate position to match the body pose.

It is important that you send in a good photo when ordering your caricature.  Identify a photo with a good expression.  Ensure the photo is of a good size, is in focus and is lit well.  A front facing photo will provide a much easier option when it comes to body choice...I can do much more with it.

STAGE 5: THE BACKGROUND
When you place your order you can specify the background you would like to see in the caricature.  This can be anything you wish.

Some customers opt for very busy backgrounds with lots of elements associated with the person.  Other customers opt for a very clean background so that the emphasis is on the caricature body and face.

Think about what you would like in your caricature background.  Feel free to ask questions if you are unsure.


STAGE 6: THE FINISHING TOUCHES
The final stage of the caricature production usually involves some final touches.

I add some shadows to the caricature and fix up any areas that need a few tweaks.

The caricature is now ready for printing.


STAGE 7: PRINTING
After final checks have been completed the caricature artwork is sent off to a professional print lab for printing and any mounting required.  Framing options are also available with all frames coming from a professional framing shop which produces exhibition quality frames.

I do not produce prints in-house as I can't match the professional quality of the external print lab.

So, order your caricature now and get ready to receive your very own stunning piece of artwork.

Head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au to order your very own caricature, a stunning piece of artwork ready to grace any wall in your home.

Unique Christmas Gift

Looking for a unique Christmas gift?

When it comes to the gift of giving it seems that everyone wants to give a unique gift and show that at least some thought has gone into it.

However, the yearly handkerchiefs, sweaters, socks, perfumes .... can all stink (pun intended) of desperation.

A caricature is a unique gift that requires some thought on your part.  You decide on what you would like in the background and have an opportunity to come up with something really unusual that will be the talk of the Christmas parties and family get-togethers.

All you need to supply is a photo of the person to be painted and a description of what you would like in the background.

In order to make the caricature really 'pop' you should include various references to special items, words, places that are commonly associated with the person being featured.

Does the person wear any particular clothing (or lack of clothing!)?

Do they have a favourite colour?

What job do they do?

What are their hobbies?

Have they been involved in any funny situations or accidents?

Have a really good think about the things you would like to see in the caricature and help make it a really personal and unique gift.

I will then begin the production of your unique caricature using your references.

Once the caricature artwork has been completed it can be printed, mounted, framed, or even put onto canvas...the decision is yours.

Order your caricature today at www.DrawMe.com.au.

Speed Painting Avril Lavigne

I have just uploaded an updated (faster) video of my speed painting of Avril Lavigne.

You can view it now via this link: Speed Painting Avril Lavigne

Although the painting process took a couple of hours the video only last a couple of minutes.  So, you get to see the complete painting process in super-fast time!

This speed painting is only a quick painting of Avril Lavigne and is not to the level of detail I would produce my high definition portraits.  Indeed, there would be quite a lot of work still left to do on this portrait to get it to what I usually class as a decent level of likeness.

I have only created this quick portrait in black and white and have not gone for a full colour due to time constraints.  I have not added any texturing to the face or any smaller details.  This is, in effect, a very quick painting!

If you would like to order your own portrait then visit www.DrawMe.com.au for more details or contact me.

I am always looking for 'models' to have their portraits drawn for free so please feel free to get in touch.  Basically I need a good photo of ANYONE who is willing to be painted and feature in an educational video.  I only need your photo...no other posing or commitment required.