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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Star Wars Caricatures

Star Wars caricatures are always a firm favourite over at www.DrawMe.com.au.

The caricature above was created for a family of 4 and shows the stunning clarity and attention to detail.

Whether you want to be features as Luke Skywalker from Episode IV:  A New Hope or the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader, the choice is yours.

I can still remember watching Star Wars for the first time at the cinema.  That opening scene was just epic.

Now you can capture some of that magic and have your very own caricature created in the Star Wars type theme.

All I require is a good quality photo of the person to be drawn and a description of what you would like in the background.

Disney had now purchased the rights to the Star Wars franchise and work is underway on the latest version of Star Wars Episode VII.

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

How to draw faces

The image above shows the stages that I go through when drawing a caricature face.

The first step is the outline of the face and this is a very important step as it helps to define the actual likeness of the person being drawn.

I first draw a standard thickness line base and then go over each line adjusting the thickness to suit the part of the face being drawn e.g. some of the wrinkle lines will be thinner than other areas of the face.

The second step is the blocking in of the base skin colour.  It is important to establish a good base colour...usually a medium skin tone.

The next step is to graduate the skin colour and start to refine the shape of the face. The use of darker and lighter skin colours will help to define the contours of the face.

My next step is usually the eyes.  The eyes are an extremely important part of the face, especially as it is the eyes that we tend to look at when speaking to someone.

I give the eyes a base white colour before painting in the iris and pupils etc.  It is important to note that the whites of the eyes are not exactly white...more of a dirty white / grey colour.

The mouth is the next stage and one that can take the most time, especially if teeth need to be painted.

One the main features of the face have been completed it is then on to the hair and facial hair if required.

The final touches are usually some highlights in the face, particularly around the eyes and cheeks.  Some highlights are also added to the hair, lips, and nose.

It is amazing how much of a difference a few subtle highlights can make to the overall quality of the caricature.

Although the bulk of my work is based on the painting of caricatures I also produce high definition portraits.  The workflow is a little similar to the caricature work although the are a few more stages and a lot more detail.

Head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au to see many more examples of the caricatures and portraits.

Couples caricatures

I frequently get asked to produce caricatures for couples and for many reasons including weddings, engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, friendships etc.

Sometimes I am asked to include a car, pet, or other notable item in the scene.  No problem.

The caricature above was created to celebrate a wedding.  The client advised that the car, A Ford Falcon GT, was being used at the wedding.  The pet dog was also required in the final caricature.

Any items can be included in a caricature design.  All that is required is a little imagination and a description of what is required.

The turnaround time for a caricature can be as little as a few hours although it is always a good idea to order in plenty of time before the big day.

DrawMe.com.au is an established business and has earned a reputation for producing high quality caricatures and portraits, not only with individual clients but also with other caricature artists.  

Caricature artwork can be used in many ways.  A digital form can be used on websites, emails, blogs, social network sites etc.  Prints can be framed or mounted or even printed in smaller versions and used as gifts at weddings...what a great momento!

Many clients become repeat customers.  Remember that once a face has been drawn it can be used again in another scene.  So, many customers come back at Christmas for Christmas designs.

Order your caricature today.

Dr Who Caricature

The Dr Who caricature is one of the popular caricatures produced over at www.DrawMe.com.au.

Many customers opt to include the TARDIS and even a dalek as shown in the caricature above.

Anything can be included in the background.

All I require is a good quality photo of the face to be drawn and a description of what you would like in the background.

The caricature is then hand drawn to very high standards and with amazing likeness to the original photo.

Below you can see the overlay (click on it to enlarge) of the original photo all the way to the finished caricature.  Remember, these are hand drawn and not photo manipulations.

There are many sizes and finishes available including electronic print, canvas, standard print, mounted, framed, acrylic block, etc

Most customers opt for the popular 12" x 18" or 16" x 24" although absolutely any custom size can be created for you.

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

Wedding Caricatures

I get asked to produce wedding caricatures all the time over at www.DrawMe.com.au.  There are many styles available and anything can be drawn in the background.

This example wedding caricature was completed recently for a couple who wanted to include the wedding car in the caricature.

I often get requests to include the wedding car and this is not a problem.

This particular caricature was actually for their 1st wedding anniversary.  As you may recall the first wedding anniversary is represented by paper.

Many couples use a caricature as a signing board as guests arrive.  The usual thing is to produce the caricature in a frame with white mount and get the guests to sign the mount.

Some other couples use their wedding caricature as small gifts on the tables.  Simply request smaller prints to be produced and you can give these out at the wedding to guests.  

All I need in order to complete your wedding caricature is a good quality photo of the bride and groom and a description of what you would like to be drawn in the background.

Remember that these also make great gifts for the best man, bridesmaids, or anyone else who is part of the big day.

Some couples opt for a 'fun' caricature theme and have themselves doing crazy things in the artwork...not necessarily drawn wearing the usual wedding attire.  Anything is possible.

So, head on over to www.DrawMe.com.au and order your very own wedding caricature today.

Tetley Tea Bags Caricature

I was just sorting through a few files when I came across a caricature I produced last year for Tetley (yes, the tea bag people).

The request was to produce one of their retiring workers as a Tetley Tea Man (do you remember the adverts?)

This was a simple caricature to do and I loved the nice clean lines and cartoon like feel of it.

The thing I remember about this one is that he was not wearing glasses so a request came back to add them in...I think it was a good move as it just sets of the caricature nicely.

Remember that any theme can be drawn and you are not limited to those shown on the website (www.DrawMe.com.au)

All I require is a good quality head shot to work from and a description of what you would like in the background.

All artwork is hand drawn from scratch and is produced to professional standards.

Mounted Prints

Looking for a special way to display your prints?  Mounted prints are proving to be very popular due to the high quality and protection provided for the print.

This soccer themed graduation caricature was produced for a customer who wanted to recognise her brother's achievements in graduating from his pharmacy course.

The description was as follows:

Hope you are well! Just wanted to order a caricature for my brother. His is graduating from university this year. 

I would like him to be in a Manchester United soccer kit kicking a soccer ball. I would like him to be wearing a graduation hat and in one hand a book (with pharmacy graduate written on it) and in the other hand the FIFA world cup trophy.   He has dark brown eyes.    

Thanks heaps.

The final caricature is displayed above (click to enlarge).

All caricatures are drawn by hand to a high level of detail and can then be produced in various finishes including print, canvas, mounted, framed, acrylic block, etc

This customer chose the mounted caricature print which has a stunning finish to it.  The print is produced in the normal way and is then mounted onto 20mm foamcore and then protected with a special textured layer which protects the print from UV, scratching etc.  The mounted prints are a fantastic way to finish off any caricature.  All mounted prints come ready to hang and do not require any framing although a frame can be added if required.

The mounted prints are also very light and do not have any glare associated with other mounting processes.

All I require in order to draw your caricature is a photo of the person to be drawn and a description of what you require in the caricature.

Before the print is produced you will have an opportunity to review a pre-print electronic copy for any final amendments.

Once you are happy with the caricature the printing and mounting process will commence.

The final mounted print is sent via Express Post.

You can see an example of the mounted print below.

You have a choice of a black or white central core.  A mounting hanger is attached to the rear of the core allowing for easy hanging of your masterpiece!

Various sizes are available from the small 6" x 4" right through to 24" x 36".

Order your mounted print today over at www.Drawme.com.au

David Beckham going to Australia

Rumour has it that David Beckham will be coming to Australia as a guest player in the Australian A-League.

Beckham has just helped LA Galaxy to a second MLS Cup.

The lure of Australia is facing stiff opposition from Europe with QPR, Paris St-Germain and Monaco interested.

There is also believed to be interest from Brazil, China and South Korea.

Australian sides in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney are all said to be interested in securing the services of Beckham.

With the publicity following Beckham it is no surprise that so many clubs are all keen to secure the star player.

The caricature on the left was designed by www.DrawMe.com.au following the rumours that Beckham may be coming to Australia.

Other soccer caricatures are available on the DrawMe.com.au website.

Order your own caricature today.

Graduation Caricatures

Graduation caricatures make an ideal gift and momento of the special day.

All that is required is a photo of the person to be drawn and a description of what you would like in the background.

Each graduation caricature is unique and is hand-drawn by an extremely talented artist.

Any size of caricature can be drawn from the small photo-size to a large poster over 2 metres in length.

Caricatures can also be finished in many mediums including the popular canvas, standard print, mounted, framed, acrylic block, ...anything that can be printed on.

Patrick Morrow over at www.DrawMe.com.au is a specialist in producing top quality caricatures and portraits.  Just read the 100s of feedback entries from his very happy customers.

A graduation ceremony is a unique occasion and commissioning a hand-drawn caricature is a unique way to remember the day.

All graduation caricatures are hand drawn in full colour and to extremely high standards.  The photo-likeness is amazing.

These graduation caricatures are an inexpensive and novel way to capture the importance of the day.

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

Unique Christmas Gift

Looking for that unique Christmas gift?  Something that says you have thought about it?  Something that no-one else will think of?

A caricature from www.DrawMe.com.au is the way to go.

These stunning full colour caricatures have delighted customers from all over the world for many years.

A caricature is unique and will be treasured long after the chocolates, Christmas turkey, and New Year's diet are all but a distant memory.

All you need is a photo of the person to be drawn.  Send it to Patrick over at www.DrawMe.com.au along with a description of what you require and he will hand draw a totally unique Christmas gift.

You can specify anything you want to be drawn and the price includes body and full background.

The caricatures can be printed to any size and are available in many finishes including: electronic, print, canvas, mounted, framed, acrylic block etc.

Patrick achieves an amazing photo-likeness in his work and the prints looks absolutely stunning at 12" x 18" or larger.