Still pretty Quick, but I was really enjoying practicing that Black/White stuff that so many people have been requesting recently. I guess it's difficult economic times or something, but so many people have been asking more about 'how many can we squeeze in per hour' than about 'how much Fun can we have at the Party' - So many people have become focused on 'What Things Can I Get?' - instead of 'Let's take time off to Hang Loose, to Have Fun'.

So, in trying to accommodate them, I've been doing a lot of Black/White Parties. Obviously, it takes less time to draw a face than it takes to both draw a face And color a face. Still, even if the customer asks me to just get a paper to as many people as possible, I want to Enjoy the Art. I want to See and Experience each person. Here I was practicing to Both See well And draw quickly at the same time. The first three needed a predraw. But the last two were drawn directly with the marker:

I'll be drawing at a 50th Birthday Party tonight. At a local pub. Client requested Black/White Caricatures.

So I'm thinking - Perhaps I'd like to make them simple. Direct. Clean. To keep the Party moving - which is probably why they specified Black/White Caricatures.

Here are a few practices. This is fun. The pictures just roll right out of the marker. Not as wild as my usually Exaggerated Color Caricatures, but so much easier to make. And I think they look great in a little frame by the door. in the den. in the kitchen......

BTW, I timed myself drawing these simple Caricatures. Each one was done in 2 - 3 minutes. That's about 25 pictures per hour - much more than the 10 per hour that I usually recommend planning for. I'm sure it would take longer at an event than from photos - guests are human beings - but I'd still be confident of making more pictures this way.

Aw, Sweetie - This is obviously not You. Even my interest has gotten so far from the original girl as I draw alone in my studio in the middle of the night. I was just inspired to draw another picture because of my previous Picture - not because of the person who was the original subject.

I looked at my post here from January 3, 2010, and I was intrigued to see what I could do if I curved that nose all the way up - to match the nose-tip with the eyes. Just for Fun.

I like the Picture.

It's just for Fun. I hope people understand that they are not their picture. Actually, people look pretty much the same as each other - eyes in the middle of the head - deviating ever so slightly from Basic Proportions that are taught in any Portrait Class. Caricature Artists are playing with Pictures - drawing Shapes, not drawing Noses.

The girl that was the original inspiration for this picture was as beautiful (or as funny-looking, depending on your point of view) as any other human being. Remember - If you're going to laugh at anyone else, remember that You're one of us too. I hope that my Caricatures will help people to loosen up - help them not to take themselves so seriously - help them to relax about what they look like. It's Okay, people. It's not possible to have a face that doesn't have two holes in the middle of it (a nose) - and that's a funny design. (Don't get me started on Ears!)

I can't explain it. Why this makes me so happy. It's like, it's like it's the answer to my dreams. Here I am once again, making up faces. I guess it's going to be my Thing this year. Making up faces and keeping my backbone straight. I feel Great!