I was recently commissioned to draw a Caricature for a Food Truck. I was sent only this one reference photo, and I was told that the guy should look like a greek god and that I should include that border design

What does he sell? All I could see was something about Fries and Ketchup. So I designed the following picture ~ figuring that whatever else it is that he sells ~ the idea of a whole sea full of lots of French Fries would be sure to attract customers. Many people just love french fries:

But my Client.... go figure..... My client ordered a 2nd Caricature based on this photo. He said it's because he was expecting a closeup of the man's Face ~ which is what I usually draw. I usually draw Face Only to keep the energy Up at Parties. My Client wanted the man's face to be large. And he wanted me to include that border. And Meat:

I felt glad to accommodate him. I like to keep my clients happy, and I felt glad to draw another Caricature. But I wonder.... wouldn't the first one (with the sea of fries) serve his purpose better?

Update: Client said "WOW!!!" with the 2nd Caricature that he ordered. And I can see what it is that must have affected him. The 2nd Caricature has Big Impact. Dramatic colors. Yes. Another job well done

Whenever possible, I like to take photos of the Reactions to my Caricatures. Delighted Guests. Happy Surprises. It helps me re-live the experience.

When I arrived at the venue/bar for this Party, I felt like it was going to be one of those Drawing in the Dark events oh. But no ~ as I walked in, I saw that they had an outdoor 'porch' on the water ~ oooh ~ uhoh about that too ~ do i have my sunscreen with me, or would i have to take the time to go back to my car to get it? It was like 100-degrees out there that day.

But no ~ not that either Yay. Turned out to be a great Event. My Client had arranged for a well-lit Indoor area for the Caricatures afterall ~ her Guests could easily see the Activity from outside on the porch as well as from inside in the bar. It was all open so meandering back and forth was natural. And my Client kindly arranged for a Big Fan to be directed towards me. I felt so comfortable. I felt like I was able to do my best work, and I felt like the Guests felt comfortable and welcome also. Easy-going.

Here are a few of the Caricatures that I drew. And the Reactions of the Guests. People having a Good Time at the Party:

Looking forward to tomorrow's Party (Grown-Ups Birthday), I drew 4 Caricatures here to warm up. They're just pictures of people that were in a documentary that I was watching.

My time was good ~ I was able to draw them well with No Predraw

Then I made up a face ~ to warm up my Colors. Nice.

I recommend Estimating 10 Faces per Hour. But I try to accommodate my Clients when they ask me to draw Faster. So here I am ~ practicing from photos before my next Really Big Party.

Obviously, I can't do what I can't do. But there are ways to get more people drawn (if they all sit for their Caricatures very quickly ~ I can't very well Rush the Guests). I can approach the Artwork very simply. I can just draw Lines without Shading. I can skip the Color. And I feel that the way to keep them Simple is to just draw what I see ~ with not much in the way of Artist's Interpretation.

Still, the Artwork takes on a Quality of its own. Not the Whole Symphony, but a Simple Beauty in its Simplicity. Kind of Classy.