I have never done a caricature before. At least not one other than a cartoonish drawing I did many years ago at school and it wasn't very good. This is my first real attempt at one and it really turned out more like a slightly exaggerated portrait rather than a caricature. I tried twice and decided that I had chosen the wrong
subject. I chose Johnny Depp because my son really likes him and he portrays so many interesting characters. Actually, I realized it before I was even done with the first one but wanted to finish it for Cyan. My son actually looks a good bit like Johnny Depp, thus his fascination with him. So, what I know I did wrong:
1. I think I chose the wrong subject.
2. I didn't exaggerate anything enough.
3. I exaggerated too many features.
4. I should have done a full body or nearly full body pose so I could play with the overall perspective a bit more, maybe made him standing in a quirky pose and made his body smaller and his head larger.
5. There should have been a hand and a cigarette involved.
Hmmmm, I'm sure there is more, but these are all I can think of this morning. Last night I had a list in my head a mile long. I don't like it when I can't do something. I am very stubborn and I may try this again because I feel like it defeated me and I don't like it. Even though I really have no interest in doing caricatures I still want to make it work just because. Told you I was stubborn. But this is why I love doing MAD and IF, it makes me try to do things I would not normally do. What is really funny is my son and husband love these, go figure!
What are you trying to do????? KILLLLLL MEEEEEE????? OMG!!!! I'm drooling all over the dang keyboard!! This is just ridiculously fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love it. This is HOT!!! Girl all I can say is sure do know how to melt snow here Jersey!! he he he he! Cause this is hot! Did I say this hot??? he he he! Great work. You are fantastic. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend.
Karen, you are too hard on yourself! (he says, even though he is the same way). Yes, this isn't a cartoony caricature, and like you said, it stands as a portrait in its own right ... but the real point (caricature OR portrait) is to capture some essential "truth" about the subject, don't you think? So if you feel you've done that, then you've succeeded very well!
ReplyDeleteReally great job on the hair and skin in this painting, K. It's all very nice, but I love the attention to detail on those parts especially.
Thanks for you comment on my "Perspective" sketch. I know you're a friend to animals, and they (and me too) thank you for it!
Ya'll are too kind! Thank you both, Vanessa I am glad I melted the snow a little for you :)
ReplyDeleteHot, hot, hot is right! Karen it looks just like Johnny, I knew it right away, even before I read your post, you did a fabulous job! You are so much braver than me, I totally skipped the caricature this week, good for you! Wow, your son looks like him? The girls must be calling non-stop! Give yourself a huge pat on the back, 'cause I'm giving you a big hug right now!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks Susan, and yes, some girls actually kind of stalk him, it's crazy. His sister came home this weekend and was so upset at how tall,hairy and handsome he has become. He also has this incredibly deep voice, I kinda hate it, my babies are all grown up and gorgeous. He's got blue eyes instead of brown and black hair, but the bone structure, shape of the eyes and facial hair are the same. His nose is a little broader due to a softball incident that deviated the septum. He even has the same eyebrow scar. It's the Irish/American Indian combination I guess. Myles and I got all the Irish, Cyan and Maura got this great combo of traits.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to Monday Artday. I didn't even try a caricature because I know I am lousy at it. But one good thing about yours is that I knew right away it was Johnny Depp. I didn't recognize some of the others on Artday and I'm sure if I had made a meager attempt my Johnny Depp might have looked more like Johnny Carson (unless, perhaps, I added scissor hands.) I think this is a very nice portrait. Portraits are hard to do, so you should be proud of your work.
ReplyDeleteWow! I always say the same thing, but WOW!!
ReplyDeleteReally great! I love Johnny!
ReplyDeleteHey, you are over at Monday Artday! Me too! very nice take on caricature...I like! And I'd like to add...totally rockin' skin tone..you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteHey Karen! Just wanted to say thanks so much for your nice comments today and your wonderful ps advice. You and your whole family are like a photoshop help-line! I'm going to keep at it, and I start my private lessons on Friday, so that will be a tremendous help. I don't think it will ever completely replace my colored pencils or watercolor (which I plan on trying with cp at some point), but I won't say never! Thanks again for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteps - it is SO hard seeing our babies grow up!
Hi K,
ReplyDeletenice and hard work you did on Johnny Deep! Good! I am impressed of the work of the hand with little train. Nice photoshop painting!
Thanks for the kind comment at my blog!
Hey Karen! Thanks for your wonderfully encouraging and kind words over at my blog. Sorry you can't add me. I don't know if the prob is on my end or not... but it's the thought that counts :o) I love your Johnny Depp. As soon as I clicked on I said to myself Wow! It's Johnny Depp. You certainly picked a difficult subject. I find that the older people are easier to caricature because their features are more exagerated already. So I commend you on your courage and terrific work! God bless.
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