AboutElgin Bolling Expertise Can answer questions about basic sketching and drawing, caricature drawing, and cartoon character creation and techniques. I cannot answer questions concerning 3D character creation and modeling.
Experience Professional cartoonist, and caricature artist since 1990.
Organizations Member of the National Caricaturist Network
Question Hello
It would be great if you could give me some advice.
Could you let me know what sort of materials you use
for doing the quick on the spot caricatures.
Iv been trying out various ways like graphite sticks.
But I want something that can be used quickly but leaves
a neat finish. Is there a standard set of tools that
caricaturists use ?
It would really help me out to get some tips.
Answer A question on caricature is always one Im glad to answer. I make my living as a professional caricature artist and my work can be viewed at
caricatures4u2.blogspot.com
and also at
subwaysurfer.blogspot.com
I have done party caricature, gift caricature, caricature for film and television and also the quick on the spot caricatures on the street that you speak of.
What STANDARD set of tools do caricature artists use?
That depends on the artist.
That is the truth. You must rally experiment and find your own way. There is no other way to get around it.
I know two artists who use PENCIL to draw their caricatures. One uses an 0.9 mm pencil and the other uses a regular bic mechanical pencil you buy at any Duane Reade.
BOTH do excellent results.
Another artist I know used a regular SHARPID Marker to make thier mark, some even use ball point pens.
Personally,I use a variety of tools that I use depending on mood, and how the tool "feels" in my hand.
I get excellent results from using a FAT Crayola marker. These markers are inexpensive, and have a conical tip which allows me to vary my line quality. For me, LINE QUALITY is EVERYTHING. My particular line quality varies between thick and thin. If you look at my blk and wht work and study the way the lines are drawn you will see what I mean. Varying line quality gives the drawing a rhythmic quality. If I am drawing with a regular sharpie I just get one consistant, boring line which does not vary in thickness and makes the overall experience unenjoyable for ME. Its very important that YOU enjoy yourself while drawing or else it will show up in your work.
In addition to crayolas I use Faber Castell PITT artist brush pens for fine lines and TOMBO Bruah pens for heavier lines. Each pen gives excellent ink flow. For really precise line drawing I also use MARKETTE Markers,and when Im drawing large I use CHARTPAK markers. Be careful with the CHARTPAKS. They are XYlENE based and give off a smell that makes some people light headed and dizzy. I use these sparingly, but they are great because of their ink flow, their chistled tip, and ability to cover large areas quickly .
THE BEST paper to use for FAST drawing is a glossy type of paper whose surface is slick. The slickness allows your marker to slide across the sheet quickly. You MUST be sure of your sketch though and be very confident, as you cannot "predraw" using this paper.
I particularly like drawing on cardstock paper which i can easily purchase from any office supply store like STAPLES or OFFICE MAX
Last but not least you must be able to have the SILL to draw fast. You can have the best materials in the world but it will not "help" you to draw "better" if you have lackluster skills" drawing fast is a MIND thing. You must be confident and draw what you SEE without hesitation. The only way to develope that confidence is to draw all the time. This is something you must apply yourself to well.
Hope this helps.
Happy Drawing.
