Fulfilling childhood dreams or something like it!

Ahhhhh man! I am currently on a 1 week holiday with my wife. We are staying in Derbyshire UK, in the middle of gorgeous countryside, and staying in a static caravan courtesy of Katie's work colleague/friend. The caravan is on a complex with a pool, pub and cafe. Loads of kids about and families with their dogs and bikes, it's ACE!!

It really really really brings back childhood memories when my folks used to take me and my sister to Scarborough on caravan holidays!

I remember drawing like mad on these holidays, and used to love going to the souvenir shop, marveling over the t-shirt design you could get printed. I got my mum and dad to get me an Iron Maiden t-shirt as I loved the design. I think this was how I got in to heavy metal!

Anyway, I have been thinking how I used to lie in bed at night, dreaming of becoming an illustrator and caricaturist!

I had this book when I was a kid, and to my public shame, I had nicked it from my local library. I have looked at this book at least once a year since, and it still inspires me.

It is The Complete Book Of Caricature by Bob Staake. Apologies for the bad quality images, they are taken from my iphone.

I have included some David Levine images and MAD favourite, Sam Viviano. This book is still awesome! I have also included the page on Party Caricature. I remember highlighting the pages when I was about 12 or 13, dreaming of doing this as a job, and now I do!!

Fred Harper Illustration

My oh my!

Have you ever seen someone's work and had the mixed emotions of excitement, amazement, and utter self disgust at your own lack of ability? 

Well Fred Harper's illustrations do just that to me! They are FANTASTIC!!! It is almost frustrating and makes me feel 10 years old again "Mummy, when I grow up I want to be THIS good"

Here's just one example that makes my heart flutter, and my ego whimper in the corner of a very dark, damp room...

Dr Who - Matt Smith, Studio Caricature!

Snoop Dogg, Studio Caricature!

Russell Crowe/Robin Hood Studio Caricature!

Wayne Rooney Studio Caricature

Phil and Holly Studio CAricature

Obama Studio Caricature!

Louis Walsh studio caricature!

Gok Wan Studio Caricature!

Jeff Nishinaka paper sculptures!

Saw these amazing paper sculptures by Los Angeles sculptor Jeff Nishinaka  on the Daily Telegraph website. They are hauntingly beautiful, delicate and just blow me away.

The thought of constructing anything in 3D fills me with fear and dread (I am way too heavy handed) never mind something so intricate!

Apparently, Kung Fu extraordinaire - Jacki Chan is a big collector of Nishinaka's work, who began sculpting in paper almost by accident:

" I have always wanted to be a painter, but whilst studying illustration at Art Centre, I was given assignments in both graphic design and fashion drawing class at the same time to experiment in different mediums, one of them being paper...From then on, I began experimenting with different papers, finding ways to shape, bend, and round edges on it. I wanted to manipulate paper in the least invasive way, to keep the integrity and feel of it." 

Studio Caricatures-Simon Cowell

Studio Caricatures-Lady Gaga

Studio Caricatures

Alan Carr Caricature!

Blog has launched! Wahoooo!!

Well, I feel like I am shouting in to darkness with this 1st post - I am the only one following this so far...

I am hoping this Blog will help me connect with other caricaturist, artists, illustrators, students and anyone thinking of hiring a caricaturist.

I would like to use this as a forum for sharing ideas, posting questions and answering queries and everything else in between.

Feel free to comment, guide, elucidate and agitate!