How To Draw Caricatures Lenn Redman Pdf |verified|
Redman's method relies on logical observation rather than random distortion. How to Draw Caricatures: The 5 Shapes - Tom Richmond
: Unlike many guides that focus only on the head, Redman includes sections on drawing bodies, arms, and movement, although some examples include nude figures for anatomical study. Book Structure and Contents
Because How to Draw Caricatures is an older title, physical copies can sometimes be expensive or hard to find in local bookstores.
Look at your subject. What makes them look like them ? Is it a very prominent chin, a sharp nose, wide-set eyes, or a unique hairstyle? Focus on identifying the one or two features that differ most from your "Everyman" . Your goal is to highlight these traits. how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf
Redman coined the term "Sell Point." In every face, there is one feature that leads the dance.
Forty years after its publication, How to Draw Caricatures continues to be a benchmark text, though it is not without its critics. The book enjoys a strong reputation, with many finding it invaluable for beginners. One reviewer stated that after just five weeks of practice with this book, they started working as a theme park caricature artist, while another called it "the definitive book on caricaturing".
Find the dominant shape, and stretch it. If a head is slightly long, make it incredibly long. If it is slightly square, emphasize the sharp corners. Pillar 2: The T-Shape and Feature Placement Redman's method relies on logical observation rather than
If you are serious about drawing faces,
: Redman stresses that caricature isn't about random distortion. It’s about identifying a specific trait—like a high forehead or a low chin—and pushing it further in its natural direction.
Every face has a dominant feature—a large nose, a wide mouth, high cheekbones, or deep-set eyes. Redman advises finding this feature and making it the focus of your drawing. If you fixate on the right feature, the rest of the drawing almost draws itself. 3. Exaggeration vs. Distortion Look at your subject
The book breaks down the caricature process into manageable steps, covering all the fundamentals a beginner needs:
Redman devotes specific chapters to individual facial components, offering rules of thumb for abstracting them:
Modern artists use the Loomis method (circles and crosshairs). Redman used the silhouette method first. He taught that a good caricature looks like the person even when it is a solid black cut-out.
You can use the Liquify tool in programs like Procreate or Photoshop to experiment with Redman’s exaggeration theories on a standard portrait sketch.
Redman’s style favors clean, confident lines. Use varied line weights—thicker lines for the outer silhouette and shadow areas, and thinner lines for interior details like wrinkles or eye highlights. Understanding the Value of the Text