Caricature Art: The Fascinating History of the Art of Exaggeration
Caricature art is a creative and often humorous form of art that has been around for centuries. Caricatures primarily portray people or animals in an exaggerated and humorous style, and they are often used as a form of social or political commentary. The art of caricature has an incredibly long and fascinating history, stretching back to the days of Ancient Egypt and Rome. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of caricature art, the main types of caricature art, the materials used by professional caricature artists today and some tips and tricks for the aspiring caricature artist.
What Is Caricature Art?
Caricature art is the artistic style of exaggerating and distorting physical features or general characteristics of a person, animal, object or scene for comedic or satirical effect. It’s a form of satire that exaggerates a subject’s most defining features and often uses some exaggeration of other features as well. While facial features are most commonly exaggerated in caricature art, comedic effects can often be created through exaggerating the features of the body.
A Brief History of Caricature Art
Caricature has a long and fascinating history. Some of the earliest known examples of caricature art can be found in ancient Egyptian tombs and paintings from 4,000 years ago. Caricaturing animals was more popular than caricature humans because of religious beliefs held at the time. Ancient Greek pottery was also often decorated with humourous cartoons as well.
In the Middle Ages, there is evidence of cartoon character-like sketches being used in churches to depict biblical stories. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Grimaldi family of actors, who were famous for their portrayals of Pierrot and Pierrette, popularised these ‘comic books’ and their characters went on to become well known.
The 18th century saw a shift in the focus of caricature art with the rise of newspapers and magazines creating use this art form to express political and social commentary. In the 19th century, political caricature really took off with the invention of the lithograph, which allowed for the mass-reproduction of final artwork much faster than ever before.
The Art of Professional Caricature Today
Today, professional caricature artists use a variety of materials to create their artwork. Common materials used to create professional caricature art include paint, coloured pencils, and computer software packages. Some caricature artists also use embroidery techniques and corking techniques to create truly unique pieces. Professional caricature artists typically receive payment in the form of payment from commission, direct sale of merchandise, or they may also be freelance artists who are paid on a per-job basis.
Types of Caricature Art
The most common types of caricature art include:
-Political Caricatures: Political caricatures often poke fun at politicians or other powerful figures and are typically used to express satire and criticism.
-Facial Caricatures: Facial caricatures typically focus on exaggerating the facial features of a person and are usually characterised by their exaggerated eyes, nose, and mouth.
-Animal Caricatures: Animal caricatures are typically used to exaggerate and emphasise the characteristics of a particular animal.
-Digital Caricatures: Digital caricatures are created using digital means and these can range from cartoon style images to more sophisticated 3D portraits.
Tips for the Aspiring Caricature Artist
For those interested in learning more about the art of caricature, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
-Practice drawing from life. The key to becoming a successful caricature artist is to learn how to draw from life and to pay attention to the small details that make a face unique. It’s also important to practice exaggerating features for comic effect.
-Learn the basics of anatomy and figure drawing. A solid foundation in basic anatomy and figure drawing will help you understand how to make your caricatures more effective.
-Pose your subject. Ask them to create interesting facial expressions and to move their face or head in different ways in order to make it easier for you to capture their features.
-Stay up to date on current events and trends. Caricature art is often used to convey social and political commentary, which requires familiarity with current events and trends. Make sure you stay informed about these topics in order to produce relevant and effective art.
Caricature art is an incredibly versatile and fascinating form of art. Its history dates back centuries and there are a variety of types of caricature art that professional artists use today. With practice and dedication, even the novice can learn to create beautiful and comic caricature art.
