Drawing a caricature involves exaggerating a person’s features while still making them recognizable. It’s a mix of art and observation, with a bit of humor or satire. Here’s a step-by-step guide to properly draw a caricature:
1. Study the Subject Carefully
Look for defining features: Focus on what makes the person’s face unique — big nose, small chin, thick eyebrows, large ears, etc.
Personality matters: If possible, capture something about their personality — confident, nervous, serious, goofy — through expression or pose.
2. Choose Features to Exaggerate
Pick 1–3 key features to exaggerate.
For example:
Big forehead → make it enormous.
Small eyes → make them tiny dots.
Strong jawline → make it cartoonishly square.
Important: Don’t exaggerate everything or it becomes unrecognizable.
3. Keep a Balanced Structure
Even exaggerated, the face needs overall balance.
Maintain the general shape and spacing of features.
If you enlarge one area, consider shrinking or simplifying another to keep harmony.
4. Use Clear, Bold Lines
Caricatures often use clean, confident line work.
Avoid unnecessary detail — emphasize shape and expression.
Make it expressive, not realistic.
5. Express Emotion or Attitude
Use facial expressions and posture to reflect the person’s typical attitude or role.
A smug politician → smirk and raised eyebrow.
A joyful kid → wide smile and big eyes.
6. Refine and Add Details
Once you have the basic structure, refine it with shading, texture, or color if desired.
Add small recognizable elements like hairstyle, glasses, or clothing that help identify the subject.
7. Keep it Light-hearted
Caricature is often meant to be funny or satirical — not insulting.
The best caricatures exaggerate with charm, not cruelty.