Tampa - Day 1

I finished my first day at Busch Gardens (Tampa) in my two week run, drawing live retail caricatures for the first time in 6 months. It was so much fun

It's like riding a bike. I was a bit slow at first, and the first drawing was boring, generic, and sort of BAD. By the end of the day, I was close to being in the swing of things, and everyone there was great. I'm not digging all the silly things that go with drawing in a theme park- like the screaming kids pushing on my shoulder while I draw, the comments coming from quiet moms that don't like what I'm doing before I even start, the hustling of prices when I try to tell them how much a frame costs, and the lunchroom smell...

But overall, I'm having a great time. I drew with Dion Socia and Brooke Howell, two good friends. We had lots of laughs, and I think after looking at some other blogs, we're on-board to draw some CRAZY stuff come Monday.

I'll try to put some info up here every day to share the progress and fun. I'll leave on the last drawing of my first day back:

LIVE in Tampa

If you get a chance to visit the Tampa area, stop into Busch Gardens during the first two weeks of April. I will be drawing caricatures LIVE for the first time in six months with a stellar lineup of artists, including Joey Judkins, Dion Socia, Brooke Howell, Nick Mitchell and many others.

It's going to be a hell of a great time, so drop by!

Email Illustration

This is the cover for the current C-Ville Weekly in Virginia. The story is about employees being punished and losing their jobs over sending personal emails through an at-work account, after being monitored. It's done with a ZEBRA Brush Pen and colored with Photoshop.

I'll show a step-by-step soon.

midwest - UPDATED 3/28

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I attended the Midwest Caricature Gathering, something put on by NCN members to celebrate caricatures, compete, have fun, and invite others to play. I had a great time with many close friends and since my own photos didn't turn out too well I've stolen a few from the subjects and their blogs. I hope they don't mind (after all, I did draw them).

LIVE

FrankCaliendo.com

This is a preview of the latest caricature for the impressions comedian. It's about 80% complete, Photoshop on top of a quick pencil sketch.

Inspirado

There are many artists that influence me for many different reasons. Sometimes it's their professional work, sometimes their sketchbook, sometimes it's their personality, sometimes it's their drive. These artists are usually very hard-workers and I can see some of myself in them or their craft.

Stephen Silver

This book says it all. Steve has accomplished more than most anyone I can call a friend, and he does it by working his tail off and having the support of his awesome wife, Heidi. I look at this sketchbook (one of his 3 published) every week and gain new inspiration for line, design and cartooning. Steve will always inspire me to work hard, keep drawing and go for what I want.

Tom Richmond

Tom is a smart man. Aside from his obviously ridiculous skills and earned talent (drawing nonstop as well and attending life-drawing every week), he has a personality that is honest, raw and real, and I appreciate that in his work and in his words. His blog is my favorite daily read. I never thought I'd say that about anyone's blog... but it's very true.

Sebastian Krüger

He is a master. He is the master. No one can paint like him, in acrylics, and few in history could handle a brush like him, with any medium. I never fail to be inspired by his control and chaos, his raw, amazing talent. I met Sebastian in 2003 and what's very important to me is that he's fun. He is a smartass sarcastic punk-rocking gentleman. His friend and wife (reps) are amazingly polite as well, and that speaks volumes. Another artist worth admiring in every way.

Jan OpDeBeeck

Jan is another caricature master. I met Jan when I met Sebastian, and I can say that Jan is one of the most honest, interesting, intelligent and kind individuals I've ever met. He is too modest to know that his caricatures inspire thousands of artists, all over the world, myself included. The first artist I looked up to and emailed when starting in caricature was Jan, and sure enough he was the fastest to reply and actually give me critiques- taking time to draw examples of his words, scan them, and explain. He is a teacher in every way and a talented genteleman as well. Not to mention, his caricatures inspire exaggeration like few in the world.

Now clearly there are many others that I admire and look up to, but I can't list them ALL here- it would take far too long. These just happen to be personal friends of mine, and I can't ever thank them enough for their inspiration. I am also inspired by many others- like my friends Keelan, Aaron, Dan, Ken, Grigor, Paul, Jason, Court, and many many many others. I just thought I'd share a few, though- as I was looking at Silver's Sketches.

More Presidents

DON'T FORGET

I'm fascinated with different periods and eras. I love the old presidential photographs and black and white portrait-style photos. This is a warmup sketch done at the animation studio I work at, then some experimental quick digital color.