Caricatures by Mikey

POE!

2011-11-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

11/30/11:

Check out more Poe sketches HERE.

MORE BEATLES!

2011-11-27T14:54:00.000-08:00

11/27/11:
Playing around with the Beatles some more.
Check out my progress on George Harrison by clicking on the image below:

NEWS: Fine Art Prints available at the MIKEYZART STORE!

2011-11-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

Check out the mikeyzart STORE for Fine Art Prints and More!

BEATLES!

2011-11-19T22:29:00.000-08:00

Some sketches for the continuing series "Face the Music." This time, The Beatles:

My sister was asking me what I plan to draw/paint next, and said, "What about the Beatles?" Originally, I thought it might prove too trite, as a lot of artists have done the Beatles.
However, I decided to check it out. As I searched for images, I was pleasantly surprised by several things:
1. There are a ton of images of the Beatles out there.
2. The Beatles had several distinct phases in their short career, and there was a distinct 'look' to each of those eras; from the Fab Four, to Sergeant Peppers, to Let it Be, and several in between. There is a lot to choose from.
3. At first, they were packaged to look very uniform and similar. However, as they aged, their faces grew more and more distinct and the differences were more pronounced. This gives me the opportunity to contrast each face against the others.
4. They really have interesting faces, which is the most critical element; I mean, if I'm going to spend the time drawing and/or painting them, I might as well find the subject matter interesting.

I was pleasantly surprised as I sketched, that they are also fun to draw. I could spend a lifetime just exploring the possibilities!
Thanks for the suggestion, Sista!

FRANK, JOHNNY and JIMI!

2011-11-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

11/03/11:
The final pieces arefinished, photographed and varnished.
The final pieces are 16x16" Acrylic on canvas.
Here is a teaser:

Beautiful Limited Edition Fine Art Prints are now available!!
email me at: mkloep@hotmail.com for more info, and to reserve yours now!

Be sure to come by the Opening Reception at TOSA in downtown Denver to see the original paintings!

Click HERE for more information about the event!

ART SHOW: Studio Works by The Artists of LOL Caricature Company

2011-11-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is my first gallery show since I moved back to Colorado!
Come to the Opening Reception at The Other Side Arts in downtown Denver this Friday, Nov. 4 from 6-9 pm.
My newest paintings will be there, featuring Frank, Johnny, and JIMI and others!

Also included are awesome studio pieces by Brooke Howell, Ben Bloss, and the other amazing artists of *LOL* Caricature Company!
This is a unique perspective on the art of caricature - don't miss it!

FRANK IS FINISHED!

2011-11-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

11/03/11: The final piece is finished, photographed and varnished.
Here is a teaser:

Be sure to come to the Opening Reception at TOSA in downtown Denver this Friday to see the original paintingz;

Click HERE for more info.

CS3K - VINCENT PRICE!!!

2011-10-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here's the sketches for my entry into this week's Caricaturama Showdown 3000! Challenge:
Vincent Price!

Once again, a GREAT face to draw! This is my favorite so far.

Here are the sketches:

Bits and pieces, individual features:

There's a lot going on in this face!
I'm experimenting with the features, looking for the aspects of those features that give him that 'signature' look!s funny, I really kinda like the boxy/cartoony sketch - trying to convert the features into abstract, simplified lines and shapes, that still convey the essence of VP.

FZ is FINISHED!

2011-10-28T10:06:00.001-07:00

My painting of Frank Zappa is finally finished!
I'm on my way to drop it off at The Painted Pixel to be photographed.
I'll post the final photo when it's done. In the meantime, here's the best photo I could get with my webcam:

EASEL CAM - what's on the ol' drawing board right now?

2011-10-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

10/28/11:

10/26/11:

10/25/11

10/24/11:

10/23/11 - part 2:

\
10/23/11:

10/21/11:

10/20/11:

10/19/11:

Progress on FRANCESCO...!

2011-10-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

10/26/11:

I'm nearing the finish on this piece.
The paint in the hair is really thick! LOL
Working with paint this thick is a new experience, and I'm loving it!

10/25/11:

10/24/11:

I think that what all artists dream of is to feel that the most rewarding piece they've ever done is the one they're working on right now. I gotta say, that's how I feel about this one. I'm really enjoying this, and watching it come together is very satisfying. I only wish the camera could capture what I see in front of me. And I have learned SO much in the process!

10/23/11 part 2:

I'm not done with you today, Frank!
10/23/11:

10/21/11:

10/20/11:

Da forehead and brows.

10/19/11:
Back to working on the painting of Frank Zappa.

This is a fun one.
Up to this point, the painting has been just too 'flat.' Last night I went crazy with the Golden High-Solid Gel Medium, creating texture in the hair. Wow! That's a lotta texture!
Geez, I'm gonna really hafta build up thick paint on the fleshy features so that it can hold together.
So tonight it's back to working on the face, building up the forms.
One thing I am aiming for at this point is to make the nose come forward. I am adjusting the color temperature of the moustache and cheeks surrounding the nose to make it advance.
The other thing is to make the eye sockets deep and receding. Gotta work on that some more.
Here's a closeup:

Once again, these photos are taken with my laptop's webcam. Please forgive the crummy quality.

CS3K - Steve Jobs

2011-10-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

10/17/11:
Here is my sketches for this week's edition of Caricaturama Showdown 3000!!! -
This week's challenge: Steve Jobs
Ben and I had a great time messin' with his features.

It all started simply enough. Steve Jobs as an egg. Then I got to messin' with his features. This led to
Steve Jobs as Phil Collins:

Pretty soon, I was 'seeing things...' strange things... for instance,

Steve Jobs as a bald eagle, which led to Steve Jobs as a snow globe,

Steve Jobs as a two-stage rocket alien ship

Steve Jobs as the Liberty Bell...

And finally - what looked to me like Steve Jobs as the Apple Startup Screen logo.

After I settled down, I played around with his features some more, and came up with a fairly good likeness.

What's weird is that at the time, I thought I had some good likenesses going. But three days later... I'm not so sure. Still, it was great fun!
I liked them each for different reasons, but I went with the Apple Startup logo for my final:

"The Man In Black" - FINISHED!!!

2011-10-15T09:29:00.001-07:00

"The Man In Black"

Acrylic, 16x16"
Copyright © 2011 Mike Kloepfer

The painting is finished! I sent the painting out to the photographer before applying the varnish, to get the best possible reproduction of the original. I received two 'Artist's Proofs' at the same size as the original painting - and they look fantastic!
Kudos to Chris at The Painted Pixel for his outstanding work.
I'm donating one of the two Artist's Proofs to the Silent Auction for CD Relief, a benefit for the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I'm hoping it will help to raise some money for a worthy cause.

I've mixed the finish coat and let it set for 24 hours. I'll be applying the varnish coat to the painting this weekend.
The Man In Black, and several other paintings, will be featured in a gallery show in downtown Denver this November. Stay tuned for more information...!

You can read the step-by-step post HERE, or the full story in my post on the band's blog HERE.

KEEF- the painting!

2011-10-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Progress Shots - October 2011:

The easel:

Tom Waits (as Renfield) for Caricaturama Showdown 3000!

2011-10-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

10/03/11:
The first time I tried drawing Tom Waits, I really struggled, and was unhappy with the results.
After seeing Brooke's drawing of Tom Waits for the CS3K this week, I started thinking about revisiting Tom Waits. The more I thought about it, the more it just seemed like fun.
This time, however, I decided to focus on my favorite Tom Waits - his portrayal of Renfield in Bram Stoker's Dracula. I just LOVE the way he played up that character.
Even though I have other projects to work on, I gave in to my urge. So I did some reference searching. I had to do some screen grabs from a video, but it was worth it.
And I had a BLAST!!!
Here are my sketches:

Pencil, 8.5 x 11"

And here's some close-ups:

I'm not sure which is my favorite, because he made such great expressions. But I do admit I LOVED his face when the doctor proposed giving him a cat... LOL
(Not that I approve of that sort of thing, of course...)

JOHNNY!

2011-09-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

10/15/11
The finished painting:
"The Man In Black"

Acrylic, 16x16"

10/09/11"

Just put the signature on the painting of Johnny Cash! Tidied up the edges and sides. Letting the paint dry.
*WHEW*
In the morning, it's off to the photographer. I'll post photos when I get them.
:)

10/06/11:

Progress shot:

10/05/11:
Even though I'm feeling crummy tonight, I can still post some pix of the progress in the last couple days-

Glazing, working up the more subtle bits of form, getting the darks darker (ya can't get the blacks too black for 'The Man In Black!')

10/02/11:

Building up the lights, layering the shadows... then going back in and unifying the whole thing; then doing it again...
I'm getting a little bit better at taking photos with the webcam. Still, I miss using a real camera...

10/01/11
Take an in-depth look at the painting process via my post on the band's blog HERE
09/26/11
Developin' da nose...

Detail:

09/24/11
More progress...

(Again, these are lo-res webcam pix... my apologies.)
Detail:

09/23/11

Webcam shot of the painting so far:

Another sketch... playing with the proportions and 'stretch & squash... all the while trying to maintain that "Johnny" likeness:

More sketches for potential piece for the CD Relief auction...

Pencil, 9 x 12"

Detail
What a great face - and a classic musician. I'm really enjoying this stage of the process - the exploration.

KEEF

2011-09-12T19:43:00.001-07:00

11/29/11:

Definitely Mo' KEEF-Y.

10/??/11:

9/12/11:
I'm working on a piece to donate to the CD Relief/LLS benefit.
I thought I'd give ol' KEEF a shot...

Sketches:

Pencil, 9 x 12"

Yeah, I know it's been done before, but geez, the more I sketch the guy, the more I find his face fascinating - a veritable artistic playground...!
How could I help but have fun with this?

FRANK - the Painting!

2011-09-01T20:28:00.001-07:00

LO-Res pix from the webcam... since the camera ain't workin'...

JIMI... the painting!

2011-09-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

The painting so far:

Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 16"
LO-Res image from my webcam, since the camera ain't workin'...

Babies eating their feet!

2011-08-30T22:45:00.000-07:00

08/30/11

It all started with the "Angry Baby..." Then it was the "Cigar-Smokin' Baby..."
Then the "Paint-Eatin' Baby..."
Then I was watching a baby trying to stick its foot in its mouth...

Babies are always trying to do that. I started drawing it, and it became clear that it is not easy to depict.... LOL

Which made it a fascinating and challenging concept to explore:

Almost as challenging as trying to stick your foot in your mouth.

Paint-Eating Baby! An epic tale

2011-08-30T22:43:00.001-07:00

A true-life tale... I was there, and witnessed the epic disaster:

Seriously, this baby was covered in paint! It was everywhere!
And then he started eating it... LOL
I couldn't resist throwing in the Sherwin-Williams logo just for fun.

FRANK!

2011-08-29T19:55:00.001-07:00

08/28/11

Continuing in my series of "iconic faces..." here's one of my all-time favorites: FRANK ZAPPA!

I began by trying to sketch Frank from memory. (I mean, how tough could it be? Get the moustache and you're there, right? Perhaps not...)

This could be just about any 70's rock star... lol
but it didn't look distinctly... Zappa.
So I set about searching for images and found quite a few. Then I began to explore the unique facial geography that is Frank Zappa.Much to my surprise, his nose is long, but it's a different type of long nose.

I gotta say, the guy had an interesting face!

This set off a flurry of sketching, drawing and exploring; everything from cartoony to realistic to stylized/graphic:

I began breaking down the features into the most basic graphic shapes, seeing how far I could push it and still retain a likeness.

Which led back around to a basic portrait:

This time around, the image was stronger - because of the exploration, trial and error. I had learned about what made his face... Frank.
I then took the image and exaggerated it:

And voila! There's the image I was searching for. The right exaggeration in the right places.

JIMI!!!

2011-07-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

07/30/112:
Small color studies. Exploring different color schemes, and working processes, different poses.

Acrylic, ~4x5" each
Ben described the blue one as "more iconic Jimi." I like that.
I am liking each for different reasons.
I'm lovin' the blue underpainting. It's almost a shame to paint over it, the way the color vibrates with the skin tones.
The warm underpainting is strange; it's as if I just can't get the skin tones warm enough - they look purple against the warm background. That would change once the background is covered.
I may win up doing two or more paintings, with different color schemes and poses.
Note to self: When Jimi has his head tilted back, his wide cheekbones are much more prominent. However, with his chin down, looking out from under his brow, his face elongates; when I tried to do the same thing with the wide cheekbones, it didn't work - it loses the likeness.

07/27/11
More sketches of Jimi!

I like working with Brooke, Ben and Chester. Every day is like a mini-workshop.
Here, Ben and I were discussing breaking down Jimi's features into its most basic components using simple shapes. It is amazing how strong the statement is , even eliminating some elements completely (like the jawline...)

The farther I go in the world of caricature, the more I am discovering that the strength of a piece lies in making a simple, direct statement.

07/19/11
Sketches for an upcoming painting:

What a great face...!
Ballpoint Pen, 8.5 x 11"

Pencil, 8x10"

Another animal caricature!

2011-02-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

I saw a picture of an egret, and I thought "Gee, that beak is so long... he looks kinda top-heavy." Then I thought "What would happen if his beak was so long and heavy it threw him off-balance and it dragged on the ground, and he couldn't even pick it up off the ground?"
I mean, egrets kinda have that P.O.'ed look already.
"...and egrets, I've had a few..."

It was a good chance to try out some new pencils. I bought some 2.0mm colored leads to go into my Technical pencils, and have been dying to see how they work... it was fun.

An accidental caricature?

2011-02-25T11:02:00.001-08:00

Here, in a reference photo I stumbled across, is probably the best caricature of Nick Cave, and it just happens to be an accident:

The accidental caricature was caused by angle of the sun to the wall, and the angle of the wall to the camera, combined with how the slats in the siding break up the image.
I isolated and highlighted the area of the photograph.
This may have been truly an accident; quite likely the photographer saw the shadow and seized the opportunity. Either way, it's brilliant.
...and the funniest part... I think it looks like Funky Winkerbean. LOL

Nick Cave for CS3K!

2011-02-23T22:50:00.000-08:00

This week's Caricaturama Showdown 3000 challenge:
Nick Cave
Second sketch:

A better, more cartoony and loose sketch.
"It's more draw-y."

Unlike last week, where i got sidetracked and carried away with rendering - which resulted in killing a good beginning sketch - this week I am focusing on just getting the drawing to work. If that ain't happening, then nothing else matters.
First sketch:

There are a couple good things happening with this first sketch. Of course, Nick Cave has those trademark eyebrows - but there is something about this guy's chin that I am trying to capture; it is a magnificent feature. That, and the jowls.

reference photos:

I mean, does this guy have a face born for caricature, or what?

Brigitte Bardot - Final submission to CS3K

2011-02-21T23:41:00.000-08:00

I chose this sketch, it is the closest to that Brigitte Bardot "essence."
Pencil, 4x5"

Brigitte Bardot...!

2011-02-20T16:23:00.001-08:00

02/21/11 - part II
I decided to go back and try some more rendering on last night's drawing. Here is the result:

For now, I'm just going to give it a rest. I'll submit the sketch below for this week's challenge.

02/21/11 - part I
After spending quite a little while rendering, I came to the conclusion that the larger drawing was less satisfying than the original thumbnail sketch. Something had been lost in the translation:

Graphite and carbon on Strathmore paper, 9x12"
So I decided to start over, and draw from a variety of photographs. I tried to pick photos that had that Brigitte Bardot 'essence.' You know it when it's there - that's what made her an icon sex symbol in the 60s. Here are some of the sketches, along with the first sketch from last night:

The one that I like the best is this one, it conveys that BB 'essence' the best.
This is the one that I am submitting for the challenge:

I may try a finished rendering; however, with the deadline coming up, I may just go ahead and submit the sketch for this one.

The lesson?
Go back to what I was originally intending: to focus on building a strong drawing before ever getting into rendering form.

02/19/11
After a long hiatus, I am back in the ring in CARICATURAMA SHOWDOWN 3000 on Facebook!
This week's challenge: the legendary 60s beauty Brigitte Bardot.
I am posting the most recent pictures at the top so those of you who are keeping track can see the latest update.

Here is the full-sized drawing of Brigitte Bardot for the CS3K challenge.
The initial drawing and block-in of shadow forms:

Graphite, 9x12"

I chose this reference photo to start; give me outdoor, top-lighting any day of the week!

Here's my initial thumbnail sketch, and a close-up:

With this sketch, I wanted to focus on maintaining solid form and structure while exaggerating the proportions.
I started with a standard portrait thumbnail sketch on the left, and drew a grid for the major divisions/relationships. For the caricature thumbnail sketch, I squashed and stretched those divisions/relationships to get the general proportions, then I went in and tweaked things until they started looking good.
Anticipating doing several sketches, I started these way up on the top of the page - and wound up running off the top of the paper - lol
(Funny thing, I think the exaggeration has a better, more recognizable likeness of BB than the regular portrait sketch. LOL)
Thanks to Cosmin Podar for his excellent post -using a grid to get the relationships, and then altering the grid for the exaggerations. It gave me a nice starting place.

Tilda Swinton

2010-06-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

For the facebook Group Caricaturama Showdown 3000
I have to blame to group's host, Ariel Medel, for is rendition of Tilda Swinton as "ET." After that, I can't look at her picture without thinking of ET. So when I picked up a crayon to start sketching, what color did I unconsciously choose? You guessed it!
Sketch in progress:

The sketch as it currently stands:

Prismacolor ArtStix on butcher paper, ~18x24"
For those unfamiliar with the actress, she was in that movie "The Barnacles of Chronic Insomnia" or something like that. Here are a couple of the photos I used for reference:

Caricaturama Showdown 3000!

2010-06-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

I joined the Facebook Group "Caricaturama Showdown 3000" - each week they select a celebrity and everyone submits caricatures.
Here are my submissions:
05/30/10 Danny Trejo:

Prismacolor ArtStix on butcher paper, ~16x20"

06/06/10 Tilda Swinton:

Prismacolor ArtStix on butcher paper, ~18x24"

IGGY POP!!!

2010-06-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

06/06/10
From the Wall-o-Matic:

(L)original sketch
(R)...after looking at it for a while, I decided something was not quite right with the mouth, so I made some revisions.
Prismacolor ArtStix on butcher paper, ~16x20"

NEW FEATURE: "WALL-O-MATIC" CAM!!! Updated pix from my new sketching station.

2010-06-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

06/09/10:

06/06/10:

DANNY TREJO!!!

2010-05-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

I just joined the Facebook group "Caricaturama Showdown 3000"
My first endeavor is this week's celebrity: Danny Trejo!!! What a great face this guy has...
IT will also give me a chance to try out the new "RIG" in my studio!!!

Now I can work as big and free as I desire! (The thumbnail sketch is bigger than 9x12"!!!)
Here are a first couple of sketches:

the sketch on the left is good old Crayola Crayons on butcher paper. However, the wax won't allow buildup of layers of color, so I switched to Prismacolor ArtStix for the sketch on the right.
Crayons on butcher paper, ~16x20"

GALLERY: PARTIES and EVENTS!!!

2010-04-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Happy campers and fun times! A selection of photos and caricatures from parties, events, and fundraisers:

GALLERY: CELEBRITIES and MOVIES!!!

2010-04-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

A selection of actors, artists, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other celebrities - along with unforgettable scenes from movies and television:
CELEBRITIES:

Icons in the Music Industry:

Famous artists:

MOVIES:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

Pirates of the Caribbean:

High Plains Drifter:

MORE CELEBRITIES:
Television:

Music:

Sports:

GALLERY: ANIMALS!!!

2010-04-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

A selection of fine furry friends - animal caricatures, commissions, and humorous animal illustrations:

And a couple of illustrations from my ongoing piratical series, "The Adventures of Mr. Cotton's Parrot":

GALLERY: DIGITAL CARICATURES!!!

2010-04-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

A selection of digitally created caricatures and humorous illustrations:

GALLERY: COMMISSIONS and CUSTOM ORDERS!!!

2010-04-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

A selection of commissions and custom orders.

GALLERY: SKETCHES and FUN STUFF!!!

2010-04-03T17:44:00.001-07:00

A selection of my drawings, sketches, ideas, group drawing jams, challenges, dares, and experiments....just for fun!

Spring Kickoff Party @ Coyote Motorsports

2010-03-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Even with the snowfall, we had a good time at the Spring Kickoff Party at Coyote Motorsports in Denver.
Thanks to Sarah and the staff at Coyote Motorsports for inviting me to draw caricatures at the event, and thanks to all the brave people who ventured out in the snow!

New painting finished!!!

2010-03-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

I just finished a humorous portrait, commissioned by Carla Wright, owner of Carla Wright Gallery in Denver. The painting is of her husband... I hope he likes it!!!
Unfortunately, I misplaced the USB cable for my camera, so I will have to wait to post a picture.
I just LOVE these hardwood panels, with the 'gallery wrap' sides and bracing (see above.)
05/10:
I finally got my USB cable replaced, so here is a photo of the finished painting:

Tree
Acrylic on panel, 18 x 24"

Salvador Dali

2009-12-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

How can I resist? What a face!

Acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12"

More Digital Caricatures

2009-11-30T18:41:00.001-08:00

Here's a digital caricature of fellow caricature artist Jason Seiler.

This is a preliminary of my submission to the ChiuStream contest.
Photoshop

Reaper

2009-11-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Tyler Labine, "Sock" from the TV series Reaper

This guy is just too good to resist.
Prismacolor, 9x12"

The original sketch:

Pencil. 8.5 x 11"

First Friday Fotos 2

2009-11-23T10:48:00.001-08:00

From the First Friday art walk in the Historic Santa Fe Art District; I was drawing caricatures at the Carla Wright Gallery.
Here are some caricatures of Carla commissioned me to draw of her daughter; with a friend, with her cats, and one of just the cats.

More Wildlife Caricatures!

2009-11-23T10:25:00.001-08:00

Close-ups of some of my favorites from the 11/22/09 Pow-WOW!!! Wildlife session:

This fox had a great 'wincing' expression.

What do you get when you cross a zebra, a monkey, a squirrel, a sheep, and put cat's paws on it?

ZeMonSquirEweCat.

How about a Duck, a Lemur, and a Giraffe?

DukMurRaffe.

Evil Monkey:

This monkey really was evil. Check out the original reference photo. Seriously, zoom in. Pure EVIL. Kinda Grinch-like.

The full pages:

First Friday Fotos

2009-11-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

Caricatures Gone WILD!!!

2009-11-02T01:24:00.001-08:00

Quick sketches from the Pow-WOW!!! wildlife session, 11/09/09:

Quick sketches from the Pow-WOW!!! wildlife session, 11/01/09
I had a hankering to draw carictures of wildlife.

For more, visit the blog:

Pow-WOW!!! wildlife session

Gone to the Dogs!!!

2009-10-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

I did caricatures at “Gone to the Dogs,” a benefit for a local animal shelter. The event was held at Studio 13 Gallery in the Historic Santa Fe Art District.

It was fun, there was plenty of good art, some serious, some humorous.

Here are a couple happy campers with their sketch:

(Check out all the great paintings on the wall, too!)

Bulldogs!!!

2009-10-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

I just love drawing bulldogs, they have such great faces and make fascinating subjects. So I was thrilled when Marleen commissioned me to draw four of her bulldogs (she has several.)
I really enjoyed doing the drawings, and we were all happy with the results. Everybody wins, even the dogs!
Here they are... Boullion, Biscuit, and Dimitri:

And two versions of Lousi Vuitton:
1. and 2.
The little guy was so adorable, I had to try two different variations.
I like the second one best. I think it the likeness is better.

CONTACT Mikey

2009-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

CONTACT ME:
Mike Kloepfer
aka Caricatures By Mikey
email: mkloep@hotmail.com
Cel: 407-520-7869

To ENTERTAIN at your next party or event!!!

FAST - each face takes only 5 minutes!

FUN! Entertainment is my profession!

EXPERIENCED - 30 years as a professional illustrator, the last 5 years as a full-time caricature artist and teacher/trainer of caricature artists.
CONVENIENT - Compact, quick setup.

EVENTS - private or corporate, parties, festivals, clubs, restaurants...

...OR...

To order CUSTOM CARICATURES of you, your family, friends, coworkers...

To order custom caricatures of YOUR PETS!!!

To order your very own CUSTOM DIGITAL CARICATURE!!!

Custom caricature CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! a one-of-a-kind holiday treasure!!!

Do you have a favorite movie character or scene? I can do it!!!

Caricatures make fun and unique CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!

Caricatures make great profile pictures for Facebook, MySpace, Blogspot, etc...

ANIMALS!!! A gallery of animal caricatures

2009-10-12T17:34:00.001-07:00

BIGGIE SKETCHES!

2009-10-11T22:05:00.001-07:00

After demonstrating on the blackboard for my class, I had the urge to work large.
So I busted out the Biggie newsprint pad and did this sketch of Lyle Lovett. Working large allowed me to use large, sweeping gestures to create the dynamic lines. It was fun!

Lyle Lovett - Biggie Sketch
Charcoal on newsprint, 18x24"

Talk Like a Pirate Day is Sept. 19!!!

2009-09-16T12:27:00.001-07:00

09/20/09:

The event was a blast!!!
...literally!

Here are photos of some of the scoundrels, rogues, and lasses.

09/18/09:
I'll be appearing as my pirate persona, doing caricatures at the local TLAP Day Buccaneer Bash!!!
It'll be a blast!
Avast!

"Not you, we named the monkey Jack."
Barbossa and Jack (the monkey), marker, 8.5 x 11"

New feature: SEND ME YOUR PIX! I'll post them here.

2009-08-27T18:06:00.001-07:00

Email me a picture of your caricature, or you with your caricature, and I'll post it here!
From Carla Wright:

From Jill & Pete Garofallou:

The dogs and cats were excellent models, even Mitzvah, who was reluctant at first, warmed up to the idea.
Jill and Pete are great folks, they were fun to draw and to talk to.

From Eric:

From Bree:

(One of these dogs is a celebrity. Shhh...)

Cap'n Jack and his first mate:

Tony & Kayla from Iowa:

Shena & Callie:

Casey:

Kathy & Tawney:

Thumbnail gallery

2009-08-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Thumbnails.
Small:

Medium:

Large:

For larger versions, click on the banners in the links section (upper right)

Puppies!!! Canine Caricatures!

2009-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

10/18/09:
Marleen's French Bulldogs:

09/13/09

Dogs are so much fun to draw, and surprisingly good models. I was ecstatic when they brought this guy over for me to draw

The challenge lies in what to do with features that are already exaggerated. FUN!!!

These teacup chihuahuas were a hit with the crowd at the Arts Festival in Boulder:

Thanks for the pic, Bree!!!

/08/17/09
This past weekend I was at the Fine Arts Festival in beautiful downtown Golden, CO. Here are Caliste & Shena, two wonderful huskies, probably the best behaved of anybody I drew all weekend - canine or human!

It's always fun to draw animals!

07/21/09
In the past week or two, along with dozens of caricatures of people from Russia to Finland to Mexico to Korea - and even exotic places like Denver - I have been doing quite a few live caricatures of peoples' dogs.

This is Casey, a giant schnauzer. He was a great dog, and an awesome model - very calm and patient.
Just like what you'd think of when you see a schnauzer, only he's taller than a doberman! He also had a spotted tongue. That's a first for me as an artist. I mean, I've drawn children with ice cream on their chins, but...

This is Tawney, an Italian Greyhoud(yes, the miniature version of a greyhound, smaller than a whipit,) and her owner.

I also drew a miniature schnauzer (it seemed so tiny after drawing Casey,) and a pair of chihuahuas that were a real 'hit' with the crowd at the art festival in Boulder.!

NEW BLOG!

2009-05-28T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have created this new blog to replace my previous blog, to be in alignment with my promotional material: "Caricatures by Mikey"
I will post all new material to this blog.
Although all the posts have been imported, you can still view the old blog (if you are so inclined)
http://mikeyzcaricatures.blogspot.com/

Buffalo Rose!!!

2009-05-11T19:35:00.001-07:00

My newest venue is the Buffalo Rose in scenic downtown Golden, Colorado.
(Yes, just two blocks away from the Coors brewery.)
I had time to snap a couple photos of the staff with their drawings:
Kelly, the bartender, a great guy and a good sport. Just look at that winning smile! And that hair... priceless!

Patti, the waitress - a hydrologist in her spare time:

Ah, the picturesque beauty... and the mountains too!!!

Ladies' Night Out!!!

2009-05-11T19:30:00.001-07:00

Thirsday night was a special event - Ladies' Night Out! in Olde Town Arvada.
I was at La Dolce Vita coffee shop doing caricatures throughout the entire event, and it was a blast.
Here are a couple of young ladies who got their sketches done:

When they took them home, big brother liked them so well, he pleaded with Mom to bring him down to get his own:

By this time, the coffee shop was closing, so we went out on the patio and I drew.
(Pardon the photo, it's a little fuzzy.)

HAPPY CAMPERS!!!

2009-05-01T14:56:00.001-07:00

Here is a collection of satisfied customers with their caricatures.

Fun fun fun!!!

(Some people express their joy differently than others. lol )

And some canine models too!

Draco Alexander

2009-04-20T18:13:00.001-07:00

While doing caricatures on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder yesterday, I had the pleasure of drawing Draco Alexander, fellow performer and a very talented and entertaining magician and mentalist!

Marker, 8.5 x 11"

If you ever find yourself on the Pearl Street Mall, look for Draco - his show is amazing and a delight!
Here is his website:
http://www.creativeheadspace.com/profile/DracoAlexander

Tartan Day Festival!

2009-04-09T14:29:00.001-07:00

By a twist of fate, I found myself at the Colorado Tartan Day Festival in Olde Town Arvada on Saturday. I ended up doing caricatures at the D-Note all night long, during the Ceilidh –featuring the Highland Rock band Angus Mohr. The music – and the atmosphere - were awesome! You take a rock & roll band and add bagpipes, and you have a guaranteed high-energy evening. Their song selection was great. The guys in the band, and their entourage, were terrific.
Check them out:
http://www.angusmohr.com/
I wound up drawing until after the band stopped, and had a blast. I only had time to snap one photo, early in the evening.
Here are the happy campers:

Check out the guy in the kilt. That's how you know it's Tartan Day - kilts everywhere!

Excellent video about the art of caricature on YouTube

2009-03-05T18:21:00.001-08:00

Watch this fascinating 3-minute video clip on YouTube:
John Cleese as a Caricature - Human Face, The
It is an excellent clip about the art of caricature - and how it relates to the way the human brain works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j0XRj8soYI

Introduction to Caricature Class

2009-02-25T17:04:00.001-08:00

This summer I am teaching my Introduction to Caricature class at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities.
The Arvada Center is a wonderful arts facility, and I am really looking forward to being a member of the faculty.
The course description is on my Art Instruction blog:
http://mjk-artinstruction.blogspot.com/
Here is the link to the course:
http://mjk-artinstruction.blogspot.com/2009/02/introduction-to-caricature.html

Common Grounds

2009-02-18T19:12:00.001-08:00

Various people at the infamous Common Grounds coffee shop.

Ali, the lovely and charming barista:

(Ali is one of the few people who understands the connection between Earl Grey tea and Froot Loops!!!)

She loved her drawing!

The photo is blurry, I had one too many cups of Brazilian coffee.

Bethany:

I LOVE these new markers!!!!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Characters!!!

2009-02-13T21:05:00.001-08:00

I was experimenting with some new markers, and decided to try a caricature of Patsy, King Arthur's trusty servant, from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

I had so much fun, I just had to keep going. These characters are just too good to resist.

Stay tuned, more of these classic characters should be appearing soon!

Gallery of finished caricatures [click on thumbnail for larger view]

2008-10-27T15:09:00.001-07:00

MARKER - tonal:

Digital:

CELEBRITIES-MOVIES/TELEVISION:
Pirates of the Caribbean:

Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

High Plains Drifter:

Pastel

Reaper:

Prismacolor

MIXED - MARKER/DIGITAL COLOR:

MARKER/PRISMACOLOR:

PASTEL:

BLACK & WHITE PENCIL:

MARKER- line only:

Updates

2008-10-27T15:05:00.001-07:00

Check out the updates.
Coworkers
Florida caricatures

Coworkers

2008-10-27T14:36:00.001-07:00

Here is Sara, from the Park:

Yes, her lip really does do that.

New caricatures.

2008-10-22T19:31:00.001-07:00

This kept me up all night.

I had an awesome day at the park Sunday. I was hitting on all cylinders.

Before each drawing, I would take a moment, look at the person and say, "What is the statement I want to make here?"

I would stop myself at each stage and make a choice - it is either skinny or fat, round or square, the nose is either high or it's low, the eyes are either close together or they are wide apart, this feature is either small or large. No namby-pamby indecision. I made myself choose one or the other. It made such a HUGE difference. I had so much fun, and the drawings came out ten times better.

I didn't have my camera with me, so I didnt' get any pix. But when I got home I was looking at a photo of a hawk, and suddenly it struck me....

It kinda looks like he ate a lemon. So I kept tweaking it.

Then I stared doing other animals:

...which led to people:

I was having so much fun, that before I knew it, it was 4 am.

Stay tuned for more...

Colorado Caricatures

2008-10-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

Here are caricatures I have done since I moved to Colorado.

Florida caricatures

2008-10-22T19:29:00.001-07:00

Florida caricatures

My friend and coworker Megan, alias 'M-Bot':

I really like this one. I captured Megan's contagious smile.

Some famous guy, I think he's a politician:

This won an award on deviantART.com in the 'Traditional' category:
http://word-worth-1000-pics.deviantart.com/journal/15440051/#comments

Dino's Dad:

Actually, this one is 100% life-size and to scale, accurate to within 3/1000 in. (That's aircraft tolerances, man.)

Some NFL Linebacker:

dig the hair.

Biggy:

Who could resist that face?

Another rapper whose name escapes me:

My coworker and buddy Regis:

A park guest:

New blog for caricatures!

2008-10-22T19:28:00.001-07:00

I started a separate blog for caricatures. Check back for updates and new pieces.