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Q: What's the difference between a cartoon & a caricature?

By Robert Bauer | December 29, 2014 |


Q: What defines a caricature vs. a cartoon, or is it one of those things that all caricatures are cartoons, but not vice versa? What actually makes a caricature!?

A: Many people lump them together including many artists. They are very similar and interchangeable in some cases but there are distinct differences between the two. A cartoon is a simplified illustration that has a quick, whimsical style to it. Anything can be drawn as a cartoon whether it’s a person, animal or scenery. A caricature is specifically an illustration of a person drawn in an exaggerated style to play up their distinctive features. Some may argue that an animal or even a car or a house can be drawn as a caricature. But unless you have an original point of reference or know the animal, house or car in question, it’s hard to call it a caricature. When you see a famous face as a caricature and recognize it even without a photo to compare it with, that is a successful caricature. The term, caricature, itself has grown to embody the definition of exaggerated and two-dimensional. “Jack Nicholson now acts like a caricature of himself” is an example of how the word has morphed to mean anything that is over-the-top exaggerated. Although many caricatures are drawn in a cartoon style, many can be very detailed or painted in a serious fashion. Below are two samples of caricatures of me which demonstrate a very cartoon style drawing vs. a more rendered approach.Q1
 
The detailed painting on the left of me by illustrator, Jason Seiler, is a good example of a caricature that is not a cartoon style while the sketch of me on the right, drawn by character designer, Steve Silver, can easily be considered a cartoon style drawing. But in both cases they are considered to be caricatures.

 

Thanks for a fantastic 2014!

By Robert Bauer | December 23, 2014 |

Well we are now in the final 2 weeks of 2014 and as usual, things are finally slowing down just before Christmas.  The month of December is one of our busiest months of the year due to all the holiday party bookings we do. We also get busy illustrating many holiday caricatures as gifts for our customers each December as well. It all makes for a crazy and quick month each year. However, by the final week before Christmas, things get very quiet. Aside from a few New Years Eve bookings, all of our gigs are completed and gift orders delivered for the year. Our artists can finally take a breather and scramble to get there own Christmas shopping done before December 25th. We represent over 300 talented artists nationwide at Goofy Faces. We also have many artists who draw caricatures and paint faces for Goofy Faces at our retail stands throughout the year as well. And we get this opportunity each December to thank all of them for doing such a great job for us over the year.  Thanks to all our hard-working artists for helping Goofy Faces continue to grow. We couldn’t have done it without you. Keep up the great work and we look forward to seeing more in 2015. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

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Holiday Party Time!

By Robert Bauer | November 18, 2014 |

The holiday season is swiftly approaching for 2014. December is one of our busiest months of the year due to so many companies and families hosting Christmas and New Year’s Parties across America. If adding our unique form of artistic, yet whimsical entertainment sounds enticing, you’re not alone. Last year we booked 37 parties in December and we expect to book many more than that this December.  We have over 300 artists in our online directory but there are only so may weekends and evenings available to book during the holiday season. Therefore, to guarantee an artist for your party, don’t wait. Book it now. Happy Holidays!

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ISCA Convention 2014

By Robert Bauer | November 17, 2014 |

Today is the most exciting week of the year…if you make a living as a caricature artist, that is. Artists from all over the world assemble once a year to enjoy an entire week of seminars, competitions, camaraderie and a ton of drawing at the International Society of Caricature Artists Annual Convention. ISCA (formerly known as the National Caricaturist Network or NCN) has been around since 1992 with a handful of American caricature artists gathering in Mexico for a get-away as well as a cozy convention. 22 years later and the organization has grown into a worldwide trade association with over 500 members from as far away as Mongolia! To find out more and to see who are this year’s top winners, check out ISCA’s public Facebook Page for the latest news.

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Art of Achievement Awards eSketches™

By Robert Bauer | November 7, 2014 |

The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Art of Achievement Awards recognizes outstanding business and community leadership and the artful ways in which successes are achieved in the greater Flint area. They held their awards ceremony at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint last night and Goofy Faces was on hand with 4 eSketch™ artists to draw guests for 2 hours. It was a unique way to entertain attendees that went with their theme of creative arts. Many guests enjoyed having their eSketches™ drawn live while many more enjoyed watching each sketch take shape.

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eSketches™ at the Palace!

By Robert Bauer | November 2, 2014 |

The Detroit Pistons had their 2014 home opener at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 1st and Goofy Faces was there. The Pistons hired 2 eSketch™ artists and a face painter to entertain fans who arrived before the opening tip off. Both eSketch™ artists provided live color digital caricatures to guests at The Palace that featured a Pistons basketball player wearing their home jersey. Fans passing by enjoyed seeing each caricature take shape on a large display screen while those modeling for their caricature received a free 5X7 IN color print to take home as a souvenir from their evening at The Palace.

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Annual MCPA Conference

By Robert Bauer | October 31, 2014 |

The Macomb County Provider Alliance brings together organizations which operate residential, vocational, and related services programs for individuals with disabilities in Macomb County. All activities of the MCPA are built around the common interest of improving the business conditions for their membership organizations that provide support to persons with disabilities in Macomb County. Each Fall, they host a conference for providers who work in Macomb County. The conference is an uplifting event that features a catered lunch, prizes, music and entertainment. Goofy Faces has provided caricature entertainment for the past 3 years and each year, they become more popular with the attendees. This year’s theme was Superheroes. Guests had a choice to be drawn as Wonder Woman, Superman or Supergirl just in time for Halloween. IMG_6754 IMG_6757 IMG_6759 IMG_6768

Caricatures at Ford Field

By Robert Bauer | October 16, 2014 |

Here are a few photos from last night’s event for Title Source held at the Breadstick Bar & Grill inside Ford Field in downtown Detroit. The 2 artists drew #caricatures of happy attendees for 2 hours.IMG_6740 IMG_6743 IMG_6745

Goofy Faces Showcase Video

By Robert Bauer | October 13, 2014 |

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