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.
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.
Adam Carolla Caricature
Recently, Adam Carolla was in town performing at the Royal Oak Music Theater and I was fortunate enough to have him autograph and pose with me for the camera. This one is going up in...
007 Premier at eMagine Theater
Sony Electronics recently held an invitation-only movie premier for its clients at eMagine Entertainment-Royal Oak for the premier of the latest James Bond, 007 Movie, Skyfall and Goofy Faces was there entertaining guests with...
Goofy Faces at the DNC for CNN!
Watch our artists highlights from the CNN Grill during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC September 3rd-6th. CNN hired 2 artists from Goofy Faces to draw their staff along...
Goofy Faces at the RNC for CNN!
While Republicans were gathering to nominate Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate, artists from Goofy Faces were busy drawing caricatures inside the CNN Grill at the Republican National Convention for...
Live Digital Caricatures
Ricoh, USA hired Goofy Faces to provided live color digital caricatures which we call eSketches™ at a 2-day trade show in Seattle. Digital artist, Nolan, delighted guests for 2 straight days with...
Speaking on Art of Caricature at TTI/Vanguard: NextGens Technology Conference
This year I was offered an amazing opportunity to speak at the TTI/Vanguard: NextGens TechnologiesConference in Miami, Florida at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. TTI/Vanguard is a unique forum for senior-level executives that...
Hardcore Pawn Caricature
Les and Seth Gold from Hardcore Pawn admire their caricature by artist Glenn Ferguson.
