How many caricatures can you do in an hour?
It depends on the type of caricatures.
If I am drawing Black-and-White-Shaded Faces (which is 95% of my gigs) the speed is approximately 12-14 faces per hour.
If it's Line-Drawing-Only Faces (no shading or background color) I can draw approximately 18-20 faces per hour.
For a Full-color Caricature event (suitable for very small groups), I can generally do 8-10 faces per hour.
The event name and date are pre-written on each paper, and I use a one-or-two-color background which fits your theme, school, wedding or corporate color.
These are approximate speeds, it depends on how quickly people arrive in my area, get in and out of my chair, their age, if they are chatty, etc.
How many people can you fit on one paper? Do they all have to sit there at once?
I can fit up to three or four faces on one sheet. It takes the same amount of time as drawing them all singly---it's always funny to me when people think it's faster to do lots of people on one sheet! They don't all have to sit at once---generally there's only one or two chairs for my subjects, and until I train my left hand to draw simultaneously with my right, I can still only draw one person at a time! :-)
Do they have to sit absolutely still?
No, I generally can draw even squirmy babies if they can look in my direction for just a minute or two. That first impression is when I get the general likeness down, the rest of the time is for details and shading.
What kind of space do you need to set up?
I now use a lightweight tripod easel, so I will need a table (skirted, if possible) for my supplies. The client also needs to provide two or three chairs---one for me, and one for my subject---or two chairs for subjects, if there will be many couples drawn. I also need access to an electrical outlet, for my easel lamp. Basically, a 6' x 6' area will suffice.
If the event is outdoors, I need full shade so that my subjects don't squint and so that I can see without hurting my eyes, or getting overheated and sunburnt. And please don't seat me next to speakers or generators, so I can converse with your guests--this is an experience they'll want to remember.
What size paper do you use? Do you provide bags?
I use 8.5 x 11" sturdy cover stock for guests' caricatures. If there are guests of honor (the birthday person, the wedding couple, etc) they get either an 8.5 x 11 or an 11" x 14" full-color caricature. A clear plastic bag is always provided with every drawing.
Do you offer frames or mats?
I can provide 12 x 16 personalized black mats (for a small fee per mat) if asked beforehand. I don't carry frames with me since they are easily available and such a personal choice.
How many hours can you draw? Do you take breaks?
I do have a two-hour minimum for all events. If an event is quite far from me, I may ask for a three-hour (or more, depending on distance) minimum. Wedding receptions require at least a three-hour minimum.
Most of my gigs are in the two-hour to five-hour range. As for breaks, I will take brief one after every three consecutive hours of drawing.
However, I can draw almost any amount of time. I've drawn practically non-stop for twelve hours at some festivals I've done!
How do you deal with lines?
Generally, the best way is first-come, first-serve. Sign-in sheets are extremely inefficient for getting the largest number of caricatures done, as time is wasted looking for the next person if/when they wander off (i.e. the artist can't draw while waiting, which lessens the number of caricatures possible in your time frame). If a sign-in sheet must be used, the client must provide an adult to supervise it.
My scheduled drawing time is posted on a sign next to me so people will know when I am finished. If I am asked to stay longer by the client, I note that on my sign, too. I also make announcements to the line, during the last half-hour, that my final drawing will be five minutes to my end time.
I have a one-drawing-per-person policy as well, in the interests of fairness, so as many people can be drawn as possible. Groups can always take photos with their phone, or have the drawing photocopied after the party.
I'd like to book you for my event. What do I do now?
Once you've emailed me for availability...I send you my Event Questionnaire, answers from which I'll use to make up your Contract, along with an online Invoice for Deposit which can be paid with a credit card.
Above: These are typical examples of what I do at most events---shaded B/W caricatures with a color background. They are done with markers and colored pencil sticks and I can draw 12-14 faces per hour.
Shown here is a full-color-with-body caricature. This is done for guests of honor (brides and grooms, graduates, the birthday person, etc.) I can draw 8-10 of these per hour.
Live Caricature FAQ
Above and right:
Line drawing only, no shading...when speed is of the essence! 18-20 faces per hour.
Below: two examples of full-color caricatures.
Emily's 2024
Caricature Set-up
