Drawing a caricature might sound simple but few have the talent to transform a mediocre drawing to a funny caricature. Those who want to learn this skill should first understand the basic difference between a portrait and a caricature. The key difference between the two lies in the distortion of features of the subject. Distortion of key features of the subject makes the subject recognizable. On the other hand, if the artist tries to distort with other features, the caricature turns out to be unrecognizable.

The first rule of drawing a caricature is to enhance the recognizable features of the subject. Minimizing the recognizable features will eliminate the likeness of the portrait to the subject. Can you ever imagine Mick Jagger with small lips and mouth? This is where keen observatory powers come into play. The artist needs to figure out the special features in the subject and think of various ways to capture the individual’s personality and breathe life into the inanimate portrait. Every little detail of a caricature is important. These details make or break the impact of the work. The success of a caricature artist depends on the extent to which he/she exaggerates a recognizable feature of an individual. The artist needs to be bold enough to experiment with his art. One doesn’t necessarily need to be a good cartoonist in order to create a caricature. Often, caricatures are created by accident. Incorrect but recognizable representation of an individual can be classified as a caricature. Caricature is not always a cartoon; it can be a painting, a sculpture, or even a photograph.