How To Draw Caricatures Lenn Redman Pdf Work
Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures is widely considered a foundational text for aspiring caricature artists. Based on his experience drawing over 200,000 live subjects, the book introduces a systematic workflow for observing and exaggerating the human face. Key Concepts in Redman’s Method
In the heart of a dusty, sun-drenched attic in Chicago, a young artist named Elias stumbled upon a weathered, spiral-bound treasure: a 1984 edition of Lenn Redman’s How to Draw Caricatures how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
The Art of Caricature: A Story Inspired by Lenn Redman's Techniques
Caricature is not cruelty. Caricature is love.
Before we talk about the PDF, you need to understand the man. Lenn Redman wasn't just a caricature artist working at amusement parks; he was a student of human nature. Redman came from the "Golden Age" of illustration. His thesis was radical for its time: Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures is widely
Point of Reference
: Artists use the Inbetweener as a baseline to measure a subject's features. Go to a café or station
Exaggerate, Don't Distort
: A central rule in Redman's work is that caricature is about exaggerating existing differences rather than random distortion. If a subject has a prominent chin, you push it further; if they have small eyes, you make them smaller.
Modern caricaturists (e.g., Tom Richmond, Court Jones) cite Redman as an influence but note that his style is softer and more cartoonish than today’s “likeness-first” school. Still, his structural approach remains a classic starting point.
Most beginners think caricature means "drawing big noses and small chins." Redman hated that. He called it "grocery list drawing"—ticking off features without understanding the soul behind them.
- Go to a café or station. Draw people in 30 seconds or less.
- Only capture: head tilt, shoulder slope, spine curve, hand gesture.