How to?

Anyone can draw a caricature, but only a real artist can transform a doodle into a work of art. If you are serious about improving your caricature drawing skills, you should consider taking classes. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Observe, observe, observe. A caricature is only effective if it actually resembles the subject. More than artistic skills, you need keen observation to pull this off. Carefully study your subject’s facial expressions, outstanding features, angles and mannerisms.

Think of ways to capture the subject’s personality and character to give “life” to your caricature. Zoom in on details like what type of clothing the subject wears, the gadgets he has in his hands, and other minor details.

Exaggerate like there’s no tomorrow. A caricature is always larger than life. Don’t be afraid to lay it on thick – if the subject has distinguishing features like a particularly big nose, highlight it even more. Use bold lines for distinct facial edges such as the upper eyelids. The best thing about caricatures is the creative freedom it gives you. Don’t be afraid to use it.

Vary your strokes and lines. Caricatures rely on the quality of its linear structure for its composition, so use it to give dimension and shadow. Be sure to vary them to avoid making your caricature look flat. Use harder strokes for facial edges such as chins and noses and lighter strokes for other details such as facial lines, unless that’s the distinguishing feature of your subject.

Finally, have fun. Drawing caricature is a serious art form, but no one says you can’t have fun doing it. If your first few attempts do not quite make the cut, set them aside and move on. Making mistakes is part of the fun. After all, even in the world of art, the old adage is still the golden rule – practice really does make perfect.

Picasso?Caricature?

Picasso Griffith's background is animation. He has worked as an animator on numerous successful children's television productions, including Super Ted, Shoe People, Funny Bones,Under Milk Wood, The Rolf Harris Cartoon Club, Blue Peter,Bill Oddie and Many more.Picasso is now regarded as one of Britain's Top Caricaturist,and attends Corporate functions, Private Parties, Exhibitions, Hospitality Events, Conferences Weddings, etc.

Picasso has been employed by some of the biggest names in the leisure & entertainment industry. His drawing ability, speed and exceptional talent to encapsulate the essentials of a character have taken him into illustrious company; such as Geri Halliwell, George Michael, Lenny Henry, Dawn French, Kris Akabusi, Hugh Grant, John Toshack, Rocco Forte. He has attended Richard branson's parties on a regular basis, drawn caricatures on a virgin Flight to New York; he has been flown by clients to work in Ireland, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, etc

History of Architecture

Architecture first evolved out of the dynamics between needs (shelter, security, worship, etc.) and means (available building materials and attendant skills). As human cultures developed and knowledge began to be formalized through oral traditions and practices, architecture became a craft. Here there is first a process of trial and error, and later improvisation or replication of a successful trial. What is termed Vernacular architecture continues to be produced in many parts of the world. Indeed, vernacular buildings make up most of the built world that people experience every day.

Early human settlements were mostly rural. Due to a surplus in production the economy began to expand resulting in urbanization thus creating urban areas which grew and evolved very rapidly in some cases, such as that of Çatal Huyuk in Anatolia and Mohenjo Daro in Pakistan. In many ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians' and Mesopotamians', architecture and urbanism reflected the constant engagement with the divine and the supernatural, while in other ancient cultures such as Persia architecture and urban planning was used to exemplify the power of the state.

The architecture and urbanism of the Classical civilization such as the Greek and the Roman evolved from civic ideals rather than religious or empirical ones and new building types emerged. Architectural styles developed.

Texts on architecture began to be written in the Classical period. These became canons to be followed in important works, especially religious architecture. Some examples of canons are found in the writings of Vitruvius, the Kao Gong Ji of ancient China and Vaastu Shastra of ancient India.

The architecture of different parts of Asia developed along different lines to that of Europe, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh architecture each having different characteristics. Buddhist architecture, in particular, showed great regional diversity. In many Asian countries a pantheistic religion led to architectural forms that were designed specifically to enhance the natural landscape.

Architecture

Architecture is the activity of designing and constructing building and other physical structures, primarily done to provide socially purposeful shelter. A wider definition often includes the design of the total built environment, from the macro level of how a building integrates with its surrounding man made landscape to the micro level of architectural or construction details and, sometimes, furniture. The term "architecture" is also used for the profession of providing architectural services.

Architects have as their primary object providing for the spatial and shelter needs of people in groups of some kind (families, schools, churches, businesses, etc.) by the creative organisation of materials and components in a land- or city-scape, dealing with mass, space, form, volume, texture, structure, light, shadow, materials, program, and pragmatic elements such as cost, construction limitations and technology, to achieve an end which is functional, economical, practical and often with artistic and aesthetic aspects. This distinguishes architecture from enginering design, which has as its primary object the creative manipulation of materials and forms using mathematical and scientific principles.

Separate from the design process, architecture is also experienced through the senses, which therefore gives rise to aural, visual, olfactory, and tactile architecture. As people move through a space, architecture is experienced as a time sequence. Even though our culture considers architecture to be a visual experience, the other senses play a role in how we experience both natural and built environments. Attitudes towards the senses depend on culture. The design process and the sensory experience of a space are distinctly separate views, each with its own language and assumptions.

Architectural works are perceived as cultural and political symbols and works of art. Historical civilization are often known primarily through their architectural achievements. Such buildings as the pyramid of Egypt and the Roman Colosseum are cultural symbols, and are an important link in public consciousness, even when scholars have discovered much about a past civilization through other means. Cities, regions and cultures continue to identify themselves with (and are known by) their architectural monuments.

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Graphic art

Taking pictures may seem simple, but it involves many different factors that make photos stand out and look the best they could be. An appropriate backdrop, adequate lighting, and visual clarity are only a few factors that make a good photograph.
If you want to take a good picture, you must consider these factors. Good lighting helps show your picture’s subject clearly and highlight the features that you want to be noticed in your photograph, and a carefully chosen backdrop will set the mood of the picture and help tell your subject’s story.
Choosing a good backdrop is easy once you’ve planned out all the important details for your photo shoot. Recommended photography backdrops for human subjects are those that are important to your subject and coincide with your subject’s purpose in having their pictures taken. The purpose of the shoot may be to capture moments in a wedding, or a soccer game, or a birthday party, and recommended backdrops would be areas in the venue that are distinct and can easily be remembered. For example, the backdrop that can be easily recognized for a church wedding would be the altar. Yes, the clothing of your subjects will show clearly that it is a wedding, but the backdrop will add more depth and detail to the photograph. Another example would be a child’s first soccer game. A good backdrop would be the soccer goal. It will clearly help the viewer identify the place and event of the photograph. Lastly, recommended photography backdrops for a birthday party depend on the type of birthday party and the age of the celebrator, but a common backdrop is the cake, especially if it is tiered or has an interesting design.
If the photo shoot is done in a studio, the recommended photography backdrops are those that will enhance your subject’s appearance. They must help in making the features of your subject stand out. What’s also important is for the backdrop not to clash with the subject, or steal the focus of the photograph from the subject. Lastly, the backdrop should harmonize with the subject’s purpose in having their pictures taken. For example, your subject wants to submit modeling photos to a fashion magazine. Recommended photography backdrops are those that will not clash with the subject’s makeup and clothes. If your subject is wearing a light shade of orange and pinkish makeup, you better not choose a royal blue backdrop. Another example is your subject wants to submit modeling photos, this time to a magazine about outdoor activities. Though you have backdrops in the studio that depict mountains and sunshine, wouldn’t it be better to take the photo shoot outdoors, since the subject’s purpose is to show pictures that have an outdoor theme?
Whether it is an indoor or outdoor photo shoot, always prepare your backdrop and nitpick the details that you want to be included or remove. Make sure there are no bystanders or people passing by behind your subject when it is an outdoor photo shoot. They will steal the focus on the subject. It’s OK if the bystanders are too far away to be noticed, but it really depends on what your subject wants.
For indoor photo shoots, make sure your backdrops have no visible wrinkles, stains, or faded spots. It will ruin the photo and make it look unprofessional.
Always pay attention to detail and make the effort to know what your subject wants. These will guide your instincts in choosing the best photography backdrops time and again.