| Concept | Explanation | |---------|-------------| | | Redman teaches students to see the head not as a collection of features (eyes, nose, mouth) but as a single, distorted shape or “blob.” You draw the outer contour of the head first, then fit features inside. | | Exaggeration via Proportion | He provides clear rules for which features to exaggerate: large features become larger, small features become smaller. He emphasizes that caricature is distorted reality , not just drawing “ugly.” | | The “Egg” and “Pear” | Simple geometric warm-ups (e.g., drawing faces on egg shapes, then pear shapes) to train the eye for asymmetry and stretch. | | Live Caricature Focus | Redman specialized in drawing strangers quickly (1–3 minutes). The book teaches how to capture a “likeness” through exaggeration of a single dominant feature, even without a perfect portrait first. | | Expression First | He argues that a successful caricature captures the personality or mood (e.g., a smirk, a squint) before anatomical accuracy. |
A great caricature is more than a funny drawing; it is a psychological portrait. Redman provides case studies showing how to identify a subject's dominant personality trait (e.g., stern, joyful, eccentric) and reflect that energy through structural exaggeration. How to Use the PDF Worksheets for Maximum Skill Growth
Lenn Redman 's seminal work, How to Draw Caricatures (1984), is widely regarded as a foundational text for the art form, drawing on his experience sketching over 200,000 subjects. His method centers on the idea that every caricature starts with identifying how a subject's face deviates from a "standard" model. Core Principles of the Redman Method how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
In an age of digital art, you might wonder if a book from 1984 holds up. The enthusiastic reviews from artists of all levels suggest it absolutely does. Many practicing caricature artists keep a copy as a desk reference. Here’s why:
Instead of seeking an illegal PDF, the user should: | Concept | Explanation | |---------|-------------| | |
Keep in mind that the quality and effectiveness of these alternatives may vary.
Features or shapes that stretch, expand, or dominate the face (e.g., a massive jaw, bulging eyes). | | Live Caricature Focus | Redman specialized
The nose dictates the spacing of the rest of the face. Redman breaks noses down into basic structural blocks (ball, bridge, nostrils). He teaches that the length of the nose determines how compressed or elongated the rest of the facial features should be. 4. Capturing the Mouth and Chin Relationship
In the digital age of Procreate and Photoshop, you might wonder why an art book from the 1980s is still highly sought after in PDF format.