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10 Caricature Artists in India you should check out!

10 Caricature Artists in India you should check out!

What are Caricatures?

A caricature is a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated to create a comic or grotesque effect. Some ways for dramatisation are an oversized nose, squinted eyes, really large or too small lips, etc.
The artists behind the art- Caricature Artists.

If you’re a comic artist, you may find yourself feeling very at home in the field of caricature art. The ability to focus on aspects of the subject matter that would be amusing to exaggerate or playfully exploit is the essence of caricature art.

Theme parks typically have these specialised artists available for patrons; they are also employed by event planners, magazines and online publications. Laughing at oneself is a valuable resource; perceptive caricature artists show us how it can be done.

In essence, a caricaturist is an illustrator or cartoonist – but with a twist. Before creating a drawing or sketch, a caricaturist will typically look at a person or object and determine which features are somewhat unusual. These features will usually be the focal point of the caricaturist’s work.

We have curated a list of 10 talented caricature artists below for you. Hope you enjoy reading!

 

Hippy Caricature Art

Hemanth Kag – The young freelance cartoonist and Caricaturist

Hemanth Kag is a freelance cartoonist and caricature artist based in Rajasthan.

His job is to simplify and exaggerate visual forms. If we talk about his work then it’s not related to him in most of the drawings.

He’s more of a draftsman experimenting with colours, forms, and textures and mostly influenced by contemporary artists on Insta. He likes to experiment, but almost all the caricatures displayed on his profile are commissioned works made for customers. He tries to get the likeness of a person in simple form.

He tries to get better and contend with new portraits. His style of work makes it stand out everytime!

Aishwarya_rai_caricature_art_by_hemanth_kag

Anirudh Lele – Illustrator and concept & caricature artist

Anirudh Lele is a freelance caricature artist and children’s book illustrator based in Ahmedabad. He makes caricatures in various styles and techniques suitable as per client requirements.

Sometimes it’s just bold black line arts or rough charcoal sketches. Other times it’s an intricate and realistic portrayal of the forms but in a slightly exaggerated manner. He avoids exaggerating the characteristics too much and tries to keep the base structures of the faces simple and cartoony.

He has an enticing Instagram page as well which will catch your sight at first glance!

 

Prasad Bhat – The mastermind behind Graphicurry

Here’s what, Prasad Bhat makes it to DISNEY on their 90th birthday!

The expert in vector art had his biggest project when Disney asked to draw Mickey in his unique minimal yet cute style to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Birthday.

The art and food fanatic, Prasad Bhat, who invented Graphiccurry in 2013 , premierly as a logo and designing company for corporates is now the mastermind behind over a hundred varieties of caricatures and merchandise of famous tv shows, movies , artists and varied entertainment stuff .

An engineer, based in Bangalore, is globally appreciated for his artwork being authentic, witty and cool ,successfully attracting the infamous clients viz Amazon prime, Disney and Marvel. Emerging from the rock bottom Graphicurry is now a window to digital art and tools for the aspirers of the new age art.

He’s a man of many talents and his recent video on youtube crossed 2 Million views!

 

Kapil Gaikwad – The cinephile caricaturist

A self-made illustrator, caricature artist, and cinema lover, Kapil Gaikwad hails from Mumbai.

Being a cinema lover, most of his caricatures are based on bollywood, hollywood, movies and his own created comic series. He likes to draw only those faces which fascinates him the most.

He also masters in illustrations, sketchbooks and live sketches etc. We can witness heavy use of outlines in his work. The amount of realism in terms of forms and rendering flows smoothly out of his work. He’s got a winsome Instagram art page where you can find a variety of cinema caricatures!

Shailly Gajjar – The wedding invitations specialist

An illustrator and comic creator, who initially desired to design her own wedding card , Shailly Gajjar is now a full time artist of a unique striking art style.

An IT engineer hailing from a small city of Bhuj, Kutch in Gujarat ran towards her passion in drawing and doodling, and this run got her husband a degree in graphic designing , a job and a fulfilled life in India after a growth in her career from freelancing in Dubai.

Her compassion and determination to follow her dreams is an inspiring tale for those who dream and illustrates how all the hard work ,confusion and frustration does eventually become worth it . Currently, she’s focusing on wedding invitations and other illustration projects.

couple_caricature_art_by_shailly_gajjar

Sri Priyatham – Netflix’s official illustrator for “Stranger Things”

Awe-inspiring quirky caricatures’ artist Sri Priyatham, based in Hyderabad ,likes to play around with realism and exaggeration to create his own unique style of art.

A five year old boy who drew as a form of escape is a formally trained self taught artist. Caricature being a style of drawing a figure that is blown out of proportions but the man finds realistic textures fascinating and has got an eye for detail, which helps in bringing out the intricacies required for the detailing in his work.

The only Indian caricature artist working with Netflix on stranger things does believe that self acceptance is crucial before getting any caricature enchanted by screenwriting and filmmaking , advising budding artists to remain consistent and stay committed , in his various workshop presentations.

stranger_things_caricature_art_by_sri_priyatham

Rohit Chari – The artpreneur who runs Red Canvas Studios

Rohit Chari, an illustrator, artist, and artpreneur who was born and raised in Goa, founded Red Canvas Studios in 2016. Ideas are brought to life in art in this studio on various canvases, including walls, frames, and memories.

Rohit began experimenting with sketching throughout his early years in school. He would sketch and doodle, and soon he joined in a full-time fine arts study where he studied conventional art forms and methods in a structured environment.

Today, Rohit specialises in completing unique painting commissions. He paints on walls, does gorgeous caricatures, and has his own line of items. In other words, he has found his love and built a life from it.

 

family_caricature_art_by_rohit_chari

Mangesh Khollam – The “tribute special” caricaturist

Mangesh Khollam also known by his artist name Scooterbeard is a freelance caricature artist who hails from Pune. Scooterbeard , does live caricatures.

His work is more of traditional pencil on paper rather than digital illustration. We can find character designs , photo studies and a few comics on his Instagram page which goes by his artist name,’’ Scooterbeard”.

One of the best works on his page is the tribute caricatures which are portrayed very beautifully and the art work seems to turn into realism!

Lata_mangeshkar_caricature_art_by_mangesh_khollam

Ashutosh Wale – The global influence veteran

Ashutosh Wale is a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and caricature artist who hails from Maharashtra. His caricature works include not only portraits but also full-length representations of characters. Unhesitating to draw them as he sees them, he is a keen advocate of pencil-work in his displays.

Though seeming to stem from a considerable influence of politics, his work also includes global influencers from various other areas such as sport, film and the likes. He has got a very mesmeric and eye-catching art page on Instagram as well!

digital_illustration_art_by_ashutosh_wale

Sudipan – The “pepe” specialist

Sudipan is a freelance digital illustrator and visual designer who hails from Kolkata.
Sudipan’s unique background in computer animation allows him to become an amazing digital illustrator and caricature artist.

His skills and dedication to his craft are flawless. His abilities allow him to draw a variety of different people and creatures which can fit into something like a comic drawing if you desire. His latest “pepe” art designs on his instagram page are to look up for!

 

pepe_caricature_art_by_sudipan

You may discover a caricature artist at Stoned Santa who meets your needs and your budget, whether you’re considering obtaining a birthday caricature for a friend or family or a digital wedding caricature for your big day.

No matter where in the world you need your caricature to be delivered, Stoned Santa makes it incredibly simple to find a trustworthy and professional artist to draw one for you according to your specifications!

Looking for the perfect gift?

Look no more, our gift experts will get in touch with you and help you with all your requirements.

 

Interview with Komal Thoria, Portrait Artist

Interview with Komal Thoria, Portrait Artist

Komal Thoria is an illustrator, designer, and a freelance artist who has been a mentee to the highly respected Mr.Sadashiv Sawant, where she learnt the intricacies of applied arts, worked under him, assisted him with projects, to evolve as an artist, and be a guide to fellow artists, just like her mentor – Sadashiv Sawant. 

Komal has come a long way in her career. From working in a call center, and commissioning a portrait for just Rs. 250 to now charging as much as Rs. 15,000 for a portrait. She has seen it all, and evolved as an artist, and a professional who now has big plans for her future. 

In this interview we talk to Komal about her evolution as an artist, her dream projects and her message to fellow artists.

Komal_Thoria_Portrait_Artist_India

What’s your earliest memory of sketching?

The earliest memory that I have of sketching is when I was maybe 3 or 5 years old. My family realized that I had something in me when it came to sketching, I was naturally good at it. Since I was good at Maths my dad thought Science, or Commerce would be a suitable choice. After that, however, I failed in a couple of subjects. It was then that I realised that I wasn’t meant for this and so I took up Applied Arts and worked in a few production houses and different places. There I got the opportunity to learn and work under Sadashiv Sir.

Did you have any formal training in your formative years or was it just you figuring stuff out on your own?

It was my Mom who put me into tuition. There I got informal training for a couple of years. But mainly I used to recreate art using Youtube videos, and I have been a self-motivated learner since my childhood. My family left me on my own, they were not much concerned as long as I was doing something or the other. 

Komal_Thoria_India_drwaing

How did you transition to getting trained in a more formal setup?

I never felt like going to a fancy institute to learn Applied Arts, I wanted to be a part of an upcoming institute and actively contribute towards its growth. Hence I went to Asmita Applied art Academy, which was founded by Ashish sir. I’ve  learned a lot there but most of all I’ve enjoyed it a lot. It was there that I met Sadashiv Sir in a 3 day art workshop. 

Who has been your role model in this journey?

I’m still in the process of exploring myself and I want to make my own path. I guess that’s why my role Models keep changing. I Look up to Ashish sir and Sadashiv sir. Sadashiv Sir is like a father figure to me. I Love Sadashiv Sir’s observation skills, and that’s something which I want to learn, and incorporate more in my life. 

Over the years, you have made so many artworks, which one do you regard as your Masterpiece?

I’ve never really thought about it that way. I don’t know if I have a Masterpiece. Sadashiv Sir likes my Still Life artworks. I guess the Mountain sketch would be my best work. I have created a series on nurturance. I have done it a while back but haven’t posted it anywhere yet. I really like drawing hands for some reason. Like me and my grandmother’s, then me and my mother’s and then my father’s. I want to go deeper into this form of art, and I wonder how it’ll turn out.
How do you decide the price for your artworks?

So, the first portrait that I sold was for Rs.250. My first few clients weren’t particularly happy with my work. I took the criticism in a constructive way and identified my shortcomings. I wanted to improve, so I didn’t take any new orders for the next 6 months and I utilized this period to work on my shortcomings. After this, it got better, and I got a few foreign clients as well.

So, now I charge around 5-7k for an A4 sized portrait and around 10-15k for A3 portraits.
I know that if I take up a project, I will give my best. My clients also respect this and most clients don’t argue. I like such clients who respect the artist’s time, and their work.

Have you ever had to deal with clients who restrict your creativity?

There will always be a few clients who hamper your creativity but it’s not really their fault, they don’t perceive art the same way us artists do. Therefore, I always educate them about the process of creating art, and how I would be going about with the project, and most importantly the WHY aspect of it.

A lot of times, my clients want me to draw half a face or make a portrait out of random selfies. Now, this obviously won’t look good. I tell them quite frankly that there is significant money and effort involved on both our parts and the artwork that you’re paying me for is meant to be lifelong. Therefore it’s advisable that you select a proper image, rather than settling with poorly shot pictures, where either the photo isn’t well lit, or blurred.

A lot of clients ask me not to put my signature or even any trace of mine on the final parcel. I make it a point to charge extra to fulfill such demands.

Moreover, I have my personal projects that allow me to experiment, and style my artwork the way I want it to.

What’s your view on the much talked about ‘Artistic Temperament’?

I feel that creative temperament is necessary for an artist. Clients need to give artists the freedom that they require. Artists need that space and scope for creativity. I have had some arguments over this with my clients. On many occasions, clients give very tight deadlines. They need to understand that the work we do takes time, and if rushed, we are compromising on quality.

I, for one, like to take my time. I have also declined clients who wanted big orders within a couple of days. But when I do take up a project, I know that what I’ll give would be the best, and I have hardly had any clients who were dissatisfied with my work.

 

Over the years you may have worked with other artists. How has the experience been for you?

It has been an amazing experience. Everybody’s got their own beautiful journey, and perceptions. It has been fun sharing our experiences and to be able to be a part of someone else’s journey. One thing that I’ve realised after interacting with so many artists is that art is connected to freedom of expression. You need to be able to freely express your thoughts and feelings, if you want to progress as an artist.

How’s the role of a mentor for an artist different from being an artist?

I teach gesture drawing, realism, and I even share the common mistakes that artists usually commit early on. I speak about how your brain fools you while sketching. Once I start teaching I feel so energetic. A lot of students have approached me with questions after the workshop so I feel that maybe the workshop was good, and I think I am constantly evolving as a teacher.

Komal_Thoria_painting_for_home

How have your students fared ?

Well, I’ve seen amazing results. My students are quite talented and they’re doing really well. I just pat myself on the back when I see my students doing well. I’m a chilled out kind of a teacher. I try to be a friend, not a teacher. I’ve never felt the need of being too professional with them, and I’m always open to share my feelings

I feel my students have got a lot of potential. Some of them are as confused as I was when I started off. I help them correct their course, wherever I can so that they don’t make the same mistakes I made while I was learning, and evolving.

I’ve been teaching for almost 5 years now. I’ve taught older people as well. Their attitude of not giving up really inspires me. If someone at the age of 40-45 manages a family, a job and still makes time to pursue their interests and passion, that is something that truly inspires me. I get to learn a lot from my students.

What’s your take on Digital art ?

I don’t do a lot of digital art. Although I love handmade art, I plan to start doing digital art again. The main problem is that I’m not mindful while doing it. But, I know it is Important to know the basics of Digital Art. This year I plan to get a grip on my Digital Art skills. I have done a few digital caricatures recently but have kept them to myself, haven’t posted it anywhere, but let’s see how it goes.

Komal_Thoria_charcoal_art

Every artist has some idea of a dream project that they intend to work upon, what is your idea of a dream project?

I always wanted to make a big waterfall, maybe in my house.I don’t really know why I’m so fascinated with waterfalls. Maybe it’s the textures of a waterfall or the pounding of water which excites me. I want to make a big waterfall. This project will take the life out of me but yeah I’m excited. But as of now, I’m not really looking for a dream project, it’ll come with time. I’m more excited about small little things, at the moment.

What are some other things that you plan to do moving ahead?

I want to make people reconnect with art. Many of us do like to express ourselves through one art form or another, but not a lot of us pursue it. I wish to start with my mom who I feel is very creative. I want to give people hope. I want to be the booster in everybody’s lives. I do actually boost up people wherever I work. So spreading smiles, and joy through my art could be one of the things I’d want to continue doing.

Everyone is not able to follow their passion, let alone make a career out of it. What’s your message to those who intend to take this leap of faith on their passion?

I’d just like to say that you should be doing what you love, and that money isn’t everything. Once you realise who you are and what you’re meant to be just follow that dream. Independence comes from realizing one’s dreams. Find your purpose and work towards achieving it.

I’m always happy and dissatisfied because I always want to improve myself. That’s why I say that your dream is gonna make you happy. There’s no point running after luxuries, life is a journey. Just enjoy it, while you’re at it.

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Everything you need to know about Caricatures

Everything you need to know about Caricatures

Most Indians will relate to the cartoons of the common man by RK Laxman published in the Times of India, and the political cartoons that adorn the cover page to engage the readers, and present them with “News of the Day”. 

If we look carefully, it is easy to notice that the increasing popularity of caricatures stems from our ability to relate to them at a subconscious level.

As kids, it used to be fascinating to see large-headed, tiny body versions of so many renowned people from politicians to movie stars and recognize them despite their weird shapes. Most of us found out only much later, that this particular format and style is known as Caricature. In this article, I attempt to answer some of the questions you might have about caricatures. Let’s start with the basics.

Concept Digital Caricature for a client where the client wanted us to portray them as Shiva, and Parvati. 

 

Shiva parvathi  digital caricature - gifts for couples
Customised Caricatures - Unique gifts for friends

What is a caricature?

A caricature is a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

If you too skipped through the dictionary definition, let us understand it in simpler words.

A caricature is a drawing of a real person with features dramatized absurdly to entertain or make fun of (all in good humor) of the person so drawn. Some ways for dramatization are an oversized nose, squinted eyes, really large or too small lips, etc.

In the words of caricaturist Greg Bigoni, “A caricature gets to the essence of who someone is and not just what they look like, but what their personality is”.

Concept caricature we made for a client who wanted a unique Mother’s day gift. 

How are caricatures made?

If you look at any caricature you’ll notice a pattern. In every caricature pretty much all of the features of a person’s face or body are artistically modified, yet one can still recognize that person, and this is something that makes the art of drawing a caricature so unique. 

One key element of drawing a good caricature is the ability to truly observe the key characteristics that define someone’s face. This is what is referred to as likeness. In other words, when we see a person, we see them just as we know them but a caricature artist can notice highlighting features of a person.

When caricature artists draw a person, they exaggerate the most prominent features and reduce the size of other features, bringing, even more, focus on the features they want to highlight. These along with a fine knowledge of how to balance overall distance, angle and proportions are few secrets of drawing caricatures.

Along with facial features, caricature artists also make use of how a person is shaped or holds them if they have any distinct props from tattoos to anything they carry with them in making the caricature really identifiable. Think of Abraham Lincoln’s Stovepipe hat, Mahatma Gandhi’s round spectacles, or Charlie Chaplin’s mustache. Staple associations like these, act as great props for fun caricatures.

Concept digital caricature we made for a client whose friend is an entrepreneur, and he wanted to surprise him with something really unique. 

Forbes Magazine themed Caricature - Personalized Caricature

What are the various types of caricatures?

While caricature as an art form is centuries old, there isn’t a standard form of classification of different types of caricatures. Here we will talk about two methods of classifying caricatures; based on style and based on the method of execution:

Classification based on style:

Portrait or definition This type of caricature relies on knowledge of sophistication of making a portrait and combining it with the knowledge of creating comical effect through inflation and deflation of features.

Satire This form is most commonly used in political cartoons. It makes use of not just physical or personality traits but also draws attention to statements by such politicians. The purpose of such caricatures is more often than not to bring attention to political issues of the time.

Grotesque – As the name suggests, in this style, the face of a person is unnaturally distorted to make it look ugly. Grotesque art was the earliest form of distorted drawings which evolved later into caricatures.

Classification based on the execution method:

Traditional Caricatures This is how caricatures started and charcoal, pencil, pen, and ink drawings were the methods that were used. These are the tools that are used by street artists across the world for an instant sketch. So next time, when you visit Paris, remember to ask the artist if he is going to draw a portrait or a caricature of you 😉

Digital Caricatures– Graphics programs like adobe illustrator are numerous drawing tablets are becoming more and more popular these days. Digital caricature comes with the advantage of offering richness in color and feel of caricature making them an excellent option for gifting your friends or as digital wedding caricature invitations.

How much time does it take to make a caricature?

The old idiom, “The devil is in the details”, does not have a better suitor than this question. A professional caricaturist can make a sketched caricature of a person’s face in even under 5 minutes. However, the more details you add like body structure, surroundings, colors, etc., the longer it can take. 

A hand-painted caricature with portrait-like details can take as much as two days. In short, it boils down to the intricacies of each piece that is being made.

What is the process of getting a caricature made?

There are two ways in which an artist makes a caricature –

1. Live Caricatures – Live caricatures are drawn for a live audience in real time. Live caricatures are less common and you’ll see street artists only in very few cities and tourist spots. Live caricatures are a hit or miss experience for most people because you can not check the artist’s previous work.

Working on Live caricatures is very challenging for the artist, and usually, live caricature artists are hired for corporate events and weddings.

2. Drawing a caricature from a picture, and presenting a custom theme – Most caricature artists these days practice creating caricatures in their free time where they are free to think and act creatively on a project without the constraint of time, and expectations.
For example – When you select an artist from us at Stoned Santa there is a certain process the artist will follow to bring life to the ideas as specified by our clients –

  • Our caricature artist requests reference pictures of the subject, ideally clear front-facing pictures with a clearly visible face, and other facial features

     

  • Based on the picture received, and the desired theme in which the caricature is to be made, the artist recommends suitable styles, and color combinations best suited for the provided story, and reference pictures.

     

  • Once the artist starts working, they share the work in progress with our clients, and we seek feedback to further improve the caricature.

     

  • Post completion, the work is shared with the clients, and upon approval, the digital files are shared with the clients. 

How to hire a Caricature artist?

If you are thinking of getting a birthday caricature for your friend at work or a digital wedding caricature for your special day, you can find a caricature artist that suits your requirements and pocket at Stoned Santa.
There are many independent artists who can draw one for you as per your specification, but Stoned Santa makes it very easy to find a reliable and experienced caricature artist for you no matter which part of the world you need your caricature to be delivered.

If you want to hire a caricature artist from Stoned Santa, all you need to do is fill up this form, and our gifting experts will reach out to you.

how to order couple caricature

What is the cost of a caricature?

Art is subjective and so are the prices for any art piece. As vague as it may sound the prices of a digital caricature are dependent on factors like – 

1. The number of people or characters to be drawn – This includes humans, pets, and any other objects such as monuments, and buildings that are to be drawn with precision, and care.

2. Experience & Work Portfolio – Senior artists with years of experience, and expertise may charge 10 times than that of a beginner who’s just begun their journey as an artist. There are many caricature artists in India, and the costs vary dynamically from artist to artist.

3. The style to be chosen – Physically made caricatures cost more than digitally made caricatures. Often, the artists offer varying levels of detailing in their caricatures, which is a big factor in determining the costs.

4. Time Required – If clients have an urgent requirement, in such cases the artists usually charge a higher price, but if the timeline isn’t a problem in such cases it’s easier for the artists to accommodate their requests, and the artists usually offer discounts. 

couple caricature frames

Usage of caricatures

A caricature is a historical form of art. Caricaturists have been using this form to draw attention to political issues through political satires and to show their admiration of people they admire across fields. 

From being used as a medium by artists, and poets to voice people’s opinions on newspapers, and magazines to being used as digital wedding invites, and gift for bosses, Caricatures as an art form has evolved to cater to the gifting requirements of individuals, and companies. 

At Stoned Santa, we help you create unique caricatures that are designed as per your choices, in the timeframe that you desire.

Book your personalized caricature only at Stoned Santa.

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Interview with Rohit Chari, Red Canvas Studios

Interview with Rohit Chari, Red Canvas Studios

Born and brought up in Goa, Rohit Chari is an illustrator, artist, and artpreneur who runs Red Canvas Studios, a venture he started in 2016. In this creative studio, ideas come to life in art on different canvases such as walls, frames, and memories. 

Rohit started playing around with sketches early in his school days where he’d draw, doodle, and soon enrolled into a full-time fine arts course where he learned traditional art forms and techniques in a formal setup. Today Rohit caters to special art commissions where he draws beautiful caricatures, paints on walls, has his line of merchandise; in short, he’s found his passion and made a living out of it. 

In this interviews, Parth interviewed Rohit, where they talk and explore the world of being an artist, an entrepreneur, and suggestions for the fellow community of artists and creators.

Rohit Chari Skateboarding Caricature artist

Story of your first customer? 

Well, the first few projects were majorly for friends, and I did them for free. But the first paid project came to me as a surprise. I had made a digital caricature for a photographer friend, and I think after minutes of it posting, it went viral in our little friend circle. 

Everyone wanted to know who made this caricature, and there I was flooded with requests, most of them free, but some of them translated into orders, and that’s how I kick started my Freelance career as a Digital Caricature artist

Freelancing and the early challenges 

Under pricing and not being able to strike that early balance where I get quality clients who pay decently were the initial challenges I faced. I think the first few paid projects, I was underpaid, but then I guess that’s all a learning process. 

When I realized I was charging lesser, I decided to increase my prices, but then the clients stopped coming in. With time, I reached a sweet spot where the clients are comfortable, which allows me to be satisfied. I think the sweet spot of pricing your art “just right” can be determined only by talking to customers, and this process takes time. 

How do you explain Digital Art to your customers?

I was introduced to digital art years after graduating with a degree in Art, so I am very empathetic to my customers when I explain to them about Digital Art or Digital caricatures to help them understand and appreciate the process of creation. 

Many people think making caricatures digitally is when the artist uses some apps or simply traces it, but that’s not how it works. Usually, when I encounter clients who do not know much about Digital Art, or the creation process, I educate them first about this art form because this helps set the expectations right and makes the process of creation and approval smoother. 

I walk my customers through the process, share the work in progress pictures with them, answer their queries before starting work; I think this has many advantages, and the client’s chances of negotiating to go down significantly.

 

Boy Caricature by Red Canvas Studio

How do you price your digital caricatures? 

I decide the cost of my caricatures based on the combination of the following factors, and a lot of times, if the order is to required urgently, there’s an added cost. 

    1. The number of characters – A lot of my customers think that the price of caricature quoted can include as many human figures, but that’s not how it works. Therefore one of the criteria for deciding the price is the number of people/characters drawn.

       

    2. The caricature style – Is it the Realistic Caricature or Flat(2D) Caricature? It takes me more time to work on the realistic caricature. Therefore this one is charged higher.

       

    3. Background – Clients often demand unique backgrounds, such as the Eiffel tower, or the Taj Mahal, or other requests, and to accommodate such requests, I charge extra.

      In India, it’s a little tough to find clients who will not negotiate and respect the price you quote, but it’s so much easier with foreign clients, and I can charge them higher too. 

Drawing a celebrity caricature vs. Drawing for customers 

With celebrities, I have the freedom to experiment, exaggerate, and let my creative juices flow, but I have to be very careful with client projects. People want to look cute but not funny. 

I think there’s a nice balance, where I get paid for the commissioned work I do and the time I have left after such projects; I experiment, play around with colors, strokes, and let my ideas flow without being constricted by the client’s expectations. 

(Rohit has created fan art versions of famous Netflix TV shows like – Money Heist, Scared Games, etc.)

 

Wall Murals vs. Digital Caricatures 

I like both forms of art – Making digital caricatures and murals, both of their unique charm, and I thoroughly enjoy working on both mediums. 

Still, the outcome of completing a mural is much more gratifying than a caricature, primarily because of the heavy hard work required to create a mural. 

First, we prepare a design based on the input given by the client and then get the digital design approved; post this, the digital design is transposed to the wall. This process from idea to execution takes 3-4 days, or more, depending on the size of the wall. But I love working on murals. I usually start early and work in sprints to finish it as per the agreed timelines. 

When the project is big, I collaborate with other artists, and it’s fun working on such projects.

Wall mural by RedCanvas Studio

How do you feel when people compare your work with other artists? 

I’ll be honest, early in my career, I’d get offended easily and react, saying, “if you like their work, go buy from them,” but now I try to explain to them the reason for the difference and explain to them my art process. 

Other Hobbies? Skateboarding? 

Well, I love to skateboard, and I represented my state in Skateboarding back in the days, and I think I found a lot of artists from the skateboarding community. Skateboards are usually hand-painted, uniquely communicating what the owner wishes to with colors and visuals. 

 

I’ve got many gigs because of the community, and I think having a hobby is an excellent release to your creative juices, but in a different environment.

 

ayushman khurana caricature

Future Aspirations

I aspire to work with more prominent brands where my skills are tested. I meet fellow creators, and I learn and grow while doing so. I have worked with some very famous brands in the past, and I look forward to working with more brands as I grow as an artist. 

Advice to fellow artists in the community 

Digital art is comparatively easy when you are tracing it, but I would strongly recommend against it. Try to draw it manually instead of tracing, and it’ll help you in the longer run. 

If you want to draw caricatures, don’t immediately jump into drawing caricatures. Start by drawing portraits; it’ll help you understand the human face anatomy better. Once you’ve mastered that part, it’s easier to play around with human facial features to make fun caricatures. 

Closing Notes

Rohit concludes the interview by saying, “I would just say, support all the artists, because this is a small business we are into, but when the audience supports us, we can prosper. And I would request you to respect the artists, try to understand them, and value their efforts.”

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Interview with portrait artist, Thakur Akhilesh Singh

Interview with portrait artist, Thakur Akhilesh Singh

Interview with Thakur Akhilesh Singh

Thakur Akhilesh Singh is a young artist from Hyderabad who creates vivid pencil and charcoal sketches. From landscapes to portraits, he covers a wide range of subjects for his sketches. He believes that no one is born with an inert talent, but with passion and hardwork you can achieve anything you dream of.

Let’s read more to find out what inspires Akhilesh to create these beautiful sketches.

Art can be perceived differently by different people. How do you perceive art?
Right from when I was young, I used to be praised for my artwork and told that I’m gifted with a  special talent. But, I refuse to believe that. My only gift is the passion that I have and I view my artistic abilities as a skill that I acquired over years.

Art made me realise what I’m truly capable of. Art helps us discover ourselves better. I will carry art with me forever.

Your sketches are so life-like, What inspires you to do these?
I have been sketching since I was a 4 year old kid. As I grew older, my interest only frew deeper. 

I had no clue about any drawing or sketching techniques when I started out. I used to learn by trial-and-error methods. However, I found my niche by experimenting with different media, this fuels my motivation and inspires me to get better. The key is to discover yourself, motivate yourself and then unleash your true potential.

Can you run us through your thought process while creating art?

I love exploring and working with different media. Depending on the kind of medium that I use, I decide the subject of my artwork. For instance, If I work with colour pencils or graphite pencils I usually draw hyperrealistic portraits and when I use charcoal, I usually try to sketch a subject with dark contrast. 

How have criticisms helped you shape your career?

 I consider myself to be very lucky as everyone around me has been extremely supportive, be it my family or friends. My teachers have also encouraged me and guided me, but never criticised. 

If my work is criticised in the future, I’m sure I’ll take it in good spirit and work on it.

How has your perception changed after sketching for such a long time?

Initially, sketching for me was just a way to kill my time. As a kid, when I had no studies and absolutely nothing to do, I would take a book and start sketching. But over the years, art has made me realize a lot of things in life.

It has helped me become a better version of myself. Art has taught me to not give up no matter how big the failure is. Art is not just self-expression, but an experience and a never ending process of learning.

How do you deal with creative blocks?

I think every artist faces creative blocks, and it is very important to experience because it helps you to adapt to it and then find a solution to overcome this. I face creative blocks often mainly because of my hectic academic schedule due to which I can’t devote much time to art. 

Being highly realistic and reminding yourself about your goals help me in overcoming creative blocks.

If you had to name one person to draw up all the inspiration from, who would that be?

Leonardo Da Vinci. He was not only the greatest artist of all time but also a great scientist. He was a reserved and withdrawn man, not concerned with glory, and yet absolutely sure of  his abilities. I’m highly passionate about science, art and music and a lot of other things just like Leonardo Da Vinci was. This is the reason why I draw my inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci.

What advice would you give for the upcoming artists?

Explore, explore, explore. Do not hesitate to move out of your comfort zone. Do not think of the result, rather focus more on the process and have faith in yourself and what you do. Never think less of yourself, because you can literally be or do anything you want in life. Keep failing, falling but just don’t give up. Everything in life is a matter of choice. Be Grateful.

What are your thoughts on Stoned Santa?

To be honest, this is the first time ever that I’m expressing myself and my artwork to a larger audience. I’m really thankful to stoned Santa for this beautiful initiative, of helping young and budding artists like me and providing them with a platform to express themselves and connect with other great artists and inspire other people. 

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Exploring the art of Mandalas with Swathi Kirthyvasan

Exploring the art of Mandalas with Swathi Kirthyvasan

Exploring the art of Mandalas with Swathi Kirthyvasan

Swathi Kirthyvasan is a UX-UI designer by the day and a mandala artist by the night, hailing from Hyderabad. She creates vivid and mesmerising mandalas that can satisfy the OCD in all of us. She believes that art is meditative and can induce mindfulness in all of us.

Read further to learn more about her work and what inspires her to create the stunning and luminous mandalas.

What is your definition of art?

Art is anything that helps me escape from the real world where I can have fun, paint and go crazy. It is also extremely therapeutic.

Do you practise art full time?

I am a UX-UI designer by the day at a startup in Hyderabad. I practise art in my free time. Although both my career and hobby are in the creative field, they are very different.

How were you drawn towards mandalas?

During my college days, I stumbled upon the front page of a magazine called Creative Gaga, which had a mandala drawn on it. Back then, I wasn’t aware that it was called a ‘Mandala’. I was instantly captivated by the design and the artform that I started trying out on my own. It was only after a friend told me that it was mandala, that I started researching about how beautiful and spiritual the art form is.

Do you believe that mandalas should have some element of free flow rather than perfect symmetry?

 It can be absolutely free flowing and need not be restricted to a grid or mathematical circles. You can always learn the rules and be free to break them. Mandala is an expression of how you feel, it can take any form or shape as long as you are enjoying the process of creation.

Which other artforms do you enjoy creating?

I like experimenting with watercolor florals, lettering and any form of abstract art.

What can one learn from your Workshops?

I conduct doodling and mandala workshops. I teach them how to draw the basic patterns, what materials to use, how to get inspired and give many references to try it on by themselves. It’s wonderful to see many participants come back with new work after attending the workshop.

Could you name a few artists that you get inspired by?

I cannot pick one or two artists as the art community as a whole is very inspiring. There are so many talented artists whom I follow who create beautiful mandalas, breathtaking landscape paintings and florals. Each artist has their own creative spark and I like to see how each of them interpret things differently.

Plans for the coming years?

I plan on taking up more commissioned projects along with conducting workshops. I am also planning on starting my own line of merchandise.

Do you connect with mandalas on a spiritual level?

I might not connect with mandalas on a spiritual level, but it is definitely meditative. It helps you shut yourself from the outside world and focus on just the art.

Advice to budding artists?

Draw your hearts out. Do it for the sheer fun of it. You should do it for the joy you get while making a piece rather than doing it for numbers and fame.

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