Before the era of YouTube tutorials and online art courses, aspiring caricature artists had to turn to a much thicker source of knowledge: the printed page. At the heart of that analog learning experience stood Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures .
To download Lenn Redman's PDF guide on how to draw caricatures, simply click on the link below:
Narrow at the forehead, widening heavily at the jaw. The Brick: Square, rigid, and angular. The Banana: Long, curved, and narrow.
Understanding these hallmarks will help you mimic his approach while developing your own voice. how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf link
: A mirror of the Archive version is available for borrowing at Open Library
: The "In-Betweener" represents the mathematically average, perfectly symmetrical human head.
One of Redman's most famous contributions to art instruction is his concept of the "Inca Lines." He argued that every face fits into a specific structural grid. By identifying the invisible vertical and horizontal axes of a subject’s face, an artist can instantly determine where the features deviate from the "average" baseline. 2. The Law of Exaggeration Before the era of YouTube tutorials and online
A: A good quality technical pen (e.g., Micron, Staedtler), a smooth Bristol board or heavyweight sketch paper, and a sharp pencil for initial construction are sufficient. Digital artists can use a pressure‑sensitive tablet with a brush set that mimics a fine‑line pen.
Is the space between the nose and the upper lip long or short?
| Exercise | Goal | How to Do It | |----------|------|--------------| | | Train your eye for the “essence.” | Pick 10 celebrity heads. Draw each with only the most iconic feature exaggerated (e.g., only the nose). | | Pose Library | Build a repertoire of dynamic stances. | Create a 2‑page pose sheet: 5 standing, 5 seated, 5 action poses. Keep the heads simple; focus on body flow. | | Line‑Weight Study | Master confident strokes. | Using a fine‑tip pen, draw 5 identical caricatures, varying only the line weight (thin → thick). Observe impact on readability. | | Speed Caricature | Capture the subject in under 2 minutes. | Set a timer and draw a quick caricature of a friend or a picture. The goal is to trust your instinct rather than over‑think. | | Redman‑Study Replication | Internalize his style. | Choose a published Redman caricature (from a legal source). Reproduce it exactly on tracing paper, then redraw it freehand from memory. | The Brick: Square, rigid, and angular
: A PDF version is available for reading or download with a subscription or account. Internet Archive Purchase Options
Lenn Redman was a master illustrator and animator who created over 200,000 live caricatures throughout his career. He worked during the golden era of animation with major entities like Walt Disney, Hanna-Barbera, and Filmation. He synthesized his decades of real-world studio experience into How to Draw Caricatures . This text shifts focus away from strict academic realism. It teaches artists how to decode the human face to amplify its most expressive traits. Core Concepts: The "In-Betweener" Method
: An internalized, perfectly averaged baseline head model.
You can store the book on an iPad, tablet, or smartphone, allowing you to practice sketching in coffee shops, parks, or studios.
"How to Draw Caricatures" by Lenn Redgrave is a popular book that teaches the art of drawing caricatures. The book is designed for beginners and experienced artists alike, providing a step-by-step guide on how to create humorous and exaggerated portraits.