CARICATOONZ by John Sprague!: Caricature Convention 2010!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Caricature Convention 2010!

One of the many cool things about being a caricature artist is being able to take part in the big convention that is held for members of the International Society of Caricature Artists (www.caricature.org), of which I have been a proud member for several years. Every year, there is an event at a different location throughout the U.S., (as well as mini-conventions usually internationally) and around 200+ artists come from around the world to take part in this weeklong event, where we draw each other in a 24 hour ballroom with every medium imaginable, and get our own wall space to display our work. At the end of the week, when the competition is done, we go around and vote in about 20 categories for the best work of the year, followed by a big banquet and awards ceremony on the last night. During the week, there are seminars on caricature techniques, business practices, and a lot more, plus there is a guest of honor, a well-known caricaturist illustrator, (this time it was independent animator Bill Plympton - http://www.plymptoons.com/index_main.html - who started out in caricatures, and frequently displays a caricature influence in his cartoons)who shares their history and mingles with the artists, often drawing with them too. Not only that, but there are several competitions, such as the speed drawing and likeness competitions to keep everybody excited and competitive in a friendly way. The con last year was held in Las Vegas, during November, and it was yet another huge, exciting, overwhelming mind-blowingly fun time where I drew all week , saw old friends, made new friends, and soaked up the whole creatively stimulating vibe that is unlike anything else i've experienced. It's an incredible reward for us as caricature artists, and I look forward to it every year. I only wish there could be something as great as this every month!

Here are the drawings I did at the convention, along with photos of my subjects:

Most of my drawings were done with marker, brush pen, color sticks/pencils, and acrylic paint.

My Wall:

Me and Mr. Bob East (AKA 'Beast), 2nd place winner of the Most Humorous Caricatures of the Year

Me and Dan Almariei, winner of Best Black & White Technique, and enthusiastic imbiber of red wine.

Me and Miguel Aguilar, 2nd or 3rd place winner of best black and white technique, and 1st place winner in 2009.

Me and Sean Gardner, winner of Caricature of the Year award, Color Technique, and Most Exaggerated awards I believe, and outstanding Zombie caricaturist.