Live Caricature

Live Caricature for Your Event

Probably the Cutest Caricatures in London

When you book please keep in mind live caricature is a performance, so, there is no need for everybody to be drawn. Usually, not all the guest want a drawing. Some of your guests will enjoy watching.

How quick and for how long

The live caricature is a natural process and the maximum speed is acquired after the first few drawings. A minimum of two hours per event is recommended. Depending on the complexity, the quickest drawings can take less than 3! minutes (kids). The average, for a mix of kids and adults portraits, is 10 drawings/hour.

The number of drawings per hour is related to:

1. The size of the gaps between drawings - usually, I'm very busy so the gaps are minimal. As well, every time when I finish a drawing, I ask my model to invite somebody else for a portrait.

2. The complexity of the models - how complex is the shape of the face and how many details (glasses, beards etc.) I need to add to a drawing, the easiest to draw are children, the adults are more complex.

3. How involved in the drawing process is my model. The first two minutes are more important for the drawing process. It is perfectly fine to draw people who talk and have fun, but if for any reason I can't see my model face (let's say you talk with somebody from behind you), this can increase the drawing time.

PRICES:

2 hours - £240 | *£168

3 hours - £320 | *£224

4 hours - £380 | *£266

5 hours - £420 | *£294

6 hours - £440 | *£308

*Book now to benefit 30% OFF - Special Offer *

Travel expenses - for journeys exceeding 10 miles around central London, £1 per mile will be added, which covers the travel to the event and back.

I promote my work a lot in this period of time and instead of paying for advertising I choose to offer massive discounts to my clients.

Why?
I believe there is no better way to advertise my work than adding the best art experience to your event. For a limited time, you can have for your event top drawings at an affordable price. Don't lose this opportunity! Check reviews below and book with confidence.

The Romanian Christmas Ball 2019, London Marriott Hotel Regents Park

Booking Procedure

A 20% deposit must be paid to secure the booking at a specified date and the price listed above. Full amount has to be paid no later than 3 days before the event date. Full payment is preferred if possible or if the date of your event is close to the booking date, for example, 2 weeks beforehand. In this case, everything is set and there is nothing else you have to do, as well, less paperwork means more time for art. The live caricature event is subject to full payment made in advance. I choose to keep away payments and other procedures from the event day, my work is very challenging and my interested is to focus on art only during the event day.

Why My Portraits Stand Out

What to check when you choose a caricature artist for your event

Choose for your guests to feel flattered (not offended)

Unlike classical caricature, my portraits reveal a pleasant appearance, not the ugliness and grotesque. The constant feedback I receive is: "I'm more beautiful in your drawing than in reality."

All drawings are unique and unrepeatable
Your guest will receive for free original artworks during your event, as a memory, signed by the author (I have great respect for my art, I don't do anonymous artworks), NOT prints. The joy and spectacle in art and in live caricature come from simplicity, from having spectacular results using simple tools. Also, from taking risks, permanent markers can't be edited or undone like the digital caricature.

Quality of the line

Made with permanent markers (deep black), the artworks are defined by a clear, powerful line which generates a high black & white contrast. Unlike the drawings done in pencils or other media, are resistant (doesn't blend) and have a clean, professional look with no under layers.

Motivation / Why I draw

Through my art, I try to reveal human beauty in a playful way. My drawings incorporate the emotion and energy of the moment and are very popular at the events where I'm invited. I'm pleased and humbled to find out my art brings moments of joy in people life. It takes great effort, dedication and practice, full time, for years, while you invest the best vibes and emotions for any artistic activity to reach a good level of performance. I'm very happy that I can draw so many people who enjoy and value my work. As part of your event, you sustain my artistic journey to continue and I am very grateful for that. I'm, also, happy to support charities events when I have the chance. Find more about my artistic philosophy on The Artist page.

Can I have the Big Ben Tower on the background?
Because I'm interested in drawing the most expressive quick portraits, I focus my art on portraits only, so I don't add generic things to my drawings. The live caricature is very challenging and supplementary details added by hand like messages etc. can decrease seriously the drawing speed, and it means fewer portraits for your event, but, I'll be happy to add stickers with your message provided by you at the bottom of every front. Learn more about this below - Your logo & branding.

Event Details

The portraits

Individual portraits on A4 size is the best choice for the clarity of details and speed, and a higher speed results in more people having a portrait done. The portraits (160gsm paper), ready to be framed, are delivered to your guests for free in transparent protective sleeves. I'm happy to draw multiple portraits (A4), couples or a maximum of three portraits (occasionally - for events of 4-5 hours) on the same sheet, as well, but compositions are more complex and can be slightly slower.

For every 2 hours, I may need a short, roughly, 10 min break. This is to be certain I keep the quality of the line high and I deliver only the best quality drawings. I arrive always at least 30 minutes / 1 hour earlier to discuss every detail and to be sure we can set up the event best way. My aim is to make your guests happy by drawing as many portraits as possible.

For a successful live caricature event, it is good to have

1. Decent lighting, in the drawing area, indoors. A place close to a window or a source of light is best. Indoor can be a better environment for live caricature, but not always, as ar fewer factors that interfere with the drawing process (wind, powerful sun, cold, humidity).
2. Two chairs of normal size (three if I have to draw couples).
3. A small table is helpful for my tools and to present some drawings for your guests to know what to expect, but is not mandatory to have a table for the event.
4. Shaded area, outdoor. Sunlight can be very powerful and its reflection on paper makes the drawing process very challenging or impossible.

Weddings

If you think you'll be too busy during your event to attend the live session (bride and groom) and you book live caricature for your guests only, you can choose to have your caricature done prior your event from photos. The drawing will be delivered on my arriver, before the live event. Please let me know if you need this service to be included in your quote.

Silu Cartoon @ The Trafalgar Tavern Greenwich

Working with children

Kids are amazing models for cartoons. They understand and take my work very seriously. I have developed a poignant way of drawing children and have received wonderful feedback. For more on this, please check my gallery and the certified review on Poptop UK Event Booking by Andrew Shires @ Polka Theatre - children’s theatre in Wimbledon. I know I'm doing something special when they don't leave without telling me: "I want to draw like you!".

Live Caricature @ Under 1 Roof First Birthday. Photos on Facebook, here & here. Party video.

Your logo & branding

The artwork looks better by itself, as well, some of your guests will like to have the freedom to frame only the portrait. Still, if it is important for your business/event, you can have your logo or other symbols at the bottom of the front page, but it is preferable to keep it as simple as possible. I'll be happy to add stickers (preferable - you can choose the quality of printing etc.) provided by you at the bottom of every front page.
Alternatively, you can have your logo printed, black & white (it works only for basic things, nothing fancy - black and white with no shades), for free, for a limited number of sheets, 10 per every hour of the event. The backside of the sheet contains "why I draw - find out about my artistic philosophy", my artistic identity, info for your guests to can learn more about the artist and story behind the art. The understanding of why and how the artist chose to express himself thru his work, makes the art experience more complete.

Why I draw mostly from sitting

Even if I enjoy drawing in any condition, seated or standing (See "Drawing people on London streets" project, on the "home" page), my aim is to deliver only the best portraits and live art experiences to your guests. The best and most effective way of doing live caricature, the quality of drawings and speed, is from sitting. Walking around is not the best way of doing live caricature and is rarely necessary, learn why below.

My drawings are pretty popular
Usually, I'm stuck in a chair for hours drawing people, while others wait for a drawing. So I can't, or there's no point to mix and mingle with your guest, as my goal is making your guest happy by doing as many drawings as possible. I have, from time to time, requests to mingle with guests, but after the first drawings, usually, I became so busy as there is no reason and time for me to walk around. A table is helpful but may not be necessary if there is no space, but 2 chairs is a minimum request for a good successful live caricature event which results in lots of happy guests. If there is no way for you to have at least two chairs at your event for live caricature, unfortunately, for technical reasons, I can't attend your event.

I'm happy to change the drawing place during the event
Still, if the main place is indoor I'm happy to go to the garden for a while, let say, to draw your guests if the garden is busier as long there is a place to sit. So even if I'm happy to do anything to achieve the best results for your event (I always interact with guests, if necessary, and I invite them to have a drawing in a friendly way), I deny invitations to events where walking around must be the only approach.

Be a model
To draw portraits I need to see faces and to be able to interact with your guests, this is how they enjoy the drawing process and the art experience. I'm happy to draw people while they're talking and enjoying the moment of being models for a few minutes, mostly for the first time in their life, but I don't do portraits walking around the tables during the meal. The best portraits are made during the interaction with the model. In fact, this is really helpful for me to add a personal touch in their portrait. I'm, also, happy to interact with your guests while I'm drawing if they are interested to find more about what is behind my art and not only.

Art with no compromise

My style of drawing requires high pressure on my pen for a good quality line whit different variations for the thickness which is better achieved when sitting. So, I'm very happy to do portraits at your event if you think your guests will enjoy the experience of being a model and sitting in front of me a few minutes for a drawing.

You don't want for your guests to be stuck waiting for a drawing
Even if people can have great fun while waiting for a drawing as they talk, laugh, and even applause sometimes, if you think is better for them to don't wait, I'll be happy to give them numbers. Usually, this can be helpful for big parties and weddings. Please let me know if you think this is necessary when you book me.

Why I Prefer Paper and Markers to Digital Caricature

I used graphics software and computers to draw for 12 years and I can say there's nothing more expressive and spectacular for making art and especially live caricature than simple tools like markers and paper. The accuracy of how emotions are transposed in lines and the expressivity of a drawing is incomparable higher comparing with any digital tools of the moment. The drawing speed is higher, as well, that means more drawings for your event.

The Drawing That Was Not Liked

I draw once the above portrait to practice, I ask permission to random people to practice my quick portraits. After I finished the drawing in 5 minutes, my "model" was felt offended because, probably, I make fun of her. She still did consider that is a good idea to have a photo with my drawing, which she didn't receive. I understand people have different personalities and can have different expectations. If for any reason you can find the drawing from above or any other of my drawings offensive, please don't book me :). Why? Read above "Motivation / Why I draw".

Public liability insurance

Insured.

Previous Clients

Who Booked Live Caricature Include:
Click logo for more details

Thank you all for supporting my artistic journey!

Past Events

Live Caricature @ Christmas Party, Oxford
Town Hall - 3 Hours event | 06 Dec 2019
Client: Taylor & Francis Group

***

Live Caricature @ The Romanian Christmas Ball 2019, London
Marriott Hotel Regents Park - 5 Hours event | 23 Nov 2019
Photos from the event here.
Client: Romanian Medical Society UK & Romanians in the UK

***

Live Caricature @ Mixed Drawings from 3 Weddings
The Tournerbury Woods Estate, Hayling Island - 2 Hours Event, 28 Sep 2019 | The Islington Metal Works Wedding Venue, London - 2 Hours Event, 05 Oct 2019 | 1901 Ballroom Andaz, London - 2 Hours Event, 12 Oct 2019

***

Live Caricature @ Wedding, London

The Trafalgar Tavern Greenwich - 3 Hours event |16 Aug 2019

***

Live Caricature @ Wedding, London

St Andrew’s Undershaft Church - 2 Hours events | 27 July 2019

Amazing architecture contrast in London. Did you spot the church?
***

Live Caricature @ Mozilla - Friends & Family Day, London

Crowne Plaza London Kensington hotel - 5 Hours event | 20 July 2019
Client: Mozilla

***

Live Caricature @ Birthday Party & Celebration, London

Bluebird and Dynasty restaurants - 2 Hours events | 13 and 14 July 2019

***

Live Caricature @ Birthday Party, London

Private Venue, Romford - 2 Hours, 6 July 2019

***

Live Caricature @ Wedding, Folkestone

The Grand, The Leas - 4 Hours, 23 June 2019

***

Live Caricature @ Fundraising Event, Aldershot

Westgate Retail and Leisure Park - 4 Hours - 22 June 2019
Client: Carousel - award-winning consumer PR and digital agency

***

Live Caricature @ Private Party, Stanford le Hope

Garden party following a recent wedding - 3 Hours, 15 June 2019

Check the Certified Review by Sarah on POPTOP UK Event Booking

***

Live Caricature @ Celebration Party, London

Imperial Wharf the Boulevard - 4 Hours, 2 June 2019

Check the Certified Review by Maryann Mcmahon on POPTOP UK Event Booking
***

Live Caricature @ Holy Communion Party, London

Sacred Heart of Jesus and St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church - 3 Hours, 1 June 2019

Check the Certified Review by Alvin Tellis on POPTOP UK Event Booking
***

Live Caricature @ Birthday Party, Camberley

Camberley football Club - 3 Hours, 13 Apr 2019

Check the Certified Review by Amanda Humphreys on POPTOP UK Event Booking
***

Live Caricature @ Wedding, London

The City Pavilion - 36 drawings, the quickest drawings in less than 3 minutes - 3 Hours, 9 Apr 2019

***

Live Caricature @ National Gallery, London

***

Live Caricature @ Greenwich Market - 2018

***

Live Caricature @ Taste of India, Severndroog Castle
Eltham Park Festival - 2017

Photos by Eltham Arts and Miriam Storey

***

Drawings from Live Caricature @ Under 1 Roof (48 drawings)
25th and 26th Feb 2017
"Look at the fabulous caricatures that were done at our birthday weekend by the brilliant Silu Cartoon!"