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, usually, there is no need for everybody to be drawn, 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. For events longer than two hours I can need a short break, this is to be certain I keep the quality of the line high and I deliver only the best quality drawings. Depending on the complexity, the average is around 10 single caricatures per hour. The quickest drawings can be less than 3 minutes. Still, as this is an artistic process, the figures are indicative, so, I can't guarantee an exact number of drawings, please learn why below.

The number of drawings per hour is related to:

1. The complexity of the models and how many details (glasses, earrings, beards etc.) I need to add to a drawing.

2. 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.

3. 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 considerably.

PRICES:

2 hours - £240

3 hours - £320

4 hours - £380

5 hours - £420

Travel expenses - for journeys exceeding 10 miles around central London, £1 per mile will be added for every supplementary mile, two ways.

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 payment is preferred 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 full amount has to be paid no later than 3 days before the event date. That's because I'm interested to focus strictly on art during the event day. Unfortunately, I only accept cash on the event day in case extra hours are needed. The live caricature event is subject to full payment made in advance.

Why My Portraits Stand Out

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."

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, 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 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.

All drawings are unique and unrepeatable
Your guest will receive original artworks as a memory, signed by the author, 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, markers can't be edited or undone like the digital caricature.

Quality of the line

Made with black markers on high-quality cards (not ordinary paper), the artworks are defined by a clear powerful line. Unlike the drawings done in other media, doesn't blend and have a clean, professional look with no under layers.

Event Details

The portraits

For live events, I do single portraits (best for the clarity of details and speed) and double portraits, A4 size. The portraits are delivered to your guests in transparent protective sleeves ready to be framed. Group portraits are suitable for studio work only as requires much more time because of the higher complexity.

For a successful live caricature event, it is necessary to have:

1. Indoor - Decent lighting in the drawing area, a place close to a window or a source of light is best.

2. Outdoor - Shaded area, sunlight can be very powerful and its reflection on paper can make the drawing process very challenging or impossible. Is good to remember there can be a few other factors that can interfere with the drawing process like cold, wind, humidity and these can affect my speed.

3. Two chairs of normal size (three if I have to draw couples).

4. A small table for my tools and to present some drawings for your guests to know what to expect. If there is no table, a chair can be helpful to keep my tools on. It can decrease my speed if I need to keep things on the floor.

I arrive earlier

I arrive always at least 30 minutes / 1 hour earlier to discuss every detail and to be sure we can set up the event the best way.

Why I need to arrive earlier:

* If necessary, I can help with choosing the best place for the live caricature

* I expose some drawings, usually over the table, for your guests to know what to expect

* Changing clothes, washing hands after travelling etc.

* It is also desirable to have a short break before starting the event in the best conditions

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 to your event from photos. The drawing will be delivered on my arrival, 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

Kids parties

Kids are amazing models for cartoons. They understand and take my work very seriously. Certified review on Poptop UK Event Booking by Andrew Shires @ Polka Theatre, children’s theatre in Wimbledon - "Silu was a fantastic addition to the day. His drawings were very entertaining, and he much them in his warm and friendly demeanour. Many guests commented on how much they enjoyed his presence at the event. I thoroughly recommend Silu for any event!" An adult must supervise children all the time during the drawing process. My work requires a high level of concentration and I can't always be aware of what's going on around me.

Live Caricature @ Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich. Thank you to the family who sent me this material! There is no better compliment than when a child who leaves with your drawing shouts back: "I want to draw like you, I want to draw like you!"

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

Your logo & branding

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 provided by you at the bottom of every front page. Alternatively, you can have your logo printed, black & white, for free, for a limited number of sheets, 10 per every hour of the event.

Why I draw from sitting at live events

Even if I enjoy drawing in any condition, seated or standing, 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. My goal is to make your guest happy by doing as many drawings as possible, so, 2 chairs is a minimum request (3, if I need to draw couples) for a good successful live caricature event with lots of happy guests. If there is no way to have at least two chairs for live caricature, unfortunately, for technical reasons, I can't attend your event.

I'm happy to change the drawing place, from outdoor to indoor and vice versa, if necessary, during the longer events if guests change the main place of the party.

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

More expressive lines with higher drawing speed comparing with any digital tools of the moment. Your guests will receive originals, not prints.

Can I have "Big Ben" in 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. Any supplementary details added by hand like messages etc. can decrease seriously the drawing speed. I'll be happy to add stickers with your message/logo, learn more about this on " Your logo & branding".

Public liability insurance

Insured.

Other Live Events

Drawing People on London Streets (2019)

A project of spontaneous art for people of London

These drawings are usually done outdoors in difficult conditions in minutes. There are no chairs, easel or other preparations. The energy generated by the interaction with my models goes into my lines and compositions. I like challenges and it's challenging for me to draw people on not very friendly weather, low light, sometimes in the nighttime, in front of a restaurant on the stairs, in the bus station. It's also about pushing my limits, a symbolic way of overcoming obstacles through art.

Thank you so much to these wonderful people (and not only) for being part of my project. I'm really lucky to live in a place where art is appreciated, enjoyed and supported by people and authorities.

Thank you, London!

Live Caricature @ National Gallery, London (2018)

When you doing art, you open your senses and you become very sensitive and vulnerable to any external factors. For this reason, doing your art in a studio is good as you are protected and you can focus all your energy in the right direction. Drawing exposed in a crowded public place means ignoring: the wind, the sun, the cold, the noise, your insecurities (you have no idea what's happening around, you can only see your model and your paper sometimes for hours when you are very busy) and doing it anyway. I look back pleased and humbled for assuming this exercise for a while, of going thru things that had the potential to make you feel uncomfortable during the artistic process.