: Draw a light line down the center of the face and across the eyes to map out the tilt of the head.
Redman emphasizes that you cannot exaggerate everything equally. If you make every feature huge, the drawing loses its impact and likeness. Instead, identify the one most dominant feature—a large nose, a receding chin, or wide-set eyes—and make that the focal point of your exaggeration. Why Artists Search for the PDF Work
Is the subject's lower lip larger than the top? Do they have a prominent chin or a receding jawline? Redman emphasizes capturing the negative space between the bottom of the nose and the top of the chin to establish the subject’s profile character. Why Artists Look for Lenn Redman PDF Works how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
Break it down into planes. Treat it as a wedge, a ball, or a block.
Once you find what makes the face unique (e.g., a very long nose, high forehead, or small eyes), you exaggerate that specific feature while keeping other aspects relatively normal. : Draw a light line down the center
By locking in the correct baseline head shape first, any exaggeration you apply to the features later will feel structurally sound. 2. The T-Zone and Facial Crosshairs
Redman teaches artists to look at the relationships between facial features rather than the features themselves. By analyzing the negative space and the distances between the eyes, nose, and mouth, you establish a blueprint for exaggeration. 2. The Shape of the Skull Instead, identify the one most dominant feature—a large
Caricature is the art of exaggerating the truth to reveal a deeper personality. While many modern artists look for digital shortcuts, the definitive blueprint for mastering this craft remains Lenn Redman’s 1984 classic book, How to Draw Caricatures . For decades, artists have searched for PDF versions and physical copies of this work to decode his systematic approach to reading and drawing the human face.
If you are currently studying caricature or trying to apply these concepts to your sketches, let me know or whether you are drawing live or from photos . I can provide tailored exercises to help you break through that creative block!
What is your current ? (Absolute beginner, hobbyist, or experienced artist?)
Redman’s book was published in an era before digital art became the industry standard. However, the core drawing principles translate seamlessly to the modern digital era. Whether you are sketching with a graphite pencil on newsprint or rendering on a tablet, understanding Redman's structural rules remains the same.
