Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures is widely considered a foundational "bible" for aspiring caricature artists. First published in 1984, the book distills Redman's experience drawing over 200,000 live subjects into a practical, shape-based method. Key Concept: The "Inbetweener" The core of Redman's teaching is the "Inbetweener"
—an "average" face used as a mental reference point. By comparing a subject's features to this baseline, artists can systematically identify what to exaggerate. Observation:
The goal is to spot what is "out of the ordinary" rather than just making features large. Exaggeration:
If a chin is slightly prominent on the "Inbetweener," it becomes massive in the caricature. Book Highlights Shape-Based Workflow:
Redman breaks down complex heads into simple geometric forms like triangles, squares, and circles. Feature Breakdown:
The book dedicates individual sections to eyes, noses, mouths, and hair, explaining how each part relates to the whole. Body Caricature:
Unlike many introductory books, Redman includes a significant section on full-body caricatures, though readers should note it contains some nude figure studies for anatomical reference. Art History:
It serves as a time capsule, featuring commercial art and caricatures from the 1930s through the 1950s. Critical Review How To Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman - Book Review
How to Draw Caricatures: A Comprehensive Guide by Lenn Redgrave (not Redman)
Are you interested in learning the art of caricature drawing? Look no further! Lenn Redgrave's (not Redman) book, "How to Draw Caricatures", is a renowned guide that has been helping aspiring artists master the craft of caricature drawing for years. In this article, we'll explore the book's contents, provide an overview of Lenn Redgrave's approach, and offer some valuable tips on how to get the most out of this excellent resource.
About Lenn Redgrave's Book
Lenn Redgrave's "How to Draw Caricatures" is a comprehensive guide that covers the fundamental principles of caricature drawing. The book is designed for artists of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced illustrators. Redgrave's approach is centered around the idea that caricature drawing is not just about exaggerating features, but also about capturing the essence and personality of the subject.
Key Takeaways from the Book
Here are some key takeaways from Lenn Redgrave's book:
Tips for Getting the Most out of the Book
To get the most out of Lenn Redgrave's "How to Draw Caricatures", follow these tips:
The PDF Version
While we couldn't find a specific PDF version of Lenn Redgrave's book, "How to Draw Caricatures", by the username "Lenn Redman", it is available in various formats, including paperback and e-book, on online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Conclusion
Lenn Redgrave's "How to Draw Caricatures" is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning the art of caricature drawing. With its comprehensive coverage of facial structure, exaggeration, and personality, this book is sure to help you improve your skills and create engaging caricatures. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this book is a valuable addition to your library.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Recommendation: If you're interested in learning caricature drawing, Lenn Redgrave's book is an excellent place to start. With its clear instructions, helpful tips, and inspiring examples, you'll be well on your way to creating engaging and humorous caricatures.
Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures is widely considered a foundational text for aspiring caricature artists. Based on his experience drawing over 200,000 live subjects, the book introduces a systematic workflow for observing and exaggerating the human face. Key Concepts in Redman’s Method
The core of Redman's approach lies in shifting focus from individual features to the relationships between them. How to Draw Caricatures: The 5 Shapes - Tom Richmond
Lenn Redman 's seminal work, How to Draw Caricatures (1984), is widely regarded as a foundational text for the art form, drawing on his experience sketching over 200,000 subjects. His method centers on the idea that every caricature starts with identifying how a subject's face deviates from a "standard" model. Core Principles of the Redman Method
The "In-betweener" Concept: This is Redman's primary reference tool—a mental "average" face with classic proportions. By comparing a subject to this baseline, the artist can pinpoint which features are unique or "out of the ordinary".
Exaggerate, Don't Distort: A central rule in Redman's work is that caricature is about exaggerating existing differences rather than random distortion. If a subject has a prominent chin, you push it further; if they have small eyes, you make them smaller.
The 5 Shape Theory: Redman simplifies the complex human face into five essential shapes—the head (circle/outline), face (oval), eyes (two circles), and mouth (curved line). Manipulating the distance, size, and angles between these shapes creates the caricature's foundation. Step-by-Step Drawing Workflow How to Draw Caricatures: The 5 Shapes - Tom Richmond
Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (originally published in 1984) is a seminal work in the field of humorous illustration, celebrated for its unique "Inbetweener" method and comprehensive approach to facial exaggeration. Redman, a veteran animator for Disney and Hanna-Barbera, distilled decades of experience into a guide that moves beyond simple exaggeration to focus on the relationships between facial features. The "Inbetweener" Method
The cornerstone of Redman’s philosophy is the concept of the Inbetweener
—a reference point representing the "average" or "classic" face. Observation via Contrast
: Instead of looking for what is "there," Redman teaches artists to identify how a subject’s face deviates from this average baseline. Feature Relationships
: He emphasizes that a caricature is not just about making a nose bigger; it is about changing the distance, size, and angle of features relative to one another. The Five Essential Shapes
: Redman simplifies the face into five basic components—the head (circle), face (oval), two eyes (smaller circles), and the mouth (curved line). By manipulating these fundamental shapes, an artist can capture a recognizable likeness before adding any detail. Structure and Content
Redman's work is distinct for its instructional breadth, covering both the face and the often-overlooked full body. How To Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman - Book Review
In the heart of a dusty, sun-drenched attic in Chicago, a young artist named Elias stumbled upon a weathered, spiral-bound treasure: a 1984 edition of Lenn Redman’s How to Draw Caricatures
Elias didn’t just want to draw faces; he wanted to capture the "vibe" of a person. He opened the PDF scan he’d made of the book on his tablet, the digital pages glowing with Redman’s legendary "In-Between" method. how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
"The secret," he whispered, tracing a line on his screen, "isn't in the nose or the chin. It’s in the space
He headed down to a local jazz club, the air thick with saxophone notes and espresso steam. He spotted his first subject: a bassist with fingers like gnarled oak branches and a brow perpetually furrowed in concentration.
Following Redman's gospel, Elias didn't start with a circle. He looked for the Action Line
—the invisible curve of the man’s soul as he leaned into the instrument. He applied the Law of Relationships
, noticing how the bassist’s tiny spectacles sat precariously low on a bridge-less nose.
As he sketched, the lines felt fluid, almost musical. He wasn't mocking the man; he was amplifying him. By the time the set ended, Elias had transformed a few simple shapes into a vibrating portrait of passion.
He showed the sketch to the bassist. The man barked a laugh, his deep wrinkles folding exactly as Elias had drawn them. "You didn't just get my face, kid," the musician said, tapping the paper. "You got my rhythm."
Elias smiled, realizing that Redman hadn't just taught him how to distort reality—he’d taught him how to see the truth more clearly. from Redman’s book or perhaps a of his "In-Between" technique?
Overview The book covers the basics of drawing caricatures, including understanding facial structures, proportions, and expressions. Lenn Redgrave shares his techniques and approaches to help readers develop their skills in creating caricatures.
Key Takeaways
Effectiveness Many readers have found the book to be a helpful resource for learning to draw caricatures. The author's approach is clear and easy to follow, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate artists.
PDF Availability As for the PDF version, it's essential to note that downloading copyrighted materials without permission is against the law. However, you can check online marketplaces, bookstores, or the author's official website to see if a digital version is available for purchase or download.
Alternatives If you're interested in exploring other resources, there are various online tutorials, videos, and courses that can supplement your learning. Some popular alternatives include:
Keep in mind that the quality and effectiveness of these alternatives may vary.
Conclusion "How to Draw Caricatures" by Lenn Redgrave is a valuable resource for those interested in learning the art of caricature drawing. With practice and patience, readers can develop their skills and create humorous and engaging portraits.
Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (1984) is a seminal work in humorous illustration, often cited as one of the most effective guides for mastering the art of exaggeration. His method centers on a structured observation of the human face, providing artists with a systematic way to see beyond "normal" features to capture a subject's unique essence. The Core Philosophy: "The Inbetweener"
Redman’s most influential concept is the "Inbetweener", a mental reference point representing the "average" or "perfectly symmetrical" human face.
The Method: By comparing a subject's face against this idealized template, the artist can objectively identify what is "out of the ordinary"—such as a slightly wider jaw, closer-set eyes, or a higher hairline. Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures is widely
The Goal: Once these deviations are identified, the artist exaggerates them. The caricature is not just a "funny drawing" but a purposeful amplification of the differences found during the comparison. Key Technical Concepts
Redman breaks the complexity of the human face into manageable steps and shapes:
The Five Basic Shapes: He teaches that every face can be distilled into five primary shapes: the head (circle), face (oval), eyes (two circles), and mouth (a curved line).
Relationship Manipulation: Unlike basic cartooning, caricature focuses on changing the distance, size, and angle of features relative to one another. For example, if a subject has a long chin, Redman doesn't just draw it "big"—he moves the mouth higher and stretches the jaw downwards to emphasize the distance.
The "Rubber Head" Concept: He encourages imagining the face as a molded rubber form. If you "squeeze" the top of the head (the forehead), the jaw must "bulge" out to maintain the face's mass, ensuring the exaggeration feels balanced and grounded in anatomical logic. How To Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman - Book Review
Lenn Redman's seminal book, How to Draw Caricatures, is considered a definitive guide in the field, drawing from his experience of creating over 200,000 live caricatures. His approach focuses on selective exaggeration rather than simple distortion, rooted in the observation of how a subject's features deviate from an "average" face. The "In-Betweener" Concept
Redman’s core methodology centers on the "In-Betweener", a mental reference point representing the "average" or "normal" placement and size of facial features.
Comparison: By comparing a subject to this internal "average" template, the artist can identify what is unique.
Identification: If a subject's chin is slightly longer than the "In-Betweener's," the artist exaggerates that specific length to achieve a likeness. Core Drawing Techniques
Redman breaks down the complex human face into manageable steps and shapes: How To Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman - Book Review
Unlike many “just exaggerate” guides, Redman’s system is repeatable and teaches you to see structure first. His book is full of before/after examples of celebrities (Lincoln, Einstein, etc.) using this shape-based exaggeration.
Here is where Redman differs from modern digital caricature. He believed you should draw 20% of the face and let the viewer’s brain fill in the other 80%. Less is more.
Redman instructs the artist to visualize an "average" or "ideal" head.
Because How to Draw Caricatures is an older text, the scans often found online (PDF work) vary in quality. Here is how to best utilize a digital version of this specific book:
1. Zoom in on the Diagrams: Redman’s drawings are intricate. One advantage of the PDF format is the ability to zoom in on the cross-hatching and line weight. Redman used a pen-and-ink style that is an excellent study in texture. Use the zoom function to see where his lines start and stop.
2. Digital Tracing: If you have a tablet, you can import pages of the PDF into drawing apps like Procreate or Photoshop. Tracing over Redman’s "Inbetweener" charts is one of the fastest ways to memorize facial structures.
3. Printing the References: The book contains numerous reference photos of models. A common practice among students of the Redman method is to print these pages from the PDF to practice live comparisons—drawing the model, then checking against Redman’s solution in the book.