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.
Often, the secret to a good likeness is in the eyes. Redman advises studying the distance between them (too close or too far apart).
To get the most out of Lenn Redman’s teaching, structure your practice sessions using his framework:
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. how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
This comprehensive guide breaks down how Lenn Redman's foundational concepts work, how to study them, and how you can apply them to your own illustrations. The Philosophy of Caricature: Beyond Simple Exaggeration
Unlike others, Redman doesn’t give formulas (e.g., “nose = 3x size”). Instead:
What (eyes, nose, jaw, etc.) do you find hardest to exaggerate? Redman’s book was published in an era before
Before you can distort a face, you must understand standard proportions. Redman provides grids showing the "average" human face. The exercises then show you how to pull, stretch, and compress this grid. If a subject has a prominent jaw, Redman shows you how to expand the lower quadrant of the grid while shrinking the top, maintaining structural integrity despite the extreme proportions. 3. Mapping Individual Features
Before drawing, review the sections on how to simplify features into basic shapes.
: Identify if the head is a "light bulb," "egg," or "pear" before adding features. Often, the secret to a good likeness is in the eyes
Redman’s most influential concept is the , a mental reference point representing the "average" or "perfectly symmetrical" human face.
Redman teaches that to draw a caricature, you must first understand the "average" face, which he calls the "inbetweener".
Lenn Redman (1914–1987) was an accomplished American animator, cartoonist, and author. Over a career spanning several decades, Redman worked with major animation studios, drew syndicated comic strips, and entertained thousands as a live caricature artist.
His philosophy was that caricature is not merely about distorting a face for comedic effect, but about capturing the of a personality. He bridged the gap between street-style entertainment and high-art portraiture.