Caricature Quick Tip #* Dont THINK , FEEL

Was thinking about Bruce Lee's famous line from the movie, ENTER THE DRAGON, when he SLAPS this kid in the beginning of the movie, for thinking too much when he should have been FEELING. The prininciple is applicable for betting over artist block when you're staring at a blank page. Listen to the podcast, grasshopper and learn.

Be  glad that I'm not infront of you to slap you and reinforce this lesson like Master Lee had to!

Ipad Gift Caricature of a Pirate King.

In addition to party caricature, Gift caricature is one of the staples of a successful caricature business. I especially love doing gift caricatures, because it also allows me to operate in the capacity of a character designer, especially if the client, like in this case, gives me full reign to let my creative abilities run amok! . My client wanted this picture  for a buddy  who possessed  a notoriously red beard. We immediately decided on a pirate theme and I went to work. creating the red beard character here. I wanted this pirate to look kind of classy, so I took a few items from Captain Hooks closet to clothe my character. .  When doing gift caricature, If possible, I like to play with, manipulate , and borrow from cultural icons that are immediately recognizable to everyone. I do ad my own flair so that its not outright plagiarism 

Overall Im vary pleased with the gift caricature. The only thing missing is a Pirate and a bottle of rum. But we're trying to keep things nice and sober here on the subwaysurfer blogggg.

This caricature was colored beautiful in my trusty ipad using the art studio app.

My client let me know that his buddy was notorious for wearing hats, so I did give him a Fancy Pirate hat, but couldnt resist doing one without the hat also. 

Big City Drink and Draw Demo by Subwaysurfer

Caricature Quick Tip Series TOOLS

New Gift Caricature Work

logo redesign work

Publish Post

been doing a lot of freelance work Including Logo Redesign work

Subwaysurfer to speak at April 20th Big City Drink and Draw

Tomorrow evening at six I will be speaking on the subject of caricature and how it relates to sequential storytelling, and character design, as well as demonstrating/teaching my drawing method. I am also introducing two ebooks tomorrow as well. There's other great stuff going on as well, so I hope you will attend.

SnookerBingo.com Freelance work

Had a lot of fun drawing these Snooker Players for a recent client. heck, i didnt even KNOW what "Snooker" meant, it had to be explained to me! LOL! If you're into pool, as us yanks say it, then this site is definitely for you! Just make sure when you enter you stop all the loud talking. People are trying to play snooker here....http://www.snookerbingo.com/

Ipad Gift Caricatures

Avatar Logo of Kettlebell Trainer Bob Garton

Hi Folks Havent posted in a couple of days... which is GOOD...in a way. I mean if I was a STARVING artist, Id have plenty of time to post, but since Im a working artist, I have to take care of business! Ive got some great stuff coming up in the form of new Ebooks and such for you to download and learn from, as well as an upcoming seminar at Jack Dempsey Bar in NYC April 20 on the art of character design ... but more on that later

Heres one great caricature Ive worked on for client, Bob Garton , a Fitness trainer specializing in exercising with the Kettlebell. Bob has LOTS of great stuff going on at his blogsite which you can view here: http://www.bobgarontraining.com/  I highly recommend you go to Bob's site. Kettlebell training is is unlike ANY strength program that you will ever practice, and works simultaneously in developing incredible levels of balance, coordination, physical strength and flexibility.Me, I just like the kettlebells because they look so cool! LOL dont do this on your own! let trained professional like Bob show you how to do this RIGHT. 

Speaking of RIGHT, thats exactly how I drew Bobs Caricature/LOGO check it out! Bob loved it so much that he made The SUBWAYSURFER a Commercial Testimonial! hows THAT for a satisfied customer?   No need to be jealous of Bob, you TOO can get your OWN cartoon , caricature Avatar, Logo to put on your Blog, Ebook or whatever. All you need do is shoot me an email explaining exactly what you want and i will work out the details with you. 

drawing Live at a Queens Junior High School

Gift Caricature of a Couple in Love

Nothing says "LOVE" like getting a caricature done as a gift for the one your love. I was commissioned by this young man, to help him celebrate his six month anniversary to his college sweetheart.  He sent me great photos, told me her favorite colors, and within twenty four hours, he presented his girl with a versatile gift that could be used as a screensaver, used as an avatar, printed out and put on a teeshirt, mouse pad, mug, or simply as a picture to be framed.  Its that easy folks! You can also have your picture done at a very affordable price. Please contact me for details.

Actors, you can ditch your "day job " now!

Just completed this cool Ebook Project for Actor, Writer, Entrepreneur, "Bones" Rodiguez. http://www.bonesrodriguez.com/ According to Bones, if you are a working Actor, you should be a WORKING ACTOR, not a "Waiting Tables" actor. In this soon to be released Ebook, Bones gives gives actors, his proven strategies for consistantly working in the profession of acting. A MUST HAVE book for all you PERFORMERS out there, and YES I do mean ARTISTS too! Will give you the link for this as soon as its available.

This Blog is going to the DOGS! My Doggie Caricature of Butchie Dog!

Well maybe it's not going to the "DOGS" but at least ONE dog, anyway. My dog, Butchie. Butchie is my 13 year old American Staffie aka a Pitbull Deluxe. Butchie dog, as I call him, has been my constant companion for years as I sit in this lonely basement studio that is either too hot, too damp, or too cold, as I crank out caricatures, create cartoons, communicate with clients , or cry continuously because of cranky customers! LOL. It occurred to me that Ive never really drawn the one who is truly, "mans best friend" ... shhhh is my wife listening?....One day, after coming home
from a vet visit, he came into the living room, and was so happy to see his dinner waitiong, that he wagged his tail stuck out his tongue and held this pose for a couple of seconds, long enough for me to get just the gesture drawing I needed to make this great Doggie Caricature

Spotlight on Sergio Aragones

I recently came across this great series called THE COMIC BOOK GREATS where Marvel Comics frontman, STAN LEE interviews the movers and shakers of the comic book industry. In this segment, he interviews Mad Magazines, Sergio Aragones, one of my favorite cartoonists, and the creator of Groo the Barbarian.
View the online presentation HERE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caHVIE6vItQ
Its a four part series.

Are You A Tortoise or a Hare Online?

When it comes to working style, according to Sonia Simone, Guest blogger on the Copyblogger blogsite at http://www.copyblogger.com/critical-business-question/#comment-1009018 you fall into two categories, Tortoise, or Hare. Unlike the fairy tale, this story has a happy ending for both characters. Find out which one YOU are in regards to your working style online, and discover how you can maximize your particular personality strength. The title of the article is CRITICAL ONLINE MARKETING QUESTION YOU NEED TO ANSWER NOW. There is a great audio podcast you can listen to where Sonia Simone breaks it down in an entertaining way.

If youre wondering which one I am, I would say Im a Tortoise, Hare Hybrid. A Rabbit with a shell! LOL! As a freelance artist, I have to on the one hand, get work done quickly and efficiently as my business is very competitive, and deadline sensitive. As a business person, I also have to cultivate business relationships and friendships, as well as build and maintain my brand, and that takes time and patience. If i was to decide which approach is "better" I would have to go with the Tortoise, personally. In life, and business, you will encounter a few storms. There are times that you can go full speed ahead, but must stop, regroup, and recharge. If you have a shell on your back you always have a sanctuary where you can go to find peace, and also have a defense system to repel the slings and arrows that will inevitable come your way. If you're a rabbit, you'd better watch out for foxes , wo are faster, stronger and more cunning....

Animator Peter Lewis

Character Design work at Starbucks

! As a character designer, I'm constantly on the lookout for fresh faces to populate the animated worlds that im frequently called upon to draw for clients and for my own comic and animation projects. Drawing from life is the BEST way to get faces that are authentic. people are endlessly fascinating and funny just being themselves. I frequent Starbucks a LOT , as it provides ample opportunity to draw people for great lengths of time. I also have these great free association moments that happen when a particular face triggers a feeling, as in the Monkey boy pic! Innovation is the key and I never really draw the person totally literally. I use what I see as a springboard for other ideas nd thats what makes the picture come alive!

DRINK AND DRAWN Comic.... Based on a true story..... by Subwaysurfer

Hey Cheesy! What cha got there?   Oh, Nuthin, just my new Action Figure, I call him...

DRINK AND DRAW MAN!!!  WOW!!! SHAZAM!!!

That's right! DRINK AND DRAW MAN! His secret Headquarters is in Jakk Dempsees Pub !

Whoa! What a Concept! Gee....


It gets better! Every month Drink and Draw man meets with all his drink and draw friends in his Headquarters at Jakk Dempsee's Pub to have wacky drawing adventures!

Wow! you've got a storyline, and EVERYTHING! Im impressed!
...Sob.... Gee... Sure wish I had my OWN Action Figure! ...Sniff...

Well, something like THIS doesnt just happen overnight, my boy! Heh... I've been perfecting this Drink and Draw Action figure here for ten years!


Well, Gotta go! Ive got a very important meeting, gotta take Drink and Draw Man here, lotsa people wanna see him! Bye!

....sniff... yeah..... bye....

That Cheesy is so lucky to have an Action Figure and Everything..... I wish I had one too!... sniff..


Bet it doesnt take ten years to build something lke that! ... I bet could make my OWN Action Figure! bigger and Betterer!


That gives me an idea....
THE NEXT DAY....


Hey Frankie! what cha got there?

Oh, Nuthin, Cheesy! Just MY New Action Figure! I call him....

CAPTAIN DRINK AND DRAW MAN!!!

Yo, Frankie! What's up with THIS!! that's MY IDEA!!!

YOUR idea? how can you SAY that? my character is TOTALLY Different!

Check this out! MY character has this snazzy red and blue costume! YOURS doesnt have a costume, Remember? Also, his name is CAPTAIN Drink and Draw man, as opposed to just plain old Drink and Draw Man!  My character owns the Jakk Demspsee bar, and periodically has top secret Superhero meetings there with his Super Hero drawing friends!  Its even a different plotline!

HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT!!!???? YOURE AN IDEA THIEF!!!


Listen, lets not resort to name calling, alright? Youre just mad cause someone else came up with an idea too! besides, there more than enough room for more Action Figures!

Look, I'd love to stay and chat, but I got a very important meeting to go to. Gotta take Captain Drink and Draw with me! Lotsa people there wanna see him! bye!

AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!



AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!   Uh Oh! Whoops!....
Oh..... Man.... I got a little too overheated here!.... It's the second time this week!!
Er...heh... Anyone out there got a..... SPATULA?



Once upon a Time in New York City, There was a group of comic artists who loved to draw and liked to drink , so Drink and Draw was born.  One member created a group where members got together once a month to drink and draw, and draw and drink. this went on for ten years.... one day another comic book creator type person decided he wanted to create another goup that drank and drew and drew and drank. And had his meeting following a major comic book convention in NYC.

Both groups basically had the same goal, namely to bring a diverse group of NYC Comic creators, writers, and fanboys under one roof to network, collaborate, communicate, and create.

One Party feels another is being unfair in creating his group, which is a similar group, doing a similar thing , under the same roof, on a different day... The other party disagrees.

And here i am in the middle. I admire what both groups have done, and are trying to do. For myself, as a sequential artist, writer and creator, all I want to do is create comics, align myself with a group that  can assist me in achieving my artistic aspirations, and having a good time drawing. I dont drink. That Alcohol, anyway. I also as an editorial artist, know a good story when I see one, and wanted to document THIS one, not to "choose sides" Point fingers, or place blame, but to tell a story, graphically because this is a part, howbeit small,  of comic history, and history needs to be commented on. If any disagree with the stance I have taken or the approach, you are free to disagree,but at least, appreciate the art. For me, this is what it is all about.