Understanding Caricature An Artist’s Practical Guide to Creating Portraits with Personality

Understanding Caricature: An Artist’s Practical Guide to Expressive Drawing by Greg Houston is the definitive manual for artists who want to master the art of caricature — the tradition of exaggerated portrait that has shaped political commentary, comedy, and illustration for centuries. Houston, a professional caricaturist with decades of experience, breaks down the fundamental principles of the form: how to identify and amplify the features that make a face unique, how to balance exaggeration with likeness, and how to develop a personal style that goes beyond mere copying. The book includes step-by-step demonstrations, analysis of historical masters, and exercises designed for artists at every level. Published by Chronicle Books, this is both an excellent technical manual and a genuine celebration of a form that requires quick observation, confident draftsmanship, and the courage to commit to a line.