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
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: how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work
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 method for drawing caricatures focuses on "The Law of Constant Mass" and capturing the unique rhythm of a face. 🎨 Core Principles of Lenn Redman’s Method
The Law of Constant Mass: If you stretch one part of the head, you must shrink another to keep the overall volume consistent.
The Discovery Line: Start with a light, fluid line that captures the subject's primary action or "vibe."
The Shape of the Head: Identify if the head is a "light bulb," "egg," or "pear" before adding features.
Observation Over Measurement: Focus on the relationship between features rather than their exact anatomical placement. ✍️ How to Construct a Caricature 1. Identify the "Main" Feature
Look for what sticks out first. Is it a massive forehead? A tiny chin? Deep-set eyes? This becomes your anchor. 2. Exaggerate the Relationships
If the eyes are close together, draw them even closer. If the nose is long, let it overlap the mouth. Redman taught that exaggeration is simply "stretching the truth." 3. Use "Rhythmic Lines"
Avoid stiff, jagged strokes. Use sweeping curves to connect the ears to the jaw or the brow to the cheekbones to create a sense of life. 4. Simplify the Anatomy
Reduce complex muscles to simple shadows and planes. Use the "T-shape" of the eyes and nose to establish the face's direction. 📚 Looking for the Book? Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (originally published
Lenn Redman’s classic text, How to Draw Caricatures, is a staple for professional artists. While I cannot provide a direct PDF download link, you can often find it through: Internet Archive (Open Library): For digital lending. Used Bookstores: Look for the Dover Publications reprint.
Art Resource Sites: Many caricature forums summarize his "Point-of-Entry" system. If you'd like, I can help you practice by: Breaking down the 4 basic head shapes Redman uses. Explaining his "In-and-Out" technique for profile views.
Describing how to exaggerate specific features like eyes or mouths.
It looks like you’re asking about a specific feature or technique from Lenn Redman’s book, How to Draw Caricatures (often available as a PDF). While I can’t provide or link to the PDF itself, I can explain the key feature that Redman’s method is known for, which users searching for that phrase are usually looking for.
The digital copy of the book is prized for its detailed explanation of the "Likeness Formula." Redman argued that a caricature fails if you cannot recognize the subject. He developed a method of measuring the face not by standard academic proportions (which are used for realism), but by relative proportions. The PDF guides the reader through:
Unlike others, Redman doesn’t give formulas (e.g., “nose = 3x size”). Instead:
If you want to rank for "how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work," you actually want to do the work. Here is your 30-day plan:
Remember: Lenn Redman didn't want you to worship his book. He wanted you to throw it away once you learned to see. The PDF is just the boat to get you across the river. Don't carry the boat on your back forever.
Now, stop searching. Start scribbling.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. We encourage artists to purchase original copies of "How to Draw Caricatures" by Lenn Redman to support the legacy of the arts. If you own a legal PDF, use it as a study guide, not a substitute for practice.
Mastering the art of caricature is about more than just drawing "funny faces"; it is a study of human anatomy, observation, and psychological perception. Lenn Redman’s seminal work, How to Draw Caricatures, has been a cornerstone for artists since its original publication in 1984. Whether you are looking for a PDF version for digital study or a physical copy, understanding Redman’s core "Inbetweener" method is the first step toward creating professional-grade parodies. The Core Philosophy: The "Inbetweener" Method Effectiveness Many readers have found the book to
Redman’s approach revolves around a concept he calls the "Inbetweener". This is essentially a mental model of an "average" or "ideal" human face.
The Point of Reference: By establishing what a "normal" face looks like—standard distances between eyes, the average width of a nose, and typical chin placement—you can identify exactly where your subject deviates from that norm.
Observation Over Style: Instead of forcing a specific style, the "Inbetweener" method teaches you to see. If someone’s eyes are slightly closer together than the "average," you exaggerate that closeness in your drawing. Breaking Down the Face: The 5 Basic Shapes
Redman simplifies the complex human anatomy into five essential shapes that serve as the foundation for any caricature: Head (Circle/Oval): The overall skull structure. Face (Inner Oval): The plane where the features sit.
Eyes (Two Smaller Ovals/Circles): The focal points of expression. Mouth (Line/Curve): Defines the mood and character.
Nose: (Often grouped with the facial relationship) acts as a pivot point for the other features.
By manipulating the relationships (distance, size, and angle) between these five shapes, you create a recognizable likeness without needing realistic detail. Practical Techniques from Redman’s Work
Redman’s book includes hundreds of step-by-step instructions that cover a wide range of subjects: How to draw caricatures : Redman, Lenn - Internet Archive
Unlike many caricature books that focus on celebrity likenesses, Redman’s approach is systematic and beginner-friendly. His method is why the book “works” for so many learners.
| Concept | Explanation | |---------|-------------| | The “Blob” or “Shape” Method | Redman teaches students to see the head not as a collection of features (eyes, nose, mouth) but as a single, distorted shape or “blob.” You draw the outer contour of the head first, then fit features inside. | | Exaggeration via Proportion | He provides clear rules for which features to exaggerate: large features become larger, small features become smaller. He emphasizes that caricature is distorted reality, not just drawing “ugly.” | | The “Egg” and “Pear” | Simple geometric warm-ups (e.g., drawing faces on egg shapes, then pear shapes) to train the eye for asymmetry and stretch. | | Live Caricature Focus | Redman specialized in drawing strangers quickly (1–3 minutes). The book teaches how to capture a “likeness” through exaggeration of a single dominant feature, even without a perfect portrait first. | | Expression First | He argues that a successful caricature captures the personality or mood (e.g., a smirk, a squint) before anatomical accuracy. |
Lenn Redman’s approach is unique. Unlike most caricature books (which focus on exaggerating facial features), Redman teaches caricature of gesture, attitude, and personality – not just noses and chins.