ISCA Library

ISCA Library of Caricature Knowledge

On ISCA's social media accounts, Study Sundays (#StudySundays) are when we share books or other resources on or related to the topic of caricature as part of our mission to be the definitive professional resource for all those seeking knowledge about caricature. This is an archive of all resources featured.

• The Caricaturist’s Handbook by Jim van der Keyl (featured April 13th, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “The Caricaturist’s Handbook” by Jim van der Keyl published in 2010. Jim van der Keyl takes you behind the curtain of the creative process and breaks down the process in an almost scientific, engineering -like way that explains how a caricature artist approaches his victims, er uh-- subjects! This book covers proportions, shapes, visual techniques and theories, anatomy and procedure.
    • Buy it on Amazon (US)
      
      
• The Ultimate Guide to Mordern Live Caricature by Various Artists, Compiled by Manny Avetisyan (featured April 7th, 2024)
  • Let’s build up your caricature library! It's #studysundays where we share with you books on or related to the topic of caricature as part of our mission to be the definitive professional resource for all those seeking knowledge about caricature. Today’s book is “Likeness is just the beginning: The Ultimate Guide to Modern Live Caricature” by Manny Manuel Avetisyan (@avetiarts). Published in 2018, this book is a must have for any artist. It features 41 of the greatest live caricature artists of our time (many of them ISCA members!) in a comprehensive guide to the multitude of styles and approaches possible with any given face.
    • Temporarily Out of Print
      
      
• Drawing and Cartooning 1,001 Caricatures by Dick Gautier (featured March 31st, 2024)
  • Let’s build up your caricature library! It's #studysundays where we share with you books on or related to the topic of caricature as part of our mission to be the definitive professional resource for all those seeking knowledge about caricature. Today’s book is “Drawing and Cartooning 1,001 Caricatures” by Dick Gautier. Published in 1995, this book covers the basics of face proportions with many drawing examples paired alongside photos of the subjects.
    • Buy it on Amazon (US)
      
      
• The Silver Way: Techniques, Tips and Tutorials for Effective Character Design by Stephen Silver (featured March 24th, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “The Silver Way: Techniques, Tips and Tutorials for Effective Character Design” by Stephen Silver (@stephensilver7). Published in 2017, this book covers character design through five main phases: story, gesture, design, form and details. It goes through a number of exercises, sketching techniques and tutorials that are highly valuable for any character designer or caricature artist.
    • Buy it signed, direct from Stephen Silver here
      
      
• Understanding Caricature: An Artist’s Practical Guide to Creating PORTRAITS with PERSONALITY by Greg Houston (featured March 17th, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “Understanding Caricature: An Artist’s Practical Guide to Creating PORTRAITS with PERSONALITY” by Greg Houston (@ghoustonillustration). Published in 2021, this book covers topics such as what is caricature, caricature as illustration, style and medium, faces and features, faces over time and bodies. While showcasing Houston’s unique style, it also highlights other contemporary caricature artists.
    • But it on Amazon (US)
      
      
• The Mad Art of Caricature! by Tom Richmond (featured March 10th, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “The Mad Art of Caricature!” by Tom Richmond (@art4mad). Published in 2011, this book is perhaps the most comprehensive and complete how-to guide on the art of caricature ever published. It begins with basic caricature theory, head shape, features and then goes beyond the face to discuss neck, shoulders, hands, bodies, etc. Richmond also delves into drawing live caricatures, caricature in illustration and ends with caricatures in Mad Magazine. This 175 pages, paperback, full color book has over 500 illustrations. We highly recommend this book to any aspiring or established caricature artist as a staple of your library.
    • Buy it signed and personalized from Tom Richmond here
      
      
• How to Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman (featured March 3rd, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “How to Draw Caricatures” by Lenn Redman (@lennredman). Published in 1984, this book is one of the first instructional guides on how to draw caricatures including topics such as learning to see, relationships/relativity, head shapes, proportions exaggeration, etc. Educational, inspiring, and full of technique makes “How to Draw Caricatures” a must have for your collection.
    • Temporarily Out of Print
      
      
• The Complete Book of Caricature by Bob Staake (featured March 3rd, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “The Complete Book of Caricature" by Bob Staake (@bobstaake). Published in 1991, this book explains the role of caricature, tells how to develop a personal style, and includes profiles and work by top caricaturists including Hirschfeld, Levine, Sorel, Risko and more.
    • Buy it on Amazon (US)
      
      
• Masters of Caricature: from Hogarth and Gillray to Scarfe and Levine by William Feaver (featured March 3rd, 2024)
  • Today’s book is “Masters of Caricature: from Hogarth and Gillray to Scarfe and Levine” by William Feaver. Published in 1981, this book features a collection of both well and lesser known historical caricature artists dating back to works from the 1500s and up to artists still working in present day. It includes short biographies and samples of their caricature work. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the history of the art form.
    • Buy it on Amazon (used) (US)