Julian...

...A Strange? Who knows what really goes on but right now Julian Assange seems to be holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy. Probably won't end well.

Live caricature adventures

I have wanted to do some live caricaturing for a while now but where to start? So I get this call from a friend inviting me to Number 10 to do some drawing at Dave Camerons jubilee street party. Well that would be a good place to start for sure. I would be caricaturing kids - which would be a challenge as I had never even caricatured a kid before. Hmmm some hasty research and practice on the kids at home and their friends and we're off to Downing Street. Went really well, the kids - mostly cubs and scouts - were great fun and were clearly loving being drawn. Pulled off about a dozen sketches most of which I was happy with but unfortunately I have no record whatsoever! A steep learning curve if ever there was one but a fantastic day. domrichardsillustration on facebook for more pics

Asssssssad...

...the snake still in control in Syria. Working on my editorial cartoons right now. Digital colour seems to work best for me. Only took one shot at the caricature - could do better but I want to keep the timescale down. I had to google 'lying body' for research and it came up with a pic of Nick Clegg. Funny.

Fred...

...the Shred. Didn't blog this a few weeks ago when it appeared in Private Eye. They have been keeping a keen eye on Fred Goodwin, the disgraced former CEO of RBS. Submitted both versions, the second being a digital manipulation of the first. You have got to love photoshop. The devil is in the details - the shirt that's too big for his pencil neck, the stiff hair, the pursed lip. Second version wins no question.

Rotten...

...apple? Managed to get another cartoon in Private Eye (1311) which is all good. Tho why they didn't put it in last issue to coincide with the launch of the Ipad 3 i have no idea! For those unaware the Foxconn factories (build for apple etc) do actually have nets to prevent overstressed workers from throwing themselves off. I know unbelievable huh - google it. Doesn't stop me wanting a nice shiny ipad - but i'd be happy to pay the extra - wouldn't you?

dead...

...parrots come to mind. Andrew Lansley again. On more familiar territory with this style. He is just testing how sick he is. Or looking for a heart, not sure. I am sure he will tell us when he is ready.

Adventures...

...in colour. One of my infrequent attempts to do a proper colour editorial cartoon. Andrew Lansley the hapless Secretary of State for Health blunders around trying to modernise the NHS. No one understands what he is trying to achieve. Another one who won't last the whole parliament.

School...

...ain't what it used to be. What with proposed anger management classes. *sigh*

Money, money....

...money. Inspired by the recent news that Tony Blair trousered an ENORMOUS amount of money last year. True to his socialist ideals he spent most of his time abroad for tax purposes and routed his wealth through a byzantine collection of companies to ensure that no one can really add it all up. I tried to capture his piggy eyed excitement at all that cash flowing in. Got a bit distracted by doing an animated gif of the same image.

Ed...

...with the weird looking head. Much has been made of his looks recently - can't say it bothers me that much, all politicians look weird if you stare at them looking far enough. He is only one of many in parliament to have been hit with the ugly stick. His real problem is he has nothing substantive to say. I can't think of one thing he stands for or anything he has said. So he is becoming the whipping boy of the opposition, amd the 'ditch Ed' campaign gathers pace. But who on earth are they going to replace him with?

Condoleeza

Four years ago she might have been topical but she seems to have slipped into obscurity since then. Just fancied having a go at her as I have seen her caricatured a few times an not particularly well. Such a high forehead - holding a large brain apparently - slicked hair, big teeth. Quite a lot to work with really. Only did this a couple of weeks ago but can already see room for improvement, but I don't like to revisit things. The next one will always be better (in theory)

What a lovely day...

... to share a pie with Eric Pickles. The fat headed conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar was just sitting on a wall minding his own business when he fell victim to a drive by caricaturing.

Chicken...

...Licken. 'Britains favourite satire magazine' asked me if I could put a caricature of Mervyn King onto a chickens body. I think it is to illustrate a nursery rhyme in the forthcoming issue - I am sure it will make more sense when I see it in print.

Like Father...

...Like son. James Murdoch will be making his 2nd appearance at the select committee next week no doubt to make a further "Who me Guv?" soliloquay to the assembled suits. Of course he doesn't know nuffin just like his Dad. Good timing for him as his appearance may well be over shadowed newswise by the Euro armageddon raging around our ears.

Greek...

....Roulette. When Papandreou was pledging a referendum a couple of days back this made perfect sense - but things have moved on plenty since then and now makes little sense if any. Anyway it was kinda experimental - I have a book by Peter Brookes (Times cartoonist - one of the greats) and was trying out his technique of watercolour/ink. Felt great to get an actual brush and inks out for a change as opposed to digital colour. Not really a patch on his work

Posh 'n' Becks

Pushing the boat out on this one with my first double portrait. Spent a while on Davids hair - but probably not as long as he does :-)

Heeeeeeere's...

...Danny. A card for Danny's 60th birthday. A superfit 60 year old with a minor skiing obsession. Didn't want to go too over the top caricature wise - this is a gift after all - I think I got it about right. As usual a digital 'paint' figure but this time with a photoshop background.

Speeeeeeeed...

...Demon Chris Huhne is yet another multimillionaire minister with a 'complex' personal life. Is there any other sort? Currently under the spotlight for driving ticket "issues" he will no doubt be in and out of the headlines until he gets fired at some point before the next election.

No news...

...is good news. At least when it comes to news of the world which has just been axed. Had a laugh yesterday when NI said Rebekah Wade was on holiday when Milly Dowler's voicemail was hacked. Who do they think is going to believe this guff? they're all up to their sorry arses in it. Lovely red hair though, very dramatic, and mad starey eyes.

You too?

Seems that everyone struggles with their tax, though Bono's problem is probably different to most people. Disappearing his income to Holland to avoid tax, makes his saintly position a bit untenable. His green credentials are a bit shaky too if you look closely!