The Mad Art of Caricature

Gr 6 Up—Master MAD Magazine caricaturist Richmond has something to teach even the least-talented stick-figure artist in this comprehensive discussion of the art form. He meticulously examines the processes and decisions that go into a successful caricature—creating a portrait that not only resembles the subject in an exaggerated fashion, but that also captures elements of his or her personality. Emphasis is placed on careful observation and analysis of faces, breaking them down into shapes and proportions that can be pushed and pulled to create humorous effects without edging into distortion. Richmond then shows how these skills apply to drawing live caricatures, those for illustration, and long-form comic-strip caricatures such as the parodies that appear in MAD Magazine. Although the text is a bit wordy, with some topics becoming labored through frequent repetition, all pertinent information points are thoroughly illustrated with instructive captions. Multitudes of finished caricatures are augmented by diagrams, reference photos, and process drawings. Most of these are titled with silly puns, lending a lighthearted MAD touch to this seriously instructive volume. Readers with a talent for drawing and an eye for absurdity will be inspired to grab a pencil and try a few funny pictures of their own.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD