How To Draw Caricatures Lenn Redman Pdf Work -

Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (1984) is a seminal work in humorous illustration, often cited as one of the most effective guides for mastering the art of exaggeration. His method centers on a structured observation of the human face, providing artists with a systematic way to see beyond "normal" features to capture a subject's unique essence. The Core Philosophy: "The Inbetweener"

Redman’s most influential concept is the "Inbetweener", a mental reference point representing the "average" or "perfectly symmetrical" human face.

The Method: By comparing a subject's face against this idealized template, the artist can objectively identify what is "out of the ordinary"—such as a slightly wider jaw, closer-set eyes, or a higher hairline.

The Goal: Once these deviations are identified, the artist exaggerates them. The caricature is not just a "funny drawing" but a purposeful amplification of the differences found during the comparison. Key Technical Concepts

Redman breaks the complexity of the human face into manageable steps and shapes:

The Five Basic Shapes: He teaches that every face can be distilled into five primary shapes: the head (circle), face (oval), eyes (two circles), and mouth (a curved line).

Relationship Manipulation: Unlike basic cartooning, caricature focuses on changing the distance, size, and angle of features relative to one another. For example, if a subject has a long chin, Redman doesn't just draw it "big"—he moves the mouth higher and stretches the jaw downwards to emphasize the distance. how to draw caricatures lenn redman pdf work

The "Rubber Head" Concept: He encourages imagining the face as a molded rubber form. If you "squeeze" the top of the head (the forehead), the jaw must "bulge" out to maintain the face's mass, ensuring the exaggeration feels balanced and grounded in anatomical logic. How To Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman - Book Review

4. Does a Legal PDF Exist?

• Legitimate e-book: Yes. As of 2025, McGraw-Hill and other distributors offer a licensed e-book edition (e.g., via Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, or RedShelf). This is not a free PDF but a paid digital version.
• Free legal PDF: No. No authorized free PDF of the complete book is legally available. Libraries may offer digital lending (e.g., via OverDrive), but that is temporary and DRM-protected.
• Pirated PDFs: They exist but are low-quality (blurry images, missing pages). Using them violates copyright law and deprives the author’s estate and publisher.

What You’d See in the PDF

• Step-by-step drawings of the same face going from realistic proportion to caricature.
• “Do’s and don’ts” for each feature (e.g., how to distort a nose without losing likeness).
• A thumbnailing technique for trying multiple exaggerations quickly.

If you’re trying to find the PDF, search libraries (e.g., Internet Archive) or used book sites for the physical copy—it’s worth having for the visual examples. For the feature itself, practice the 6 steps above on photos of friends.

Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (first published in 1984) is a seminal guide that has influenced both amateur and professional artists for decades. His method focuses on systematic observation and the comparison of unique facial features against a "standard" model. Amazon.com While the full PDF is often sought on platforms like or for digital purchase on eBooks.com

, the following guide summarizes his core principles and workflow. 1. The Core Philosophy: "The In-betweener" The foundation of Redman's approach is the concept of the In-betweener Reference Point

: You must first internalize a "standard" or "average" face with classic proportions. Comparison

: When looking at a subject, you compare their features to this internal standard to identify what deviates from the norm. Lenn Redman's How to Draw Caricatures (1984) is

: Exaggerate only the unique, non-average traits (e.g., a longer chin or closer-set eyes) rather than random features. 2. The 5 Essential Shapes

Redman simplifies the complex human face into five basic geometric shapes to make exaggeration easier: The Head Shape (Alpha Shape)

: The overall container for the face (e.g., circle, oval, square). The Facial Oval : The internal area where features reside. : Represented as two smaller circles or ovals. : Represented as a curved line.

: Although not always counted as one of the primary "five," its relationship to the eyes and mouth is a critical secondary focus. 3. Relationships and Proportions Redman teaches that caricature is about relationships between features, not just drawing a big nose.

: How far are the eyes from the nose? The nose from the mouth? : Are the eyes tilted? Is the chin jutting out? : Comparing the size of the forehead to the lower face. Richmond Illustration Inc. 4. Step-by-Step Drawing Workflow How to Draw Caricatures by Lenn Redman | PDF - Scribd

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 Legitimate e-book: Yes

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

1. About the Author and the Book

• Author: Lenn Redman (1912–1998) was an American caricaturist, painter, and teacher. He was known for his live-event caricature drawing (e.g., at Disneyland and conventions) and his structured teaching approach.
• Title: How to Draw Caricatures
• Original Publisher: Contemporary Books (McGraw-Hill)
• ISBN: 978-0809256576
• Status: Still in print (new/used copies available). It has been republished multiple times, including as an e-book.

Exercise C: The Interview

Redman always talked to his subjects.

• Action: You cannot interview a PDF. So, go to a coffee shop. Do not draw from the PDF. Draw a live person. When you get home, compare your live sketch to Redman’s plate of a similar head shape (Round, Angular, Triangular). What did Redman simplify that you overcomplicated?