Silu Cartoon | Probably the Cutest Caricatures in London

I'm proud to have my art listed on poptop, a platform who understand to respect artists, their identity and work!

WHY MY PORTRAITS STAND OUT

*Choose for your guests to feel flattered (not offended)
Unlike classical caricature, my portraits reveal a pleasant appearance, not the ugliness and grotesque. The constant feedback I receive is: "I'm more beautiful in your drawing than in reality."

*All drawings are unique and unrepeatable
Your guest will receive for free original artworks signed by the author (I have great respect for my art, I don't do anonymous artworks), NOT prints. The joy and spectacle in art and in live caricature come from simplicity, from having spectacular results using simple tools. Also, from taking risks, permanent markers can't be edited or undone like the digital caricature.

*Quality of the line
Made with permanent markers (deep black), the artworks are defined by a clear, powerful line which generates a high black & white contrast. Unlike the drawings done in pencils or other media, are resistant (doesn't blend) and have a clean, professional look with no under layers.

*Motivation / Why I draw
Through my art, I try to reveal human beauty in a playful way. My drawings generate moments of joy and incorporate the emotion and energy of the moment. It takes great effort, dedication and practice, full time, for years, while you invest the best vibes and emotions for any artistic activity to reach a good level of performance. I'm very happy that I can draw so many people who enjoy and value my work. As part of your event, you sustain my artistic journey to continue and I am very grateful for that. I'm, also, happy to support charities and fundraising events when I have the chance.

EVENT DETAILS

*The portraits
Individual portraits on A4 size is the best choice for the clarity of details and speed, and a higher speed results in more people having a portrait done. The portraits (160gsm paper), ready to be framed, are delivered to your guests for free protected in transparent protective sleeves. I'm happy to draw multiple portraits (A4), couples or a maximum of three portraits (occasionally) on the same sheet, as well, but compositions are more complex and can be slightly slower. For every 2 hours, I may need a short, roughly, 10 min break. This is to be certain I keep the quality of the line high and I deliver only the best quality drawings. I arrive always at least 30 minutes / 1 hour earlier to discuss every detail and to be sure we can set up the event best way. My aim is to make your guests happy by drawing as many portraits as possible.

*For a successful live caricature event, we need
1. Decent lighting, in the drawing area, indoors. A place close to a window or a source of light is best. Indoor its a better environment for live caricature usually, not always, as ar fewer factors who interfere with the drawing process (wind, powerful sun, cold, humidity. 2. Two chairs normal size (three if I have to draw couples). 3. A small table is helpful for my tools and to present some drawings for your guests to know what to expect. 4. Shaded area, outdoor. Sunlight can be very powerful and its reflection on paper makes the drawing process very challenging.

*Weddings
If you think you'll be too busy during your event to attend the live session (bride and groom) and you book live caricature for your guests only, you can choose to have your caricature done prior your event. The drawing will be delivered on my arriver, before the live event. Please let me know if you need this service to be included in your quote.

*Working with children
I think there are no better models for cartoons than kids. I have developed a poignant way of drawing children and have received wonderful feedback. For more on this, please check my gallery and the certified review on Poptop UK Event Booking by Andrew Shires @ Polka Theatre - children’s theatre in Wimbledon. I know I'm doing something special when they don't leave without telling me: "I want to draw like you!".

*Your logo & branding
The artwork looks better by itself, as well, some of your guests will like to have the freedom to frame only the portrait. Still, if it is important for your business (event), you can have your logo or other symbols at the bottom of the front page, but it is preferable to keep it as simple as possible. I'll be happy to add stickers (preferable - you can choose the quality of printing etc.) provided by you at the bottom of every front page.
Alternatively, you can have your logo printed, black & white (it works only for black and white and no shades), for free, for a limited number of sheets, 10 per every hour of the event. "why I draw - find out about my artistic philosophy" - the backside of the sheet contains info for your guests to can learn more about the artist and story behind the art. The understanding of why and how the artist chose to express himself thru his work, makes the art experience more complete.

Why I draw mostly from sitting
*Even if I enjoy drawing in any condition, seated or standing, my aim is to deliver only the best portraits and live art experiences to your guests.
The best and most effective way of doing live caricature, the quality of drawings and speed, is from sitting. Walking around is not the best way of doing live caricature and is rarely necessary, learn why below.

*My drawings are pretty popular
Usually, I'm stuck in a chair for hours drawing people, while others wait for a drawing. So I can't, or there's no point to mix and mingle with your guest, as my goal is making your guest happy by doing as many drawings as possible. I have, from time to time, requests to mingle with guests, but after the first drawings, usually, I became so busy as there is no reason and time for me to walk around. A table is helpful but may not be necessary if there is no space, but 2 chairs is a minimum request for a good successful live caricature event which results in lots of happy guests. If there is no way for you to have at least two chairs at your event for live caricature, unfortunately, for technical reasons, I can't attend your event.

*I can change the drawing place
Still, if the main place is indoor I'm happy to go to the garden for a while, let say, to draw your guests if the garden is busier as long there is a place to sit. So even if I'm happy to do anything to achieve the best results for your event (I always interact with guests, if necessary, and I invite them to have a drawing in a friendly way), I deny invitations to events where walking around must be the only approach.

*Be a model
To draw portraits I need to see faces and to be able to interact with your guests, this is how they enjoy the drawing process and the art experience. I'm happy to draw people while they're talking and enjoying the moment of being models for a few minutes, mostly for the first time in their life, but I don't do portraits walking around the tables during the meal and I choose to don't draw people who don't want a portrait, it ignores or doesn't enjoy the process. These are totally undesirable situations, don't generate good vibes and doesn't give the best results in art when it's about portraits. The best portraits are made during the interaction with the model. In fact, this is really helpful for me to add a personal touch in their portrait. I'm, also, happy to interact with your guests while I'm drawing if they are interested to find more about what is behind my art and not only.

*Art with no compromise
My style of drawing requires high pressure on my pen for a good quality line whit different variations for the thickness which is better achieved when sitting. So, I'm very happy to do portraits at your event if you think your guests will enjoy the experience of being a model and sitting in front of me a few minutes for a drawing.

*You don't want for your guests to be stuck waiting for a drawing
Even if people can have great fun while waiting for a drawing as they talk, laugh, and even applause sometimes, if you think is better for them to don't wait, I'll be happy to give them numbers. Usually, this can be helpful for big parties and weddings. Please let me know if you think this is necessary when you book me.

WHY I PREFER PAPER AND MARKERS TO DIGITAL CARICATURE

*I used graphics software and computers to draw for 12 years and I can say there's nothing more expressive and spectacular for making art and especially live caricature than simple tools like markers and paper. The accuracy of how emotions are transposed in lines and the expressivity of a drawing is incomparable higher comparing with any digital tools of the moment. The drawing speed is higher, as well, that means more drawings for your event.

PREVIEWS CLIENTS WHO BOOKED LIVE CARICATURE INCLUDE

* Mozilla - Firefox Browser (Certified review on poptop profile by Mandy)
* Royal Borough of Greenwich - London's Friendliest Borough
* Polka Theatre, London - Children’s theatre in Wimbledon (Certified review on poptop profile by Andrew Shires)
* Safe Child Thailand, London - Charity (Certified review on poptop profile by Chandni)
* The Flying Seagull Project for Salesforce Tower London ("The drawings are brilliant!")
* Under 1 Roof, London - Children's Play Centre ("Fabulous caricatures that were done at our birthday weekend by the brilliant Silu Cartoon!")
* The Greenwich Centre, London - Better ("I'd like to thank you for the 2 days you spent recently in the centre. The public really enjoyed your art and it was fantastic to see the pictures bringing joy to our customers.")
* Cirque le Soir, London - One of the most exhilarating clubbing brands in the world
* Carousel - Award-winning consumer PR and digital agency