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Live Cartoon Portraits

Caricature sketching process
Introducton
Profile picture of Gary Carvalho

Gary Carvalho

Live Caricaturist

Bringing out the Character in You!

Greetings! 

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I'm Gary Carvalho from Live Cartoon Portraits and I'm delighted to welcome you to my website. As a seasoned professional live caricature artist, I bring a unique blend of entertainment to the wedding and corporate realms. Here, you'll discover the lively and laughter-filled world of live caricature services that add a touch of artistic charm to your special events.

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Please scroll down this page to find answers to frequently asked questions.
Also, take a stroll through my gallery and explore the captivating artistry that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

 

I hope you enjoy the content and I look forward to sharing the joy of caricature art with you!

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Best regards.
 

FAQs
  • What is your fee, pricing or rate?
    Here are 3 basic pricing items for weddings and corporate events, as follows: 1. The sketch rate. The sketch rate differs according to the number of booking hours. A minimum booking duration is 1 hour.  - A 1 hour booking is R1700.  - A 1,5 - 2 hour booking - a sketch rate of R1300 per hour.  - A 2,5 - 3 hour booking - a sketch rate of R1100 per hour. - A 3,5 hour booking or longer - a sketch rate of R990 per hour. * Please be aware that the booking duration is dependent on the venue distance factor. Please click here to visit the Pricing page for more information. 2. Material cost. This is the cost of materials used per hour such as markers, paper, pastel or charcoal, plastic sleeves, etc. The cost per hour is R100. 3. Road travel cost. Travel by road would be charged at R7 per kilometre. Discounts apply pro-rata of distance travelled.
  • Does it take an average of 3 minutes to sketch a picture or is that only an estimation per person?
    On average, it takes 3 minutes to draw one person. If two people are drawn together on one page, it takes double the time, making it 6 minutes for that picture. If there are more people, like 5 on a larger page, it would take about 15 minutes to finish the drawing.
  • How many faces can be sketched on a single page?
    On big A3 or A2 pages, up to 20 faces can be drawn. This works well for big groups like families at weddings or teams at corporate events. But the most popular size is the A4 page. Couples are often drawn on A4 pages at weddings, and at corporate events, one person is usually drawn per A4 page.
  • What part of the person is sketched?
    The usual caricature is a sketch of the head and shoulders on an A4 page. This is the most liked, convenient, and cost-effective choice, especially because of the short time available at weddings or corporate events. However, if needed, more details like the body or other elements can be added with prior agreement to match a specific theme.
  • How big are the caricatures and what page sizes can be used?
    Caricatures can be made in various sizes, ranging from as small as a business card to A6, A5, A4, and A3 sizes. The most popular choice is A4. A5 sizes are practical, while A3 is rarely used because it looks awkwardly large and is more expensive to frame.
  • Are the caricatures done in colour or black and white?
    You have the option to choose between colour and black-and-white caricatures. The choice depends on what you need for your event. Black-and-white is visually appealing, practical to create, and cost-effective for events like weddings or corporate gatherings where many sketches are needed quickly. However, colour can be more attractive, but it takes over twice as long to complete compared to black-and-white and is also more expensive.
  • What is your setup?
    My setup includes an easel, a bar stool, a small utility tray stand, a coffee-like table, a portable light stand, and one or two guest chairs. Ideally, it should be near a 220-volt power point in case extra lighting is needed. The space required is at least 1.5 metres by 2.5 metres. It's important that the setup is not placed in a designated smoking or vaping area. Please click here for more information.
  • When does the caricature artist arrive at the venue to begin setting up?
    The caricature artist typically arrives two hours before the scheduled sketching time. This gives enough time to organize logistics, set up the workstation, and take a moment to relax before beginning the sketches.
  • Do you draw people while they're moving around or do you draw them when they're seated at their tables?
    People aren't sketched without their knowledge or by the artist going to their tables. Instead, they're invited to the artist's workstation to sit and be sketched. Usually, there's a line of people waiting. The live caricature sessions are lively and relaxed; the models can chat and even move their heads while being sketched.
  • Do people keep their sketches?
    At weddings and corporate events, guests typically get to keep their sketches as special gifts if the host has paid for the service. For example, at weddings, if the bridal couple or their family has paid for the live caricature service, guests receive their caricatures for free. The same goes for corporate events.
  • Can we reserve the date, and what is the required deposit payment amount to secure the booking?
    For both weddings and corporate functions, a 50% minimum payment is required to secure the booking, with the balance due at least one week before the booked date. We don't offer pre-payment promises or date holds; only a deposit payment will properly reserve the booking. Please feel free to contact us for more assistance regarding payment terms and conditions.
  • What are your wedding packages?
    There are two main live caricature packages available: 1. The Canapé Activation and the Duo Activation. 2. The Canapé Activation is limited to the canapé period, which typically lasts from 1 to 2.5 hours. The Duo Activation requires a booking of at least 3 hours and includes both the canapé and the reception hall live caricature sessions. This option is the most popular one because it allows enough time for every guest to receive a caricature portrait. Please click here for more information.
  • Will the booking time be carried over during speeches or idle time?
    With a Duo Activation package only, the booking time would be extended during two specific periods: (A) when the artist's workstation is being transferred from the canapé area to the reception hall, and (B) during speeches, with a grace period of one hour granted. These exceptions allow for the booking time to be utilized more effectively.
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