Behind the Art: How My Caricatures Come to Life
People often think apps or filters create caricatures, but here is what really happens on my drawing board. From the initial reference photo to the final exaggerated sketch, I map out every expression manually using Procreate on my iPad Pro.
Here’s a quick look at how I bring a caricature to life with just a marker and paper. Each drawing is done by hand, capturing unique expressions and features with quick, confident strokes. This is real art, made from scratch.
From the street to the screen. This video shows me sketching a local vendor on my tablet, demonstrating how I can find inspiration anywhere and draw on the go.
My drawing board setup, showing the hand-drawn caricature of Johny Lever next to the reference photo on my monitor.
A look at my digital drawing process on a tablet, with the reference photo of Kushal Badrike in the corner for comparison.
The digital canvas showing my caricature of Amrish Puri alongside the reference image. This shows how I translate a photo into my artistic style.
My digital workspace, featuring the finished caricature of Nilu Phule and the original photo I worked from.
A time-lapse of the digital drawing process for the Makrand Anaspure caricature, showing how the layers and colors come together.
A short video showing the creation of the Amjad Khan caricature, from a blank digital canvas to the finished, colored portrait.
Watch as I digitally paint the portrait of Rajesh Khanna, building up the colors and likeness from a reference photo.
This video shows my digital drawing setup, with the reference photo of rapper 100RBH visible as I create his caricature.
About Behind the Art: The Drawing Process
It is not just about tracing a photo. My process involves identifying the one feature that makes you unique, like a broad smile, a specific hairstyle, or the way you wear your glasses, and exaggerating it just enough to be funny without losing the likeness. I always start with a reference photo, then build the layers from the outline up to the final shading, ensuring the personality comes through in every single stroke.
Many people ask if I use apps or filters. The answer is no. Whether I am using Procreate on my iPad Pro or a marker on physical paper, every line is drawn by hand. I study the reference photo on my monitor to understand your face, then pick the key traits to exaggerate. This is a manual process where I build the character layer by layer, starting from a rough outline and ending with full color or shading.
If you need a digital file for social media, a framed print for your wall, or a custom T-shirt design, the standard of work remains the same. For prints, I use 250+ GSM photo paper and secure framing to ensure your art lasts. For digital orders, you receive high-resolution files suitable for printing up to A3 size. Based in Maharashtra but shipping across India, I take pride in delivering art that feels personal, not computer-generated. If you want to see how a photo of you becomes a cartoon, let me know.
Amol Sawant
Hi, I am Amol. I have been drawing for years, and while I have a national gold medal to my name, the real win is seeing your reaction when you spot yourself in my art. I do not use shortcuts; I draw every line to make sure you get something that feels like you.
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