The Proposal via Caricature!
I have to admit, I have done probably 5 to date. They are stressful for so many reasons, but ultimately rewarding in the end for the client and me, the caricaturist.
This one was last minute, my agent called and asked if I could be at the base of the CN Tower in 3.5 hours...
I was about an hour away but I did have my drawing supplies packed in the back of my smartcar and ready to go so I signed on.
I called the client, set up a general area where he would 'happen upon me' all set up and ready to draw, and suggest to his girlfriend that they get a caricature... innocent enough, almost simple one would think. Ha!
I arrived and parked near the Tower, and luckily, this time, the client sent me some pictures to predraw their faces and bodies. This would turn out to be a key to this successful proposal.. I drew up the couple in the front seat of my smart car, no small feat in itself, and headed to scope out a place under the CNTower to set up. This is where it gets sticky.. it wasnt quite warm enough for an outdoor set up, plus I didnt have any chairs due to the extreme last minute nature of this gig. So I wandered around, looking at benches, close restaurants, hotel foyers when I came upon a small heated walkway enroute to the CNTower entrance. I was able to grab a chair from a stack of patio chairs in a closed off area and set up my drawing board and some markers.. The key challenge was to avoid the attention of CNTower security or local police who would inquire as to my setting up a business enterprise without any kind of permit whatsoever. Sticky bit #2, the girl is late, an additional half hour, more time to avoid the attentions of any local authority figures, sipping at my green tea latte and looking innnocent. Finally, the text, they are parked and enroute, but late for their dinner at the top of the Tower... I sling on my drawing board, and greet them, play acting if they would like a caricature done and the woman is reluctant, they are late for dinner. The Client however wins the academy award, asking pricing, and settles down for a standing 1 min caricature. I tell them since they are running late, I will whip up something extra special for them and present the full colour proposal, just as the man takes to one knee and presents to his bride to be some glittering finger candy!
Hugs and tears, Diamonds and Caricatures filled the small heated walkway at the base of the CNTower!
She said Yes!
Cheers,
Rob Westall
Event Caricature Specialist
I have to admit, I have done probably 5 to date. They are stressful for so many reasons, but ultimately rewarding in the end for the client and me, the caricaturist.
This one was last minute, my agent called and asked if I could be at the base of the CN Tower in 3.5 hours...
I was about an hour away but I did have my drawing supplies packed in the back of my smartcar and ready to go so I signed on.
I called the client, set up a general area where he would 'happen upon me' all set up and ready to draw, and suggest to his girlfriend that they get a caricature... innocent enough, almost simple one would think. Ha!
I arrived and parked near the Tower, and luckily, this time, the client sent me some pictures to predraw their faces and bodies. This would turn out to be a key to this successful proposal.. I drew up the couple in the front seat of my smart car, no small feat in itself, and headed to scope out a place under the CNTower to set up. This is where it gets sticky.. it wasnt quite warm enough for an outdoor set up, plus I didnt have any chairs due to the extreme last minute nature of this gig. So I wandered around, looking at benches, close restaurants, hotel foyers when I came upon a small heated walkway enroute to the CNTower entrance. I was able to grab a chair from a stack of patio chairs in a closed off area and set up my drawing board and some markers.. The key challenge was to avoid the attention of CNTower security or local police who would inquire as to my setting up a business enterprise without any kind of permit whatsoever. Sticky bit #2, the girl is late, an additional half hour, more time to avoid the attentions of any local authority figures, sipping at my green tea latte and looking innnocent. Finally, the text, they are parked and enroute, but late for their dinner at the top of the Tower... I sling on my drawing board, and greet them, play acting if they would like a caricature done and the woman is reluctant, they are late for dinner. The Client however wins the academy award, asking pricing, and settles down for a standing 1 min caricature. I tell them since they are running late, I will whip up something extra special for them and present the full colour proposal, just as the man takes to one knee and presents to his bride to be some glittering finger candy!
Hugs and tears, Diamonds and Caricatures filled the small heated walkway at the base of the CNTower!
She said Yes!
Cheers,
Rob Westall
Event Caricature Specialist