Caricatures by Colin

Live Caricature

2012-01-11T10:07:00.001-05:00

Just a quick one in black and white from the last event of 2011.

BW Caricature

2011-09-25T16:15:00.001-04:00

Jay Walker

2011-03-26T11:21:00.001-04:00

Finally something new! Sort of.

More Faces...

2010-12-12T18:15:00.001-05:00

Wedding Caricatures

2010-10-16T11:13:00.004-04:00

Caricatures for your wedding reception! A unique and long-lasting gift for your guests. Plus, exciting live entertainment at your reception! I have wedding packages available so please contact me by phone or email for more information!

An example of a before and after caricature guest sign-in board done from a photograph of the couple prior to the wedding.

The paper is pre-printed with the couple's names and the date of the wedding for a completely unique and personalized wedding favor.

Please visit My Wedding Page for more information.

Digital Caricature Commission

2010-09-25T12:46:00.002-04:00

I completed this a couple of weeks ago from a photograph. Pen and ink caricature/ digital painting.

Summer Ender

2010-09-21T18:11:00.006-04:00

A sunny Saturday filled with caricatures.

Live Caricature

2010-07-26T19:46:00.002-04:00

A leftover photo from a recent party. Yes, he held that face the whole time.

New Caricature Video

2010-07-24T23:01:00.006-04:00

Just finished editing this new promotional video today. Now you can see the drawings and subjects in action!
Visit my Youtube Page where you can watch it in HD. Also subscribe if you would like see more in the future!

Caricature from Photograph

2010-07-23T12:32:00.003-04:00

I recently drew this family from separate photographs as a surprise gift from their son. The drawing was done with Prismacolor markers.

Bar Mitzvah Caricatures

2010-07-09T11:09:00.002-04:00

Thanks everyone! I had a great time!

Blazer

2010-06-04T09:50:00.001-04:00

I did a recent commission for a local DJ. I drew his caricature in black and white and it was given to an airbrush artist to render onto a white blazer. I think it came out amazing! You surely can't miss this walking down the street.

Prom Caricatures

2010-05-14T16:26:00.005-04:00

Had some fun this past weekend drawing at a couple proms. Only caught a few photos because I was drawing so many people.

Star treatment...

Live Caricatures in Black and White

2010-05-04T22:32:00.012-04:00

Finally an update with lots of drawings from a communion party this past weekend.

Getting my drawing arm loose, gearing up for the summertime! If you are having a party or any other type of event, contact me for booking information!

www.colinharrisart.com

Bonus photo from a party two weeks ago.

Caricature in Costa Rica

2010-04-27T23:04:00.002-04:00

A quick caricature from my trip to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Famous Person Sketch

2010-03-29T20:45:00.002-04:00

10th US President John Tyler.
I wish I had a bow tie like his.

Wedding Caricatures

2010-02-27T18:45:00.002-05:00

Thank you Joe and Nicole for the great time! It was a pleasure to be a part of your special day!

These great photos were provided by Michael Kent photography. Visit his website for more info...
http://www.michaelkentphotography.com

Color Caricatures

2010-02-19T09:57:00.003-05:00

Just a couple photos from a recent party!

Thanks everyone, I had a great time!

My 100th Post!!!

2010-01-25T17:13:00.008-05:00

MATT'S 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Good times with good friends! Happy Birthday Matt you old fart!

Philadelphia Bar Drawings

2010-01-20T16:56:00.006-05:00

Drew at a holiday party in Northern Libs, Phila Monday night. Worked with the always hilarious Pat Harrington on this one. Had a blast and came out with some funny faces. Hope they follow through with the plan to hang them throughout the bar.

Boooo ya!

From the Sketchbook

2010-01-09T11:18:00.004-05:00

My cousin Ben and I did a recent collaborative drawing at a holiday party.

Ben lives in Burbank, CA and does storyboards for the cartoon Flapjack. Check out his blog. www.bentonconnor.blogspot.com

This is just a quick sketch of this guy I work with.

Holiday Party Caricatures

2009-12-18T10:29:00.000-05:00

A couple couples form last nights holiday party!

The lighting was pretty rough so I didn't get too many quality photos .

Thanks everyone!

Holiday Party Carictaures

2009-12-17T16:02:00.000-05:00

Had a good time yesterday drawing the employees at a local nursing home. Got to do the drawings in color for a change. It felt good to do something besides black and white.

Thanks to everyone there. Now I am off to draw at another holiday party tonight for family friends. More photos to come tomorrow.

Christmas Party Caricatures

2009-12-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Caricatures everywhere you go...

Got to work yesterday with Caricature Artist friends Emily Anthony, Angie Jordan, and Joe White. Great work everyone. Lots and lots of kids getting drawings kept the event pretty exciting. All black and white drawings done in about 4 minutes a piece.

I also wish I could have taken this handmade rug for my living room...

2009-12-06T22:21:00.001-05:00

I drew at a Bar Mitzvah yesterday. The people were great, here are a few of their drawings...

Now a drawing from Thanksgiving in Nashville, TN of my friends Devon and Angela. What what! See if you can find them in the group picture below.

Yes, we puffy painted Christmas sweaters on the day after Thanksgiving! (Should'nt be too hard)

Now for a random photo I found of me skating on a banana board at my friend's warehouse.

Bow to your Sensai. BOW TO YOUR SENSAI!!!

2009-11-02T23:47:00.000-05:00

Just a taste of the Rex Kwon Do fury I brought to the table on Halloween.
"Break the wrist, walk away. You'll block it every time..."

One by Me, and One of Me

2009-10-26T21:41:00.000-04:00

Just a quick pick from another busy weekend of drawing.

My friend Matthew Wright drew this amazing caricature of me whilst in the midst of a break photographing a wedding. I was there drawing as well. Thank you Matt, this is definitely in my top ten.

Here is Matthew eating. Salad eating FAIL!

He is way better at taking pictures than eating from forks. Check out his website...
Fig Tree Photography

Modern Virtue

2009-10-21T10:57:00.000-04:00

When I'm not drawing, I do a little part-time hat modeling for Modern Virtue. ;)
My wife Martha makes them and they are fabulous. Buy some from her online store for yourself, or as gifts for the holidays!
www.modernvirtue.etsy.com

Just a quick caricature from a wedding over the weekend. Hopefully a few more pics to come.

Corporate Caricatures

2009-10-16T20:22:00.000-04:00

Last night I drew at a company dinner party for a bunch of bankers. There were people there from all around the world. It made for a very diverse bunch of faces. I had a great time at this party, everyone got really into poking fun at one another. All in good spirits of course. I only snapped a couple photos with my phone due to low lighting.

Better yet, I stayed at the pub where the event was located after hours to watch the Phillies beat the Dodgers in Game 1.

Color Caricature

2009-10-14T22:22:00.001-04:00

Just a quick marker drawing of a guy I work with.

Easy E!

Live Caricatures in Philadelphia

2009-10-13T23:01:00.001-04:00

BIG UPDATE!

New Magnet Design! Coming soon to a fridge near you!

"Take a look at what I'm drawin' here people."

Rehearsal dinner drawings. Congrats Amanda and Matt!

Thanks Frank and Linda!

"Draw me Ishmael."

Live caricature pre-game ritual. Fueled up to draw at a Fall festival at UPenn. These students were awesome!

I say it every time that I going to post more often. This is another one of those times. "I am going to post more often!"
A bunch of fun events coming up, keep on the lookout!

"Take a look at what I'm wearin" here people."

Pool Party Color Caricatures

2009-09-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

Had a great time today drawing in color at a pool party. Great people. Got some sunburn though.

Color Caricatues

2009-09-19T10:28:00.000-04:00

Weeble Wobble Lady

The world famous Nick Jackson.

Prismacolor marker drawings.

Children's Book Illustrations

2009-08-20T22:21:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time (well actually a few years ago), a Grandmother wrote a short children's book. This legendary lore was then obtained by her daughter and was presented to her son, a young, valiant illustrator name Colin. He then took the words and visually represented them in illustrations, drawn in ink, scanned, and digitally painted in photoshop. With these two forces combined, a children's book was born, and it was named "The New Kid on Our Block".

There are only but three printed copies in existence at this point in time. Several aspects will be reworked and tweaked until the final project is complete. Obtaining this book may be a difficult task. A second edition will be printed sometime in the future. They all lived happily ever after.

The End

Beard & Sound Machine

2009-08-20T22:00:00.001-04:00

A couple of ink drawings from my sketchbook I made a week or too ago. I am currently painting them in photoshop and I will post them in color sometime soon. I am thinking of turning the wood shaving beard man into a tshirt. Got a few other projects I am working on too in the meantime. Stay Making!

Sign Updates

2009-06-30T06:33:00.000-04:00

Just updated my Trader Joe's sign blog "On the Helm". I have been collecting images for almost a year now and finally got around to posting some of them. Here's the link: www.onthehelm.blogspot.com

New Logo!

2009-06-28T18:38:00.000-04:00

Pen and Ink, painted with Photoshop.

Working on designing some new business cards and postcards with this new self caricature. I was going for more of a simple style this time that is easier for reproduction.

Media Caricatures

2009-05-29T13:11:00.000-04:00

Some caricatures from a 2nd Saturday in Media, PA a couple of weeks ago.

Plus a random caricature from a party while back.

Trader Joe's Media Caricature

2009-05-18T18:43:00.000-04:00

When I started painting signs at TJ's, I always wanted to make food hats on people. I finally got to test one out using myself as the subject.

I decided it's way easier to update my blog here on blogger. So I am gonna stick with it instead of the one on my website. Ahh the troubles of modern blogging. Speaking of modern. My wife Martha opened her Etsy shop called Modern Virtue. She crochets sweet hats,(no not food hats), but check it out!!!

MODERN Virtue

Great Friends. In color!

2009-04-06T23:40:00.000-04:00

Still figuring out how it's going to work updating my blog here and synching it up with my website... hmmm? So until then, some new drawings from this weekend.

Greg Labold and Jeremy Gecker are two of my best friends and they paint faces at the Phila. Zoo. I will be drawing some caricatures there in my spare time on the weekends whenever possible this summer. Check out their blogs.

I played basketball yesterday and it was good.

NEW WEBSITE!

2009-04-02T16:38:00.000-04:00

I just finished my new website:

www.colinharrisart.com

From here on out I will be blogging on the website. All of my previous posts and comments from this blog have been transferred there already. Here is the new address to the blog on my new website:

Colin Harris Art Blog

Check out the galleries in the Live Caricature section for more of my live work. Also visit the profile page to view caricatures of me by other artists.

My friends out there who have me on their links, please update your links to my new blog address. Please!

Still not positive if I will continuing updating my blogger blog at the same time. It depends how easy it is to simul-blog. I made that term up I guess.

Let me know what you all think of the new site! There will be much more to come on it, now that I finally made it myself and can easily edit and update content.

Ciao!

Color Caricature

2009-03-22T18:01:00.000-04:00

Prismacolor markers and color sticks. Commission by email photo.

Seriously working on my new website right now. Hopefully in a couple weeks it will be up and running. This blog will still exist within the website. I will finally have a recent gallery of caricatures from parties and from commissioned work, as well as a Caricatures of Me section (I have a ton already). Look out for it!

some stuff I have been making.

2009-03-18T17:17:00.001-04:00

drawing of jeremy from a collaborative art book at art love fantastic.

acrylic and paintmarker on hardboard from my job at trader joe's.

ink and marker drawing over a printed ad.

homemade handpainted wooden fingerboard.

ART LOVE FANTASTIC!

2009-03-01T23:19:00.000-05:00

Martha and I hosted an art-making/supply swap at our home. Friends came over to celebrate, create, and collaborate together. Drawing, painting, hat making, crocheting, potato printing, book making, food and music.

My friend Dave took great photos which can be seen HERE.

I also snapped a few along the way.

This needs to happen more often. Next time we plan on doing a clothing swap. Bring old clothes and trade with friends. Sew, screenprint, alter, and paint to make new clothes out of them. Probably when it gets warm out.

Caricature of Couple

2009-02-22T20:49:00.000-05:00

One of my favorites from a birthday party yesterday in Philadelphia. Bluetooth and all.

Took this picture with my phone, diidn't turn out too bad.

it's been a while...

2009-02-15T19:55:00.000-05:00

xeroxin in philly

walkin a hoagie at the beach

Holiday Party Caricatures

2009-01-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

A holiday party a couple weeks ago. Got to draw all in color for a change.

Yes, I do have a strange way of holding the marker.

It was a great group of people, one of the most fun gigs I have ever had.

Christmas Time

2008-12-21T15:45:00.001-05:00

Recent drawings from photos.

Jolly Love

Accountant Love

Ferret Love

It's been a very busy winter season. Especially since I just got this guy...

Our new mascot Hoagie.

Still Drawin!

2008-11-18T22:20:00.000-05:00

Had a gig over the weekend at yet another Fall Festival. It felt good to start drawing again after a stressful, yet very pleasing move this weekend to a new house in a new town. No, not Newtown... Springfield. Finally I have my own studio space/office which will serve as my headquarters. Caricatures, screenprinting, woodblock printing, painting, and crafts. My desk will be adorned with my Dwight Schrute bobblehead. Pics will be shown someday. But for now here are some from this weekend.

And I found this picture from Emily Anthony's blog of me cutting wood at the convention. So much carving, went right through my jeans.

I have the woodblock print in this photo, "Mick Cusimano" showing in Media, PA at a coffee shop called the Coffee Club. Stop by and see it why don't you. Coffee, caricatures, printmaking, what more could you ever want!?!

I wood have to say this is cutting edge.

<3 Your Fearless Periodical Blogger

-Colin Harris

NCN Convention

2008-11-11T20:53:00.001-05:00

I made it through my first official convention with the National Caricaturist Network. It took place in Raleigh, North Carolina last week. Only a 7 hour drive with Martha and we were there in no time. About 180 caricature artists made it out to draw, network, learn, and compete. I attended extremely informative seminars with Tom Richmond of MAD magazine fame about Caricatures in Humorous Illustration., Caricature 101 with Jason Seiler, and even a drawing from life workshop with Steven Silver! It was announced at the convention that there will be an official name change to... the International Society of Caricature Artists, or ISCA.

A view of the ballroom where we all set up to create all week long.

Marlo and Sean Gardner in prismacolor markers.

Woodcuts!

My woodcut of Mick Cusimano (a fellow NCN member). The print measures 2'x2'. I may someday post on my blog a tutorial of this process.

My wall.

Cut paper of me by Japanese caricature artist Kunikazu.

Friends Roger Hurtado and Emily Anthony. Yeah!!!

NCN Convention- Raleigh, NC

2008-11-03T07:06:00.000-05:00

First day here at the convention in Raleigh, North Carolina. About 200 caricature artist from around the world are in attendence. We all get together for seminars, workshops, and lots of drawing eachother for an entire week. I am getting to meet all of the caricature greats whose work I have only seen online. It's gonna be a very event-filled week. Fortunately I have internet access in my hotel room so I can easily update with pictures at night or morning or whenever. So look out for some wild drawings. I gotta go to try and sign up for Jan Op De Beek's drawing workshop.

Fall Company Picnic Adventures

2008-10-11T20:53:00.000-04:00

Crossbow glamour shot.

Went on a drive down to Dover, DE with friends Marlo and Debbie...

Drew a bunch of people that work at a factory that soley makes baby wipes. That's right.

I thought it would have been a lot more effective if we drew the caricatures directly on baby wipes. Maybe next year???

The annual NCN Caricature Convention in Raleigh, NC is only a few weeks away. Getting very excited... need baby wipes.

Fall Festival and Birthday Party Caricatures

2008-10-06T17:06:00.000-04:00

Had a busy day on Saturday. A fall festival in the morning and a birthday party at night. Didn't snap too many photos, just these two.

Me by Kage Nakanishi

2008-09-30T21:19:00.001-04:00

When you are a member of the National Caricaturist Network there are many benefits. We have a worldwide "Firing Squad" where you can post photos of yourself online and others can draw you. I discovered this amazing sketch of me was posted yesterday by Japanese caricature artist Kage Nakanishi. Very inspirational. I need to give him a drawing in return.

Sunoco Fundraiser

2008-09-27T13:45:00.000-04:00

Finally got drawing again yesterday at a fundraiser event in Philadelphia for Sunoco. I was joined by fellow caricature artist Marlo Meekins. Check out her blog on the links section.

Then I had a good time afterwards drawing at the Rocket Cat cafe with my friends. I liked this picture I took of Jeremy.

Pool Parties, Weddings, and BBQ's

2008-08-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

Here's a little sampling from some of the parties I have been doing lately. Lotsa parties... lotsa caricatures.

Just did this one last night. Great time with great people.

Birthday Party Caricatures, in COLOR!

2008-08-05T23:05:00.000-04:00

This is a little sampling from a birthday party last week. It's been a little while since I have drawn in color at a party. It felt great to bust out those color sticks again.

August is going to be a crazy busy month. I have a good amount of gigs booked for the upcoming weekends. So I will be sure to bring my camera along to document.

For all of those who don't know, I got a new email address: colinharrisart@gmail.com

I recently purchased a Blackberry so I can check my emails when I am on the road. Trying to learn how to I can update my blog from the phone also. Look for some of that in the future.

Funny Lookin' Kids

2008-07-21T17:32:00.000-04:00

The updates on my blog have been a lot less frequent lately. Sorry to anyone who checks this once in while. All three of you... So, after talking to Emily Anthony today, I realized I have neglected it a little lately.

So here is an update... I just got home from work, did the dishes, answered some emails... but I think people wanna see drawings. So, it is time now to post some from some recent parties. This one kind of has a theme if you notice.

These made me laugh. The kids also laughed. That's always a good sign.

I will make an effort to post more frequently. I promise! Stay Making!!!!

Big Update

2008-07-06T09:12:00.001-04:00

It is finally time for another update! I have been ridiculously busy lately. Although, somehow I managed to fit a few gigs in here and there. As things slow down a little I hope to keep working on my new website as well as updating this page more often.

This first group of photos is from a few weeks ago at an 8th grade graduation party. They set up this amazing booth for me. The walls were made of soft velcro. When I completed a drawing, I would place a piece of the coarse velcro tape on the back of the drawing and get up to place it on the wall. It worked really both functionally and aesthetically. The real advantage was the kids could view all of the completed caricatures and laugh at eachother.

Mahhooot!

The final wall.

Now that's what I like to see.

From a company picnic out somewhere in Jersey.

I guess this guy really liked geckos. At another company picnic.

I had fun with this drawing The day before this I bought an Xbox 360 myself. I also liked how his posture turned out.

Smirnoff promotion. Hence the bottles of liquor in their hands.

This is a commision for a co-worker. She wanted to give it to her son as a gift for his birthday. I did it with prismacolor markers. I think he looks just like Andrew WK.

Some Weekend Drawin's

2008-06-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

Here's some from a couple gigs over the weekend. This first one was an employee appreciation party. It was a carnival theme and I was placed drawing right next to some massage therapists. I told them that I tried to make people relax too from the smell of my markers.

Hi Colin,

I just wanted to shoot you a quick email thanking you again for coming to our event last night. You were a huge hit! Thanks for staying a little late, that was so unnecessary and greatly appreciated! I am sure we will be looking to use you again in the future! Thanks.

The next day my good friend Matt Zitman and I ventured out at 11pm to draw at a post prom until 3am. Thank God for energy drinks. There were a countless number of teenagers and everyone wanted a drawing. Kept all the drawings black and white for the sake of time.

The famous Zitman. In college he pressured me to become a caricature artist and I refused. He got my roomate to start drawing at Sesame Place and the summer after I caved in and joined him. Zitman taught me a lot from just watching him draw and working with him at Six Flags last summer. He is one of the best caricature artists I have ever seen and also a really awesome guy. Check out the link to his blog.

Last drawing of the night... we both gave a shot at really quick sketches. Every caricature artist sees something different in someone.

Live Caricatures

2008-05-23T21:49:00.001-04:00

One from a horse racing BBQ.

The two kids on the end are sitting opposite of the way they were drawn.

Set up last weekend at a fair in Newtown,PA, my hometown. This was the third year I set up a tent. It is always a great time cause I get to hang out with my parents and eat good food with other good people. It was nice and busy with a lot of people getting drawings. That is until the rain started and never stopped. I had to take down the tent and retreat. Thanks Dad for your help. In return here is a gross looking drawing. Happy Belated Birthday!

It was all worth it. Too bad us caricature artists have no luck in the rain. The paper gets soggy and is really difficult to draw on. And forget about using the color sticks. I've had them rip right through the paper in the middle of drawing. That was when I did my time at Sesame Place. I've got a lot more events coming up. Busy, busy, busy. Will try and update more frequently.

Trader Joe's Caricature Sign

2008-05-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

Made this new sign for Trader Joe's. This is Bud, he just celebrated his 80th birthday. My gift to him was to have his caricature on permanent display in our store. Happy birthday Bud. I guess you could call him the "Budler", get it? I had a great time making this one. Wanna do more of this in the future. I should have a pretty large "On the Helm" update coming soon. Lotsa signs are being made!

Two posts in one day! Call me "Hoagie" cuz I'm on a roll.

Caricature from Photograph

2008-05-14T06:37:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post this morning before work. I made this a few days ago as a gift for my parents neighbors. Made it from a couple different photographs, but here is one. Don't you want one too???

Caricature Couple

2008-05-09T19:08:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I had a couple events. I didn't take too many photographs, but I managed to get this one.

I like the way his head turned out. He had a great smile that lifted his entire face upwards. He is only about halfway there in this photo.

Lots of events coming up this month. A couple post proms, a couple of art fairs, and of course more sign making madness at Trader Joe's. I've got a big update of those coming in the near future. Good thing I am done making that bike. Now I will have more free time. Oh and of course, my website! It is coming I swear!

Fixed Gear Bike

2008-05-09T18:22:00.000-04:00

It's getting nice outside, and you know what that means... bike rides! I don't use my car much anymore. I mostly only drive to caricature gigs. I needed a sweet bike to ride to work, so I decided to build myself a fixed gear. It took some researching online about how to actually rebuild a bike into a fixed gear. I have never attempted building a bike. My only knowledge to this point was changing an occasional bike seat or flat tire.

I found a nice used bike at a bike shop in Philly called Firehouse Bicycles. It fit me real nice and was lightweight, just needed some love. A Raleigh Technium, with an aluminum frame. it came with beautiful shades of red, white, blue, and rust, not really my steez.

So I took it all apart, not really knowing how to get it back together again.

Sanded down the rust and clear coating, then starting spraypainting. My neighbor Brian hung out on the porch with Martha and I. That was a good day.

Some primer.

Decided to go with black. A couple coats and some clear coats on top of that.

I am missing photos of the following steps. I bought some new parts. A crank and back tire. Then I flipped the handle bars and chopped them off, repositioning the brake. I only have a front brake now. Probably the hardest part was learning how to take apart and reconstruct the bottom bracket. I had to buy a few bike specific tools, but I needed them anyway. It was dirty job, but those are often the most fun. So here she is...

So there we are, my very first bike all built by myself. About 90% of the tutorial I recieved was from online videos. And the other 10% from a local bikeshop. There are still a few small parts I want to update, like the pedals. I also still need to get a true fixed gear cog on the back. Mine is still a freewheel. But those will come in time. As for now I can finally ride my own bike to work, not Martha's. (I have been borrowing hers for several weeks now). I took it out a few times already and nothing has fallen apart yet. So I think I did it right.

Bike tuff!

*Update 5/11/2008*

I recieved an email from someone who saw this post asking about more info of where I got the online tutorials. I thought I would post my reply in case anyone saw this and wanted to know...

This link is for a blog called Bob's Garage. The guy instructs you on how to take apart, clean, and put back together a fixie. He is a little bit on the corny side, but I found it really great. It's kind of like a This Old House for bikes. Only thing is there is no actual video, just still photos and him talking.
www.fixedgeargallery.com/index.html

That tutorial was a link off of www.fixedgeargallery.com which is pretty awesome and has links to all types of things fixed gear related.

And probably one of the best is www.bicycletutor.com these videos were really easy to understand and helped with alot of the technical stuff.

Of course there were a couple things I couldn't quite find a tutorial for, but nothing I couldn't figure out on my own after a couple minutes. Getting the bike apart was the first battle and I would recomend buying a chain splitter, crank remover, and an allen wrench set for bikes. I used those and couldn't have done the job without them. Also having large wrenches is a must. My local bike shop would have done it for me, but it would have cost money and taken a few days. Doing the work myself was the best part. I had to throw some money down on a new back wheel with a dual cog. I think thats what its called. I can have fixed on one side and a freewheel on the other. Then I can flip the back wheel when I want to switch. That cost about $100. But it was totally necessary and I plan on having it for a while. The cranks were only about $40. But if yours are already decent, you might be able to use the existing ones. I know Bob's garage shows you how to do that.

Oh yeah check out this website to see some awesome fixies...

www.frankencycle.com

-Colin

Wedding Reception

2008-04-20T23:03:00.000-04:00

Having some fun at a wedding reception. This group was really great and had a lot of fun with the drawings. The idea of having a caricature artist at a wedding reception was unfamiliar to some, but it was a great success. I stayed overtime to make sure that everybody could get one done.

Getting close to finishing my new website. Finding the time to really sit down and do some graphic design type work has been pretty difficult lately, although I have been making headway here and there.

Junior Prom

2008-04-19T11:30:00.001-04:00

Two days ago I drew at a junior prom. I believe that there were over 200 kids there, and only one caricature artist. I had a great time, but I had to keep the drawings really simple and really fast in order to get at least a third of the crowd drawn. I had the most fun drawing the faculty when there was a little down time. I tried out doing some of the gray tones with a warm gray prisamcolor marker 30% and 60%.

It went really great. Next year they wanted to hire me again. Although, I would bring two of friends along to help. I'm drawing at a wedding reception tonight.

Will probably use the gray markers again for coloring. Hopefully some funny pictures will insue.

Phillies Games

2008-04-13T22:31:00.001-04:00

Saturday I set up for the first time this year at Citizens Bank Park drawing during the Phillies games. Bruce Blitz owns the caricature stands there and hires caricature artists from around to come in and draw. I ended up working with my friend Marlo Meekins. Check out her blog in the links section. She has a dog named Book Store. It was a great day. We drew a lot of people and the weather was nice. Much nicer than at today's game...

Drive-by Fanatic-ing. I like his custom baseball shift knob.

*From Today*

Like I said, the weather was not too nice today, as you can tell by the look on Chris Snee's face. He's a friend of mine from Tyler School of Art. Pretty crazy we ended up drawing together years later. I also met Julie. Despite the howling winds of the lower concourse, we had a pretty busy day of drawing.

Well there ya' go. I am back drawing caricatures again after a dry spell of a couple weeks. Good timing too because I have a number of parties and events coming up. I'm also currently working on a commision of 44 girls portraits drawn in black and white for graduation gifts. More on that later down the line. Got my first softball game tomorrow night!

From the Sketchbook

2008-04-13T09:35:00.001-04:00

Portrait of tired, scruffy caricature artist.

Just a quick sketch I did right before I went to sleep a night ago. Hooray for the paint can tool! It's been a long, busy week, and it continues today. I drew at the Phillies game last night and I will be there again this afternoon. I have been taking photos of some of the drawings, so I will share those hopefully this evening.

I also starting playing on a softball team, our season starts this Monday. There will be 20 games over about 3 months. I got a new glove, so I am ready.

I started designing a new website for myself as well. I can't quite figure out how to update my old one, and the information and photos are getting outdated. There will be a whole bunch of new photos in the gallery of caricature, illustration, and probably even some of my fine art. Also, the much anticipated "Of Me" gallery will launch. Very excited for this. Martha and I are working on a photo shoot for the title pages. So look out!

Birthday Sign-In Poster

2008-04-05T16:12:00.001-04:00

I just found this on my computer. I did this Sign-In poster a month or two ago. Barbara's husband was planning a suprise party for her 70th, and he secretly commisioned me to make a caricature of her that people could sign around.

He wanted her to be surprised. Although I thought it would have been much funnier if she was just confused and her quote read "What me worry?" like Alfred E. Nueman. Maybe the next time she turns 70 we could do that.

Flying Colin

2008-04-01T18:34:00.000-04:00

New self-caricature sign at work. Updated the Sign Blog as well, "On the Helm" in the links section.

Keeping busy drawing and painting at work. Also have a bunch of gigs coming up these next two months. There is a painting of my fish "Lufa" that is in the works in my living room. I also got a really nice piece of wood to start another "Carvicature." For those that don't know that is a woodblock print caricature. I will post some pictures of them soon.

Dry Erase

2008-03-27T19:26:00.000-04:00

I drew this on our dry erase board at work. Well at least I thought it was funny.

Speaking of work, I finally made my Trader Joe's sign art blog. It's called "On the Helm." (some TJ's lingo) You can find it in the links section. Here is the address as well, www.onthehelm.blogspot.com.

He's Real

2008-03-22T16:11:00.000-04:00

I found this on Tom Richmond's blog.

Some of us caricature artist's end up in strange places.

Workin' 9-5

2008-03-19T16:04:00.000-04:00

Well actually 7-3. I was very fortunate to get my job as a sign artist at Trader Joe's here in my hometown of Media, PA. I never thought a full time job existed that would pay me to paint and draw all day long. I am currently working on a new blog specifically for my TJ's signs. The name is still pending. I will be updating that whenever I get some new signs hanging in the store and I am proud enough to share them.

Anyway, this sign fell into the realm of caricature as well. So I am posting it here.

Remain calm everyone, Sir. Strawberry is in charge.

and with the product...

I made this with acrylic and latex paints on masonite board. I then did the line work with a thick Sharpie paint marker. I love how those markers feel. You get a really solid black line with minimal effort. The background could have used some more work, but I do have deadlines to meet. I spent about 6-7 hours on this guy.

This is by far the most fun job I have ever had. For example, I spent the majority of my day today painting two signs of bunnies for easter. Maybe one day they can even make it to the new blog.

Birthday Party 3-16-08

2008-03-17T14:25:00.000-04:00

Had a gig at Dave and Busters in Philly yesterday drawin' 13 year olds.

I kept the drawings all in black and white due to the amount of kids that were there. I was there two and a half hours and drew about 40 kids. This photo was my favorite of them.

30th Birthday Party 3-7-08

2008-03-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

My cousin got me this gig at his friend's birthday party. It was perfect timing right after coming back from the convention. At least my drawing hand was all warmed up. It was a great crowd who didn't mind getting made of fun of with a marker and paper.

Even More Minicon Photos!

2008-03-08T20:12:00.000-05:00

Emily just sent me some more photos. Reposted some of my drawings so you can see the subject.

Tom Richmond

Beast

The Harris' by Emily Anthony

The Harris' part deux by Patrick Harrington

St. Louis Mini Con- Final Wall

2008-03-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

St. Louis Mini Con- Days Two and Three

2008-03-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

Making Marks with Markers

Tom Richmonds Inking Workshop

Roger doing some airbrushing.

Larry Long Arm

Martha, Emily, Court, Debbie, Marlo, and Kristen hiding. Walking to food.

Tom working on a MAD job.

Okie Artist getting interviewed by a local TV station.

Martha and I by Pat Harrington

my favorite, by Jert.

by Miguel. Now I know what R. Crumb would have drawn me like.

St. Louis Mini Con- Arrival and City Museum

2008-03-06T20:45:00.000-05:00

I just got back last night from my first convention hosted by the National Caricaturist Network. I have been wanting to go to a convention ever since I joined the NCN. After missing last years one in Reno, NV, I swore that I would go to where ever the next one was. It took place at a hotel in St. Louis. This was actually a mini convention. Although, it wasn't that mini at all. Amazing caricature artists from all around the world. Mostly from the US, although there were two guys from Japan who tore it up, and one guy from Isreal. There were about 80 people crammed into one banquet room drawing furiosly. We each had a small portion of the walls taped off where we could present out drawings/ paintings/ etc, of what we had created for the three day duration. At the end we all judged eachothers work. There were awards given out for several categories. I didn't get any, but that wasn't the point.

Guest speaker Tom Richmond, an illustrator for MAD Magazine, and long time caricature artist, was the main reason I wanted to go. Along with him there were great seminars by Court Jones, Joe Bluhm, and Ed Steckley. Needless to say, it was a good crowd.

Martha came with me. I gotta tell you it's great having a wife who encourages my caricature art. It is also nice that she lets me drag her along to gigs and conventions in midwestern cities. Hopefully the caricature bug got to her. She was a sitting duck for caricature artists. We got a lot of drawings of us together.

I tried to get some good photos during the convention in the midst of rushing to try and make some good drawings for my wallspace. I'm gonna start with the first batch of photos from my first day of arrival.

One of the first things we did was take a trip led by Court Jones to the City Museum in St. Louis. It felt like a giant Chuck E. Cheese for adults. There was a bus on the roof. You could climb through all through that metal. There was also a healthy amount of metal slides. Amazing!

there was a whale.

martha got stuck in a cage. this is actual about three stories off the ground.

that is deffinetly not me.

I made some friends.

another friend.

spiral staircases

ran across a tall lanky crazy man who dwelled in the welded bars.

Court Jones!

Back to the mini-con!!!

Actual convention photos next posting...

I'm a Married Man

2008-02-12T17:04:00.000-05:00

My favorite from our wedding.
Photo by Carina Romano.

Trader Joe's Shopper #1

2008-02-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

Drawing from memory of a Trader Joe's shopper. Might do more of these.

Souper Bowl

2008-02-07T21:40:00.000-05:00

A couple of funny looking kids from a recent birthday/superbowl party. I was using a pre-sketched football body so I could do the drawings faster. Whenever there is a themed event such as a superbowl party I always ask clients if it they would like me to have a pre-sketch. It makes it a lot better when I don't have to draw a football player body thirty times. I also had a cheerleader one for the girls.

I have been very busy lately with my new full time job as a sign artist for the Trader Joe's in Media! I was really hoping that I would get this job and everything worked out! I may post some of my signs on the blog in due time.

Jeremy Jams

2008-01-30T10:42:00.000-05:00

My best friend Jeremy stopped by Harris Manor to drink coffee and play some board games.

Birthday Party 1-26-08

2008-01-27T17:24:00.000-05:00

Some of my favs from the party last night. The client wanted me to do them all in color and told me to take my time, which resulted in some pretty cool drawings. Although I do have to work on taking better photographs. I always love doing gigs where I am not pressed for time and can take about 10 minutes or more on one drawing. Also, they had a good sense of humor and encouraged exageration. That makes me smile.

From the Sketchbook

2008-01-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

Just having fun drawing people from the NCN. Nate Kapnicky...

I've got a gig tonight. I will post some of them on the blog tomorrow I have any good ones.

From the Sketchbook

2008-01-25T22:44:00.000-05:00

I am entering my first contest with the National Caricature Network. The assignment is to do a caricature of Boris Yeltsin. Whoever comes up the best drawing will win an original Jan Op de Beek drawing of Yeltsin. This is only my first attempt. I plan on taking it a lot further once some of the issues are worked out. I decided to get into this contest because I have a serious lack of famous faces in my portfolio... also I really want an Op de Beek drawing.

From the Sketchbook

2008-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

...from my sketchbook, a few months ago...he was reading a book...

Mrs. Marty's Deli

2008-01-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I was contacted by the owner of a local deli to do a commisioned piece. He wanted all of his employees caricatures drawn on one poster which he could then hang in his restaurant. He had one done a few years back by another artist and it has since become outdated. He had actually seen me drawing at a local street fair and took my card.

I started by setting up at their holiday party and sketching everyone onto one piece of illustration board, laying out the composition and general shapes of the faces. I also took photographs of each individual while they were seated for the drawing for later reference. While I was there I also got some really good food. One of the perks of being a caricature artist at parties.

When I brought the drawing home I began to ink over the existing sketches in pencil. You can see the faint images of the pencil drawing done at the party.

After inking I started to color with Prismacolor markers and color sticks. I liked Ron so I started with him...

Here's the final color drawing of all 36 individuals...

A detail of two of my favorites...

I dropped by there today to snap a photo of it on the wall. Nothing like seeing your art hanging crooked in a public place. I added the logo of the Mrs Marty's Deli in the middle of the piece to finish it.

This was a fun project. I was pleased with the results. It gets a lot of exposure in the deli which is very busy. Hopefully some more business will come out of it as well.

Christmas Card

2007-12-26T12:42:00.000-05:00

Every year I make a new christmas card to send out to family and friends. I try to capture something current that is going on in our family. Since I am getting married to the beautiful Martha Wright, err... I mean Martha Harris on January 4th, this seemed fitting.

Recent Commisions

2007-12-19T23:32:00.001-05:00

I just finished up this Christmas Card for my future father-in-law's office. It was pretty rushed, but I got to spend a considerable amount of time on it regardless. What helped was that I just bought a new Wacom drawing tablet. My old one busted. Although it was a blessing because now I love this new one. This was my first experiment and I was pleased with the results. I did the initial drawing in pen and ink on bristol board.

Then I digitally colored it in Photoshop. I had fun making the christmas lights.

Later I added text with a greeting and their names.

So this was my second christmas card this year. I had some others interested, but didn't pan out.

I have a huge project I am working on now for a local deli. A poster of all of their employees, 24"x36". There are over 30 people in the drawing. It's taking a lot of time, but I am making the most of it. I will have photos of it once it is complete.

Corporate Party

2007-12-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

I did a gig last week in Northern Jersey. It took almost three hours to drive there and there was snow and sleet on the roads. The party was reminiscent of the show The Office, and included the boss rapping with some awkward jokes. Very nice people though. I was doing mostly 3/4 profile drawings that day. These were some of my favorites...

Orville Redenbacher?

Barmitzvah Drawings

2007-12-03T12:17:00.001-05:00

Some of my favorites from a Barmitzvah yesterday. All black and white drawings with the Markette and color sticks.

Look at that crazy thumb-nub on his right hand, can't quite figure out what I did there.

I was working on making my bodies more crazy, they seem to work better in getting a good laugh. I think this is kind of what I look like when I play baseball too.

New Biz Card

2007-11-29T16:13:00.001-05:00

2"x 3.5" business card

4"x6" postcard

Ice Hockey

2007-11-26T23:53:00.001-05:00

I drew over the weekend at an ice rink during a hockey tournament. I didn't draw that much, although some of the few I did do, I was pleased with.

This kid hung around after I did the first drawing of him, so I told him I would make him look extra crazy in a second one.

teef!

Recent Commision

2007-11-19T11:49:00.001-05:00

Did this the other day as a commisioned caricature by mail.

Markette with Prismacolor marker and color sticks.

Frank Illustration 2

2007-11-16T13:34:00.000-05:00

Finished designing the business card for Frank's...

Martha and I just finished putting up our toy shelves in the kitchen. The new home for our Dunnies, and other Kidrobot toys.

A Model, Idiot

2007-11-13T07:59:00.000-05:00

My interview with the Bucks County Courier Times is running today...

Drawing on his talents

By CRISSA SHOEMAKER DEBREE
Bucks County Courier Times

As a child, Colin Harris would draw cartoon characters he'd see in the daily newspaper.

Today, Harris still draws cartoons, but they're inspired by real life.

Harris is a caricaturist, an artist who paints cartoon-like portraits that exaggerate a subject's facial features.

It's a job Harris hopes will keep him out of the 9-to-5 office world, where he once worked briefly.

Harris, 24, started drawing caricatures in 2003, when he was a student at Temple University's Tyler School of Art. A friend suggested a job with a company that provides caricaturists to Sesame Place.

At first, he said, he wasn't interested.

I said, "I don't draw cartoons," recalled the 2005 Temple graduate, who majored in printmaking.

Once he realized he could make money from art, he got a percentage of the drawings he sold, he changed his mind.

Now, I see everybody as a caricature, he said. I try to picture it all the time.

After graduation, Harris moved to Philadelphia and searched for drawing gigs there. He kept working at Sesame Place until this past summer, when he got a similar job at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J.

Still, he wasn't sure if he could make a living at his art. So Harris moved back home with his parents in Newtown Township and got an office job. He lasted six months.

I decided, "I can't do this,' he said about his office job. It's not me.

So he quit, launched his Web site and started what he calls a renegade advertising campaign in coffee shops and other places.

It's the ultimate goal of any artist survive off of what you do that others can't, he said. If I really worked at this, I could make it what I do.

Harris said Caricatures by Colin, the name of his business, seems to be taking off.

His childhood idol, cartoonist Bruce Blitz, helped him get a job drawing caricatures at Citizens Bank Park during Phillies games. Harris works corporate parties for $120 an hour. He also does drawings for hire, which costs between $40 and $60.

Harris, a 2001 Council Rock graduate, said he'll live at home until January, when he gets married. He said he realizes how important it is to be successful and, so far, things are going in that direction he's making enough to live on.

I think there's a lot of skeptical people out there who think you can't make a living as an artist, he said. It's hard not to be influenced by that. A lot of people don't get to do what they want to do. It's one of those things that if you don't try it, you'll kick yourself.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Visit http://www.colinharrisart.com/ or call 267-346-0104.

Frank Illustration

2007-11-12T23:27:00.001-05:00

Pen and ink with coloring in Photoshop. I used to work for Frank at a gas station in Newtown, PA during high school and some of college. I will be turning it into a business card soon. He hasn't seen it yet, I am going to surprise him. This is just the beginning of my journey into the world of Photoshop coloring techniques. Any advice and or comments would be greatly appreciated.

party drawings 11-10-07

2007-11-12T13:06:00.001-05:00

Here are some guys and gals from a party this weekend. I was drawing in black and white all night. I apologize for the poor quality of the photos.