Leaders

Steven Harper, Canada

It wasn't planned, but September seems to have had lots of personalities make an appearance, so let's wind it up with a few world leaders.

I don't present these to denigrate anyone's character, but to celebrate the art of caricature.

Barack Obama, United States of America

A caricature is a rendered image showing the features of its subject in a simplified or exaggerated way. Some of the earliest caricatures are found in the works of Leonardo da Vinci, who actively sought people with interesting characteristics to use as models.

Vladimir Putin, Russia

Caricature experienced its first successes in the closed aristocratic circles of France and Italy, where such portraits could be passed about for mutual enjoyment. Indeed, enjoyment remains the purpose of this style of art, whether used for editorial purposes or drawn at a party for amusement.

David Cameron, United Kingdom

The term is derived from the Italian caricare—to charge or load. An early definition occurs in the English doctor Thomas Browne's Christian Morals, published posthumously in 1716. "When Men's faces are drawn with resemblance to some other Animals, the Italians call it, to be drawn in Caricatura."

Angela Merkel, Germany

These studies were done in Photoshop but most caricatures are still created by hand on paper (the real way to do them). Fun to play with, the trick is to exaggerate facial features and still be able to identify the person.

Have a great October everyone!