8 Best-Selling Caricature Drawing Books Millions Love

These Caricature Drawing Books, authored by Manning Hall, James van der Keyl, and more, have earned acclaim for their lasting impact and expert guidance.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love—especially in caricature drawing, a craft blending humor, artistry, and keen observation. The enduring popularity of caricature drawing books highlights their proven value for artists seeking to refine their skills and entertain audiences. In a world where visual storytelling remains vital, these books continue to inspire and teach foundational and innovative caricature techniques.

Authored by experienced artists and educators, these books stand out for their authoritative approaches and impact on the caricature community. From Manning Hall's nostalgic insights into classic Hollywood caricatures to Jim van der Keyl’s methodical exaggeration strategies honed at Disney Studios, the collection showcases a range of perspectives that have influenced countless caricature artists.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific caricature drawing needs might consider creating a personalized Caricature Drawing book that combines these validated approaches with your unique background and goals.

Best for classic caricature techniques
What makes "MAKING FACES" unique in caricature drawing is its blend of artistic instruction with a nostalgic glimpse into Hollywood's golden era. This Walter T. Foster edition distills caricature techniques into forty pages that break down how to amplify individual facial traits while preserving likeness. You benefit from studying caricatures of celebrated actors like Loretta Young and Robert Mitchum, which makes it a distinctive resource for anyone eager to learn caricature drawing through historical and artistic lenses. The book addresses the challenge of balancing exaggeration and recognition, a core issue for caricature artists seeking to capture both humor and identity.
1940·40 pages·Caricature Drawing, Drawing, Portraits, Character Design, Facial Features

Drawing from a mid-20th century art education perspective, Manning Hall's "Making Faces" offers a focused exploration of caricature drawing techniques that have remained influential. This compact 40-page guide teaches you how to capture exaggerated likenesses using examples of iconic Hollywood figures like Gregory Peck and Shirley Temple, providing a historical lens alongside artistic instruction. You gain insight into stylizing facial features and achieving personality in caricatures, making it a useful resource for artists intrigued by classic caricature styles. While brief, the book benefits artists seeking foundational caricature skills rooted in traditional methods rather than contemporary digital approaches.

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Best for quick caricature humor
This book stands out in caricature drawing by offering a practical collection of gag ideas that many artists have found useful for sparking creativity. It focuses on helping caricaturists quickly develop humorous concepts by combining different visual elements rather than on drawing techniques themselves. Ideal for those performing at events or conventions, it addresses the challenge of finding fresh, funny angles that keep clients entertained and coming back. With its straightforward approach, you can easily incorporate these ideas into your workflow and enhance your caricature performances.
1991·116 pages·Caricature Drawing, Creative Thinking, Visual Humor, Character Design, Entertainment

James van der Keyl challenges the usual stress of brainstorming caricature gags by offering a straightforward collection of 100 ideas designed to spark your creativity. This book focuses on providing a practical arsenal of concepts—mixing bodies, signs, and thought bubbles—that you can memorize and adapt to engage your audience with humor. It's not about teaching you to draw but about enhancing your ability to craft entertaining caricatures quickly, especially in lively settings like parties and conventions. If you want to expand your caricature repertoire and bring more laughter to your clients, this book offers a clear starting point without overcomplicating the creative process.

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Best for custom caricature techniques
This personalized AI book about caricature drawing is created based on your artistic background and specific challenges. By sharing your experience and goals, you get a book focused on the techniques and insights that truly matter to you. This approach helps you avoid generic advice and dive straight into areas that will enhance your caricature skills more effectively.
2025·50-300 pages·Caricature Drawing, Exaggeration Methods, Facial Features, Character Design, Expression Capture

This tailored book explores battle-tested caricature drawing methods designed to address your unique artistic challenges. It combines popular, proven techniques with a personalized focus that matches your background and goals, allowing you to dive deep into the nuances of caricature art that matter most to you. You will discover how to balance exaggeration with likeness, develop dynamic character expressions, and refine your style through focused practice. This personalized approach ensures you engage with content that resonates specifically with your interests, enhancing both your skills and creative confidence. Whether refining basics or advancing your artistry, this book offers a rich, tailored journey through caricature mastery.

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Exaggeration Techniques
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Best for performance art caricatures
Sam Norkin Drawings & Stories offers a distinctive look into caricature drawing through the lens of theater, opera, ballet, and movies. This collection stands out by blending artistic skill with narrative commentary, allowing you to see how caricature can tell stories beyond humor or exaggeration. The book appeals to anyone fascinated by performance arts or visual storytelling, as it dives into the spirit of live art captured on paper. Its value lies in connecting you with over fifty years of experience, presenting both iconic drawings and the personal reflections behind them.
1994·345 pages·Caricature Drawing, Theater, Opera, Ballet, Performance Art

Sam Norkin's decades of experience capturing performers' essence on paper led to this rich collection of caricatures from theater, opera, ballet, and movies. Beyond showcasing his art, Norkin shares personal stories and insights that reveal how he translates stage presence into lively and expressive drawings. You'll learn to appreciate the nuances of caricature as a narrative tool, not just a drawing style, with examples highlighting his ability to capture character and mood. If you're drawn to performance arts or want to deepen your caricature skills with real-world inspiration, this book offers a thoughtful blend of art and anecdote that goes beyond technique.

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Best for extensive facial exaggeration
Dick Gautier was a celebrated caricature artist and author known for his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects through exaggerated drawings. With a career spanning several decades, Gautier's work has been featured in various publications and exhibitions, showcasing his talent in both caricature and cartooning. His engaging style and insightful techniques have inspired countless artists and enthusiasts in the field, making this book a trusted guide for those eager to explore caricature drawing.
1995·128 pages·Caricature Drawing, Drawing, Cartooning, Facial Features, Exaggeration Techniques

Dick Gautier was a celebrated caricature artist whose decades-long career shaped his approach to capturing unique facial features with humor and exaggeration. In this book, he breaks down how to identify and emphasize the most striking aspects of a person's face, guiding you through 1,001 examples that illustrate his techniques. You gain practical skills in creating caricatures that convey personality and mood, not just likeness. Whether you’re a casual artist or someone exploring cartooning seriously, this book offers a trove of visual insights and methods to enrich your drawing repertoire.

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Best for comic portrait practicality
Harry Hamernik has taught caricature drawing at major attractions like Sea World, Legoland, Disneyland, and King Island, as well as respected art academies in Los Angeles and Orange County. His hands-on experience with live audiences and students informs this book, which reveals his approachable style for creating lively, comic portraits. Hamernik’s insights into capturing humor and likeness stem from years of practical teaching, making this a guide grounded in real-world artistry.
2006·128 pages·Caricature Drawing, Portrait Techniques, Feature Emphasis, Color Application, Expressive Style

When Harry Hamernik ventured beyond traditional portraiture, he uncovered a lively method for capturing faces that blend humor and likeness with surprising ease. His book guides you through 40 clear demonstrations, from sketching eyes and noses to adding color by hand or digitally, even offering nuanced tips on tweaking features to convey age, gender, or personality. You’ll learn how to speed up your process by drawing facial parts in a consistent sequence and how to simplify hair into just two lines, making your caricatures both expressive and efficient. This book suits anyone eager to explore caricature with a practical, approachable style, especially those wanting to draw quickly and with flair.

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Best for daily skill building
This personalized AI book about caricature drawing is created based on your background, skill level, and specific interests in caricature style and technique. By sharing your goals and which areas you want to improve, this AI-crafted guide focuses on daily exercises that match your needs. This approach helps you build skills efficiently without sifting through unrelated material, making your learning journey both enjoyable and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·Caricature Drawing, Facial Exaggeration, Style Development, Practice Exercises, Sketching Techniques

This tailored book explores personalized daily exercises designed to enhance your caricature drawing efficiency and style. It covers foundational drawing techniques, facial exaggeration principles, and creative expression, all matched to your skill level and artistic preferences. By focusing on your unique interests and goals, the book reveals how to build drawing fluency through consistent practice and targeted challenges. It combines insights from proven caricature methods with tailored guidance, helping you refine your style in a way that resonates with your artistic vision. This personalized approach ensures your learning experience is engaging, relevant, and perfectly suited to your aspirations in caricature art.

AI-Tailored
Practice Optimization
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for beginner caricature fundamentals
This book offers a straightforward gateway into caricature drawing, breaking down essential skills into manageable steps that appeal to newcomers and hobbyists alike. Its practical approach covers everything from selecting the right equipment to capturing personality through exaggerated features. The authors’ focus on foundational techniques ensures that you can build confidence while exploring this playful art form. Perfect for anyone wanting to get started with caricature, it addresses common challenges and provides clear guidance for creating lively, engaging drawings.
1999·64 pages·Caricature Drawing, Drawing, Facial Features, Proportions, Expressions

What happens when practical drawing instruction meets the playful art of caricature? Alex Hughs and Angela Gair guide you through the fundamentals needed to capture exaggerated likenesses with ease. You'll learn everything from choosing the right tools to mastering facial proportions and expressions, with chapters dedicated to conveying personality and using props effectively. This approachable book suits anyone eager to start caricature drawing, whether for casual fun or honing artistic skills, offering clear examples and stepwise sketches that demystify the process without overwhelming technical jargon. It’s a solid resource if you want a straightforward introduction that balances technique with creativity.

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Best for mastering exaggeration techniques
Jim van der Keyl is an animator and caricature artist with over 30 years of experience, including work with Disney Studios. His extensive background led him to write this handbook, which distills his creative process into accessible techniques for capturing likenesses through exaggeration. His book guides you through proportions, shapes, and anatomy with a clear, engineering-like approach, making it a valuable resource for anyone serious about caricature drawing.
2010·124 pages·Caricature Drawing, Art Techniques, Visual Arts, Proportions, Anatomy

When Jim van der Keyl first approached caricature drawing, his background as an animator for Disney Studios shaped a methodical, almost scientific approach to capturing likenesses through exaggeration. In this book, you learn to analyze proportions, shapes, and anatomy to create caricatures that balance humor with recognizable features. The chapters break down visual techniques and offer a clear procedure for developing your own style, making it approachable whether you're just starting or have artistic experience. If you want to understand caricature beyond mere copying and grasp the creative process behind it, this handbook offers solid, practical insights without fluff.

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Best for 3D caricature carving
W. “Pete” LeClair is an internationally recognized carver known for his expertise in caricature carving. With years of experience, he has authored several books that guide both beginners and advanced carvers through the intricacies of woodcarving. His clear instructions and detailed illustrations have made him a respected figure in the woodcarving community. This book reflects his dedication to sharing the joys and complexities of caricature carving, offering readers a chance to learn from one of the best in the field.
Carving Caricature Busts (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers) book cover

by W. “Pete” LeClair··You?

2002·80 pages·Carving, Caricature Drawing, Woodcarving Techniques, Bust Sculpting, Pattern Design

W. “Pete” LeClair’s decades of experience as an internationally recognized carver shine through in this focused guide on caricature bust carving. You’ll find a detailed exploration of techniques and nuances that elevate your work from simply good to memorable, with every step supported by clear color photos and explanations. The book offers patterns and a gallery that let you study multiple angles, providing practical tools whether you’re refining skills or diving into caricature carving for the first time. It’s best suited for woodcarvers who want to deepen their craft with a specialty that blends artistic expression and technical precision.

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Conclusion

The collection of these 8 best-selling caricature drawing books reveals a few clear themes: a balance of humor and likeness, the importance of mastering exaggeration, and the value of practical, approachable instruction. If you prefer proven methods grounded in classic and contemporary practice, start with Manning Hall's "MAKING FACES" and Jim van der Keyl's "A Caricaturist's Handbook." For validated approaches emphasizing humor and quick creativity, combine "101 Gag Ideas" with Harry Hamernik's "Face Off."

These books collectively cover diverse aspects of caricature—from traditional sketching and theatrical portraiture to comic styling and even 3D carving. This diversity allows you to tailor your learning according to your artistic interests and ambitions.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Caricature Drawing book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many artists succeed in capturing likeness, humor, and personality with their caricatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "MAKING FACES" for foundational caricature techniques or "Caricatures" for a beginner-friendly guide. These books offer clear basics before moving on to more specialized topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Caricature Drawing?

Not at all. Several titles, like "Caricatures" and "MAKING FACES," are designed for beginners, providing step-by-step instruction without assuming prior experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with beginner guides like "Caricatures," then explore technique-focused books such as "A Caricaturist's Handbook." Follow with humor and performance-oriented titles like "101 Gag Ideas" and "Sam Norkin Drawings & Stories."

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your interests—use "101 Gag Ideas" for quick creativity or "Carving Caricature Busts" for 3D work. Each book offers a unique angle on caricature.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"A Caricaturist's Handbook" offers detailed theory behind exaggeration, while "Face Off" emphasizes practical, fast drawing techniques for comic portraits.

How can personalized books complement these expert titles?

Personalized books blend expert methods with your specific goals and skill level, offering focused insights. They complement popular titles by tailoring content just for you. Learn more here.

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