eBay Guides - Why Caricatures Make Great Gifts

For this article, the definition of caricature is a cartoonish, exaggerated rendering of an individual.

Most people see caricaturists at amusement parks and fairs, plying their inky trade. Others see the work of said artisans on the op-ed page of the newspaper, in the political comics.

Just as there are all kinds of faces to draw, so are there caricaturists. In fact, if you look around on ebay, you will find several talented caricaturists (yeah, yeah, me too!) willing to do a wonderful custom caricature for you.

That's great! Caricatures make a great gift. Here are some reasons why...

They're personal. Like snowflakes, no two caricature subjects are alike. Even if the subject is part of a set of twins or septuplets, everyone is an individual with different interests and such. Each person as interpreted by each artist leads to a unique drawing each time. Some caricaturists will draw a single subject differently each time, and sometimes the differences can be quite different, depending on a lot of factors. One author showed how he could caricature the same person 20 different ways, based on the same photo.
Even if you commission a caricature job for your (fill in the blank) of someone else, say like their favorite celebrity, chances are, it's unique. Unless it's a print, of course.
They can be personalized down to the slightest detail. I'm working a caricature of a young lady who looks like a Bratz doll this week. I've done personal caricatures based on Dr. Strangelove, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Three Stooges, and Peanuts! Ah, homage! Caricaturists thrive on inserting interesting details, such as occupations, hobbies, and obsessions, into their works.
Caricatures can be used for tons of things. They can be used on business cards, stationary, websites, and in many other places. We live in an image driven age, and having a customized icon or avatar ROCKS!
Caricatures are very hard to regift, unless the subject of the caricature has a twin!
It's a lot easier to Paypal an artist and send a few photos and an e-mail or two than it is to fight the monkies at the mall. Just make sure you understand about an artist's turnaround time.
Caricatures can last a lifetime or more.

So shop around ebay. Maybe enter "caricature" into the search engine, and see what pops up. You may want to try "custom caricature" or "caricature commission" to eliminate some of the old caricature prints that pop up in a search of caricatures. And make sure to check in ebay stores, also. Most good ebay caricaturists have a store, and store items don't get the best treatment, or best ranking in an ebay search.

And don't be afraid to ask questions of the artist. They're there to make sure you're happy with your purchase. Make sure you understand up front what you're getting, and when it should arrive at your door.

Good luck with your purchase. I hope this was helpful, and somewhat humorous, too.