FAQs
How much does Doug charge for his services? Hourly rates vary between $150 and $175 depending on the time and location of your event, generally with a three hour minimum. For trade shows and other longer events, a day rate is available. Get an E-quote or call Doug at 415-373-6670.
How fast does Doug draw? Doug draws each subject face in 2-4 minutes using traditional ink and paper. If it is a smaller party and no lineup of people waiting Doug will include bodies and themes if appropriate, which can add another two minutes. Under extreme pressure Doug has been known to draw “Minute Mugs”, bringing a whole new meaning to the term “quick sketch artist”. Note: when Doug is drawing on a digital tablet, plan on 5-8 minutes per subject.
What does Doug need to work? Three chairs and an electrical outlet for his lamp. Doug does not need a table.
How do I hire Doug? First, get a quote. When an agreement is reached, either via e-mail or by phone, Doug will e-mail you an invoice in pdf format. He may ask for a deposit, typically $150, to hold the date. Once you are on Doug’s calendar you are guaranteed his presence. In the event of an unforseeable emergency on Doug’s part, Doug will arrange the best alternate available or return your deposit.
Can Doug put my logo in the picture? For a small fee Doug will preprint templates with your logo and tag line on each page so your guests won’t forget your event as long as the picture is posted in their cubicle or framed on the wall.
What if I need more than one artist? For bigger events Doug will subcontract the best quality caricaturists available. You get one invoice and cut one check. Doug handles everything.
How many people can Doug draw in a picture? Doug is comfortable drawing singles, couples, families and groups of all sizes. Couples and trios can sit together; larger groups can pose one at a time and Doug pieces them together like a puzzle.
Should I choose traditional or digital media? For most situations Doug’s ink-on-paper product is perfect. It’s fast, incredibly subtle and accurate—caricature like nothing your guests have ever seen. Digital caricatures, on the other hand, have innovations that some clients will find attractive. The novel presentation, the use of color, the easy-to-tuck-away print size, template possibilities, and versatility of use (caricatures can be e-mailed, downloaded off the web or sent to cell phones) make digital caricature a natural for trade shows, for example. Doug will be happy to advise you on the suitability of digital caricature for your event.
Does Doug draw funny gags? While his main focus is delivering undeniable likenesses, he is equally adept at conjuring up gag scenes based on your guests’ personalities. At parties and events there is not usually much time to explore a relationship with questions, so he doesn’t do gags for gags’ sake. But if there’s a story to be told and he catches a whiff of it, it will show up in the picture.
What do people do with their caricatures until they leave? If the setting permits Doug will tape each caricature to a wall as it is finished (using a special low-tack artist tape), creating a cartoon gallery as the party progresses. This “Wall of Fame” becomes a focal point where guests gather to kibbitz and spot each other. When the party’s over they simply grab it off the wall.
Won’t the ink get smeared? Doug packages each picture in transparent sealed plastic sleeves so it gets home safely.
Coming Soon
Doug Shannon is a San Francisco Bay area caricature artist specializing in live event entertainment and commission illustrations done from photos. Doug draws lightning quick, deadly accurate caricatures in as little as two minutes each at countless Bay Area events every year, and now he has introduced Live Digital caricature, with cutting edge technology that is guaranteed to impress your guests.
Doug also creates beautiful caricature illustrations from photos for private commissions and corporate teams. To learn more about the professional caricature service Doug delivers, choose your area of interest from the menu bar above.
Here are some favorite corporate event posts from my blog.
Here are some kid party posts from my blog.
Here are some grad night posts from my blog.
Here are some club function posts from my blog.
Here are some favorite private party posts from my blog.
Here are some favorite company picnic and holiday party posts from my blog.
Here are some wine club posts from my blog.
Wedding receptions are the hottest new trend for this caricaturist and why not? It’s a personal entertainment for the persons who matter most! Doug Shannon’s caricatures are a novel reception entertainment and the ultimate wedding party favor. Your guests will cherish their caricatures for years to come, and every time they look at their keepsake they will have a loving memory of you and your special day.
Doug is famous for his cartoon couples, and equally adept at drawing groups, so the groomsmen and the maids of honor will all go home with a unique gift. Posing only takes a couple of minutes, and Doug’s easel setup is discreet and classy, so his entertainment will fit right in. And most important, Doug guarantees the cutest toon will be bride!
Here are some wedding reception posts from my blog.
Mitzvas are just about my favorite gig. People this age are right in the sweet spot for a caricaturist—they are smart, creative and fascinated with how they look to the world. I especially enjoy the challenges I get at mitzvas, like the young man who requested, “Draw me as a hunk of cheese.”
I pay a lot of attention to the individual teen that sits down to be drawn— they are all different. One girl may want to be seen as a supermodel while her best friend may be too shy to smile. Most like to look cute or sexy in their caricature and I know how to flatter. All in all its just a lot of fun, and I never know what I’ll be drawing next, gangsta girls, three boys as Charlie’s Angels, or…?
Here are some mitzva posts from my blog.
Here are some favorite greeting card posts from my blog.
Here are some favorite retirement gift posts from my blog.
Here are some favorite gift caricature posts from my blog.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Got Deal, Need Toy? Doug creates wonderfully whimsical scenes stocked with deadly accurate caricatures of the players. Even most uptight A-personalities will crack a smile when they see themselves after a “cartoon-up” by Doug. Doug’s special gift is taking a metaphor and running with it, whether its a movie or sports theme, or whatever, Doug will milk it for all the laughs its worth.
Speed and Flexibility Count Doug works digitally so your illustration is created fast, and it can be tweaked right up until the last minute. Adding or subtracting characters can be done without the artist tearing his hair out. The final product is is printed at any size you request—go ahead, cover the wall!—in beautiful vivid color on archival paper and inks, even on canvas. While you are at it, why not order smaller copies for the individual players in the deal? Or decide later. Because the art is digital it can also be printed at a service provider in your location any time you choose.
Here are some favorite deal memento and corporate team posts from Doug’s blog:
HAVE A BIG EVENT? Doug Shannon provides One-Stop-Shopping for all your caricature entertainment. Doug works closely with all the professional caricaturists in the San Francisco bay area, and he can assemble a crack team for you without the heavy mark up of an agency. Make one call to Doug, cut one check, and know you are getting the best available talent in the Bay Area.
Here are the top tier caricaturists in the bay area at an event Doug booked at San Francisco State College. They are (counterclockwise from left) Marc Schmid, Big Al, Jodi Carr, Zach Trenholm, and Doug, the tall guy in back.
CARICATURE ILLUSTRATION From Your Favorite Photos
Commission Doug to create an illustration, and watch him bring your vision to life. Using the photos you send as well as any personal details and character traits you provide of your subject, Doug creates compelling and uniquely personal tributes to the real-life characters you love.
As art director you approve work-in-progress via e-mailed jpegs. Whether you are looking for a cartoon greeting card or want to commission a giclee canvas print, Doug will endeavor to make your vision a reality. The final art is delivered at the size you specify using archival quality inks and paper, signed by the artist and shipped in a sturdy package to it’s destination, ready for framing.
Digital delivery for printing at your specified location is also available. If your caricature commission is intended for commercial use or on the web you will also receive a Photoshop PDF of the file that you may use to print additional versions of the art, from coffee mugs to billboards. Prices start at $100 and up, depending on the style of art you choose and the complexity of your picture. Checks, money orders or credit cards are accepted.
THE DIGITAL ADVANTAGE Fast, Flexible and For Everyone
Why settle for one piece of art when you can have a vivid, exquisitely detailed print for everyone in the picture? Doug will upload your caricature commission in a digital file directly to Kinko’s, or any service provider, where you can order multiple prints in multiple sizes. Should you want to make additional prints yourself, the original file will also posted at an FTP web page for easy downloading. Print a poster for the principal subject and 8×10’s for the supporting cast. And should any piece get lost or damaged, just print a replacement!
DOUG SHANNON
Rates and availability vary. Request a quote and he will reply within 24 hours.
415-373-6670
LIVE DIGITAL CARICATURE STOPS THEM IN THEIR TRACKS!
Bring California’s most innovative caricature artist to your trade show booth and watch the traffic stop. Doug draws his famous spot-on likenesses on a digital tablet and prints them out instantly in brilliant color! Clients like Google rave and you will too. There’s no peering over the artist’s shoulder—the image is displayed big enough for all to join in the fun. Choose from a Apple Cinema Display, a projector and screen or, for an even bigger impact, rent a 50″ plasma. Doug’s clients all rave about the Doug’s laptop drives any monitor! Your corporate brand is on the display and on the print, destined for the office and cubicle walls of your biggest future customers. After the event your guests can download jpeg versions off the web and print their caricatures any where they want, from coffee mugs to Facebook pages.
It’s state-of-the-art caricature your prospects have never seen before. Based conveniently close to Moscone in San Francisco and the San Jose Convention center, Doug will also travel to your convention destination. Contact Doug and get a bid today!
EVERY FACE IS SPOT ON!
Doug Shannon takes live caricature to a new level, creating lightning quick cartoons that manage to be funny and flattering at the same time. Drawing with a bold yet nuanced brush, Doug captures the character and spirit of a person like no other Bay Area caricaturist can—and he does it in two to four minutes each!
Equally comfortable at corporate events, wine clubs, wedding receptions or mitzvas, using traditional or digital media, Doug’s experience as a professional comic strip creator and amateur stand-up makes him a versatile and personable entertainer. Find out why Bay Area clients like Intel, Charles Krug, Robin Williams and more book Doug when they want the San Francisco caricature artist their guests deserve!
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
The Levis IT department took over The Thirsty Bear for a few hours and I drew caricatures. One of the regular things a caricaturist hears when a subject sits down is “Now remember, I’m the one who signs your check!” In fact I sometimes hear this from several different people at the same gig, (though I never get more than one check). Anyway when this gentleman said those familiar words, I got an inspiration, and we both had a laugh. (see above) :—)