The nationwide average cost of a caricature artist is $125 - $150 per hour. Most artists charge by the hour, but costs also depend on additional factors like travel, the number of faces to be drawn, paper vs. digital images, and whether your satirical pictures will be in color or black-and-white.
Caricature artists offer entertainment, an ice breaker, and a party favor guests will love, all in one. Their skill sets and comic effect help them create delightfully accurate, humorous illustrated send-ups of your guests. From corporate events to spanish-style dinner parties to an english high tea brunches, hiring a caricature artist for the day is a surefire way to make your party memorable.
Caricature artists charge based on number of faces, distance, color vs. black and white drawings, and access to digital images. Many artists request partial payment upfront to secure their services, which may be a percentage of the overall cost or a flat fee. Caricatures charges customers a $75 deposit, while by Courtney charges a 20 percent deposit.
The cost for caricature services depends on how many faces or faces and bodies the artist will need to draw. Since more faces takes more time, the hourly rate will typically increase depending on the total number of guests.
Color vs. Black and White
Color drawings also take longer than black-and-white drawings. Different artists work at different speeds; once the artist knows how many guests will be at an event, he or she can estimate the number of hours needed. by Courtney estimates that in one hour she can draw 15 to 20 black-and-white faces and 10 to 12 color faces or 10 to 12 black-and-white faces with bodies and eight color faces with bodies.
Some caricaturists offer digital caricatures drawn on computer tablets and printed for customers. With skill sets like digital drawing, they are able to charge more than if they only offered paper caricatures.
by Tony of Fayetteville, Georgia, offers digital caricatures for $250 per hour with a two-hour minimum, which is twice as much as what he charges for paper caricatures.
Caricature Company of Phoenix offers digital caricatures for $200 per hour$75 per hour more than the companys paper rate.
Some artists will travel various distances to entertain, for a price. For example, Caricatures offers services beyond its home base of Los Angeles but charges $300 per hour with a four-hour minimum (as opposed to $175 per hour with a two-hour minimum). Other artists charge mileage and tolls. by Courtney charges $1 per mile from her location.
A history of caricature would probably reveal centuries of pleased party guests, since satirical pictures always add laughter and conversation to events. The process can be joyful and democratic: everyone gets to see themselves in an exaggerated way, and compare notes on who has the funniest picture. You provide your guests with an incredible icebreaker and unique memento that will make your event memorable.