With a history as long as that of caricature, it’s perhaps surprising that the art form has digressed very little from its most amiably satirical standpoint. Caricatures have long been an acceptable, cheeky form of something like an insult, only softer around the edges.

Personalised caricatures have served their respective sides well in terms of politics since First World War. Artists were afforded the scope to display unspeakable acts and heinous personality traits in a tolerable visual form. Similarly to mainstream children’s cartoons of today, where human blood and slaughter are forbidden and thusly substituted with armies of savaged monsters or massacred robots, the versatile art of caricatures granted wonderfully sneaky artistic licence to publically mock political or prominent figures, showing a level of brutality and scorn that would perhaps, in any other medium, have been unacceptable. Modern caricature continues to grace the pages of every newspaper and magazine, humorously demonstrating the failings and follies of our peers in its uniquely palatable form.

Contemporary personalised caricature has become somewhat of a tourist attraction in locales like Covent Garden in London, and on the mainland European streets in the likes of Paris, Barcelona and Rome. In these terms, caricature is no more or less than a gentle bespoke spoof. The place of caricature in contemporary street art and performance is undisputed and remains largely unchanged. Of course being able to see the funny side of a particularly biting personalised caricature is certainly necessary before engaging the services of many street caricature artists.

In a world filled with impersonal luxury and uniformity, personalised gifts mark a gesture of authenticity so often lacking in gift giving. It’s perhaps this hunt for “the personal touch” that’s currently boosting the trade of caricature artists. Unique and witty, in all likelihood the art of caricature will continue its life narrations for many satirically endowed years to come.

Graffiti, street artist caricatures, impromptu performances – public attitude concerning these formerly frowned-upon arts has certainly shifted in the last decade. Art in the public eye has always been, and will always be, a fantastically changeable monster. Impossible to control or accurately predict, the authentic, organic evolution of street art has produced some of contemporary art’s finest moments.

Graffiti
It’s not all about Banksy anymore, but love him or hate him, his work opened the eyes and minds of the mainstream public as to how fantastic and creative graffiti can be.

Artists like Banksy have upped the ante, encouraging fresh talents and a higher level of skill that often borders closer to illusionist than artist.

Occasionally in danger of becoming a caricature of itself, contemporary graffiti has taken its first tentative steps into the world of mainstream advertising. Generally termed “Guerrilla Advertising”, the premise can range from simple legal painting sponsored by a big brand, to mysterious movements created for the sole purpose of encouraging word of mouth advertising. This is perhaps the most difficult to nail since the most common purpose of graffiti is to question the mainstream.

Interactive Art
Generally existing to encourage the public to be more than a viewer – a participant who questions, who is involved in the world.

Interactive street art-like caricatures are nothing new, but with a surge of brilliant new artists on the scene capturing the everyday public in their caricature portraits as they wander the streets, the scene is certainly bright.

Performance
Performance art has been making an interesting leap of late back to its satirical roots. Short, impromptu plays questioning everything from social ethics to politics have become the voice of a generation. Educational groups and facilities are finding such platforms fantastic in terms of nurturing creativity and social pride in students.

In the end – in terms of art – everything everywhere is a canvas eventually.

For many people, the mention of cartoon caricatures conjures up an image of a the seaside promenade; a crowded beach front with a row of artists sketching uncomfortable looking tourists, as many more tourists look on. But, in reality, the days when the sea side was the only place you could get a caricature drawn are gone. What’s more, caricatures have matured into a fantastic way of surprising a friend or relative with a very thoughtful gift – here are the top three reasons why:

No posing necessary: these days you don’t need to sit in front of a crowd of tourists as you pose for your caricature – online companies like Charlie’s Cartoons can manage the entire process over the internet, with impressive results.  All you need to do is send a photograph or two and include a brief description of the subject – you can liaise with the artist to discuss your exact requirements and everything else is done by them: this means you can totally surprise a friend or relative with a caricature of themselves. All you need are a few good photos and a little bit of time.

An original gift: if you have a friend with a sense of humour and you want to find them the perfect present, cartoon caricatures are a great idea. They are fun, memorable and thoughtful, plus they make for a very personal gift – as you go through the design process you can make sure that they really reflect the personality and style of the person in question. The beauty of such services lies in the ability to create unique artwork that looks exactly as you want it to look: you’ll see the idea for the finished caricature before its drawn so you can make comments and changes to ensure that you’re totally happy with the finished product.

No hassle: If you’re shopping for a wedding present or birthday gift, the chances are that all the other present buyers are hunting in exactly the same places, and the shops are often less fun when you’re not selecting things for yourself. Not only will a caricature be a unique gift, it will be completely hassle free for you to get your hands on: with an on-line service like Charlie’s, once you’ve sent a few photos with some supporting information, the finished product will be delivered to you framed and ready to go – hand painted and beautifully finished.

Wedding season is in full swing, and over the next few months many people will find themselves attending at least one or two – if not an entire summer’s worth. Although weddings are always something to look forward to as a guest (minimum hassle when it comes to organisation, just a great party and a lovely celebration to look forward to), they do take a bit of work as well, from organising transport and accommodation to finding a suitable outfit.

But the really tough nut to crack when you’ve been invited to a wedding is buying the perfect gift; how can you make sure you find something that the happy couple doesn’t already have, and that they’re not going to get from anyone else?  A wedding is one of life’s most memorable events for the bride and groom so, even for those couples who wisely choose to set up an online wedding shop or opt for gift vouchers, it’s worth investing in a more personal gift that will remind them of their big day for years to come.

If you’ve decided you want to find a personal and unique wedding gift for a close friend or relatives, Charlie’s Cartoons is the bespoke answer you’re looking for. Charlie’s Cartoons are custom made, beautifully painted cartoon caricatures that are especially designed to provide a lasting memento of the highlights in life – and what better highlight to celebrate than a wedding?

With an on-line service like Charlie’s, all you need to do is send a few photos with some supporting information about couple for whom the cartoon caricature is intended. Once you’ve fine-tuned your request the result, which is always hand drawn and painted, will be delivered to you framed and ready to go, so you won’t ruin the surprise by asking your friends to pose for the painting.

The beauty of this service lies in the ability to create unique artwork that looks exactly as you want it to look: you’ll see the idea for the finished caricature before its drawn so you can make comments and changes to ensure that you’re totally happy with the finished gift. The newlyweds will be delighted not only by the present, but by the thought and effort you’ve obviously put into to your choice. Caricatures are fun and original, so they’ll provide a unique contrast to the traditional wedding photos or posed portraits that many newlyweds pose for, as well as a lasting memory.