What Are The Differences Between a Caricature and Cartoon?

Cartoon and caricature are both visual art forms that involve a degree of exaggeration in an attempt to capture the essence of a person or thing. Both art forms use distortion for comedic effect but differ in several ways. A cartoon is a caricature that exploits universal characteristics such as animal instincts and natural responses to absurd situations. The main difference between caricature and cartoon is that a caricature typically exaggerates one or two specific features while a cartoon exaggerates multiple characteristics. Caricatures are generally considered more serious than cartoons because they express social criticism through exaggerated features such as big noses or giant ears. However, the distinctions between these two art forms may not be clear-cut for everyone. Different individuals have used these terms interchangeably at various times throughout history. Some people even use the word “caricature” when referring to what would traditionally be called “cartoon” instead.

What is a Cartoon?

A cartoon is a type of artistic caricature that exaggerates various aspects of a person or thing to create humor through satire or parody. It is rooted in visual humor and has a long history as a form of satire and social commentary. Traditionally, the word “cartoon” referred to a finishing sketch at the end of a painting that demonstrated how the painting should be colored. Cartooning has since evolved into a visual art form in its own right, using a combination of illustration, exaggeration, and social commentary. Cartoons are often used in newspaper comic strips and comic books and as animation for television and cinema. A single cartoon panel (or “daily”) usually depicts a single moment in time and is often accompanied by a dialog bubble. Many cartoonists produce multiple cartoon panels (or “strips”) as part of a longer story or a sequence called a “cartoon strip.”

What is a Caricature?

A caricature is a visual art form that exaggerates a person’s facial features, such as their eyes, nose, mouth, or body, to create humor or a desired aesthetic effect. Like a cartoon, a caricature is often intended as social commentary and may be used to express political views. The word “caricature” comes from the Italian “caricare,” meaning “to load.” This is a reference to an early technique in which artists would apply heavy layers of paint to their drawings to distort the features of their subjects. Caricatures are often used by editorial cartoonists to express political views or poke fun at prominent individuals by exaggerating certain features of their appearance, such as the size of their ears. Caricature artists usually use thick, heavy lines to exaggerate features such as eye size and mouth shape.

Differences Between Cartoon and Caricature

The main difference between Las Vegas caricatures and a cartoon is that a caricature typically exaggerates one or two specific features while a cartoon exaggerates multiple characteristics. For example, the caricature of Donald Trump might focus on his bushy eyebrows and orange hair. At the same time, a cartoon of Trump would also depict his exaggerated mannerisms and facial expressions. Caricatures are typically based on a specific person, while cartoons are often more abstract and can apply to many different people. Cartoons have a more serious tone than caricatures and are often used to convey satire, political commentary, or social criticism. On the other hand, caricatures are often light-hearted and used in editorial cartoons and publicity to create humor. Caricatures are realistic-looking, while cartoons often include fantastical elements such as talking animals or anthropomorphic characters.

Conclusion

A cartoon is a type of artistic caricature that exaggerates various aspects of a person or thing to create humor through satire or parody. A caricature is a visual art form that exaggerates a person’s facial features, such as their eyes, nose, mouth, or body, to create humor or a desired aesthetic effect. For engaging caricature artists, you can call us today!