I have noticed an increase in the number of members on the Café who have a cartoon version of themselves as their Avatar. My question is how are you guys getting these done? Are you paying an artist to do it for you? Is there a website that generates these? Or is everyone just really really good in Adobe Illustrator.

Andy
There are those who will tell you that "everybody has a cartoon logo" but I don't thing that 20 or 30 magic Café members is exactly everybody.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=17&335

The idea is not to replace my current logo. But Christopher Lyle's idea of resturant coloring sheets is an incredable idea, and this art may be worth the investment

There are no rules on how, or where to use them. If I'm not mistaken Christopher Lyle uses his cartoon logo everywhere, and after you get one of your own. You too will think of creative ways to use it. Don't fight the feeling.

Yes, cartoon says kids, fun, and happy. If that is your image, then it should be a serious consideration.

Andy: I am a professional graphic designer and illustrator. I do a variety of styles that vary according to the clients I design for. Check out samples at http://www.facebook.com/perondesign. Would be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Kyle

I use Photoshop to make cartoon caricatures and coloring pages from photos.
Photoshop Elements is cheaper, $85. But has fewer editing tools

I paid $77 for Photoshop elements 11 less than a year ago.

Just be aware that Photoshop Elements is very limiting. You also need to know what you are doing to really do a good job with it.

Kyle

Andy look no further than this guy: http://www.lookcreativestudio.co.uk or http://www.art4clowns.com/caricatures.htm these two are fantastic and where most magicians get there's done. Period!

I give EVERY single kid I see at the 3 restaurants I work weekly and every party I work a coloring sheet. Even if they don't want one they get one. Using the "fast print" setting on my printer and having the ink cartridges refilled on my home printer makes this a dirt cheap way to give out a website and phone number to every kid you see. This is the cheapest form of advertising. Cheaper than any business card and much more fun and colorful.

Again, there is no option I give one to every kid at every table. About a third of my business now has either comes from some family I gave a coloring sheet to or comes from a party they seen me at FROM someone who originally received my coloring sheet.

Kyle does beautiful work...I can't recommend him highly enough.

Bob Phillips

I agree. The learning curve is quite steep.
But once you learn it, you can do whatever you want with photos & graphics on a professional level. I'm referring to Photoshop. I don't have Photoshop Elements.

I'm a cartoonist/illustrator, and have done a caricature or two in my time. My rates for Café members: heck, pay me a tip what it's worth to ya. Or, maybe we can work something out. Cheers.

Erm.... Kevinr, not quite period... we have done a fair few magician's caricatures and logos too... http://www.monster-creations.com.
Ade

I also do customized logos, Realistic Figure Art (different then caricatures and I will be happy to tell you why), as well as brochure design, poster design, Postcards, Banners, vertical banners, DVD covers, Ads, book design etc.

Come check us out at our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/perondesign I post a lot of samples there of work I have done for others and it gives you a good sense of the variety.

If I can be of any help, please let me know. Thanks. =)

Kyle