How to Create a Caricature in Affinity Photo

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a caricature in Affinity Photo. Caricatures are images or drawings that exaggerate the appearance of the subject in the image or drawing. Some elements of caricatures are oversized heads and eyes. Also, the nose, the mouth, and the ears of the subject are often exaggerated too. Caricatures have been around since the European Renaissance. You can find this style of art in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s works such as Caricature of a Man with Bushy Hair.

Before you begin, go to the following links to download the images used in this tutorial.

• Dog
• Poster Mockup

Step 1

First, go to File > Open and select the dog image.

Step 2

Second, grab the Selection Brush Tool from the Tools Panel. Set the Mode to Add and check the Snap to Edges box. Take the brush and select the head of the dog.

Step 3

Once you’ve selected the neck of the dog. Press CTRL + J. Then, press CTRL + D to deselect. Or go to the Select menu and click Deselect.

Step 4

Select the original image and press CTRL + J to duplicate it. Or right click on the layer and select Duplicate.

Step 5

Now, select the dog head layer. Go to the Transform Panel and turn on the Lock Aspect Ratio. Next, take the Move Tool and make the dog’s head larger.

Step 6

With the dog head layer still selected, grab the Mesh Warp Tool from the Tools Panel. Reposition the head slightly to fit the body by adjusting the nodes. Then, hit Apply.

Step 7

After that, with the head layer still selected, go to the Liquify Persona. Select the Liquify Push Forward Tool. Take the brush and push the eyes out to make them bigger.

Step 8

Next, go to the nose and add some exaggeration to it.

Step 9

Now, go to the top of the dog’s head and push it down slightly.

Step 10

After that, edit the mouth area to make it bigger.

Step 11

Go to the neck area and bring both sides slightly in.

Step 12

Once you’ve done the neck, go to the ears and make them slightly bigger. Hit Apply when you’re finished.

Step 13

Select the duplicated layer. Then go to the Liquify Persona.

Step 14

Next, take the Liquify Push Forward Tool and go to the neck area of the dog. Take the tool and bring both sides of the neck inward so that it matches the dog head layer we just edited. Then, hit Apply.

Step 15

In the Layers Panel, turn off the original image. Next, select the other two layers. Right click on the selected layers and click Merge Visible. Then, turn off the dog head and the duplicated layers.

Step 16

With the merged layer still selected, go to the Filters menu. Select Blur > Bilateral Blur. Set the Radius to 3 px and the Tolerance to 20 %. Then, hit Apply.

Congratulations! You now know how to create a caricature in Affinity Photo. For similar tutorials, check out this tutorial on creating a sketch effect in Affinity Photo.