You’ve probably seen AI portrait generators. You may have even tried one. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they all produce something that looks more or less like a lot of other things you’ve already seen. That’s not a custom caricature. That’s a template with your face in it.
A real caricature is something else. It takes a professional artist, a sharp eye for what makes someone’s face distinctively theirs, a sense of humour, and the craft to bring all of that together into a single drawing that makes people laugh, feel something, and immediately know who it’s of.
David Green has been doing exactly that for more than 30 years. His custom caricatures are 100% hand-drawn from your photos, delivered anywhere in Australia, and are consistently described by customers as some of the best gifts they’ve ever given or received.
What Is a Custom Caricature?
A caricature is an illustrated portrait that exaggerates the distinctive features of a person’s face or personality to create something immediately recognisable, funny, and personal. Think of it as a portrait with character, drawn by someone who knows how to find what’s unique about a face and lean into it.
Custom caricatures are made from photos you supply. The artist studies your reference material, identifies the features worth emphasising, and builds a drawing that captures the subject’s likeness while adding humour, warmth, or a theme of your choosing. The result is something you genuinely can’t get from a filter, an app, or a generative AI tool, because it requires a human making deliberate creative choices about a specific person.
Want to see what’s possible? The Customer Caricature of the Week gallery shows recent commissions across a wide range of styles, subjects, and themes.
Why Choose David Green for Your Custom Caricature?
David Green is a Sydney-based caricature artist with more than 30 years of professional experience working with individuals, couples, corporate clients, and events across Australia. His work is trusted, reviewed consistently at five stars, and backed by a straightforward ordering process with no surprises.
A few things that set his service apart:
- One fixed price, all themes included. There are no extra charges for choosing a theme, background, or concept. The price you see is the price you pay.
- Proof before final delivery. Every caricature includes a preview stage. You review the draft and request changes before the final version is completed.
- 100% hand-drawn. No AI, no filters, no shortcuts. Every caricature is individually illustrated.
- Express turnaround available. Need it fast? A 48-hour express option is available for tight deadlines.
- Australia-wide delivery. Digital delivery by email, or physical prints and framed artwork posted anywhere in Australia.
- All subjects welcome. Individuals, couples, groups, families, pets: if you have a photo, it can be a caricature.
Have a question before ordering? The FAQ page covers common queries about turnaround, photos, formats, and delivery.
Caricature Styles and Pricing
There are four distinct caricature styles available, each at a fixed price with all themes and custom backgrounds included. Here is what you can choose from.
Deluxe Custom Caricature: Signature Exclusive Edition ($450 + GST)
The most detailed caricature in this range. Hand-drawn on a Wacom Cintiq for top-tier quality and a truly standout result. Includes a custom background and any theme of your choice. This is the right option when quality is the priority and you want something genuinely exceptional.
Premium Custom Caricature: Full Colour ($350 + GST)
Full-colour digital caricature created on iPad Pro. Vibrant colours, professional finish, and excellent detail. A great balance of quality and value, and a popular choice for birthday gifts, retirement presents, and corporate use. All themes and a custom background included.
Standard Black and White Caricature ($300 + GST)
Classic black and white with a grey wash, drawn on a Wacom Cintiq. One of the most popular styles: timeless, elegant, and instantly recognisable as a caricature. Suits framing beautifully and works for almost any occasion. All themes included.
Classic Ink Caricature: Black and White Line Work ($250 + GST)
Bold, modern line work created on iPad Pro. Strong black lines with striking detail. A clean, dynamic style that works beautifully for framing or merchandise, and the most accessible price point in the range. All themes included.
Not sure which style suits the occasion? Browse the Customer Caricature of the Week gallery and the Celebrity Caricature of the Week gallery to see the full range across different styles and subjects.
Optional Extras
Once you’ve chosen your caricature style, a number of add-ons are available to make it even more special:
- Canvas prints and quality framed artwork, ready to hang
- Merchandise printing: mugs, totes, mousepads, and more
- 48-hour express turnaround
- Physical prints in A4, A3, and A2
- Additional people or pets added to the same caricature
Why Caricatures Make Such Good Gifts
Most gifts land somewhere between adequate and forgettable. A custom caricature does something different. It’s personal in a way that shows genuine effort. It’s funny in a way that invites people in. And it’s something the recipient will keep, display, and tell a story about for years.
It works for almost every occasion:
- Milestone birthdays: 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and beyond. A caricature that captures who they are is far more memorable than a standard gift card.
- Christmas gifts: personalised, unique, and available with express turnaround for those who leave it to the last minute.
- Retirement presents: a themed caricature celebrating a career, a hobby, or a long-awaited next chapter is something colleagues and friends will genuinely love giving.
- Weddings: bride and groom caricatures are a popular keepsake, and they work beautifully as part of invitations, signage, or gifts for the bridal party.
- Corporate gifts: a caricature of a colleague, a client, or a team member is a considered, creative alternative to the usual corporate gifting options.
- Farewells: when someone leaves a job or moves on, a caricature is the kind of goodbye gift that gets framed and kept.
If your pet is the star of the show, custom pet portraits are also available: hand-drawn illustrations of dogs, cats, birds, and more, in styles ranging from fun and playful to detailed and realistic.
How the Ordering Process Works
The process is straightforward and designed to be easy from start to finish. You can place your order directly through the shop.
- Choose your style. Pick the caricature option that suits your budget and the kind of artwork you’re after.
- Send your photos. Clear, high-resolution photos make a big difference. Good lighting and a direct view of the face work best. The more usable the reference, the more accurate the likeness.
- Share your details. Let David know about any themes, hobbies, props, or personalisation you’d like included. There’s no extra charge for any of this.
- Review your proof. You’ll receive a draft to review before the caricature is finalised. Changes can be requested at this stage.
- Receive your finished caricature. Delivered digitally by email, or as a physical print or framed artwork posted directly to you.
For more detail on any of these steps, the FAQ page has answers to the most common questions about the process.
Custom Caricatures for Corporate Clients
Custom caricatures aren’t just for personal occasions. Corporate clients use them for a wide range of purposes:
- Team or staff portraits for internal communications, websites, and social media
- Gifts for clients, partners, and long-term suppliers
- Farewell gifts for departing team members
- Conference materials, award ceremonies, and event collateral
- Branded merchandise featuring caricatures of team members
David has worked with corporate clients across Australia and understands what businesses need: reliable turnaround, professional communication, and a finished product that reflects well on whoever is giving it. For broader creative work including branding and illustration, the design studio handles logos, print, and digital projects as well.
Live Caricatures for Events
If you’re planning a wedding, a corporate function, a birthday party, or any event where you want something genuinely memorable, a live caricature artist is one of the most engaging entertainment options available. David draws guests on the spot, either on paper or digitally, and the results go home with people as a keepsake they actually keep.
Live event caricatures work particularly well at corporate Christmas parties, milestone birthday celebrations, school formals, and trade show booths. Find out more about live event hire.
Based in Sydney, Delivering Across Australia
David Green is based in Sydney and works with clients from every state and territory. The entire process can be completed remotely: submit your photos online, receive your proof digitally, and get your final artwork by email or post.
Express turnaround options are available for time-sensitive orders. If you’re in the Sydney or Newcastle area and want to discuss a specific project in detail, get in touch directly.
What Customers Say
David’s caricatures have consistently earned five-star reviews from individuals, couples, and corporate clients alike. Customers regularly describe the results as exceeding expectations, capturing the subject’s personality as well as their likeness, and making for some of the best gifts they’ve ever given.
You can read customer reviews and see featured work in the Customer Caricature of the Week gallery. For a look at how David approaches well-known faces, the Celebrity Caricature of the Week gallery is updated regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a custom caricature take?
Standard turnaround varies depending on current workload and the complexity of the piece. A 48-hour express option is available for urgent orders. Check the FAQ page or contact David for current lead times before placing an order if timing is critical.
What kind of photos should I send?
Clear, well-lit photos are best. A straight-on view of the face, good natural lighting, and high resolution will give David the most to work with. Multiple photos from different angles are helpful. Avoid heavily filtered, dark, or blurry images.
Are the caricatures AI-generated?
No. Every caricature is 100% hand-drawn by David Green. No AI tools, no image filters, no stock templates. Each piece is individually illustrated from your photos. You can see examples of real commissions in the gallery.
Can I include a theme or props?
Yes, and there is no extra charge for this. All themes, backgrounds, and custom concepts are included in the fixed price. When you place your order, just tell David what you have in mind.
Can more than one person be included in the same caricature?
Yes. Additional people or pets can be added to a caricature as an optional extra. This is a popular choice for couple portraits, family caricatures, and team illustrations. If you’d prefer a dedicated portrait of a pet, custom pet portraits are available as a separate service.
What do I receive when the caricature is finished?
The finished caricature is delivered as a high-resolution digital file by email. Physical prints (A4, A3, A2), canvas prints, framed artwork, and merchandise are available as optional extras and can be posted anywhere in Australia.
What is the difference between the four caricature styles?
The Deluxe and Standard styles are drawn on a Wacom Cintiq and offer the highest level of detail. The Premium and Classic Ink styles are created on iPad Pro. The Deluxe is full colour at the highest tier of detail. The Premium is full colour with excellent value. The Standard is black and white with grey wash. The Classic Ink is bold black line work. All four include any theme and a custom background.
Order Your Custom Caricature Today
Whether it’s a gift for a milestone birthday, a farewell from the team, or just something genuinely different for someone who deserves it, a hand-drawn caricature from David Green is the kind of thing people remember.
View options and pricing | Order directly from the shop | Get in touch
