Customer Reviews

REJECTS: the Extreme Art of Retail Caricature

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I recently got in to caricature and had heard whispers of Joe Bluhm on a couple of forums. They were saying he was the guy who could push the envelope to the utmost extreme while staying within salable reason. And, as you will see in the book, he does just that... most of the time.

Joe pushes his drawings right to the tipping point. Think of it like a bucket of water. Most professional caricaturists are able to draw to about a quarter inch below the brim. Maybe even to the brim, but rarely ever do. Joe fills it to the point of no return -- so much so there's a slight arc of the water as it hangs in equilibrium, about to spill. If you were to add a drop more, it would collapse. No other artist that I've seen can get it to that point.

The expressions and likenesses are pushed just ever-so-slightly more than even the most extreme caricaturists would dare. The coloring bold and magnificent. Some of the pictures border on offensive, a couple too damn cute, yet pushed right to the edge of exaggeration, you don't know if you should laugh or wish the kid was your own.

Definitely buy this book. It's absolute hilarity and a bargain at it's price.

Joe Bluhm's new book entitled "Rejects - the extreme art of retail caricature" is a must have for anyone who loves caricature...every page a gem!!

Although a majority of these drawings were rejected by their subjects (sitters had absolutely no clue what they were walking away from) they are the finest examples of the best retail caricaturist working in the world today.

Give yourself a gift and make sure you pick up a copy, you certainly will not be disappointed!!!

Rejects is all it is promised to be. These caricatures really capture the subjects personality and outstanding features whether they like it or not. Most people really don't like their bad features pointed out especially for the world to see, which is why they probably rejected the artist's rendition in the first place. If you are an artist you can appreciate these interpretations.

I recently joined the National Caricaturist Network ([...]) and among the many many talented individuals who make up the membership, Joe Blum stands out as one of the absolute best. Joe combines awesome artistic ability with a twisted knack for nailing the individuals who sit for him.

A good caricature is well drawn combining a likeness with humor and sometimes warmth. A great caricature includes a spark that leaves a little bit of that individual and their life in the caricature.

The caricatures in Rejects are unmistakably art, not just "funny drawings". The monologue shares a lot of insight and advice about retail caricaturing as well as human nature and life.

A great coffee table book to enjoy over and over again.

I recommend this book to anyone who has ever laughed out loud and would like to do so again!

I worked with Joe for many years drawing caricatures at a theme park in Orlando, and have had the privilege of witnessing him draw first hand. I can honestly say that he has no fear when it comes to his craft. While many of us would back down from drawing that strange looking woman in our chair the way we truly wanted to (for fear of rejection, bodily harm, or perhaps both), Joe would create a grotesque masterpeice with every sketch and display it proudly.

His boldness has paid off. This collection of under-appreciated park sketches is almost as fun and inspiring as watching Joe draw in person.

Great for artists or anyone with a sense of humor!

I bought this book a few months ago, and it rules! It's full of awesome caricature drawings, by an obviously highly skilled artist.

If you like caricature art, you can't go wrong with this one. I have shown this book to a lot of my friends and they all love it!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This book is a great look into the mind and talent of the insanely talented illlustrator, Joe Bluhm. Joe is now a successful freelance illustrator, but the pieces in this book show what an amazing themepark caricaturist he was for many years. NOT your typical caricaturist at all, Joe manages to do extreme exaggeration in his pictures, while still keeping a likeness. Most of the pieces in this book were rejected by the customers, hence the title, but it's pretty evident that it was because of the customers' vanity issues. They simply couldn't handle true, EXTREME caricature. As the author of a how to draw caricatures book myself, Let's Toon Caricatures, I highly recommend Joe's book. Caricature is a fascinating art, and there are an infinite number of styles to draw caricatures in. The styles I cover in my book are more cartoony and abstract, while Joe's style is more extreme. But I recommend people to look at all the styles..it can only help you grow as an artist. Buy this book yourself, and you too will see that Joe is a true master of the art form of caricature.

This book is NOT for you if your desire is to learn step by step, how to draw caricatures for fun or profit. Having said that, if you are interested in seeing the work of a master caricature artist, Joe Bluhm is your man!

Among his peers, Joe Bluhm doesn't just stand "head and shoulders" he's in the stratosphere miles above your head. This book is packed with real life theme park exaggerated caricatures so awesomely grotesque, that the potential buyers rejected them!

Not because the caricatures were "bad" but because they were too good! When done correctly, an extreme caricature brings out the true facial features and personality of the subject by virtue of their amplification. Joe is a master at this and each page is a testimony to his technique and brilliance.

Unlike most caricature books, where the artist demonstrates, one approach, Joe shows such individuality ad diversity, that you can tell he is not imposing a style on each individual face in a "cookie cutter" fashion, but truly looking, and relating to the subject on the spot.

In addition to the beautifully grotesque caricatures, his color technique should not be overlooked. Upon close inspection there is much to be learned about shading, and layering.

If one is to learn from this book, my suggestion is to simply copy what you see. This Is a traditional, tried and true method for studying any masters work, and as I've stated, Joe is a recognized one even among his peers.

I love this book! As an artist interested in caricature art, this book is a pleasure to look at. I would recommend it for any artist or anyone looking for a good laugh.

Joe's book is amazing. Great for anyone that does caricatures or has an interest in them. My wife got one of the first ones off the press for me. Having done these at a local amusement park here in Ohio for several years, I'm so impressed with Joe's work. He definitely stretches his caricatures to the limit. What a talent. Wish I had half the talent. Great book Joe!