BRAVEHEART star James Cosmo offered to buy his, Prince Charles said he'd hang his in his bathroom, comic Frankie Boyle has had his turned into a postcard, while Rebus author Ian Rankin questioned why he looks quite so glum.
BRAVEHEART star James Cosmo offered to buy his, Prince Charles said he'd hang his in his bathroom, comic Frankie Boyle has had his turned into a postcard, while Rebus author Ian Rankin questioned why he looks quite so glum.
Welcome to the curious world inhabited by the caricature professionals of the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio.
The Mount Vernon-based studio's five artists are preparing to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary with their first major exhibition in Glasgow.
Having injected a sense of humour into the lofty halls of Edinburgh's Scottish National Portrait Gallery back in 2006, the latest incarnation of caricature exhibition Fizzers - the Scots slang for 'face' - opens at the People's Palace this Saturday.
Running for two months, Fizzers: Well-kent Scottish Faces presents images of 70 Scottish icons as you've never seen them before - and 12 of those have not yet gone on public display, including tennis ace Andy Murray, Glasgow's golden boy James McAvoy, business dragon Duncan Bannatyne and Mock The Week star Boyle.
Scottish heartthrob Ewan McGregor has even been given his own wall - as it took one artist Derek Gray around 46 attempts before he finally captured the essence of the Crieff-born Star Wars actor.
"Everybody thinks a caricature is just a big nose and big ears, but that's not the case," said studio owner Chris Somerville, 31.
"It's exaggerated, humorous drawing. If you've got a good sense of humour then you'll love it - it's a bit of fun.
"Our work has been showcased throughout Europe, but not really in Glasgow. To have our work finally showcased in our home town in our 10th anniversary is something special for us."
The studio began life in 1999 at a small King Street studio - and back then its artists would hold regular meetings in the Winter Gardens of the People's Palace.
Founder Chris began doodling after being inspired by drawings by his dad, Tommy - now one of the five artists - who designed for Glaswegian comic book Electric Soup.
Fizzers' 70 famous faces from the worlds of politics, sport, music and TV have each been captured in hand-drawn portraits using traditional media like acrylic or watercolour paints, pencils and ink markers.
The finishing touches are being added to the temporary exhibition space ahead of Saturday's opening.
"Most people think of caricatures and think of things like Spitting Image - our caricatures aren't like that," said studio co-ordinator Terry Anderson, 32, from Springburn, who studied in New Jersey.
"It's a tradition of portraiture that goes back to the Renaissance in 17th century Italy."
- Fizzers: Well Kent Scottish Faces is at the People's Palace and Winter Gardens in Glasgow Green from Saturday until September 28. Admission is free. For info, call 0141 276 0788.
MAUREEN ELLIS ventured into the subject's seat to have her 'fizzer' captured by the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio...
WHILE I'm in no way as precious as Prince Charles' people - "Lay off his ears" was their strict instruction - there's something very daunting about sitting for my first cartoon portrait surrounded by diners in the Winter Gardens.
But when it comes to having your caricature sketched, it transpires that I'm in good company - the female of the species is a lot less scared than the male.
"Men are much more vain than women," says Terry Anderson, as he studies me for a rough pencil outline of my hair and face shape.
"I have never had a woman run away from me like I was coming at them with a knife! Men think it's all about picking out what's wrong with them."
Terry then fills in detail in ink: the Crystal Tips curls and exaggerated Disney eyes come as a flattering surprise, as does the omission of a new cold sore that's sprouted on my lower lip.
"The way I see it," he adds, penning his signature, "I will not put in anything that I know is not going to be there in a week."
A full 'presentation' caricature would normally cost upwards of £95, but visitors to Fizzers who purchase the accompanying book (£9.99) will be able to have a quick sketch of themselves at sessions on July 18 and 21, August 11 and 15, and September 12, 19 and 26 from noon until 2pm.
It's part of a series of complementary events, which also include informal tours of the exhibition, fun caricature sessions for children aged over eight years-old, and drawing masterclasses for adults.
 kt Tunstall |  David Tennant |  Sean Connery | ||
 Frankie Boyle |  Nicola Sturgeon |  Billy Connolly |
