Specialism: Caracaturist

A bit about me...
Hi My name is Chris Ryder and I have been an ‘on-the-spot’ caricature artist for nearly ten years. I love drawing fun but speedy cartoons of people. My fascination for drawing faces started when I was very young, as I would sketch members of my family and in particular my Dad when he fell asleep in the armchair at home!! Progressing on to drawing favourite popstars from magazines. I was born in Droylsden in Manchester and I did an advertising and design course on leaving school but then got sidetracked into secretarial work. Drawing was just a hobby for many years and I drew animals, people – all sorts of things and still do!! About this time I wanted to get a degree and took an English Literature Course at Westminster College, Oxford. I ‘emerged’ to become a teacher and taught in primary and special needs schools in Wolverhampton and Telford. I continued to draw and paint and illustrated a children’s book. This was when my drawing became more of a cartoon style. A friend of mine whose husband is a magician, ran an entertainment agency and she suggested I try drawing as a profession. She arranged for me to go to a sixth form ball in Cambridge and I had to draw caricatures of the students. I was thrown in at the deep end but seized the opportunity and became a part-time caricature artist while still working as a teacher. I now draw for a whole range of corporate clients throughout the UK. Also I cartoon at weddings, get to go to some great parties and therefore my career is definitely FUN!! Three years ago I took the decision to go full-time and business has gone from strength to strength. I still enjoy working with children and now do workshops in schools teaching all ages of children and adults too. Combining my love of teaching and my passion for drawing in order to encourage young people to follow a drawing career of their own or just have fun with ART!! It is a great pleasure and honour to work with Oliver Speight , the SP8 Team and encourage art in schools. Best Wishes Chris Ryder Wittypics.