ISCAcon32 Award Categories

Live Competitions: Participants in live competitions are responsible for supplying their own drawing tables, boards, etc. ISCA will provide chairs ONLY for these competitions.

Likeness Competition

(A warm up round, and three 10-minute official rounds) In each round, artists will have 10 minutes to draw the same subject. Paper size should be no larger than 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) by 16 inches (40.6 centimeters). Artists participating in the Likeness Competition are prohibited from adding bodies/gags to their drawings. Head and shoulders ONLY. The focus of this particular competition is getting really great LIKENESS while maintaining the defining qualities of caricature. Following each round, artists must write their competition number on each caricature and they will be hung on a designated wall space by Board members. Following the third round, Professional Members will have 20 minutes to vote on their favorite rendition of each subject. 

Speed aka World’s Fastest Caricaturist

TBD - Coming soon!

Live Event Style
Competitors will have 30 minutes to draw live subjects in a party/event atmosphere. Competitors may draw in whatever style they want — black and white, color, heads-only, heads & bodies, digital*, any size — though it’s suggested they work in whatever style/setup best reflects their own live drawing setup. Artists must write their competition number on each caricature. After the heat is over, artists have 10 minutes to hang their art on their wall. All Professional Members are encouraged to vote, whether they participated in the competition or not. The artist with the most votes wins. Voting ends sharply after 1 hour. Voting criteria includes: Number of caricatures completed, likeness, artistic merit, humor and personalization.

*artists must provide their own printer, ISCA will not print out artwork drawn digitally. 

Main Ballot:

FB Contest Winner
Attending members vote on their single favorite drawing from all of the first place winners of the ISCA Members Facebook Contest (those won between 11/20/22 and 11/16/23). The recipient is given a free one year Professional Membership to ISCA.

Best Live/Retail Portfolio

This year, Retail Portfolio submissions must be brought as physical printouts held together in some sort of binder or folder and must be contained in a single volume. Portfolios should be no larger than 16 x 22 inches (40 x 55 cm). The portfolio should contain pieces that best represent the artists’ live work from 2023 (live work is defined as any caricature created in a retail or gig setting). Reference images of the subjects MUST be included. 

Outstanding Body Situation

Outstanding Body Situation is awarded for the most interesting, humorous or innovative use of the full figure of the subject(s). When voting, be sure to consider drawings of individuals, as well as groups, while keeping in mind a focus on the figure. 

Most Humorous 

Awarded for exceptional use of humor in caricature. When voting, consider, does it make you laugh?

Outstanding Monochromatic Technique is awarded for exceptional use of black and white, grayscale or monochrome technique in caricature. When voting, consider line quality and/or use of black and white or single color values.

Outstanding Color Technique is awarded for exceptional understanding and application of color theory in caricature. When voting, consider how color and color theory concepts are used to enhance likeness, exaggeration, and overall composition of a piece.

Outstanding Abstract/Minimalist Technique
Less is more. When voting, consider how minimal use of line, simplified shapes or abstract forms can successfully be used to convey a strong likeness. 

Outstanding Exaggerated Style is awarded for exceptional use of exaggeration in caricature. By definition, a piece cannot be a caricature without exaggeration. When voting, consider how the exaggerations used by the artist enhance the likeness. Does this advance the art form into new and exciting directions?

Outstanding 3D Technique is awarded for exceptional use of a three dimensional technique in caricature. This may include but is not limited to clay, foam or paper sculptures, stuffed fabric or puppets, found object assemblages, etc. When voting, consider form and material.

Outstanding Cartoon Style is awarded for exceptional use of cartooning technique in caricature. When voting, consider the use of character design, cartoon and comic book illustration techniques.

Ismael Roldan/First Time Competitor

Any first time IN-PERSON con competitor is eligible for First Time Competitor (if your first time competing was at ISCAcon29: Mailbox Mayhem, or VIRTUALLY at ISCAcon30: Las Vegas, you will still qualify for this award). First Time Competitors will be designated with a green dot next to their wall number. When voting, consider the wall/body of work of all the first time competitors and choose your favorite.

Best Studio Piece
Participants may submit their single best studio piece that was made in the past year. The subject of the studio piece does NOT need to be an ISCA member. Voting is subjective, pick one that speaks to you!

Top 10 Caricatures of the Year
When voting, this really can be your favorite caricature. What do you consider the most impactful? Does it have all the elements of what you consider to be a great caricature?

Top 10 Caricaturists of the Year (Noseys)
When voting, consider the artist’s entire wall/body of work and vote on who you think deserves to be the winner of the prestigious Golden Nosey.

Judges and Drawing:

EF Article Submission
Members who have submitted an article to EF in the past year will have their name put into a random drawing. The winner of the drawing is given a free year of membership to ISCA

Guest of Honor’s Choice Award

A single winner chosen at the discretion of our Guest of Honor, TBA.