The CariCature Shop: Adding that missing oomph to average portraits

Portraits are no longer in demand, instead people prefer specific features in fun caricatures.

KARACHI: Where most artists struggle to make money, there is Ramish Safa who shows you exactly how it is done.

He started doodling when he was two but it was not until he turned 22 that he figured out how to make a career of his passion. Safa, a business graduate from the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), used his degree to help him develop the art of selling. And now at the young age of 27, Safa is the proud owner of The CariCature Shop.

“It’s a purely, purely commercial venture,” he tells The Express Tribune. “People come with zero expectations but, when I draw their exaggerated versions, they are way too satisfied.”

Safa admits that being an artist can be tricky business in Pakistan.

“People think art can’t be sold in Pakistan. But they must know that it can be sold as a commodity and when they will know it, they won’t stop,” he claims.

Three years and counting
The CariCature Shop started business three years ago and, according to Safa, this is why it does so well,

“Photos are not that memorable,” he says. “People click as many as 1,100 photos to capture a single moment and I believe that moment loses its exclusivity.”

As for caricatures, they are an exaggerated cartoon of you.

“What you actually imagine takes over my thinking,” he explains, adding that he lets his clients guide him as they prefer. “There is an assortment of caricatures that I have drawn, from astronauts and super heroes to chefs, fighter-pilots and footballers. In these assortments, whatever you want, happens.”

Nevertheless, a tinge of narcissism is necessary for a good caricature, says Safa.

“It will boost your imagination and allow me to draw wildly. “It’s opened up a Pandora’s Box for everyone! The bridal couple does not want to play safe [anymore].”

Safa’s business caters to weddings as well. He says that for most people portraits are no longer in demand, instead people prefer explaining specific features they want in their caricatures. Nearly 80% of his customers are women, he adds.

“They really enjoy this art form and love to present it to their friends and life partners,” he says.

Competition is fierce

“For an art cartoonist, drawing a caricature is easy,” admits Safa. “A couple of artists are involved in doing caricatures now. But for one to stay ahead of their game and push that boundary, I insist that one needs to take a major leap in terms of understanding the art form completely.”

Safa has also managed to create a niche for his caricatures as unique gifts. “After perfumes, tie-pins, chocolate boxes, these are the next big things. People enjoy caricatures every time they place an order for a loved one or for themselves.”

A little pricey at Rs3,000 per head, this caricaturist already has orders piling up.


For budding cartoonists, Safa also offers classes on the art of making caricatures via an online portal called School of Skills. In the last two years, he has already tutored 130 students and even gives personal tuitions to a few people.