A caricature artist in Dubai starts from AED 1,500 for a basic 2 hour booking. The price goes up for longer events, bigger guest lists and more than one artist, and it depends on the artist's experience and on whether you want traditional or digital caricatures. The same starting price applies to events in Abu Dhabi. For an exact figure, send your date, venue, hours and guest count, and you get a written quote.
What changes the price
- Hours. The starting price covers a basic 2 hour booking. A long cocktail hour, a full evening or an exhibition day costs more.
- Number of guests. More guests means more hours or more artists, so the queue never gets too long.
- Number of artists. A solo artist suits an intimate gathering. A high capacity venue or a busy exhibition stand needs a team.
- Format. Traditional pen and paper caricatures and digital caricatures are priced differently, because digital comes with a tablet, a printer and prints.
- The artist's experience. Rates vary with the artist you choose.
Work out the hours from your guest list
A traditional caricature takes about 3 to 5 minutes per person. That is roughly 12 to 20 guests an hour for one artist, or 24 to 40 guests in a 2 hour booking. A digital artist draws about 10 to 15 caricatures an hour. Realistic pencil portraits from a sketch artist take longer than cartoons.
So for a wedding with 150 guests, one artist for 2 hours draws a part of the room, and that is often enough, since not everyone will queue. If you want most guests drawn, book more hours or a second artist. For an exhibition stand, plan around the stand hours rather than a guest count.
What a quote should say
Before you confirm, check that the quote names:
- the number of artists and the exact hours of drawing
- traditional or digital, and black and white or colour
- what goes on the paper or the print template: logo, hashtag, names or the date
- for digital: print sizes (A6 up to A4) and whether the post event video is included
- the setup the artist needs, such as a table, chairs, light and a power socket
Branding and extras
A logo, an event hashtag, names, dates or a short message can be added to every drawing. Custom setups for branding or theming can be arranged. With digital caricatures, prints carry your logo and a post event video with your logo is included. Agree these in the quote, so there are no surprises later.
Getting a fair comparison
When you compare quotes, compare the same things: hours, number of artists, style and branding. A low price for one artist for one hour will not cover a wedding of 200 guests. The planning guide helps you set the brief before you ask.
Ask for a written price
Send the date, the venue, the hours, the guest count and the style you want on WhatsApp or through the quote form. See corporate events and exhibitions or weddings for what each booking looks like.
