Caricatures
NYHenna
Payment



Caricatures
Q: What is a caricature?
A: A caricature is an exaggeration of a person's characteristics - a drawing that is funny, yet captures an individual's personality - like a cartoon.

Q: Do you also create realistic portraits that are not caricatures?
A: Yes, I am a painter as well as a caricaturist. I am also available for portraits in oil, ink, watercolor, or pastel. Please contact me to talk about your specific request.

Q: Are you good? Will the caricature really look like the person sitting there?
A: YES. I am very good, I promise. I have a keen eye. I look closely at the person sitting before me to capture every nuance that makes his or her character unique.

Q: Will you really be able to finish all the people you say you will in the allotted time?
A: I am very fast, and get faster as the day or night of the party goes on. I usually draw even a few more people per hour than I quote.

Q: What if my child can't sit for the duration of the sketch?
A: I have sketched hundreds of squirming babies, curious toddlers, and the like. I am very patient with my 'models'. No sitter must remain perfectly still - I can even draw a child while he or she is walking around.

Q: Do you draw caricatures on t-shirts or anything other than paper?
A: I sell t-shirts, magnets, mouse pads, notepads, tote bags, among other items on which a caricature can be printed. See PRODUCT & SERVICES for specific information.

Q: Do you usually take numbers or require any special order for guests to have their caricatures drawn?
A: No, I do not recommend a specific order for guests to sit for a sketch- this usually complicates the drawing process. Once I start to draw one person, a few more usually crowd around. The crowd comes and goes and changes throughout the event so that by the end of my time there, I have drawn every guest who wants a sketch.

Q: What happens if you have to stay longer than the planned time slot to draw everybody who wants a sketch?
A: At the end of the time slot, I will ask you whether you want me to stop exactly at the end of the pre-estimated time. If you want me to extend over the time slot, I will continue and charge you a fee prorated to my set rate.

Q: At parties for children, bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, etc., do the adults usually want sketches also?
A: The adults almost always want sketches too, but it is up to you whether you want to set a rule for drawing children/teens only. Most often I start the event by announcing that I'll draw the children/teens only. If there is any time left, I will draw the adults who want sketches as well.

Q: I am having a party with 300 people and it would take you too long to finish all my guests, what should I do?
A: From my experience, not every person will want a sketch. Those eager to be sketched will have the opportunity to sit for a caricature. By the end of the event, every person who really wants a drawing will have a caricature to take home. If you would like more than one caricaturist at your event, I can bring another artist for an additional fee.

Q: How far in advance do you usually book parties?
A: As soon as you know the date choose caricatures for your event, contact me to reserve the date. Although I often book parties months in advance, I also book parties last minute. So, never hesitate to call me and ask if I am free!

Q: At which point of the party do you usually arrive?
A: For a formal event such as a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, sweet sixteen, etc., I usually arrive at the beginning of the cocktail hour, and move into the main dining room as the party progresses. For a child's birthday or smaller party, I like to arrive about one half hour after the party has begun, to make sure that all the guests have arrived.

Q: What will you need on the day of my event?
A: All I will need is an edge of a table, two chairs, and enough light so that I can see- a spot light is NOT necessary. If you have ordered a sign in board, I will need an easel for display.

Q: Are the other caricaturists you send as good as Rebecca?
A: Although no two artists have exactly the same style, Rebecca has carefully chosen artists whose caricatures are similar to her lighthearted, complimentary, and accurate sketches. We will be happy to email you samples of an artist's work upon request.

^top

HENNA
Q: What is henna body art?
A: Henna body art is the tradition of handpainting designs on the skin with a natural paste, made from the henna plant which stains the skin a nice deep reddish brown. The ancient form of henna body art has been used in North Africa & West Africa, the Mid-East & Southeast Asia. The tradition of henna body decoration is most frequently associated with JOYOUS celebrations, particularly wedding ceremonies & GOOD LUCK.

Q: Is mehndi the same as henna?
A: Yes, the word henna is the Arabic name for the plant whose botanical name is lawsonia indermis. The name mehandi or mehndi is the Hindi name for the same plant. Since the tradition of henna spans a variety of cultures, there are several names for what we call henna body art.

Q: What is henna made of?
A: Henna is the name of a plant. The leaves from the henna plant are dried, ground into a powder, and mixed with essential oils and lemon juice to make the henna paste used to paint henna designs on the skin.

Q: Is henna a real tattoo, is it permanent, does it hurt?
A: No, henna is not a tattoo at all, but has been called a temporary tattoo for lack of a better translation to American culture. Henna body art is temporary & painless. Henna contains cooling properties that feel quite nice & soothing on the skin- similar to the feeling of herbal face masque).

Q: Do you use black henna? What is black henna?
A: We DO NOT use black henna. We only use 100& natural henna dye mixed with lemon juice & essential oils which stains your skin a dark reddish brown. So called black henna (which is not henna at all, but chemical black dye used in hair dyes) often contains a toxic chemical Paraphenylenediamine, or PPD which can seriously injure people by causing itching, chemical burns, and potentially cancer.

Q: How long will my henna take to dry?
A: The henna paste will take approximately 20 minutes to dry (depending on the humidity & temperature). After the paste is dry, it will become hard & crusty, and you should leave the paste on for at least two hours (we recommend 4-6 hours) before flaking the paste off. Once the past has flaked off, the paste will have stained your skin a reddish brown, which will get darker over night.

Q: How long will my henna last?
A: Your henna will last approximately two weeks depending on how well you take care of your henna, where on your body it has been painted (hands & feet absorb the henna dye best), and your skin chemistry. Moisturizing your henna with massage or baby oil, or dabbing it with lemon juice will help your henna last longer while exfoliating, shaving, & swimming in chlorine pools will face the henna design sooner.

Q: Do men like henna body art too?
A: Henna is not just for women! Men often request henna designs too. We have traditional henna designs, tribal designs, as well as designs which are more like permanent tattoos- for people who are contemplating getting the real thing! Some customers have liked their henna SO much that they have gone to the tattoo parlor to get a REAL tattoo painted right over their henna.

Q: Is henna only for younger people?
A: Henna is great for all ages. We have done many family parties, where everybody from little kids to grandparents lined up to have a beautiful henna design painted on them.

Q: Is henna a good idea for kid's parties?
A: Henna is GREAT for children's parties! It's a unique alternative to facepainting, you even get a little more BANG FOR YOUR BUCK as henna body art can last for two weeks.

Q: What if I want my guests to choose only simple designs so that the NYHenna artist can paint as many people as possible in the allotted time?
A: Prior to the event date, you will have the opportunity to choose from our designs books in person, or via fax.

Q: What if I want a special henna design that's not in the design book?
A: If you our your guest does not see a design they like in our design books, a NYHenna artist can easily create a custom henna design on the spot!

Q: Can henna cause an allergic reaction?
A? It is very unusual for henna to cause an allergic reaction with the skin, however it IS possible. Henna is one of the safest cosmetics out there, as it is 100% natural. We cannot guarantee that a person will not develop an allergic reaction to the henna dye.

Payment

Q: Do I have to pay sales tax?
A: NYSKETCHES is a New York based company, and we are required to collect sales tax on all of our services. If you are tax exempt, we require a copy of your exemption certificate. In this case, email, or fax your tax exemption form and we will deduct the sales tax from your bill.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Payment is non-refundable. In the unfortunate event that you must cancel (ex. your child is sick, your picnic is rained out), you may re-schedule for another date provided that an artist is available.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes, we accept Mastercard, Visa, & Discover cards.

Q: Do you require a deposit?
A: Yes, we require a 50% deposit to reserve a specific date, time slot, & artist, or to begin a custom project. For parties serviced by all artists other than Rebecca, full payment must be received prior to the event date. For parties serviced by Rebecca, balance may be paid on event date. For custom projects, balance may be paid upon receipt of final product.

^top