Custom Cartoon Busts & Caricature Sculptures
Heads and shoulders, exaggerated for character but still plainly the person — made from your photos for reception areas, studios, awards and gifts.
A caricature works when you can still name the person. Head size, stance and expression are pushed for character, while the features that make someone recognisable — the set of the eyes, the nose profile, the hairline — are kept faithful.
Below: what each scale costs and how long it takes, where a piece that size belongs, and what each material means for how long it lasts.
Size — Material — Price
| Size | FRP Fibreglass | Stainless Steel — for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2.0 m | $900–$5,900 | $2,500–$40,000 |
| 2.0–3.0 m | $5,000–$15,000 | $15,000–$28,000 |
| 3.0 m + | $15,000–$150,000+ | $55,000–$350,000+ |
* This price is for rough reference only; a detailed quote will be provided based on the specific details of each project.
What Size, And In What Finish?
Fibreglass, And What It Is Compared Against
FRP fibreglass — the material we build in
Layered glass-fibre in a mould over an internal steel frame, then multi-layer automotive paint with hand-painted detail and a UV clear coat. It is the only material here that reproduces an exact colour, and above 1.5 m it typically costs 50–70% less than stainless steel for the same shape. Outdoor life is 15–20 years before the coat needs refreshing; a good workshop will warrant it for up to 30.
Stainless steel — for comparison only
Fabricated and welded from sheet and tube rather than moulded. It lasts 50+ years outdoors with no recoating, which is genuinely better than fibreglass, and it is competitive on smooth geometric forms. Where it loses is colour and likeness, and detailed stainless work runs 2.5–4 times the fibreglass price. We list it so you can see the trade-off; we do not fabricate it.
True bronze — for comparison only
Bronze is coloured with a chemical patina rather than paint, so it cannot reproduce a specific coat or shirt colour. We still cast it for memorial work; it is listed here so you can see why it is the wrong tool for a cartoon sculpture.
Cold-cast resin — for comparison only
Bronze powder in resin, hand-painted, indoor only, and it cannot be re-patinated. We list it so you can recognise it, not so you can buy it: our smallest pieces are 1.5 m.
What every quote states
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If a quote omits any of these, ask.
Cartoon Bust Commissions
Cartoon Bust & Caricature FAQ
How do you keep the likeness while making it cartoon?
We exaggerate proportion, not identity. Head size, stance and expression are pushed for character, while the set of the eyes, the nose profile and the hairline stay faithful. You approve the 3D model before anything is built, so you see exactly how far the exaggeration has gone.
Can you work from an old or low-resolution photograph?
Usually yes. A front-facing portrait plus a three-quarter profile gives enough information. Where the photograph is weak or the face is small, we say so before you commit.
Can a bust be installed outdoors?
Yes. A fibreglass bust is built for permanent outdoor installation on a plinth of your choosing, and we supply the fixing detail. We would use stainless fixings near the coast even though the piece itself is fibreglass.
Can you include a logo, uniform or company colour?
Yes, and this is what fibreglass is for. Automotive-grade urethane reproduces a specific brand colour, a uniform detail or a badge precisely — a metal patina cannot.
How much does a bust cost?
A 0.8–1.2 m fibreglass bust is the cheapest format we make, and a 1.5 m piece including its plinth usually lands in the $1,500–$4,900 band. The face is the most expensive part of any commission.
Do you offer smaller indoor keepsakes?
No. We build at scale only — our smallest pieces are 1.5 m. Cold-cast resin appears on our materials page for comparison only, so you can see why a painted resin piece is not right for a large outdoor installation.
What should a quote include?
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If any of these is missing, ask — they are where a low quote hides its cost.