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A caricature is a portrait, painting or cartoon that exaggerates or distorts certain features of a person or item to generate an easily identifiable visual similarity.

Caricatures can be discourteous or complimentary and can serve a political point or be drawn solely for entertainment. Caricatures of politicians are commonly used in editorial cartoons, whereas caricatures of movie stars are often found in entertainment magazines.

The word is derived from the Italian caricare- to charge or load. Thus, the word “caricature” essentially means a “loaded portrait”. Strictly speaking , the term refers only to depictions of real-life people, and not to cartoon fabrications of fictional characters.

However the world-renowned animator Walt Disney claimed that his animation work could be likened to caricature, saying the most difficult thing to do was find the caricature of an animal that worked best as a human-like character.

One of the earliest instances of a caricature has been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii where a graffiti caricature of a politician had been carved on a wall.

Moving forward nearly 1500 years but remaining in Italy, Leonardo da Vinci was an dynamic proponent of the art. He actually sought out people with some kind of deformity to use as models.

The purpose of a caricature was to offer an impression of the original which was more striking than a portrait. Diodemmar Casem, one of the great early exponents, claimed to be able to sum up a person in ? three or four strokes of the pen?.

Caricature experienced its first successes in the closed aristocratic circles of France and Italy, where such portraits would be passed about for mutual satisfaction.

Mary Darley was one of the first professional caricaturists in England and about 1762 published the first book of caricature drawing in England – A Book of Caricaturas

However, the two greatest exponents of the art of the caricature in the 18th century were Thomas Rowlandson and James Gillray. Their styles of output were in great contrast. Rowlandson was the more artistic of the two and took his inspiration from the public at large.

Gillray, on the other hand, was more interested in the political scene and used his art to lampoon political life. Being contemporaries they became great friends and used to spend a great deal of time getting drunk in the taverns of London.

In drawing a caricature the caricaturist can choose to either gently mock or cruelly wound his subject. Drawing caricatures can merely be a form of entertainment and amusement ? in which case gentle mockery is in order ? or the art can be employed to make a significant social or political objective.

A caricaturist draws on (1) the natural characteristics of the subject (the big ears, long nose, etc.); (2) the acquired individuality (stoop, scars, facial lines etc.); and (3) the vanities (choice of hair style, spectacles, clothes, expressions and mannerisms).

Although caricaturists like Gillray raised a lot of controversy in the 18th century by their portrayal of the Royal family and especially George III, it was nothing compared to the present day uproar in the Muslim world brought about by cartoons caricaturing the prophet Mohammed. So the contemporary day caricaturist continues in the satirical mode of his illustrious predecessors.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on many topics but is presently concerned with Kitty Cannon 3. If you would like to read more, please go over to our web site entitled Kitten Cannon 3.

Racing is the most exciting part of owning a radio controlled car for most RC car enthusiasts. There are millions of RC car racing enthusiasts, so it is normal that a number of different types of racing have developed, but the two main variances are on-road and off-road racing.

Whichever aspect of RC car racing interests you the most, there are several items that everyone has to do to get ready for a race. The rest of this article will discuss some facets of racing your radio controlled car.

We will assume that you already have the best model car that you can afford, so the first thing to do when preparing for a race is choose the tyres to match the conditions, exactly as they would in a full-size car race.

The tyres employed for on and off road racing are different and the tyres used for a dry or a wet road are not the same too, so you will need at least two sets of tyres and you will have to practice changing them quickly at pit stops.

Most serious on-road RC car racing is done with models of real cars like Lamborghinis, Porches, Ferraris and Aston Martins leading the way. Others like to use Formula One style cars. Off-road scrambling is normally done with trucks, heavier models that can get a better grip on the landscape.

So, the faster, lighter cars are built for speed and need a smoother surface to run on. The surfaces used vary from a length of regular concrete or tarmac road that has been closed off for the day to a purpose built racing circuit of concrete or tarmac. Off-road vehicles are raced or scrambled anywhere, the rougher the better.

These conditions also have an effect on the scale to a certain extent. Racing RC cars tend to be the smaller 1/10 th scale, whereas off-road trucks tend to be built to the slightly larger 1/8 th scale, because they need the weight for increased traction.

However, contemporary developments have seen the increase in popularity of monster 1/5 th scale tucks and cars with real miniature petrol engines in them.

Standard two-wheel drive is sufficient for racing, although some racers do prefer four-wheel disk. However, four-wheel drive is more or less indispensable for all terrain racing. It is also better in wet and icy conditions, exactly like the real thing.

Fuel is an important consideration. Most speed racing cars run on nitro. It burns very fast and produces high acceleration, but you have to stop and refill frequently in a long race. Some racers prefer petrol, particularly in the larger, off-road trucks.

Petrol is not so ‘violent’ as nitro and it goes further. This means fewer pit stops. It also causes less wear and tear on the engine. Petrol engines do not break down as often as nitro engines. The parts are sturdier as well.

Maintenance is a big aspect of RC car racing, but it is more important the smaller your car is and nitro engines require the most maintenance of all. This is not difficult for many enthusiasts, in fact, they like taking their car apart and rebuilding it, but you might not. Maintenance is a factor to bear in mind when choosing an RC racing car.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

Everybody knows that you have to practice to learn how to do something better. This goes for reading, writing, playing chess and martial arts. Especially in aggressive sports like martial arts, because you can be hurt, if you are not more proficient than your opponent. The most fierce kind of martial art is mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts is a mixture of all the other martial arts, so it permits the fighter to use the best techniques from all the martial arts he or she knows. This equals that it is unlikely that any two fighters will have exactly the same styles even if they have the same techers. In order to train properly, it is crucial to use the correct clothing, safety gear and tools or weapons.

In fact, artificial weapons are not allowed in mixed martial arts, you may only use your body and limbs. However, there are also training items like punch ball, punch bag and blocking pads. However, precisely what you require, relies on which martial arts you use in your mode of mixed martial arts.

Most students of mixed martial arts learn judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, karate and wrestling. Some also learn aikido, kung fu and tae kwon do. This first thing that you will require is a gi, if you are practicing a traditional Eastern martial art.

The gi is the well-known white judo jacket, trousers and belt. Do not try to save money on these garments as they require to be tough to withstand grapples and throws that would tear low-priced clothing.

Women will need an equally tough training bra and men will need a box for lower protection. In mixed martial arts, it is normal to wear open fingered gloves. These allow the fighter to grip the adversary and supply protection from minor cuts and scratches, while not encumbering in the least. Therefore, they need to be totally flexible.

The punch bag is great for a heavy cardio work out. It should weigh at least 100 pounds and be five-six feet long by 12-18 inches in diameter. You can fill it with sand and suspend it from a rafter in the garage so that it roughly resembles an adversary. The punch bag is ideal for working on heavy punches and fast kicks.

The fighters in mixed martial arts bouts wear shorts not the gi, so women wear a sports bra and most men wear a box too. These items of clothing should be strong because your adversary will use them to throw you, so you cannot afford to stint on these garments.

It is prudent to protect your teeth by wearing a gum-shield and, in training at least, you ought to wear a helmet. It is a good idea to get approval for the type of protective gear that you are thinking of wearing particularly if you are new to mixed martial arts.

These easiest locale to shop for these items and the equipment that you will require is probably in your gym as they will make certain that it is of the necessary standard. Once you understand what you require, you will find it cheaper to shop for it online.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a variety of topics, but is now concerned with Mixed Martial Arts Training Gyms. If you would like to know more, please go to our website at Mixed Martial Arts Quotes

Like all new pastimes, mountain biking can become fairly confusing for the beginner, especially if you have never bought a bike before. However, when you have the bike you may like to buy some accessories in order to enhance your biking experience. This is one more minefield for the beginner.

The first things to purchase are those that will expand your safety, your comfort and your pleasure. Not all the accessories are costly and most of them are quite obvious, but here is a list of the most indispensable accessories for the beginner mountain bike rider.

Crash Helmet: the biking crash helmet is not the same as a motorbike crash helmet, because the speeds concerned are not as high. However, a tumble at 15-20 MPH may still get fairly significant and even fatal.

Most of the significant biking injuries are head injuries. The biking crash helmet is the same as is worn by Olympic riders and competitors in the Tour de France, so they are up to the job. Do not fail to get a helmet of decent quality or you may just as well not bother.

Riding Gloves: no matter what weather you cycle in, gloves are useful. If the weather is hot, the gloves will absorb your perspiration and help you keep a good grip on the handlebars. If the weather is cold, they will protect you from the cold and maintain some feeling in your fingers.

Not only that, but it is standard practice to hold your hands out in case of a tumble, so the hands are frequently injured and fingers can get broken. Decent mountain bike gloves will go a long way to protecting you from these ordinary accidents.

Cycling Shorts: these are not definitely crucial, but they will absorb perspiration and protect you if you come off your bike. It depends on the weather and how much you would like to exert yourself really. In colder weather, you might prefer to wear a track suit, whereas you could wear the shorts in the summer.

Cycling Shoes: these again are not absolutely necessary, but cycling shoes are more comfortable for cyclists than general trainers. The grips on pedals can be quite rough, so you will need shoes with a tougher sole than normal so that you do not notice the grip dig into you.

The toe part ought to be toughened as well, because cyclists often scuff the toes of their shoes when kicking off and crashing. You may like some ankle support as well.

Eye Protection: if you are cycling at speed or on a narrow mountain trail, it could be disastrous to get a blinding flash or an insect in your eye. A glint of bright light off glass or a lake or a fly in the eye, can cause you to crash or come off the route and take a significant fall, which could become very serious if you are in a distant region.

Water Bottle: you will need to keep drinking water if you are exerting yourself. Stay hydrated so that you stay strong. You do not want to pass out or be forced to drink polluted river water.

Puncture Repair Kit: let’s face it, punctures happen and nuts wear loose, so it is important to have a repair kit and a couple of spanners so that you do not get caught out.

Mobile Phone: a mobile phone will get you out of difficulty if the worst come to the worst.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a number of subjects, but is now concerned with Top Cruiser Bicycles. If you would like to know more, please go over to our website at Sports Current Events.

There are radios that are especially for tracking the weather. Not everybody needs one of these dedicated devices, although we are all fascinated by the weather. However, the amount of information given out by most radio stations is sufficient for the majority of us. So what sort of people would profit from a so-called weather radio?

Weather radios are most appropriate for people living in areas where extremes of weather can and do occur on fairly a ordinary basis. If the area where you live is subject to hurricanes, tornadoes and flash floods or even severe storms, you are a likely candidate for a dedicated weather radio. Especially if you have to travel away from home when an extreme weather event may take place.

All radio stations give weather news and weather warnings, but not all radio stations will suspend a programme to give ’stop press’ updates on approaching severe weather conditions. It is the same with television stations, not all of them will suspend the highlight film of the evening to report on an impending storm. Some of the smaller stations are not even subscribed to these types of weather reporting services.

However, it is not only people who live in regions of possible extreme weather who might benefit from these weather radios. People who carry out specialist activities and certain jobs require more specialized weather reports as well. For example, deep sea fishermen, sailors, farmers, mountaineers, hikers and backwoodsmen have to know if severe weather is on the way.

A lot of weather radios are not only capable of broadcasting news about the weather. Many of them have a built-in AM/FM radio too and some will even act as alarm clocks. Some are mains only, while others are battery powered, wind-up or solar powered.

Some are large, but most are intended to be carried easily in a regular backpack and may have earphones too so that you can listen to a transmission during a howling gale.

If you are just sitting at home, you may feel safe enough with the local television or radio station on, but if you have to go outside whilst there is a risk of awful weather, a weather radio is very comforting.

There are loads of kinds and styles of weather radio to suit all needs, but a battery or wind up radio are the safest if you are away from a mains power source such as at sea or in the forest.

You will be able to find weather radios in a good number adventure or camping shops and in many chandlers. It is also straightforward to find these specialized radios on line especially on eBay or Amazon.

Weather radios are not dear to buy, but some models can eat up batteries so always take a couple of extra sets of batteries if you are going off the trodden track.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is currently involved with Bose Radioss. If you would like to kcurrently more, please visit our web site at Bose Digital Radio.