In this guide
A caricature artist and a drawing robot both give guests something to watch and a drawing to take home. The experience around that drawing is what differs.
Choose Robo Portraits for a live drawing attraction guests can gather around, with a personal pen portrait to take home. Our attendant takes a quick photo, the guest picks a style, and a robot draws the portrait in pen while friends watch.
Choose a caricature artist when one particular artist’s style and conversation are what you want at the centre.
Robot portraits vs caricature artist at a glance
| What matters | Robo Portraits | Live caricature artist |
|---|---|---|
| Main experience | Watch a robot turn a photo into a pen drawing | Sit or stand with an artist while they interpret and draw you |
| Human interaction | Attendant helps guests; the robot is the attraction | Direct interaction with the person creating the drawing |
| Drawing style | Guest chooses from the available portrait styles | Defined largely by the individual artist’s style |
| Takeaway | Physical pen-drawn portrait | Usually a hand-drawn portrait; exact format depends on the artist |
| What others watch | Robot arm and pen creating the portrait | Artist drawing and interacting with the guest |
| Capacity | Plan around about 22 portraits per robot-hour | Ask the specific artist for realistic faces per hour |
| Scaling up | 1–3 robots; approximately 45 / 90 / 130 portraits over two hours | May require additional artists; confirm availability and output |
| Couples/groups | Available; affects drawing time and capacity | Often possible; ask how groups affect time |
| Best fit | Technology spectacle + physical portrait | Human interaction + artist interpretation |
What guests do at each
At a Robo Portraits station
Our attendant welcomes each guest, takes a quick photo at the tablet and helps them choose a style. Then the robot draws the portrait line by line, in pen, in about 1.5 to 2.5 minutes. Friends tend to gather and watch, and the guest takes the finished card home. See how it works.
With a caricature artist
The guest sits or stands with the artist, who draws them by hand in their own style, usually chatting as they go. The drawing reflects that artist’s interpretation, so look at their event portfolio before you book.
The drawing styles
With Robo Portraits, each guest chooses at the station: a realistic line portrait or a caricature, in a simple or detailed version. Full-body, group and pet portraits are available too. With an artist, the style is the artist’s own, so you choose it when you choose the artist.
How many guests can each draw?
Robo Portraits can run up to three robots at once. For planning, we use about 22 portraits per robot per hour:
| Setup | Approximate two-hour capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 robot | 45 portraits |
| 2 robots | 90 portraits |
| 3 robots | 130 portraits |
These are planning estimates; the styles guests choose and group portraits change the count. An artist’s pace depends on the artist, the style and whether they draw in colour, so ask each one how many guests they can realistically draw in the time you have. Our capacity guide helps you match robots and drawing time to your guest count.
Which fits your event?
- Weddings and socials: a robot station suits cocktail hour and mingling time, when guests drop by in their own time and the portrait doubles as a favour. See robot portraits for weddings.
- Staff parties and client events: colleagues can watch, compare portraits or take a turn, and nobody has to perform. See staff and holiday parties.
- Galas and fundraisers: portraits fit the reception and the gaps in the program, and your team can invite a donation at the station. See galas and fundraisers.
- A small gathering built around one entertainer: if you want a single performer chatting with every guest, an artist is a natural fit.
Three questions that settle it
- What should guests gather around? A robot drawing in pen, or an artist at work.
- How many guests do you want drawn, and in how long? Compare that number with each provider’s realistic capacity.
- Which drawings do you like? Look at real samples from both before you decide.
You can also book both: they do different jobs, and some hosts want each.
Bring a drawing robot to your event
Packages include two hours of drawing time, the attendant, setup and pack-down, with no per-portrait fee. See packages and starting prices.
Send us your date, location and approximate guest count, and we’ll reply within one business day with availability, a suggested setup and a quote. Check your event date.
Comparing a booth as well? See robot portraits vs a photo booth.
Frequently asked questions
Does Robo Portraits make caricatures?
Yes.
Guests can choose a caricature style or a more realistic line portrait, with simple and detailed versions available.
Is a robot portrait hand-drawn?
A physical robot draws the portrait with a real pen on a card.
That is different from a caricature artist drawing by hand.
The result is a physical pen drawing rather than a printed photograph.
Are robot portraits faster than a caricature artist?
There is no useful universal answer.
Robo Portraits uses approximately 22 portraits per robot-hour for conservative event planning.
Caricature-artist speeds vary significantly by artist and drawing style, so ask each artist how many guests they can realistically draw in an hour.
Compare the specific artist and specific Robo Portraits setup you are considering.
Can both draw couples or groups?
Robo Portraits offers group portraits.
Many caricature artists also offer couples or groups, but confirm this with the individual artist.
For either option, multiple faces can affect the time required.
Which creates a better keepsake?
That is a matter of preference.
A caricature is that artist’s own drawing of you.
Choose Robo Portraits if the experience of watching a robot create the physical portrait is part of what you want the keepsake to represent.
