I just returned from a thoroughly entertaining 48-hour stay in the greatest people-watching Mecca of all time: Las Vegas. While others visit Sin City for the gambling, I spend my time walking up and down the strip gazing in awe at the variety of humanity passing before my eyes. I'll stay out there all day, sketching and snapping photos of interesting faces while occasionally bursting out in laughter and embarrassing myself. While all faces interest me, it's those who've become grand caricatures of themselves who cause me the most delight. Such is the case in the sketch above.
Leaving the hotel at 7:00 am, I walked through the casino and spotted an Elvis Presley look-alike sitting alone in front of a dazzling slot machine. The glow from the screen lit his grizzled face as he stared empty-eyed into the vortex of spinning 7's while clinging a cocktail and smoking a butt. My heart literally pounded in my chest as I beheld this Gift From The Universe appearing before me. It wasn't enough to sketch him. I knew I needed proof that I saw the ultimate Las Vegas caricature, so I deftly pulled out my camera and snapped a photo as evidence. Medium: Circus Circus pencil and Keno crayon in sketchbook, digital color.
I was nervous using my camera inside the casino, so I worked furtively and made sure the flash was off.
