“Thank you so much we absolutely love it. You’re such a pleasure to work with and very efficient. I will be highly recommending you. Thank you again” - Beverely
“Thanks a lot, Brendan. They are thrilled with the picture!” - Catherine
“It has just arrived. Thank you very much for all your hard work. It is wonderful” - Daniel
“That looks brilliant” - Louise
“I love it and am sure Mark will too – thanks so much for your patience!” - Pauline
"I received the fabulous picture yesterday and wanted to say a massive thank you for creating such a wonderfully unique gift. I know this will make her smile :-) I can't thank you enough for all your help and patience in getting the picture just right. Mary will love it!” - Karena
“Hi Brendan, got the pictures today, they are great. Thanks a mill” - Liz
“Thanks so much! They will absolutely love it” - Ciara
“I love it! Thanks a mil" - Lynn
“Hi Brendan. That is absolutely brilliant” - Pauline
“That's fantastic” - Eoin
“He's going to love it! :) once again I really appreciate all your work and attention to detail" - Grace
“That's fab!! Perfect! Thanks so much for everything, I'm sure I was annoying being so particular!! Am really happy with it” - Bernie
“Just to say the picture arrived last Thursday as you said it would and looked AMAZING!! I put it in a frame and gave it to Sally and she absolutely loved it. As did all her family. So thank you so much for your patience and your great attention to detail - I have already been recommending you!” - Karen
“Thanks a million Brendan. Delighted with them” - Claire
“They look great. Thanks again for all your help:)“ - Brian
“Just to let you know... I received your post today. It's even better in real life!!! Thanks so much it is brilliant... They will love it. Very happy with it” - Laura
“I got the canvas Friday. Looks great. Thanks again” - Mark
“Just want to say thanks for the prints - truly amazing work. The reaction at the wedding was huge. You have some new international fans!” - Niall
“Thanks for the lovely picture of Jimmy and Ben - my husband loved it :)” - Lorraine
“Pic arrived Brendan its lovely thanks mil. I’ll be passing on your details to anyone who’s asking! Hope to have it on display at the reception!” - Áine
“That's perfect Brendan. We are delighted with it” - Ciara
“Yes it's perfect. I love it. Thanks for everything. Can’t wait to receive it” - Grainne
“Wow that is so good! Thanks a million!” - Katie
Commissions this month featured the usual mix of weddings, engagements and birthdays, but also one gift for friends opening a business. A few of my favourite ones below.
"I would like to thank you again for the caricature you did for me. My girlfriend loved it as well as everyone else. Will be recommending you to everyone" - Brian
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fab canvas - i gave it to my friends yesterday and they were delighted with it!. Thanks again what a great service will definitely be using again." - Jen
"Hi Brendan just wanted to say a massive thank you for the picture the bride n groom couldn't praise it enough they even had it displayed at the wedding so thanks again it was brilliant." - Dee
"Meant to message yesterday to say I received the caricature. It is fab and I am so excited to see her face when she gets it. Thanks again, it has made me want one myself." - Amanda
I received mostly engagement-themed orders in February. Customers asking for those tend to lean more towards wanting a "treasured keepsake" rather than "crazy cartoon". But I also got a few comedy requests - one running an Iron Man holding a selfie stick and bottle of Heineken, and one dressed up in SCUBA gear in front of a tractor on the beach.
Whatever the scenario is, if you can describe it (and it isn't too rude!) then we can usually get it into the cartoon.
“That looks perfect” - Janice
“Thanks so much Brendan. Brilliant” - John
Many thanks. It’s great” - Grace
“That's fantastic we love it thanks a million” - Orla
An example of a recent order.
The customer got in touch (via the enquiry form) and gave a rough outline of what she had in mind. Gift for a one year anniversary, bride from Inisbofin and groom from Colorado. Among the attached photos was one showing a good close-up of their faces and one "action shot" which had a dinosaur in the background. So these were an ideal selection of photos to work from.
I replied with the 1st draft of just the couple's faces.
Sometimes the faces take a few attempts, but on this occasion the customer was happy with the 1st draft. This was mainly down to the fact that the reference photo were very good.
“Yes they look great. I’d like if you could say on the picture ‘happy first anniversary’. Thanks, great job”
2nd draft -
I suggested at this point that we put in a signpost pointing to Colorado. After getting the ok from the customer I continued.
Final draft -
Customer replied
“Thanks so much, she's going to love this”
Order completed in 7 working days. This customer didn't need a frame, so the cartoon was printed onto HP Glossy Photo Paper A3 250g.
Everything goes out Express Post which is next day delivery, and a tracking number will be provided.
And the final pic ready to post -
This month I had my first ever request to include a drone flying over the wedding scene. I expect that will eventually be a popular element in the wedding cartoons as drone photography becomes a thing.
Also had the first order where the customer asked for a dinosaur in the background, stomping around on Inisbofin. More of a niche requirement that one it's fair to say.
As always, thanks to everyone who ordered cartoons. These were a joy to work on. I can't say I'm ever bored.
“Thanks so much, she's going to love this” - Emma
“I received it today Brendan. It’s brilliant, thanks for the great service and getting it to me today!” - Sandra
“Just wanted to let you know that Tom was absolutely delighted with the caricature”- Terri
“Hi Brendan. That’s very good. They will love it” -Eric
An example of the process of ordering a cartoon, from start to finish
First, the customer left this message via the Enquiry Form
“Hi it's my brother's birthday on February 6th. I think this would make a great present! He loves playing the bass guitar, Waterford GAA and Liverpool FC. Bass guitar most important! Would it be possible to get some wording like happy 50th Tom love Mom, Carolyn, Terri and Colm?”
After agreeing the delivery times, she emailed some reference photos and I sent back these rough drafts. First draft is always just working on the face, and I only continue once the face looks ok to the customer.
Customer replied -
"Love number 2. Really looks like him! The music theme is the way to go. Should definitely have the bass guitar. Not so concerned about the sports teams. You need not put them in if it is difficult.”
Working with cartoon no 2 I did this update ...
Customer was happy with that and just asked for one final amendment - to change the GAA jersey for a cheque shirt
Final pic ready for framing then …
Everything goes out via signed delivery, with a tracking number. A few days later I received this message …
“Hi Brendan,
Just wanted to let you know that Tom was absolutely delighted with the caricature. Thank you very much.
Terri”
So I hope that example shows what to expect with an order.
First draft is always just the faces, and we only continue if you are happy with those. Sometimes there needs to be 3 or 4 drafts to get it right. And also as you can see it's fine to make some modifications as we go along. Sometimes you might think of things to add or remove only after we've started. That's never a problem. Thanks for reading.
Brendan
A few favourites that ended up in Christmas stockings or as Kris Kringle gifts.
“Hi Brendan. Picture received this morning, it’s perfect. Thanks again for everything: - Mark
“Thats perfect. Thanks a million” - Karl
“Caricature was a huge hit Christmas morning! Thanks a million” - Kate
“Thanks so much for the two Caricatures-they were beyond FAB” - Steph
Mostly wedding related orders this month, and a few birthday ones I thought turned out really well. Seemingly nobody in Ireland got engaged in November (According to my sample data).
“That's fantastic. How on earth do you do it!?” - Joanna
“It's perfect thanks a lot, I know they will love it!” - Liz
“Hi Brendan. Just to let you know they received the gift. They absolutely love it. Thanks again” - Marion
“Hi Brendan. Am pleased with final draft. Alan will enjoy the humour. Thanks again” - Patricia
An example of the process.
One advantage of waiting until after the wedding before ordering your cartoon is that we will have photos of the actual outfits, instead of needing to guess. The second advantage is that there is no longer a deadline and we can take our time to get it right.
The customer in this case got in touch via the [ENQUIRY page]
" ... a picture of the groom tipping his hat and the bride dancing. I have pictures from random people from the Internet in these poses, and then I have pictures of the actual couple on their wedding day which has already taken place”
After receiving the photos I started with this rough draft of just the faces. I assumed the headphones were to be included, but since the cartoons are all done digitally anyway it was easy to remove them and also show a version without headphones.
She wanted the version without headphones, plus a few changes - darker eyes and blonder hair for the bride, and a slimmer face for the groom. Those were easy tweaks so I sent back this update.
Customer okayed the above. Next I added the poses. The signpost was my suggestion. a signpost is usually a good way to include the name of the venue (venues are not always instantly recognisable in cartoon format) and the date.
Final suggestion from the customer was switching around the bride so that she is holding the flower away from the groom, and for the dress to be slightly longer and a lighter shade. Then after adding the background of the venue it was ready to transfer onto canvas.
This one was shipped directly to the couple with a note of congratulations attached, saying who it was from.
“Hi Brendan. Just to let you know they received the gift. They absolutely love it, thanks again” - Marion
“Thanks so much for all your hard work. You're very talented and I’ll definitely be recommending you for gift ideas” - Sinead
“This is perfect” - Melissa
“Received a few days ago and am very impressed with the finished product and the way it was packaged, so thank you” - Clodagh
“That is perfect ... she will love it! Thanks again, I'm delighted with it” - Eilis
“Thank you so much for your fantastic work! The other bridesmaids love it and I'm sure the bride will too” - Lydia
“Thanks again for the fab caricature. It was a massive hit for the couple & at the party” - Miriam
“Thank you so much it is really fantastic I can't wait to give it to them” - Shirley
“Hi Brendan, just received the pic....it’s brilliant, can't wait for everyone to see it! !!” - Sharon
“Thanks again for the canvases which arrived a few days ago, everyone who has seen them has loved them, and as I was recommended to you by a friend I will also be recommending your work.” -Donal
“Looks great, delighted with it, thank you.” - Niamh
“Just to say I got the caricature on Monday. It is absolutely fabulous and the bride and groom just loved it. I think it's been put on view at the reception. I will certainly be recommending you to other people. I am so happy with the service you provided. Sincere thanks again.” - Marie
“That’s fantastic! Thanks so much Brendan, I know they’ll love it!” - Sarah
“Thanks so much for all the effort. It’s fantastic” - Amanda
“I’m delighted with the print, thank you. The signpost you suggested was a brilliant idea. Thanks again, and for your prompt service” - Audrey
“I will definitely recommend you to others!” - Marian
“It’s perfect. Thanks a million” - Siobhan
“It's incredible!” - Jessica
“Thanks Brendan. That looks great” - Paula
“I love it, thanks a million!!!” - Maeve
“Its brilliant, we love it. Such great likenesses to everyone, you are very talented” - Joan
Click on a cartoon to enlarge it.
“Pictures arrived yesterday. They look fantastic. Thanks again” - Rory
“Hi Brendan. The canvas arrived, it's amazing!!!! Thank you so much, he loved it” - Martina
“Just got a look at the canvas. It looks the business. Thanks for all your help” - Mark
