caricatures for a department in ATCO Electric

I just finished doing several caricatures for a department in ATCO Electric. I did individual ones and then put the individuals into a big group caricature. Here’s one of my favourites! Each person had a personal touch added. Here’s a Star Trek fan…

I was at one of Christenson Developments newest building in Sherwood Park for a “Meet Your Neighbour” evening. It was a lively night with lots of conversation, wine and food. As I was leaving, there were still a bunch of new neighbours gathered in the big tent outside enjoying getting to know each other. Here are some of my favourites from the night. It sure looks like Christenson Developments knows what people want, their buildings are gorgeous and they think about the whole experience with great locations. The location on Festival Way in Sherwood Park is close to walking trails, rec and entertainment facilities, stores. Fabulous! But the most important part to me is that they were interested in people meeting each other. I was looking through my photos last night gathering up some caricature examples to show a new client and I was so happy that I take the time to take some photos at each of my events. I spent more time than I should have looking through them thinking, “OH! I remember that one!” etc. Remembering the moment.

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Coloured Digital Caricatures

I just finished doing several caricatures for a department in ATCO Electric. I did individual ones and then put the individuals into a big group caricature. Here’s one of my favourites! Each person had a personal touch added. Here’s a Star Trek fan…

Coloured Digital Caricatures on my Wacom Cintiq Companion

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Christmas Card for the Northern and Southern Jubilee Auditorium staff

I was asked to do a group caricature Christmas Card for the Northern (Edmonton) and Southern (Calgary) Jubilee Auditorium staff. As you can see, I was lucky enough to work on some great faces! I was really pleased at the process using my tablet. I so love using my Cintiq Companion and being able to draw directly on the screen. It really is such cool technology. All the advantages of hand drawn art while throwing in advantages of a computer.

Group Caricatures for a Christmas Card gift

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Latenight drawing in my studio

I was up quite late last night working on some caricatures.  This how I often work, up late - when it is quiet.  Typically I am drawing on my Tablet and looking at the picture that was emailed to me on my computer... ahh 'the life' working for yourself, eating Bon Bons and dressing causal while watching Netflix (NOT!)...  I do like this setup but, sleep would be nice too.

drawing in my Wacom studio late at night

If, you'd like me to draw for you or at an event DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel
when sending a photo up close and smiling (and up-to-date hair, glasses... I can only draw what I see) 

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Artists Do Taxes Too

Some days or weeks I may not post as much as I usually do. Why you ask? Well life does come with certain responsibilities, yes?! There's one big one that I don't really look forward to. That's right ... taxes! Do you agree? What a silly question huh! Now if I was good at all that stuff, I'd be an accountant, not an artist. Luckily, my Mom has always been good at that sort of thing and has been kind enough for years to help me. I cringe to think back on the years when my kids were small ... I'd hand her a big garbage bag full of stuff and she'd sort through it all and have it ready for an accountant to plug in all the numbers. Slowly, very slowly, I've become a little more on the ball. I've even gotten an interest in seeing what I can do throughout the year to make the whole process go fast and smoothly for next year. I'm so darned proud of myself!

Artists Do Taxes Too

Now back to art...!




Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Glen the Balloon Guy logo

I had a great time creating this logo for Glen the Balloon Guy! I had done one initial sketch working from Glen’s vision. Then I did a few tweaks on it after Glen had a look and gave me feedback. We played with colours a bit and now he has this new image to use on his website, business cards, signs, etc....

Did I mention that Glen is a really great guy? He is, and you'll find that out when you hire him for your next corporate and community events, parties, weddings, or to make a unique large sculpture.

Contact Glen LaValley at (780) 462-3846 or email him at glenl@telus.net. Check out his website at: http://glenballoonguy.com

Glen the Ballon Guy Logo

I created this logo using Sketchbook Pro on my Wacom Cintiq Tablet.  Digital drawings are new to me so, I am enjoying creating and editing just a little bit more...

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

My cartoon digital drawing of Cali Lewis

My cartoon digital drawing of Cali Lewis while watching AutoDesk SketchBookPro GeekBeat.TV YouTube tutorial.  Renee Busse was a great teacher and I learned a few tips.  I feel that I can do a few more fun drawings on my Wacom Cintiq Companion now.

Digital Drawing of GeekBeat.TV's Cali Lewis using AutoDesk SketchBookPro

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Digital drawing - Walking his dog

I drew this illustration a few days back on a sunny day as a watched a neighbour walking with his dog in the field behind our house. We've got snow so I used a little bit of artistic license. 

I'm sure enjoying digital drawings... I find myself excited to pick up my tablet, just for the pure enjoyment of creating.

a man walks his dog

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

My First Digital Caricature (From a Photo)

Very excited to show you my very first caricature (and coloured caricature at the same time!) using my new Cintiq Companion! It's been a long time coming. This is something I've wanted to be able to do for I don't know how long ... to be able to do a coloured caricature without having to use markers. The downside of using markers: they'd dry out, I was always running to the art store to buy new ones ... but the worst part was that I'd have it almost finished and I'd look and I'd have a marker smudge where I wasn't supposed to have one (marker would get on my hand and rub onto the page).

Of course drawing caricatures on the tablet is new and exciting as well. Drawing an initial sketch on the background layer then choosing the lines decide I want, on the top layer.

So welcome to my new world of digital caricatures! Still all me, all artistic, just crisper, cleaner, with better colour.

My first Digital Caricature

This caricature was done from a photo that was sent to me. I often do caricatures from photos. Sometimes they are just head and shoulder drawings like this one and other times they are full body drawings. I can include as little or as much detail about the person as you'd like. Of course the more detail it is, the more work it is and thus would cost more. People enjoy seeing all the little details about them that you (and I) have captured in the caricature.

Woman Model - Caricature from Photo

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Wacom Cintiq Companion

I received a Wacom Cintiq Companion from my husband for Christmas this year! It was just what I wanted! Just the thing I was hoping for for a couple years now. I'd felt stuck in an artistic rut. I was busier than I'd ever been work wise but as some of you may know, if you are self employed, taking time away from earning money to learn something new is a hard thing to do. During the learning process, we aren't being paid.

The Learning Curve Fear Monster

Roll up your sleeves and learn something new today

Happy New Year - first snowball fight of 2014

So a couple months before Christmas I had a conversation with my husband on how I wanted to get a
Wacom Cintiq tablet to start doing coloured caricatures ... and who knows what other art that would
come about from it. With no hesitation, he was all for it. He's a computer guy so another computer in the house is a good thing, besides something that could further my career is an even better thing! I've always thought of myself stronger in the drawing side of art than the computer side of art so getting
this new tablet was both exciting beyond belief AND scary beyond belief.

Since I opened it up and my husband got the feel of it for himself, to give me technical pointers (not artistic ones!) if I needed it, I've become increasingly in the mindset that I'm eager to see what this or that symbol will do. What if I try this or that. I am definitely in the infant stage with my Wacom Cintiq Companion but I am so excited for 2014. To look at my beginning work and what stage I'm at at the end of the year. I hope to post a doodle a day but please don't hold me to it, I may have a load of work to do at times where I can't do it ... after all, a big part of me is art but I believe in a balanced life: I like to do things with my family, exercise, the odd walk/coffee date with a friend, clean my house ... oh wait, that's on the list of "have to's" .... and I even want to try meditation this year.

So come along with me on my Cintiq Companion journey!

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell