The excitement of getting engaged is wonderful and what better way to remember the occasion than with a caricature keepsake? Over the years I (meaning Carmel from Caricatures by Carmel) have created some fun caricature engagement gifts; from couples sitting on tractors or sitting in a speed boat, to a fiancé kneeling by a cliff edge. I love to hear the story behind the engagement and then recreating it for the couple.

Conor and Orla engagement caricature in Tramore Waterford

A few years ago, Conor and Orla got engaged and their friends ordered a framed caricature gift to remember the day. I was told that Conor proposed on the cliff in Tramore County Waterford and Orla said yes! One of their friends managed to take photographs of what they were wearing on the day they got engaged and told me that Orla was eating a bag of Mc Carthys chips when he popped the question.

So I drew a fun caricature of Conor down on one knee, wearing his navy shorts, red hoody, blue polo shirt and blue converse runners, holding a ring in his hands. I created Orla wearing a striped shirt, a pair of leggins and sandals, acting shocked dropping her bag of chips. In the background is the cliff with the Metalman pointing out to sea. I was also asked to add a ‘Danger’ sign on the edge of the cliff. I’m not sure if that was for the cliff edge or something else! 😉

Shane and Sharon getting engaged in New York caricature

In December 2020, Ian and Claire got engaged and Claire’s sister contacted me to order a special caricature gift for them. I was told that Ian is a Garda who supports Liverpool FC, and Claire a teacher who loves dogs. Ian proposed to Claire at home and involved their little dog Trixie who had a Christmas decoration hanging from her dog collar that read “Will you marry me?”.

I drew a caricature of Ian in his Garda uniform holding a Liverpool FC scarf, with his arm around Claire. Claire is proudly showing off her engagement ring, while holding Trixie in her arms and the decorated bauble around the dogs neck. In the background is a Christmas tree and a blackboard with their names and date of engagement written in white chalk. I was told afterwards that they loved their caricature gift and have it hanging in their sitting room.

Engaged couple in a speed boat caricature

This caricature was created for a couple who live in New York. Kathy and David got engaged in 2020 and Kathy’s sister Chrissy wanted to gift her a caricature engagement gift. I was told that David had a speed boat and loves to fish and Kathy loves to join him on his boat, especially in the summer on Long Island. Chrissy sent me photographs of both of them, along with photographs of the boat so I could recreate it.

I drew the two of them in the speed boat both holding a glass of champagne each and Kathy showing off her engagement ring. In the background I drew a fishing rod with a fish hanging off it smiling, and I added a USA flag on the front of the boat. The caricature artwork was sent to a printer in the USA who printed it to my specifications, mounted, framed it in a black wood frame and shipped it directly to Kathy in New York. A few days later I received a photograph showing the caricature proudly hanging on their wall and they were delighted with the gift!

As you can see, the more details I’m given about an occasion and the people involved, I can draw up a fun cartoon story and create a special caricature gift to celebrate the special event. It’s all about ….

“Drawing Memories, Creating Keepsakes”