Denise wrote me a week ago, saying that her boss Enrique was leaving Singapore and her colleagues wanted to give him a caricature as a farewell gift. It was such a pleasant surprise to hear from her – we first got to know each other through our webcomics several years back, when I think we were the only two female webcomic artists in Singapore. (In case you’re interested: hers and mine :)

At first, she suggested drawing Enrique together with her and four of her co-workers, but I realised I couldn’t really draw six people within the tight timeline (the farewell party was less than a week away). So we agreed that I’d draw only Enrique, but A3 size rather than the usual A4 size.

What I picked up from the photos were: wide-set, almond-shaped eyes with thick lashes; cute crooked smile; and wide, strong chin and jaw.

Denise asked me to draw him in football gear as he loves football. Since she shared that he also loves cats and has a grey tabby, and also loves wine (“very Spanish”), I added those in too. Finally I drew in the Merlion and the Singapore Flyer, since Denise wanted something “all things typically Singaporean” and, after all, they work for the Tourist Office of Spain :) I particularly enjoyed exercising the artistic license to add fins-for-hands onto the Merlion…

According to Denise, Enrique said he liked it, so I’m just glad enough for that. Bon Voyage!