KEN COOGAN CARICATURES

RICKY GERVAIS

2011-12-05T10:33:00.003Z

Still waiting on this man to put a foot wrong......

HIS EDGE-NESS

2011-09-06T23:49:00.002Z

BONO OF THE U2's

2011-07-01T14:59:00.002+01:00

Almost finished with this one. Just some fine tuning required........

LUIS SUAREZ

2011-05-11T07:10:00.002+01:00

Could he be THE one? Could he?

WEDDING CARICATURE

2011-05-07T21:50:00.002+01:00

This is a recent commission done for a couple who recently tied the knot and wanted to use the artwork for their wedding guestbook.

QUICK OBAMA SKETCH

2011-05-06T23:35:00.002+01:00

30 minute sketch of Barack McBama.

ELTON JOHN

2011-05-02T08:49:00.004+01:00

Here's a detailed pencil sketch of Sir Elton followed by a digitally painted version. Might add some more details eventually.......

PHILO

2011-03-10T13:57:00.000Z

NICK CAVE

2011-02-24T11:20:00.003Z

Quick sketch of the moody but brilliant Aussie singer/songwriter

Update: 26/02/11

KENNY DALGLISH

2011-02-22T09:50:00.002Z

Legend.

TOMMY LEE JONES (WIP)

2011-02-10T12:53:00.002Z

PETE POSTLETHWAITE R.I.P.

2011-01-10T23:07:00.001Z

The great actor, Pete Postlethwaite who sadly died last week.

MARK TWAIN

2010-11-11T12:50:00.002Z

Rayne Wooney

2010-10-19T10:58:00.004Z

Where will he end up? Man City? Madrid? Barca? Inter? Chelsea? Barnet?
Wherever the troll finds himself within the next week, he'll probably become the highest paid human being since the dawn of time......or something like that.

STOP! THIEF!!!

2010-10-12T21:09:00.006Z

It was with some amazement and disbelief that I discovered that a sketch I did of Diana Ross about a year and a half ago has ended up in the hands of a New York 'caricature artist' claiming the work as his / her own.
The very talented UK artist Paul Moyse experienced the very same thing as described on his blog page quite recently.
The person responsible obviously hasn't put much thought into the fact that the street display they use to lure customers contains caricatures of celebrities using so many conflicting styles of drawing. Anyway, they'll get found out soon enough.

MICK LALLY

2010-09-01T09:01:00.006Z

The news of the death of Mick Lally, one of Ireland's most loved actors came as a huge shock yesterday. Out of all his tv and film roles, he will be forever remembered for his catchphrase of 'Well Holy God!' as Miley Byrne in the tv series 'Glenroe'.

POPE BENEDICT XVI

2010-08-11T00:22:00.001Z

While my Jimi Hendrix sketch is slowly simmering, I thought I'd try my hand at this fella.......

JIMI HENDRIX

2010-07-28T12:12:00.005+01:00

Work in progress of the 60's guitar legend.

SEAN PENN

2010-07-15T00:54:00.003+01:00

JOHN CLEESE

2010-07-13T02:10:00.003+01:00

DAVE GAHAN

2010-07-10T02:01:00.002+01:00

During my school days, Depeche Mode were one of those handful of bands that you just had to have scrawled on the side of your schoolbag. I've loved them ever since and although they've become something of a 'greatest hits' machine, their old stuff still blows most of todays acts out of the water.

JACK BLACK

2010-07-04T11:07:00.001+01:00

GIFT!

2010-07-01T22:23:00.010+01:00

This is an illustration I was commissioned to do a few weeks back but as it was a surprise, I was asked to keep a lid until now.
The two guys in the picture are Mario Rosenstock and Ian Dempsey. Both of them are the brainchild of 'Gift Grub', one of the main reasons why people in their thousands tune into the Ian Dempsey breakfast show every morning. For ten years now, Mario has been responsible for the now legendary voice impressions of countless celebs and to mark the 10th anniversary, Mario embarked on a nationwide tour bringing the Gift Grub live show to the big stage.
The drawing was presented to commemorate the recent ten-night sell out run of the at Dublin's Grand Canal Theatre. By all accounts, the guys loved it!

SELF CARICATURE

2010-06-27T23:38:00.003+01:00

Every time I do one of these, I always ask myself: 'is that REALLY what I look like?' Answers on a postcard please.......

MEGAN FOX

2010-06-25T07:09:00.002+01:00

Don't really know much about this wee lassie other than that she's regarded one of the sexiest women in the world..........has nobody ever heard of Bella Emberg?

FABIO CAPELLO

2010-05-26T01:13:00.003+01:00

I reckon there's too few world class players in the England squad for them to be considered as World Cup favorites and this is the poor sod who has to carry the can...........
In the absence of Ireland, I'm rooting for Espana.

CHARLES DICKENS

2010-05-19T00:15:00.002+01:00

LIEUTENANT COLUMBO

2010-05-17T13:50:00.002+01:00

Everyone's favorite TV detective.....well, he's MY favorite anyway!

YES, PRIME MINISTER

2010-05-13T15:40:00.002+01:00

David Cameron, the new British PM.

Wedding guestbooks!

2010-05-10T07:42:00.003+01:00

Just back from week in Portugal so time to update the blog again!
Here's a caricature that was used as artwork for this couple's wedding guestbook. Printed out onto A1 sized board, they're a novel and fun way for guests to leave their messages for the bride and groom!

CARLOS TEVEZ

2010-04-21T09:00:00.003Z

Did this a few weeks ago but forgot to post it. It's just one of dozens of 'unfinished' caricatures lying idle on my Mac. So much to do, so little time......

NOEL GALLAGHER

2010-03-29T23:48:00.002Z

Call him what you want, he's one talented musician. Now he's finally managed to ditch that neanderthal brother of his, he might start writing some decent music again....

Update: 31/03/10

BRIAN COWEN......AGAIN

2010-03-20T15:38:00.003Z

And in colour.........

BOB DYLAN

2010-03-20T00:08:00.002Z

Another musical legend whose work, I'm unfortunately not all that familiar with. That said, with over 30 albums under his belt, it's hardly surprising.......

PADDY'S DAY IN THE WHITEHOUSE

2010-03-19T01:05:00.003Z

I know it's a day late but what the hell! Well, Cowen got his 40 minutes with Obama and now the US president can go back to saving the world before asking his Chief of Staff: 'who was that guy anyway?'
Might think of a witty caption to go with this. Can't be bothered right now as I need sleeeeeeeep.......

FLORENCE WELCH

2010-03-17T10:56:00.005Z

This lady seems to be the new 'next big thing' and if her album 'Lungs' is anything to go by, it might just happen......
This was a bit of a speedy sketch, done in about 20 minutes.

Decided to polish this one up a bit from the original sketch.....

TOM WAITS

2010-03-17T00:28:00.004Z

Not too familiar with this guy's work other than the classic album 'Closing Time' but he's sure got one interesting face.......

GEORGE

2010-03-16T00:07:00.002Z

PAUL

2010-03-15T22:31:00.004Z

Two down. Two to go........

RINGO STARR

2010-03-14T10:45:00.002Z

John, Paul and George will be along shortly........

BARACK OBAMA.

2010-03-14T01:21:00.002Z

ANOTHER GB SHAW

2010-03-08T23:46:00.003Z

Following this attempt and this attempt, and after seeing this beauty by Niall O'Loughlin, I decided to try it again using a slightly different approach than before.

ELVIS

2010-03-01T00:00:00.000Z

BRADLEY PITT #2

2010-02-24T00:59:00.001Z

BRADLEY PITT

2010-02-23T17:11:00.003Z

JOHNNY CASH

2010-02-20T00:50:00.005Z

After seeing this brilliant illustration by English artist Russ Cook, it inspired me to do a very quick sketch of the man in black.

Update: 22nd Feb 2010
Only a slight update, but an update nonetheless........

ARNOLD SCHWARZA-WHAT'S-HIS-FACE

2010-02-19T23:25:00.003Z

Been spending way too long on this one, playing around with a few ideas but keep hitting that proverbial brick wall.......

CARLOS RUBIO

2010-02-16T22:07:00.002Z

Here's a quick pencil sketch of the talented Cuban caricature artist, Carlos Rubio

NORMAN ROCKWELL

2010-02-16T20:28:00.002Z

JASON SEILER

2010-02-10T21:22:00.009Z

I must be suffering from digital overload or something because I had an irresistible urge do start doing some pencil sketches again.
This is Jason Seiler, the unbelievably talented American artist and one of the main reasons I continue to draw caricatures.

Update: 11th Feb 2010
And just when I thought I'd give digital a rest........I just can't help myself!!!

RICKY GERVAIS

2010-02-09T14:34:00.003Z

This is my second attempt at Mr Gervais. Looking back now, I'm not too happy with my original effort and have made numerous other attempts to capture him but he's a bit of a tricky one.
I think I've come a bit closer to a likeness with this one though.

ALEX FERGUSON

2010-02-07T00:21:00.004Z

It's incredible to think that this guy has managed Man Ure for the last 24 years.....come on Fergie, give someone else a go!! Someone really rubbish at being a manager for instance...

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

2010-01-31T09:57:00.008Z

I'm not usually one for sweeping statements but here it goes: this guy, in my opinion at least, is probably the best singer/songwriter in the world today. End of sweeping statement......

DIDIER

2010-01-30T21:22:00.001Z

Here's a colour sketch of the very talented Canadian artist, Didier Loubat

VIC REEVES

2010-01-21T00:00:00.004Z

One of my all time favorites, the king of Light Entertainment......

MAXI

2010-01-17T10:59:00.002Z

Here's a rather hastily done sketch of Liverpool's latest signing (I'm sure he's thinking 'what have I done?' after yesterday's debacle against Stoke. Stoke!!!), Maxi Rodriguez.
Next year lads......next year.....

VAN DER SAAAAAAAAAR

2010-01-16T23:30:00.002Z

'AAAH......JUICY FRUIT'

2010-01-16T00:13:00.003Z

Was watching this movie the other night and was reminded just how special it is.
I chose this particular scene for a couple of reasons. Chief Bromden, who we were all led to believe was a deaf mute, finally revealed he was anything but and uttered his first words in this scene.
Secondly, Jack Nicholson's reaction is one of my favorite moments in any movie, ever, bar none.
There are so many amazing performances in the film, especially from a young Danny de Vito and Christopher Lloyd. Absolute classic.

LIVE WORK

2010-01-15T12:11:00.005Z

This was taken at a recent wedding I worked at over Christmas. Unfortunately, although I did have my camera with me, there was no memory card inside!! ARGH!
Paul Sherwood, the very talented wedding photographer on the day, very kindly took this photo for me to put up on the blog.

WHAT USE IS AN ERIC WITHOUT AN ERNIE?

2010-01-11T13:50:00.003Z

That's better.......

LEONARD COHEN

2010-01-10T00:36:00.005Z

ERIC MORECAMBE

2010-01-09T21:29:00.005Z

I'm pretty sure that one of my first memories of seeing comedy on tv would have been the Morecambe and Wise show. They were easily one of the best 'straight man / funny man double acts of that era but Eric Morecambe was always my favorite of the two whose sense of comedy timing was just impeccable.

SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

2010-01-05T01:10:00.004Z

ELBOW

2010-01-02T21:35:00.005Z

Been fans of these guys for ages so I thought I'd pay tribute to Bury's finest by drawing Mssrs Garvey, Potter, Jupp, Potter and Turner together. I'm quite happy with it so far (yes, you've guessed it......it's not quite finished yet!!)
Happy New Year!

AMELIA

2009-12-19T19:15:00.008Z

This will probably be my last blog post of the year and I reckoned what better subject than the little person responsible for turning our world upside down and for being the source of so much amusement and utter joy for the last 5 and a half months...........
Thanks a million to everyone who visited my blog in 2009 and for all of your comments too!!
Happy Christmas to one and all!

GOOD NEWS!

2009-12-15T11:23:00.004Z

Recently, I submitted three sketches into an art exhibition that was organised by some students at Trinity College. The exhibition pieces, submitted by staff and students at Trinity College, comprised of works ranging from photography, sculpture, painting and the odd sketch or two!
Anyway, turns out that the Curator of the Trinity College Art Collection liked my sketches so much, she bought them as permanent additions to the collection to be lent out to various College departments and Schools across Trinity College.
Just thought I'd share that little bit o' news! I'm pretty chuffed to be honest!

LIVE WORK

2009-12-14T10:24:00.005Z

Had a busy weekend with three gigs in two days, two in BT on Grafton St and another with Niall O'Loughlin in the exotics of Moate on Saturday night.
Here's a selection of photos........

PRINCE

2009-11-26T22:54:00.004Z

Thought I'd keep up the pencil work for now and do another sketch. Underneath is a quick render in Photoshop minus the body which I have a few ideas for.

IRISH WRITERS

2009-11-20T00:22:00.008Z

Here's a collection of sketches of some of Ireland's most famous authors and playwrights, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Samuel Beckett.
These sketches were all done in pencil and took about an hour each.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

2009-11-17T00:00:00.003Z

Can't say I'm too familiar with his works of literature but I thought I'd give this fellow a try.
It still needs a bit of fine tuning which should bring me nicely into the year 2047.

YOURS TRULY

2009-11-04T23:14:00.003Z

Yet another attempt at my big fat ugly mug. Think I'm getting closer to an actual likeness but it's still not 100%. Could it be that I'm simply too good looking? It's possible.

CHRIS WAHL

2009-11-03T00:41:00.004Z

This is a very quick and extremely rough sketch of the insanely talented artist Chris Wahl. Chris is one of my favorite illustrators around today and his seemingly endless range of styles is purely inspirational.

ROBBIE COLTRANE

2009-10-14T23:10:00.002Z

MICHAEL PALIN

2009-10-06T23:44:00.006Z

Found myself with the luxury of a spare half hour the other day so decided to catch up on a bit o' sketching.
Michael Palin is another in a long list of my comedy heroes. He's responsible for writing some of the funniest sketches in the Monty Python series and his post-Python work has been hilarious.
If you're a fan and you live in Dublin, he'll be signing copies of the second part of his published diaries on the 7th November in The Dublin Book Shop.

RECENT LIVE WORK

2009-08-29T12:22:00.005Z

Here's a small selection from a couple of recent weddings I've been working at.....
As always, thanks to Niall O'Loughlin!

U2

2009-08-22T23:13:00.005Z

Here's a couple more U2 pieces that I'm currently striving to get finished.
At the beginning of 1990, after 10 years of gradual world domination, Bono declared that U2 would be 'going away to dream it all up again'. Quite how they were planning to do this was unclear but when they returned at the tail end of 1991 with the beast that is 'Achtung Baby' (in my opinion, their best album and one of the best albums of all time), it was evident that he really meant what he said almost two years earlier.
The transformation the band went through was immeasurable and what followed was without doubt, the most exciting period of U2's career to date.
On the release of the first single 'The Fly', Bono's suggestion that it was 'the sound of four men chopping down the Joshua Tree' couldn't have been more accurate.
Not sure which of these two I prefer most.

U2 WIP

2009-08-14T00:31:00.006+01:00

I've been working on this for a couple of weeks but in total, I reckon I've spent only a couple of hours actually drawing it. The drawing of The Edge was done a few months back and I wasn't really happy with this drawing of Bono I had done from a while back so I decided to redo it along with Larry and Adam. My only concern is that some members of the band look more caricatured than others which is something I'm trying to remedy.
I have some other U2 related ideas floating around that I'd like to try out so I'll try to post what I can......

ANOTHER WEDDING GUESTBOOK

2009-08-07T13:13:00.005+01:00

Here's a caricature I did a couple of months ago but due to impending fatherhood, completely forgot to post.
When doing illustrations for these guestbooks, I usually insert some sort of background like a church or have the couple in a wedding car or something like that but the couple just wanted to keep it simple and I think it looks pretty good....even if I do say so myself!

THE FOLKS

2009-07-26T17:26:00.004+01:00

This is my second attempt at drawing my parents. It's their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend so I thought I'd give it another bash and I'm a lot happier with this version. I'm kind of surprised that I managed to get it finished at all what with endless nappy changes and bottle feeds 24/7!!!

AMELIA ROSE COOGAN

2009-07-09T01:10:00.006+01:00

This beautiful little Princess came into the world at 10.59pm on Monday, 6th July 2009. She is utterly adorable.
As for my wife Karen, the amount of admiration I have for her cannot be put into words. She is one in a million, just like our little bundle of joy.

WEDDING GUESTBOOK

2009-07-03T22:22:00.004+01:00

Here's a caricature of a couple who asked me to 'do' them for their upcoming wedding. This artwork has been used for their wedding invitations and will also be used for their guestbook on the day of the wedding.

ERIC CANTONA

2009-06-16T00:39:00.004+01:00

Some people refer to him as 'Eric', others call him 'Cantona'. You've guessed it, it's Eric Cantona.

HENRY FONDA

2009-06-13T01:17:00.003+01:00

Once in a while you come across a movie that is so powerful and so brilliantly directed and acted that you never ever tire of watching it.
For me that movie is 'Twelve Angry Men'. I've seen it well over 30 times and I could watch it another 30.
Here's a sketch of Henry Fonda's character, Juror number 8.

NINA SIMONE

2009-06-10T01:07:00.002+01:00

Rough sketch in Photoshop of the late great singer/songwriter.....

BASIL FAWLTY

2009-05-16T13:17:00.006Z

This week sees the 30th anniversary of the classic sit-com, Fawlty Towers.
There are are so many reasons why this TV show is so universally popular. Firstly, the characters are so believable. Also, I think we all have a bit of Basil Fawlty in us. Most importantly though, I think a lot of it's success and what makes the phemomenon all the more remarkable, is down to the fact that there were only two series made!

While searching for reference photos of John Cleese, I came across this You Tube clip of him on Parkinson during the 1980's, explaining how the character of Basil Fawlty originated.

LIVE WORK

2009-05-03T12:04:00.004Z

Just a couple of snaps at a wedding I was working at yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone.
Thanks to Niall O'Loughlin for the gig!!!!

ROY ORBISON

2009-04-27T20:27:00.001Z

......or 'The Big O' as he was otherwise known in his day........

WOLVERINE

2009-04-26T16:03:00.005Z

SAMUEL BECKETT

2009-04-22T23:02:00.003Z

Here's another famous birthday that was celebrated recently. The Irish writer and poet, Samuel Beckett.

PETE DOHERTY

2009-04-20T06:53:00.001Z

DAVE GAHAN

2009-04-17T23:55:00.005Z

Been a fan of Depeche Mode for years, ever since the days when writing your favorite band on your schoolbag was a cool thing to do.
They've a new album out this week which will be added to my collection before long..........

'El Niño' (work in progress)

2009-04-16T22:42:00.006Z

The season is drawing to a close and Liverpool are the closest they've been to winning the League in 19 painful years.
Torres is on fire at the moment and if he keeps scoring the way he is right now, we're definitely in with a good shout!! This being 'quietly confident' lark is hard work!!

WATCHMEN

2009-04-15T23:52:00.004Z

I rarely do these types of drawings anymore as I don't really feel that copying directly from a photo or movie still does much to improve my drawing skills.
I still enjoy doing them nonetheless. This is based on a still taken from the 'Watchmen' movie. I've not seen it yet but I read the novel way back when I was a comic book nerd.
This one took about an hour in Photoshop.

WEDDING INVITE

2009-04-15T12:00:00.001Z

Here's another wedding invitation recently completed.

GEORGE COSTANZA

2009-04-13T22:54:00.006Z

Thought I'd continue the Seinfeld theme and draw his close friend and accomplice, George. He's neurotic, self-loathing, insincere, insecure, dishonest and a coward with no redeeming qualities......maybe that's why I like him so much!!

JERRY SEINFELD

2009-04-06T23:08:00.004Z

This guy is one of my absolute heroes.
For eight years and 175 episodes, he co-wrote and starred in what must be still to this day, one of the best and funniest sit-coms of all time. That would be 'Seinfeld' of course.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON

2009-04-02T23:15:00.008Z

Quick sketch of the by no means unattractive Hollywood actress.

Update: 4/4/09

ALAN SHEARER

2009-04-01T20:15:00.003Z

He's either been offered a phenomonal amount of money or he's run out of bland comments as a pundit on 'Match of the Day', but Alan Shearer has shocked us all by taking the manager's job at Newcastle FC. He's such a legend up there which makes his decision even more baffling. If he fails to keep The Magpies in the Premiership, he's placing that legendary status in jeopardy, all for the sake of romanticism.
Personally, I don't think he's gonna pull it off. Newcastle are in freefall at the moment and the only hope they have is if the teams around them start playing even worse than they have been up to now.........yeah right.

KARL PILKINGTON

2009-03-30T00:04:00.010Z

Whether you look upon him as Ricky Gervais's muse or the man who makes Ricky Gervais look funny, there's no mistaking Karl Pilkington's genius.
If you've not heard of him or seen him, just 'YouTube' him or download one of the hilarious podcasts. Pure comedy gold!!

Update 30/3/09:

GIFT COMMISSION

2009-03-26T15:01:00.005Z

Here's a recent commissioned gift caricature completed for a birthday present last week. I was reliably informed that it went down a storm!!