Zemgus Zaharans

I am a professional caricaturist, illustrator and animator from Riga, Latvia, with more than 20 years of experience. Since 2008, I have worked as an editorial cartoonist for Diena, one of Latvia’s leading newspapers. I am also the founder of Karikatūristi.lv, a studio specialising in live caricatures and personalised cartoon portraits.

My work has been published in Latvian and international media. In 2015, the Latvian-American newspaper LAIKS included my cartoon in its submission for the Pulitzer Prize.

I hold a Master’s degree in Audiovisual Art from the Art Academy of Latvia, where I am currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Arts. My artistic and academic interests include caricature, graphic satire, visual humour, animation and the use of illustrated communication in education and public awareness.

My professional experience includes traditional and digital drawing, character design, editorial cartoons, humorous illustration, animation and quick live caricatures completed in just a few minutes.

In my online lessons, I teach students how to observe facial features, simplify shapes, exaggerate recognisable characteristics and develop expressive cartoon characters. Lessons are practical, friendly and adapted to each student’s experience and goals. Beginners are welcome, and no formal drawing background is required.