Hans Esser, cartoonist from Baarn
From print to cartoons with a personal story. I am Hans Esser, a cartoonist with a long career in the graphic arts. I know the craft from sketch and illustration to print-ready file. These days I mostly draw personal cartoons, such as a lasting memory of your dog, cat, bird or mouse that has passed away.
From print work to cartoons with a personal story
For many years I made illustrations, leaflets, catalogues and print work, and made sure files were ready for the press. That craft is still in every cartoon: a sound sketch, a clear composition and a file that looks as good on paper as it does on screen.
What has changed is the story behind the work. Today I draw for people rather than brands: a cartoon of your partner for an anniversary, your family on holiday, or a memorial cartoon of the pet you lost to keep and frame.
Career of Hans Esser
From today back to where it started, in the printing industry:
Paleis Soestdijk, Baarn
My current workplace.
Cartoonist, self-employed
Personal cartoons and illustrations, specialising in memorial cartoons of pets that have passed away.
Own graphic design studio, Baarn
Illustrations, leaflets, print work and DTP for clients including:
- Suikerfabriek CSM (sugar manufacturer)
- Natuurmonumenten (Dutch nature conservation society)
- Nationale Postcode Loterij (Dutch Postcode Lottery)
ECI book club
Designed and laid out catalogues for many years.
Printing industry
DTP and Computer to Press: making files print-ready and preparing print work.
Expertise
- Cartoons and illustration
- DTP and layout
- Computer to Press and prepress
- Leaflets, catalogues and print work
- Pet memorial cartoons
Because I know prepress, you receive a high-resolution file that is ready to print, frame or put on a card. How an order runs, from photo to final file, is explained on the step-by-step way of working.
Drawn by hand, helped by AI
I am open about my tools. I use AI where it helps, for a first layout or a background. The likeness, the exaggeration, the expression and the finish are mine. That way I can show you a proof quickly and still make sure a person or animal is truly recognisable.
The palace hallway and the flight over New York in the illustrations and videos on this site are self-portraits with a wink. See more on the examples and video clips page.
A cartoon of your pet?
Send me a few photos and tell me what made him or her special. I will turn it into a cartoon to keep, to frame or to give as a gift.
Email: info@decartoonist.com. Phone and WhatsApp: 06‑41788191. Would you rather read more first? Have a look at a cheerful pet to cartoon portrait of your dog or cat or at the memorial cartoon above.
Watch the cartoonist at work
Frequently asked questions
Who is Hans Esser?
Hans Esser is the cartoonist behind De Cartoonist, from Baarn in the Netherlands. After a long career in the graphic arts he now draws personal cartoons, with memorial cartoons of pets that have passed away as his speciality.
Where is De Cartoonist based?
De Cartoonist is run by Hans Esser from Baarn in the Netherlands, with a postal address in Soest. All orders are handled online, so you can send photos from anywhere in the world.
What is Hans Esser's connection with Paleis Soestdijk?
Paleis Soestdijk in Baarn is Hans Esser's current workplace. The palace hallway in his illustrations and videos is a playful self-portrait of that setting.
What is Hans Esser's professional background?
Hans has a long career in the graphic arts: DTP and Computer to Press in the printing industry, catalogues for ECI book club, and his own graphic design studio in Baarn making illustrations, leaflets and print work.
Which clients did Hans Esser work for in his graphic studio?
His graphic design studio in Baarn worked for clients including Suikerfabriek CSM, the nature conservation society Natuurmonumenten and the Nationale Postcode Loterij, making illustrations, leaflets, print work and DTP.
What did Hans Esser do for ECI book club?
For many years Hans designed and laid out catalogues for ECI book club. That work taught him to prepare large, detailed files that look right in print, a skill he still uses for every cartoon.
What does Hans Esser specialise in as a cartoonist?
Hans specialises in memorial cartoons of pets that have passed away: a lasting, framed memory of a dog, cat, bird or mouse. He also draws personal cartoons of people, couples and families.
How does a background in print help my cartoon?
Because Hans knows prepress, your cartoon is delivered as a high-resolution file that is ready to print, frame or put on a card. A sound sketch and a clear composition come from years of print work.
Does Hans Esser draw the cartoons himself?
Yes. Hans uses AI where it helps, for a first layout or a background, but the likeness, the exaggeration, the expression and the finish are his own. That lets him show a proof quickly and still make sure the cartoon is recognisable.
Why is Hans Esser dressed as a footman in the palace illustration?
The footman outfit is a self-portrait with a wink. It places the cartoonist in the palace hallway where he works, painting a caricature on an easel, and shows the watercolour and ink style.
Why does Hans Esser fly over Manhattan in one of the illustrations?
The flight over Manhattan with a propeller cap is another playful self-portrait. It shows what a painted, full-colour scene cartoon can look like, and hints that the studio works for clients far beyond the Netherlands.
Does Hans Esser work with clients outside the Netherlands?
Yes, Hans works fully online for clients worldwide. Photos arrive by WhatsApp or email and the finished cartoon is delivered digitally, so distance makes no difference to the process.
Does Hans Esser speak English?
Yes, you can write or call Hans in English or Dutch. The whole process, from your first message and the proof to the revision round and the final file, can be handled in English.
Can I talk to Hans Esser personally about my cartoon?
Yes, Hans Esser replies to every message himself. You can send photos and questions via WhatsApp or email, or call 06‑41788191 to talk through your idea.
What does Hans Esser draw today?
Today Hans draws for people rather than brands: a cartoon of a partner for an anniversary, a family on holiday, or a memorial cartoon of a pet that has passed away, made to keep and to frame.
Ready to see yourself as a cartoon?
Send one clear photo, tell us the style you like, and the cartoonist gets to work. You see a proof before anything is final.