Emily Scard Learns Watercolour Realism

Emily Scard shares her experience of her on-line course in watercolour realism.

Illustrator Emily Scard uses ink and watercolour to make lovely paintings and drawings, often of animals with delicate, intricate patterns.

Recently she decided she wanted to expand her skills and learn to also paint in a more realistic style. While searching the internet for an on-line course in watercolour painting she found our blog article about Anna Mason and her ‘Watercolours with Wow’ online course. Emily says that she then looked Anna up on YouTube “where she has some mini introductory tutorials and I really liked her style and the way she approached her work – her roses in particular are absolutely stunning. I have my fingers crossed that she will publish a rose watercolour tutorial soon.”

I asked Emily if she felt her painting skills had improved after taking the course.
Emily: “Yes it has definitely helped although there is still a long way to go and I definitely need more practice. The Pink Cosmos flower was much trickier than I thought it would be, and while I am quite pleased with the result I am much happier with how my chilli turned out. The ‘ugly duckling’ phase that Anna talks about was a bit of a light bulb moment for me. I am not used to working in layers, and normally I like each little bit to be finished as I do it. So it was a new concept layering and layering and layering but it was lovely seeing it finally all come together at the end – although there were definitely times when I didn’t believe that would happen. I am really looking forward to using the skills I have learnt in my own work so thank you Anna for the great tutorials!”

You can see Emily’s work on her Facebook page and follow Emily on instagram @emilyaprilsummers.

Emily shares her experience in photos:

My new supplies have arrived and I am ready to get started!

I can’t quite believe that this ‘ugly duckling’ chilli will turn into anything that is remotely chilli-like

A few hours into the pink cosmos tutorial…

My pink cosmos flower

So much fun painting this hot chilli on a wintery day

Hurrah! So pleased with my first attempts – can’t wait to get started on the next tutorial