Watercolor Specialization: From Beginners Sketches to Compelling Artworks

Sarah Stokes is a self-taught artist from the Midlands region in England, a place where she finds inspiration and creates work that is full of life. From a young age, Sarah has always been her happiest when painting and drawing, using her creativity to build a successful business career before deciding to return to what she loved most.
She has created artwork for bands, restaurants, breweries, and schools, as well as giftware for clients like Enesco. Her work is exhibited in Whitewall Galleries, Clarendon Fine Art, and several independent galleries. Sarah’s prints can also be found worldwide in places like Next, Wayfair, and on Amazon.

Reha Sakar is a Turkish artist based in Vancouver, Canada. He first began painting as a young child with his mother and fellow artist. After studying astronomy at university and working as an insurance broker during the holidays, he soon realized that art was his true passion. From there, he took a course in Photoshop and discovered his talent for 3D art, which kick-started his creative career.

Since then, Reha has worked in digital media for more than 10 years. He has created promotional material for Call of Duty, Diablo III, The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Marvel’s Avengers, World War Z, Rango, Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, and more. He has also written articles on matte painting and worked with sports leagues including the NHL.

Laura McKendry is an illustrator and artist based in London, UK, who is renowned for incorporating unusual tools and materials into her watercolor and ink-based pieces. Her work can be found on greeting cards, wrapping paper, homeware, and fine art prints for clients like Artko, Impress, Jaccart, Laura Ashley, Papyrus, WHSmith, and Waterstones.

Her book cover illustration for André Alexis’ novel Fifteen Dogs was nominated for the V&A Illustration Awards in 2016. She also teaches short courses on drawing and illustration at Central Saint Martins and the University of Arts London, and runs online workshops that focus on finding ways to unlock creativity while perfecting creative techniques.

Julia Trickey is an award-winning botanical artist and tutor based in Bath, England. She grew up in a creative household and loved drawing from a young age, capturing seascapes and the natural world around her. She went on to study at art college and, years later, discovered a passion for botanical art after signing up for a class on the subject while in search of a hobby.

Since then, Julia has exhibited her work both in England and abroad and received awards, including four gold medals from the Royal Horticultural Society. She also teaches botanical art to others around the world and has been involved in several public art projects. Julia has written articles for national and international art journals and has various self-published guides for botanical artists. She also creates art for clients including Royal Mail and shares her work with over 30K followers on Instagram.

Emma Thrussell is a freelance illustrator based in South-East London. After spending her childhood drawing monsters, Emma realized her passion was for character creation and illustration. Emma attained a degree in Animation from Ravensbourne University before discovering her biggest passion of all—watercolors.

Emma’s watercolor artwork has been featured in magazines including Reader's Digest, Pianist, Your Dog and Your Cat. Emma sells greetings cards and prints her work through her online shop. She has also created a wide range of children’s activity trails with clients including Museum of the Home and Orleans House Gallery.

Meet Astrid, also known as Urban Anna, the creative mind behind the whimsical watercolor illustrations that have captured the hearts of many on Instagram. With her artist name Urban Anna20, she shares her enchanting artwork featuring colorful shopfronts and captivating facades created using fine liners and watercolors.

Astrid's journey into the world of watercolor began just a few years ago during lockdown, and since then, she has become a source of inspiration for her followers. Her art reflects her personality – whimsical, romantic, and bursting with vibrant colors. Whether she's illustrating a cozy English hamlet or a charming town in the south of France, her work is a testament to her love for the beauty in everyday life. Astrid's attention to detail and her ability to turn the ordinary into something magical make her a truly exceptional artist. Her art isn't just about capturing the physical aspects of a scene; it's about infusing it with life and charm, making her creations a joy to behold and an inspiration to all who encounter them.