Hi from Emily from England :)

[emily.seccombe]

Hi everyone,
I'm Emily (@emily.seccombe.illustrations on Instagram) & I'm a beginner illustrator here to learn as much as I can. I like to draw nature-inspired, light-hearted pictures, especially of octopuses and newts . I don't have any formal training in anything design/art related so am hoping to learn through the SVS courses. I work in nature conservation, which exposes me to the nature I like to draw.
Are there many people from the UK here? Especially the South-East? Would love to hear of any other UK groups/courses etc that people recommend

[Adam Thornton 0]

Hi Emily,

Welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy participating. I'm from the UK, near Cambridge. I'm not sure about any UK groups or courses though as I do all my training online. Maybe other Brits will be able to help you there.

SVS has one or two classes by Marco Bucci. For my needs and personality, Marco is one of the best art teachers out there and I highly recommend anything by him. He has a great YouTube channel and he also has a fair few premium courses that are well worth it.

Everyone here on the forum is really friendly and helpful, so do feel free to post any WIPs (work in progress) or finished pieces and ask for comments - that is, if you want comments of course!
Joining SVS is one of the best things that I have done, so I do hope you get the most out of it. Have you started with the Foundation Curriculum? I trust you also know about the 3 Point Perspective podcast?

Best wishes,
Adam

[Jeremy Ross]

Welcome @emily-seccombe! Cool piece!

I say start with the Basics in the curriculum and work from there.

[Heather Boyd]

@emily-seccombe Hi and welcome!!! I am not from the UK; only been once. I am Canadian. I suggest starting with the Start Here (or Intro video) in the courses and then turn your focus to the curriculum. I am working through Effective Vehicle Design class. I am like you in regards to loving nature and drawing it and though I like other people's vehicles, they don't come easy or as natural as nature. Anyways, hope to see you around.

[Annaaronson]

Hi @emily-seccombe !

Welcome to the forum!! The Basics are great definitely a great place to start, but make sure you are having fun while you're doing it! There are some things I naturally love about art (color, lighting, design) and some things that feel a little like eating my vegetables (the perspective gods are looking right at me) so if you're working your way through a class that doesn't feel as fun make sure you are also making time for the things you LOVE! Keep posting! I love that octopus!

[NicolaSchofield]

@emily-seccombe Hi Emily, I'm in Reading so technically South East but just on the edge I suppose whereabouts are you?

You said you like to draw octopuses and then you said your job exposes you to the things you like to draw - do you work with octopuses and newts?!

[emily.seccombe]

@Jeremy-Ross Thanks Jeremy - will be starting from the beginnings for sure!

[emily.seccombe]

@Adam-Thornton-0 Hi Adam, thanks for the welcome I'm in Biggleswade at the moment so not far from Cambridge, but am moving away soon. Cool, I'll have a look at Marco Bucci's stuff - thanks for the recommendation. Yes I've started at the foundation videos and will go from there - and I found this via the podcase which I love!
All the best,
Emily

[emily.seccombe]

@Heather-Boyd Hi Heather! I just had a look at your instagram - your vehicles are great - very characterful. Thanks for the welcome! I'm half way through the Start Here video as we speak

[emily.seccombe]

@Annaaronson Hi Anna Thanks for the advice, that sounds very sensible and appealnig too haha. Thank you

[emily.seccombe]

@NicolaSchofield Hi Nicola
By coincidence I'm actually moving to a village outside Reading next week! Probably only for a few months though, before moving again, but I just saw on your instagram about a Reading sketching group so perhaps I might be able to come along to that??
Haha - only newts in my job, not sure there are any jobs that involve both newts and octopuses but if there is I would like it!
All the best,
Emily

[NicolaSchofield]

@emily-seccombe amazing! Our next meet-up is planned for this coming Sunday at a community garden next to the Hexagon Theatre:
https://urbansketchersreading.wordpress.com/2021/08/16/lavender-place-community-gardens/
I think they are harvesting vegetables that afternoon so lots of interesting activity to draw.

No need to book or anything, just turn up if you can make it

[Tristan Lapetz]

Welcome to the community Emily. I'm sure you'll find yourself at home in no time!

[emily.seccombe]

@NicolaSchofield Hi Nicola, that sounds great, I won't make it this week, but will definitely hope to make the next one! What a fab idea

[emily.seccombe]

@Tristan-Lapetz Thanks Tristan ️

[Janette]

@NicolaSchofield Hey! I lived in Reading for 6 years

[NicolaSchofield]

@Janette it's a small world!

[Janette]

@NicolaSchofield lol yes. I bought many a pair of shoes in the Oracle. Spent a lot of time at Great Expectations and the Purple turtle, and can't get the smell of Smelly Alley out of my brain

[aska]

Hi, welcome to this super col community:-)

[NicolaSchofield]

@Janette I used to love the quiz in Great Ex before all the lockdown stuff