Emily-Rose Alcock Art

What skill would you like to learn?

I’m totally obsessed with the expression of animals. I think that really seeing an animal’s personality is a skill to be honed. A mouse is just a mouse until you stop and watch it. A cat is just a cat until you look into it’s eyes and realise “I know you.”

My husband Rory once told me that cats say I love you by blinking slowly. I always thought that was cute.

Growing up I liked animals, but I definitely didn’t connect with them in the way that I do now. When you allow yourself to stop and get to know them, you realise that just like humans they all have their wacky little personalities.

Over this next year I’d like to hone my skill in really capturing that personality in my paintings.

When choosing a photo as a reference for a painting I first choose the one that I, or the owner of the animal I’m painting thinks shows the greatest elements of their character. In this case, the cats huge green eyes are the focus. That puppy dog expression is simply adorable!

Painting eyes that connect with the viewer takes patience. But it’s well worth the numerous layers of watercolour!