PENCIL POWER
YOU South Africa|26 May 2022
Self-taught artist Emma's hyper-real portraits of animals and people have turned her into a viral sensation
ROBYN LUCAS
PENCIL POWER

IT ALL started when she was a little girl and became intrigued with orcas after watching the hit 1993 movie Free Willy.

Emma Towers-Evans picked up her pencil and sketched picture after picture of killer whales, perfecting her strokes and style each time until she'd produced a mini-masterpiece in lead and she hasn't looked back since.

Emma TowersEvans creates photo-like pencil portraits. She started drawing at a young age

The 29-year-old from the West Midlands in England now makes a lucrative living sketching portraits of people and animals.

Each drawing takes her up to 100 hours to compete because they're incredibly detailed and involve more than 500 000 individual strokes.

"My style is hyper-realistic - I try to create something that looks as real as possible, Emma says.

"I like to draw things from the natural world, like people and animals. It's really exciting to see something come alive on the paper."

This story is from the 26 May 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the 26 May 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView All
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
YOU South Africa

IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY

Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
YOU South Africa

DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY

Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
YOU South Africa

WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD

It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
YOU South Africa

HIP-HOPPING ALONG!

Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
IAM NO DIFFERENT
YOU South Africa

IAM NO DIFFERENT

Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
YOU South Africa

OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD

Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
GOD'S INFLUENCER
YOU South Africa

GOD'S INFLUENCER

After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?

time-read
10+ mins  |
19 December 2024
RUCK ON!
YOU South Africa

RUCK ON!

Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
YOU South Africa

MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON

This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life

time-read
2 mins  |
19 December 2024
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
YOU South Africa

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024