(Contact me for free on Discord!) Hey-o! My name's Emily, and I'm a drawing teacher with 6+ Years of Experience! I work with all ages, and have experience from working on shorts at Seneca College!

Find out more about Emily

• When and why did you develop an interest in your chosen field?

  My first memories of pursuing art was from the late 2000’s, tracing little ponies off of my uncle’s elderly windows computer. Being the artist of the family, I was always the one assigned to draw on my relative’s birthday cards as a present. At 10 years old, my biggest inspiration was a 16 year old family friend who made costumes in her room and sold them online through DeviantArt in 2012 for $500 a pop.
  
  My passion’s never come from one big moment, but rather, small moments pieced together with old glue and whatever things you can find around the house. I went to an art high school and would sneak supplies home so I can work on my pieces after hours. A rambunctious kid that was one extrovert in a full house of introverted art kids, I learned that I was prime for working with people.
  
  Back in October/November 2018, a local auntie asked me to tutor her kid so that they could attend the same art school I was in. I started out working less than minimum wage at the time with no clue what I was doing but a strong passion to do my best. 5 years and dozens of students later, I’ve got an entire 6-month educational course under my belt and am thinking of pursuing teaching full-time!

• What makes you passionate about your subject?

  I am passionate about making stuff that makes people smile. Or even better yet, gasp. You know what I mean! That wide-eyed look when someone’s jaw hangs down as they stare at a piece of paper that you labored over for a week straight. That feeling that you did good.
  
  Learning how to draw is challenging. Yet through the ups and downs, the most rewarding sensation is hearing my students say “Oooohh, I get it.” It’s the feeling of understanding. And the biggest reward in hearing those words is realizing that I reached them.
  
  Hearing my students remark “I’m having fun!” gives me immense pleasure. My passion comes from when my 7 year old student gave me a handrawn note with the words “I love you Emelie” on it. It comes from when my 33 year old student exclaimed “That’s so cool!” watching me create a hillside forest scene in a matter of minutes.
  
  My passion comes from being able to share what I know, and seeing people happy when they learn something new.

• What do you like about tutoring? What makes you a "Superprof"?

  I like the flexibility tutoring provides. Being in animation school, my schedule can get pretty crazy and I appreciate being able to work on my own terms. Unlike school, where subjects are mandatory, tutoring is voluntary. Tutoring is born out of a desire to learn. When I tutor I know my students are eager to learn; that they want to be here in the classroom with me.
  What makes me a “superprof” is that I am a free-lance teacher with a fully fleshed out drawing course that goes over everything from value scales to portrait studies. Going to art school, I got to see first hand what did and didn’t work. I know that the most important thing is to start from the basics. Whether you are 6 or 60, understanding fundamentals is the key to understanding the art of, well….art!
  
  I constantly adjust my course to each individual student; in love with 1800’s landscape studies? I can help you study them! Do you just want to learn how to draw your favorite anime characters? I can help you with that too! Tutoring is all about exploring what you want; I just help provide you the tools to getting where you want to be. So whatcha wainting for?

• Do you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you? Please explain.

  I’m gonna sound like a big old softie saying this, but my momma is one of my biggest inspirations! I love her dearly, and even though she doesn’t always know what to say, she’s always there for me when I need her. She’s one of my biggest supporters, and I am forever grateful to her. She helps keep me going, and as a neurodivergent person myself it’s so important for me to have someone who supports me, mask off and all. I get to be myself around her, judgement free.
  
  As I mentioned earlier, I was also greatly inspired by a (then 16-year-old) young artist who introduced me to a popular art website. They encouraged 10-year-old me to share my creations with the world and try to make friends. Nearly a dozen years later, I have long-lasting friends from that same website that have propelled me into professional drawing. To all my friends and family, blood and found, thank you all!

• What are your keys to success?

  Passion. Passion, passion, passion! If you don’t have any joy, any desire, any passion, for what you do, then what’s the point in doing it? I’m not saying you have to enjoy drawing all the time. It’s totally okay to get frustrated and want to give up when things aren’t going the way you wanted to. But remember this:
  
  Practice means progress, not perfection!
  
  If we strive for perfection we will strive for something unattainable, as perfection in art doesn’t exist. Why? Well, art is subjective! No matter how amazing a piece of art may be, it won’t be liked by everyone. Instead of focusing on the negatives and the critics, focus on your supporters and friends.
  
  Friends and family are huge keys to success, as just how it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to raise an artist. Remember to reach out for help when your fire’s burning low, and take time to heal when you find yourself in artistic burnout. Be kind to yourself. Remember what made you passionate in the first place, and rise like a phoenix out of the ashes and move forward.