No child’s play: Emila creates colouring books for adults

Emila Yusof’s gorgeous sketches are intended for adults who love to colour as a hobby. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Before technology made smartphones and tablets a preferred form of entertainment, most children needed nothing more than a few colour pencils and some colouring books to occupy them for hours.

Now that you’re all grown up, you don’t have to bid your love for colouring goodbye. At least, that’s what local artist-and-illustrator Emila Yusof, 54, believes.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle in her gallery at KL’s GMBB, Emila said there has been a surge of interest overseas for adult colouring books. It was started by Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford in 2013.

“There are plenty of colouring book choices for kids already, and not many options for adults in the local scene.

“Hence, I made use of my background in design and illustration and got to work on including adults,” she said.

As of now, Emila has published up to six colouring books on various themes like nature, trees and Malaysian culture.

Emila is a self-taught artist and has produced six colouring books to date. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

Fret not if you are drawn (pun not intended) to only certain sketches from the colouring books though, as the artist said you also have the option to choose different images across all her books and customise one for yourself.

On paper, the sketches might appear plain – lines and strokes that make up a simple picture.

However, the sketches she creates transform into stunning works of art once it is filled in with colour – and it’s really up to the individual to create either a bold piece bursting with vibrant hues or a more subdued piece with understated shades.

Many are so delighted with the end-result of their work that they post their finished pieces on social media and tag her.

But why would adults, given their hectic lives juggling work and home commitments, take on a hobby most associated with kids? Emila said it could be because it reminded them of their childhood.

A simple pencil sketch like this can be transformed into an amazing work of art once the colour is filled in. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

“I’d say because it brings them back to how carefree it was once and how much fun they used to have colouring as a kid.

“Some people would say it’s therapeutic too, as they feel their worries and stress melt away when colouring,” she said, smiling.

The Pahang-native said she felt the same as she would sometimes imagine herself in the sketches she was working on.

“It’s a calming and peaceful feeling. I see it as a form of escapism at times, on top of painting being a passion of mine.”

Looking through her beautiful artworks, it’s even more impressive considering Emila is a self-taught artist.

One of Emila’s colouring books is Malaysian-themed. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

Being raised by a single parent, Emila’s mother couldn’t afford to send her to an art academy to pursue fine arts. So, she did the next best thing – after completing secondary school, she took on a job as a bookshop assistant where she had access to artbooks.

She learnt all about art through these books. And practised drawing whenever she had the time. Before long, she landed a job as a graphic artist, and has worked in various companies over the years.

It was after she made friends with those in the publishing industry that she began illustrating children’s books.

Soon after that, she started publishing her own series of picture books for preschool children before her latest venture – colouring books for adults.

These colouring books had found success overseas too, as the publishing company she collaborated with sold the books’ publishing rights to Vietnam and Germany in 2015, and Indonesia the following year.

Some of Emila’s coloured artworks hang on the walls of her gallery. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

While she paints on her tablet occasionally, Emila said she still prefers the traditional method of using a pencil and paper when sketching. “I’ll admit, I’m old-fashioned like that.”

Does the artist colour her own books after they’ve been published, then?

“Sometimes, yes! Since I drew them, I might as well join in the fun,” she said, laughing.

Follow Emila on Instagram, or head to her website.