Hello, I’m Gemma

Also know as Gemma Doodle, I live in Yorkshire with my husband, our two daughters, and our cockapoo, Buddy. Life here is full of nature, seasons, muddy walks, growing things, and quiet creative moments.

Art has always been part of who I am, but pencil drawing is where I truly found my home.

I specialise in realistic pencil drawings, and I love drawing from life. I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of making things look super realistic, carefully observing every detail and slowly building layers until something feels real and present. Pencil allows me to work slowly and intentionally, which suits the way I see and experience the world.

Before focusing fully on drawing, I was a photographer, which taught me how to truly observe — to notice detail, light, and the small moments others might miss. That way of seeing continues to shape my work today.

Alongside my detailed pencil drawings, I also share my creativity through live pen drawing sessions on TikTok, where thousands of people join me as I draw in real time. These live sessions are busy and full of energy, with people sending doodle requests and watching each drawing appear on the page. I play calm music while I draw, and I try to make it a safe, gentle, and welcoming place to find yourself on TikTok — somewhere people can pause, watch, and simply exist for a while.

Some of those live pen doodles have gone on to inspire my merchandise collection, including clothing and biodegradable phone cases, as well as personalised pieces featuring people’s beloved pets. It’s incredibly special seeing those spontaneous drawings become something people can wear or hold anywhere in the world.

I also created Gems in the Post, my monthly art club. Each month, I send a personal letter from my studio, along with an exclusive A5 art print, journal prompts, stickers, and creative inspiration. It’s designed to be something joyful and meaningful — a small moment of creativity arriving through your letterbox.

When I’m not drawing, you’ll usually find me outdoors — swimming, walking, gardening, or tending to the flowers and vegetables I grow. Being outside and connected to nature is a huge part of my life and creativity.

Everything I create begins here, at my desk in Yorkshire, often with a sharpened pencil, a blank page, and a moment of attention.

Thank you for being here and being part of my creative world.

Gemma

Watch my drawing tutorials and enter giveaways!

Join me live on TikTok where I take doodle requests!

Take me to TikTok

 I worked as a professional photographer for over 10 years

I photographed hundreds if not thousands of people over the years. Working mainly in portraiture - I also ventured in to the land of wedding and commercial photography too.

I still use my photography skills most days to capture inspiration and ideas for my drawings - but more often than not I’ll used my iPhone to capture these images.

Colorful abstract artwork featuring ink and watercolor rain droplets with colored pencils placed on the right side.
A colorful drawing of a squirrel with a water droplet on its cheek, surrounded by colored pencils arranged on a black holder and a sketchpad.
Interior decor with a framed colorful abstract artwork of bubbles and mixed colors on a wall, decorative black horse sculpture on a stack of books, and a table centerpiece with candelabras and a black pot with purple flowers.
A realistic colored pencil drawing of a hare, surrounded by various colored pencils, markers, and art supplies on a table.
Colored pencils, water droplets, and a drawing of bubbles on paper with the overlay text 'Happy when drawing'.
A sketch of a nude woman with curly hair lying on her side on a bed, facing away and resting her head on her arm, with a draped cloth underneath.
A person with painted nails is using a blue colored pencil to add color to a detailed, colorful illustration of water droplets on paper. The artwork features vibrant hues and various-sized bubbles, with a set of colored pencils and other art supplies
A colorful, detailed drawing of water droplets on a textured surface with various shades of green, blue, yellow, and orange. Surrounding the drawing are colored pencils arranged along the edges of the paper.
A person holding an open sketchbook with drawings of a sleeping, curly-haired dog, in front of a brown, curly-haired dog lying on a couch with a yellow pillow.