I have found a Swedish watercolorist, Elizabeth Tyler,  who paints very realistically. Realist painting prevailed on our recent survey regarding what our members want. There is also a very helpful hint in this little video about removing masking and dealing with the resultant rough texture. She uses the back of a spoon to smooth the surface of the paper. How's that for brilliant?!
By the way, "Fart" in the Scandinavian languages refers to "speed," so Fartroad might mean fast road. [Watercolour is spelt (also correct) correctly on that side of the Atlantic. :) ] The fast way to realistic painting? Maybe...

http://fartroad.blogspot.com/2012/07/watercolour-realism-different-approach.html

Keep those brushes moving!
Karla