F.A.Q

 

Here is my personal F.A.Q. with questions I have been asked over the years, and I wanted to have it in one place. This is answered from a personal and honest standpoint. I am blunt. So if it hurts to hear, it should at least be respected, considering I do, in fact, have ownership of my work. If more questions arise and are duplicated over time. I will add them to my FAQ.

• Your personal art is very different than your commission work sometimes, some of it is very intense looking, why is that?

My personal art in general is an extension of me, my experiences, and the emotions I am currently feeling. I draw a ton of vent work that honestly doesn't even come off as vent initially. What you're seeing is my raw emotions. I see my art as a form of communication without constantly talking. Sadly, sometimes my emotions seep into my commission work, which I try to avoid when I am in highly angered states, because a lot of my commissions will always come out aggressive, angered, and even intimidating towards the viewer. Over the years, I have learned to realize why I should hide that, even if it slips into my paid work. Hey, others love it, and I love being my authentic self.

• How do you draw/color the way you do?

To put it bluntly, I have a traditional art background in drawing and color theory. This helps me even more with my digital art. I started out traditionally, and a lot of what I learned transferred to how I approach my digital work.

• Are you traditional or digital media only?

I'm actually a mixed-media artist. I work with both traditional and digital media, but 98% of my artwork always starts traditional. So if you see any digital art, just know it was all done on paper originally, scanned, and digitally colored. That doesn't mean I have forgotten my roots, however. I love to work with traditional media overall because that is what I started with, and that is how I continue to learn and progress, even with my digital work. I also have works strictly made and finished traditionally with my personal work, and some of them have been sold off to lovely homes.

• YOU HAVE AN APPRENTICE??? WHY? How do I become one?

So since this is a 3-part question, I'll answer in order. Yes, I do have an apprentice, and they go under their artist name Rudrakitty .

Why you ask? Because I always wanted one, the older I became, and tbh I don't do this for money, this is completely free to pass on my skills to someone I actually saw potential in. Not only do I have professional experience,but I also  taught education in the arts, as well as self-growth, and I wanted to make sure to pass on these skills to someone else who could use them. Lord knows I paid out the woodwork to obtain the not-so-self-taught skills.... Might as well give it to someone I can always have one-on-one critique sessions with.

While I'm honored to be asked this so many times, to be frank about how to become my apprentice, the simple answer is that you don't. Now I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm saying that I can only ever handle one apprentice under my teachings at a time. I have my limits as a person, not only with my personal life, my art life, but also my downtime away from art. I just don't ever see myself taking on multiple apprentices during my free time. I'll admit I'm a grump and a stickler for perfection, and not many can handle brute honesty with art for growth, which is valid. 

However, with an apprentice, I need someone who can listen and actually understand what I'm teaching when it comes to art. I do not have the patience for a lot of headspace with art, and I am pretty traditional in the artistic growth department. I know for a fact that many can not handle it. So sadly, I deal better with just one at a time. Someone I know can take criticism and not baby-talk with art. So I'm not looking for any others at this time or for years, actually.

• Do you do collaboration projects with other Artists/parties, clothing companies etc.?

Why yes, I do, but I'm extremely selective with whom I collaborate with. It's really case-by-case between me and the other artist. I prefer to collaborate locally with other artists in Philly. Yes, you guessed it, more IRL than online. This can include designs for shirt companies, zines, flyers/posters for parties, and more. But just because I prefer to work with locals more than online, doesn't mean I won't work with online folks. Shoot your shot and give me an inquiry via my contact page here. Once I read, I'll see if it aligns with what I can do. Let's make it happen!

• Can you show/tell me how to draw/paint?

Mmmmmm leh no. I really do not have time to teach anyone beyond my apprentice and class. Your best bet is doing what many artists dread to do. Crank out that real-life reference and do some drawing/color studies. Trust me, you'll thank me in the future. I learned all I know from my real-life experiences and culture, and doing the work by using real-life references, going to free figure drawing meet-ups, and museum trips to understand art history, also, while not free donations are not bad when they are PWYW. 

I can honestly say that, while even going to art high school and college, my growth came from me taking what I love to draw and DOING THE WORK to get better. I know it sounds so boring, but you will actually be learning things that will help you develop artistically in the long run. I definitely do not regret doing so when I was told this blunt advice in my teen years and when I was in college. It truly is that simple!

• When did you start drawing?

This is going to sound very cliche buuuuuut ever since I could hold a crayon. I didn't start taking my work too seriously until I was in my early 20's. Honestly, I had way more fun in terms of creativity during my teen years, even though I didn't truly understand fundamentals.

• How do you get your ideas and inspiration? And why?

Funny enough, a lot of my ideas come from IRL experiences, the environment I grew up in all my life, as well as both my Chinese & Jamaican cultures. I'm not one for trends or what makes me get noticed. I like being authentically me and showing my current emotions in all my art.

• What are your influences?

In terms of art, when I say influences, it is nothing in terms of style or mimicry of the sort, but more so, how an artist goes about things. So I will list a few and why.

~ Old school 90's- early 2000's furry and were artists. Now I always drew creatures and animal-like people. When I found the fandom in 1998 I was shocked so many had the same interest, and the creativity was absolutely booming with originality and skill. This era of anthro art I will never forget, and growing up in it, it bleeds into my work to stay true to my original roots with my own anthro/furry/were/ monster art.

~ Junji ito. Now this guy's work has had me in a headlock at a very young age. My first discovery of him was in the 90's when my uncle had a girlfriend at the time who had an entire collection .. I'm talking shelves of these books. When I picked one up when I was being babysat by them one day. I was shocked at what I saw and very horrified, and I never looked back until I was a teen. As I got into my 20's I realized how much cultural and political stuff he had that was very relatable even within Asian family structures that stuck with me.

I really love his display of capturing not only fear in something you wouldn't look twice at to make something scary and make you think and an internal self-crisis, but also how he makes mundane themes into something horrific and full of emotions. He emotionally inspires me to keep my work authentic and really make my experiences and emotions come through in my art, and that says so much to me

~ Louis William Wain-  I am absolutely enamored with this man's work and his experimental phase in art. An artist who can retain balance in his work, in a semi-realistic, cartoony, and extreme experimental phase, is truly inspiring to me. Inspiring me to never see my work in one way and to really push and always experiment with each piece.

~ Ozuma Kaname - This man's work inspires me to continue my studies in the human figure. To progress my work further and further with anatomy and never to stay comfortable with where I am, just to move forward with my work. He has such a way with the human female figure that will always leave me inspired and breathless. His work also inspires me to never lose touch with my culture in my work.

~ Sir Peter Paul Rubens - Now need I say more! An intense master artist whose work I have admired since I first found out about him when I was 14. A lot of my understanding of how to color came from how old artists would study color theory, and Peter Paul was one of the first artists I saw to kick my ass into gear and take my coloring very seriously for my more painted works.

~ Francis Bacon - Now this is an artist I could relate to a ton in terms of displaying emotions in my work. Mainly, my darker experiences and emotions, and that would be anger. I truly admire this man's work for not hiding such emotions, even with the violence that has happened to him. He confidently displays this as a muse in his work. That's something. When I was younger, I was too shy to put it on paper, but now, after learning from him in high school, I'm not. I truly do not hide anything with my emotions in my work.

~ Frans Floris - When I first saw his work in the museum, I was floored at his composition, color theory, and wide display of topics. His portraits and capturing a person's emotions will always be instilled in me to strive to capture emotions with simple portraits, along with themes. While I enjoy all his works, his portraits really spoke to me the instant I saw them.

~ Gōjin Ishihara - An all-time favorite artist who inspires me to not be afraid to put my culture and display its folklore into my work. He has an amazing masterwork of comic-like folklore tales that are sometimes comical, an exploration into queer life as well as queer erotica, and outright sinister if you understand the nuances of his horror work.

~ Ayami Kojima - Need I say more,. This artist's work is truly inspiring to see. The fact that they are strictly traditional media will always leave me starstruck. And it inspires me to never lose touch with my own traditional art style roots.  Truly a wonder of an artist whose art I grew up with through the video game artwork they have done back when the SNES was hot.

• Is this website a professional one or a personal one?

Tbh, this is honestly my personal art website. Someplace I can truly call home on this little void we call the interwebs. I never wanted my art site to ever be so stuffy that I couldn't be my authentic self. Personally, I love the peace away from social media. I have full control of my work here as well as, you guessed it, no word limit. 

• Will you do an art trade/request with/for me?

I only do art trades or gift art for close friends I have known for years. Not for strangers. I definitely do not do requests. I don't work for free. I'm just not interested in other ideas unless it's paid work or collaborative with local artists in my city.

• Can you give me some critique on my art?

This is only available in my art classes, which are free but closed at this time.

• How do you deal with art block?

Personally, when I have art block, I legit take a break. Art block is usually that part of my brain that goes, "You are about to level up. You will figure it out now, chill". I take actual breaks; it can be a month, it can be 6 months, it can be a year, or even 2 years. I TAKE A BREAK to better understand my flow and artistic needs that will please me and no one else.

I also do art history research during this time and learn about past master artists to really feel inspired. You learn a lot that art block is just your brain's way of telling you to cool down, and all you have learned actually sinks in before you move on to get better. During this time, I write my ideas down so when I feel like drawing again, I can better approach my subjects with confidence.

Also, it's good to keep the mantra" what's the damn rush" as an artist... You and your art aren't going anywhere... You will forever have time to draw up until your big dirt nap. Trust me, take time to cool down, relax, and enjoy life beyond your art to get back into it. 

• How do you motivate yourself to improve or draw in general?

I tell myself... Hey, if you don't get to it now...then when will you? The reality is, sometimes I can get too comfortable not doing art, even if I am mentally feeling creative. So in order to push myself, I put on some music I really enjoy, do some line /circle drawing exercises, doodle, then sit for my regulated hours to do my art. It's as simple as that. sometimes you just gotta DO THE WORK... to see it get done or it never will be. I know it's not very helpful, but hey.... works for me...Hope it helps you too.

• What is your personality like online? Is it the same as offline/IRL?

Very much the same. I'm very stern with a no-bullshit attitude towards strangers and friends alike. I assume it's my culture and my upbringing that kind of give me that. Am I mean? Not at all, in fact, I can be pretty lax and goofy once I'm close to you, but that edge of sternness doesn't go anywhere, sadly.

• Can I mimic/copy your work? I really like your ideas, ocs, and style.

A Big Fat No! No point living in my shadow, being a dollar store knockoff, or tail-coating me. All my work is personal art and in some form, a representation of me, what I've been through, or my life experiences, both in growth and culture. It's actually very creepy and insulting to me to be used as some form of Pinterest/mood board vs being appreciated for the work I share for free.

However, I don't mind inspiring people or using my work as inspiration. However, I do feel that many people confuse inspiration with picking what they like in someone's work/style and then creating a Frankenstein-like collage of art by eyeballing. Tis not the same as inspo in my books. So these are just my boundaries personally for my work, which I am entitled to. If I can do the work from scratch, so can you.

• Can I use your art in any way?

If you commissioned me, you can use your work for non-commercial use by following my commission TOS found on my commission tab (the commission tab found on my site). Keep in mind, you bought commission, not the rights to my work. As for my personal work. No, you may not use my personal work in any way, shape, or form. Pick up a pencil and paper and draw kid, that's how yuh own the rights to your art.

• Why did you design your fursona the way you did?

I have had my fursona since 2008. I chose a fox/jaguar because I personally felt those animals best describe my nature as a person. The fox for its clever and playful descriptions in art. The jaguar is for the stern,  while playful, pretty much for its strength. I like to dabble in my personal art with these ideas a lot, and honestly, beyond happy younger me was on the same wavelength. While I have a fursona, I do have personas in terms of sonas that represent me that are not furry/anthro that do just the same.

• What art programs/traditional tools do you use?

~I use Photoshop, Mypaint, Azpainter, and Paint Tool SAI in terms of digital tools.

~For traditional... wooof I have a ton of supplies on hand that I can just pick up at best to do as I please, but my default go-to is colored pencils, markers, ink, 2B/B pencils, and paper of various sizes.

• What digital brushes do you use? Can you share them?

I use personal self-made brushes I made in Photoshop to fit my work and flow.  My brushes can be found in my class on my Discord server.

• What drawing tablet do you use?

 I use a Huion WH1409 

•  Do you accept commission projects or singular commissions in general?

Yes, I do, but as of late, only one at a time. I only open on my commission discord for the most part, and sometimes on any of my social media. That is extremely rare, though, since I want to work more on my own ideas vs things for others.

As for projects with companies, events locally or elsewhere, yes. Feel free to contact me here to send me a message, and we can talk about it. Keep in mind, projects are not commissions. For commissions, please see my front page for my commission tab.

• What are your tips for improvement other than practice?

 Well, for starters, you can't dodge the practice route if that's the case. Weeeeeeeell..art will be hard for you continuously. So let's not take shortcuts. There is no instant route to art, never was ...never will be.

KNOW YOUR FUNDAMENTALS FIRST! Even when you do, keep relearning them to not get rusty. Always, and I mean always, learn from real life. Be it studies from photos or IRL subjects, and learn color theory from the basics. I also suggest joining meet-up groups that specialize in figure drawing with live models. These are usually free or require PWYW donations, so they can pay the models for their time. Which has helped me so much over the years.

Most will say mimic other artists' work or mimic multiple different artists to find your way. I assure you, the only thing you will learn is the artists' mistakes. While they advance, you will be stuck with all the mistakes and bad habits you have learned. It's a nasty and hard lesson to actually run into. I say these are positive steps for improvement that have helped me take leaps and bounds with my work at a fast rate to avoid gimmick-looking work and to progress rather than fall into the trap of regression through style entrapment. Don't look back to the past you, other than to say Wow, I have progressed. Hold onto your idea of "your style" like a balloon, be willing to let past art go to give room to the new artist budding from your forever learning journey.

Do not worry about style. Your style will come and shine brightest when you follow the above advice. Most worry about style first, but focusing on style first will surely ruin your perception of art and hinder you. If not, it will make you hate your progression, forever pining for a past you that has long gone.

You can easily search for beginner artist fundamentals nowadays online and on YouTube from professional artists giving it out literally for free.

 And lastly, please, please, please be kind to yourself. As artists, we are our worst enemies and critics. You may hate something while others see its wonder. Keep that in mind when you share your work. Hell, keep some of your work to yourself, too. This has also helped my growth. What you see from me is literally 5% of my work; the other 95% I don't scan and keep to myself, and it's good to keep some stuff to yourself and grow. Better artist mental health dontchyuh know : P

• How long does it take to do your full art process?

This depends on my IRL life circumstances, my mood, and my energy.  I can usually finish a fully painted piece in 6-8 months, depending on complexity. However, I have been known to finish things in a day or week, but I am always left thinking I definitely could have spent way more time on it to produce better quality. I'm not an artist who worries about time constraints, not even with commissions. I feel the best art is produced when it's ready to be done, and you feel it is finished. Rushing art, be it for myself or for others, has never been my style, and that is not an attitude I will ever change ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

• What do you enjoy drawing the most?

I personally like to draw my own characters, world-building, and character designs that fit into my world-building. I'm a very emotional artist, so I prefer to work on art that has meaning or some form of substance to me and me alone. I also like to work with local artists in my area with collaborative ideas for functions, parties, or cons/festivals. Nothing says inspiration like growing your local art community and contributing your art to it. KEEP THE PARTY PARTYING!