*MoonsongWolf

Just some random questions I get asked periodically. I thought I might share, in case a few other people were wondering, too. Please feel free to ask me pretty much anything. I don't usually bite.

What mediums do you use and how long does it take to complete a piece?

For digital work, I typically do a pencil sketch, scan it, and then colour it in Photoshop 7. For traditional work, I mostly use prismacolor coloured pencils and gouache/watercolour paints. I have also dabbled a little in markers and inks.

As for the length of time to complete a piece, that varies substantially. Usually, I can only give a rough guess, since I rarely ever complete something in one sitting. Often, it takes me five or six sittings. On average, a single character and background in digital takes about six hours, in traditional about 15 hours.

Will you make a tutorial for ______?

Although I don't have the time right now to make a very official-looking, detailed tutorial, if you have any questions about the techniques I use, feel free to note me. I will explain my techniques as thoroughly as I can. I also have a few links to tutorials that I have found helpful further down this journal, so feel free to check them out. I may make my own tuts later for some of the things that I have developed my own technique on. Most people are curious about how I do fur, but if there is anything else that's not in one of the tutorials I have listed, please let me know.

Can I draw your characters/use your art as references?

Okay, I only have a few rules about using my art. I think that they are quite fair, so please be fair to me and follow them.

*If you want to use any of my art for a non-profit-related non-political project, I will probably say okay. Just note me. For example, if you are making a fansite for Warriors, you may post my art. However, please ensure that you cite me as the artist. You can put my user name "moonsongwolf" or my DA page link either ON the image or just NEXT to it. Also, please send me a link, so I can check it out. PLEASE NOTE that this does not include artwork done for other people, unless you get their permission, too. In other words, if it is someone else's character, you must ask them, too!

*If, for some odd reason, you would like to use my art for reference for poses, backgrounds, etc., go right ahead. You don't have to ask me or anything. Please try to be creative with it, though, and do it in your own style.

*About tracing. Okay, here's the deal. I know some people have to start somewhere. Tracing may not be the best way to learn to draw, but it can help. My work is not the easiest to trace, but if you wish to for practice, go ahead. However, if you intend to display your finished work somewhere, you must cite that you traced the image from my artwork. And link, please.

*Do not just copy and paste my artwork and claim it as your own. That will probably annoy me. But not nearly as much as if you claim my characters as yours. I love them all very much and have a great personal attachment to them. Although they may not be real, most of them encompass some aspect of myself, so I feel that they are a part of me. This is the only thing that I will go ballistic about. Besides, why would you want my characters when you can make your own?

*Fanart is cool, of course. You don't have to ask permission, but it would be great if you would send me a link when you are done.