F.A.Q.

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I am essentially self-taught. I tried going to art college, but I got so bored that I dropped out after the first semester. Some personality types learn more efficiently in a classroom environment, and others learn better on their own with books, DVD's (yes, DVDs, I'm old), and online tutorials etc. I sit in the latter category.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no right or wrong way to draw, I just think that everyone just needs to find a technique that suits their style and personality type.

The amount of time it takes me to complete an illustration varies depending on its size, complexity. It is difficult to say exactly how long my illustrations take, because I typically only work on my digital paintings in multiple sessions of 2-4 hours over a few weeks (sometime even months) when I have free time.

If I were to guess, I would probably say around 15-20 hours on average (give or take).

As a rule, I limit the use of filters in my illustrations as much as possible. Overuse of certain filters can often leave work looking cheesy and amateurish.

The only filters that I use really are blur filters, (for certain effects such as shafts of light in combination with gradients etc.) and the noise filters. I typically use these in combination with brushes or gradients etc.

I prefer to do my preliminary sketches or thumbnail sketches traditionally with pencil and paper, and then scan it into my computer.

I know it's the way dinosaurs used to work, but there's a certain “je ne sais quoi” that you get from drawing traditionally with pencils on paper that cannot be replicated with a stylus and tablet. Plus I have a physical tangible drawing at the end of it all too.

However, for small elements of an illustration that I decided to add in mid-way during the digital painting process, I may sketch digitally to save time (and paper).

Although I have a large selection of brushes in my collection that I have accumulated over the years, my my go-to brush is regular basic round brush that comes with Photoshop, set to around 30% hardness, so the strokes aren't too hard, or too soft.

For areas of the illustration that require a different texture or effect that is difficult or impossible to replicate with the round brush, I will then use on of the other brushes in my collection that are either from sets, I have purchased or have collected over the years, or brushes I have created myself.

Very rarely, however, I do on the odd occasion, so long as the photo texture doesn't break cohesion with the rest of the piece (let's not talk about the tree in my very first digital painting "Cascade Faerie" 😅).

For example, in my illustration "Drowning My Tears”, I used a subtle photo texture for the water droplets on the glass. I did initially try to paint it myself, but I struggled to make it look organic and natural, so I decided to use a photo texture in this instance.

My digital painting technique hasn't really changed much. I still basically follow the same steps as I did back in the day. The only difference is that now I have a better understanding of light and shadow, as well as better knowledge of anatomy.

All of my digital illustration are currently produced on my self-built PC, with intel Core i9 processor, 32GB Ram and Nvidia RTX3080 graphics card.

For the painting process, I am currently using an old beat-up Wacom Intuos 3 tablet that I have had for years. However, I do plan to upgrade to a Cintiq pro (or something similar) in the not too distant future.

My software of choice is Adobe Photoshop, however, I do sometimes incorperate elements from other programs into my digital illustration work also, such as Adobe Illustrator (for graphic patterns, tribal tattoo deigns etc.) or Blender (for 3D Elements, or to block out complex environments).

I do sometimes dabble in using Sketchbook pro and Procreate also, but I generally only use those for quick doodles and sketches.

I typically do my preliminary drawings with graphite on Bristol board. I like using Bristol board for these due to its super smooth surface, and it erases quite cleanly. I generally do my lineart with a 2mm clutch pencil, or 0.5mm/0.3mm Mechanical pencil for finer details

If I add shading to the drawing, I will use traditional wooden pencils in various grades (I typically use either Derwent Sketching pencils, or Faber Castell 9000 pencils).

The short answer is “Yes I do”... Okay, I will elaborate further 😊.

I do use references, however, I typically don't work from a single reference. For the main figure/figures in the illustration, I may take the pose and the likeness (depending on the project), from a single reference. However, I will sometimes combine aspects taken from multiple references (these would usually from the same model) to produce a pose more to my liking, if the initial pose doesn't quite fit my vision.

For example, in my “Cavern of the Mantas” illustration, I took the head from one photo, and took the torso from another photo and combined the two to get the pose/composition I was looking for.

For other aspects of the image (such as environments, clothing, weapons and non-human appendages such as wings etc.) I will gather a number of references to work with. Not necessarily to copy directly, more so that I can get a good understanding of the structure to ground my illustrations into reality (as much into reality as a fantasy illustration can get anyway 😜).

Though I have drawn from life before (not for an illustration, but for figure drawings), however, for my illustrations it's not really practical for me to do so.

I mostly work from photographs that have either taken myself, from a photo reference set I have purchased, or from photos that models/photographers have sent to me as part of a collaboration project.

For the main figure/figures in the piece, I will either arrange a photo shoot with the model (if geography allows, or if they offer remote shooting), or I will purchase photo reference packs offered by individual art models, or purchase reference packs available on various art/figure drawing websites.

For other parts of the illustration (for parts where I don't need a direct reference), I will sometimes look on sites such as Google or Pinterest.

All of my digital illustration are currently produced on my self-built PC, with intel Core i9 processor, 32GB Ram and Nvidia RTX3080 graphics card.

For the painting process, I am currently using an old beat-up Wacom Intuos 3 tablet that I have had for years. However, I do plan to upgrade to a Cintiq pro (or something similar) in the not too distant future.

Sorry not without permission... If you would really like to use my art on your site, then drop me an e-mail requesting permission. So long as you have a valid reason for wanting to use my art on your site then there shouldn't be too much of a problem. Just remember to properly credit me for the image, and link back to my site.

Oh yeah, don't use my illustrations for anything different from their original purpose (e.g. don't use a picture of Xiu-Mei Fan for instance, and claim her as your own character) as that is really frowned upon. And naturally, no commercial usage (i.e. no making money from MY work) either... If you want to make money from art, then make your own