• Where did you learn to draw?

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, online tutorials... 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.

• How long does it take you to do an illustration?

The amount of time it takes me to do an illustration varies greatly depending on it's size, complexity. I very rarely (In fact almost never) complete an illustration in one sitting, (I need to eat and sleep too you know) so it is hard estimate exactly how much time I spend on a piece.  It can take as little as two or three hours (e.g. pencil portraits), or a few weeks (e.g. huge multi-character compositions). On average it takes about 20 to 40 hours of work time to complete an illustration.

• Do You sketch digitally or do sketch on paper?

I sketch everything on paper (before I used to use heavy-weight cartridge paper, but now I use bristol board) using a 0.5mm HB mechanical pencil, my handy little battery operated eraser (people may laugh at it, but it's the best thing I have ever bought)... I'm not very good at drawing with my tablet... I just use it for painting. Nine times out of ten I work with A3 sized paper, and I do occasionally work on A4 and sometimes A2 for really large scaled project (I don't use A2 often because it's a pain in the butt to scan on my A4 scanner).

• What resolution do you work at?

I generally work at around 420x297mm (approx 16x12 inches) at 300 dpi. If there's a need for printing at very large size (for ads or big posters etc), I might double that size (providing my computer can handle it).

• Do you use a tablet? If so what model?

Yes... I currently use a Wacom Intuos 3 9x12 with the Grip Pen, and occasionally I use the Airbrush pen. Before I got my Intuos I used to us a Wacom Graphire 2 6x4, which was quite limiting due to it's small size, but it got the job done.

• Do you draw from life or photographs?

At the moment I generally work from photos the models provide. If we are able to get together, (in other words the don't live too far, and they don't mind meeting up with strange dudes) I'll take the reference photos myself. The main reason I get the models to send me photos is usually due to distance. I have worked with models from all over the world, including USA and France etc.

• How do you get hot models to work with you?

Oh that's an easy question to answer... I ask them nicely =D... And if that doesn't work, I get down on my knees and beg... J/K

• I'm a Model... Will you Draw me?

If you're interesed in collaborating with me, check out my Model Collaborations page for details on how to go about it.

• What software do you use?

I use Adobe Photoshop mainly. I also use Adobe Illustrator, Painter and Vue Espirit (usually for backdrops). Underneath each of the illustrations in the gallery sections, there is an info box which tells you what software (or natural media such as Coloured pencils and Watercolours etc.) was used.

• Which Filters do you use?

As a rule, I limit the use of filters in my illustrations as much as possible. Overuse of certain filters (especially the lens flare filter) can often leave work looking cheesy and amateurish. The only filters that I use really are the cloud filters, in combination with others (e.g. the cloud filter used in combination with the chrome filter can be used to create a nice liquid metal effect etc.) and the blur filters. For effects like shafts of light and the sun, I either use a combination of brushes and gradients, or I render lens flares in a 3D application, (that way, I have more control over it's appearance) and then import it into Photoshop.

• Can you teach me how to draw?

I don't think I am qualified enough to teach anyone how to draw... What I can do however, is give you a few pointers. Get a fairly good grasp of "Anatomy". (Try DrawingTutorialsOnline.com... I've personally used that site and it improved my drawing technique quite alot). Also go to a few life art classes if you can... Once you've mastered drawing the igure from life, there's no stopping you.

"Experiment". Study works of your favourite artists, try and think of ways in which they could have achieved their result, and try it out for yourself (some art books have a section detailing the techniques and materials that the artist use to produce their works)...

Last but not least Practice Practice Practice... You'll never get any better without plenty of Hard Work and Perseverance... You shouldn't expect to be brilliant straight away (I certainly wasn't when I first started out)... That worked for me anyway.

• Why do you draw women all of the time?

I don't draw women All of the time... Just ninty-five percent of the time ^_~. To be honest I don't exactly know why... Maybe subconsciously I despise all men and worship only women... Or I just find it more interesting drawing girls... I mean you can put girls in so many more situations. For example, a big, beefy guy (like Sagat from Street Fighter for instance) would look really weird rolling around in a field of flowers, or throwing a slumber party, whereas a woman working on a car, or kicking the crap out of someone doesn't look as strange...

• Can I use your art on my homepage?

Hmm... 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 >_<.