sanne's tumblr

Shamelessly copied from my DA page, hence the emoticons. xD

Sanne’s FAQ


Q: Do you take requests/art trades/commissions?

A: Here is the info on that.


Q: What programs do you use?

A: I use Photoshop CS2. Sometimes, when I feel like it, I also use Illustrator, but that’s a very rare occurence since I suck at vector.


Q: What brushes do you use?

A: For outlining, details and simple coloring, I use the Photoshop default in several sizes, you know, that round hard brush which is in the list first. xD
For more detailed coloring, I used to use another one from Photoshop, but some time ago, a friend linked me to the fabulous brush pack from `adonihs  ( [link] ) and I use the first one, “standard painting brush”. That’s practically it. Simple, eh?


Q: Can you teach me how to draw?

A: Uh. No.  How am I supposed to do that? All of you know how to hold a pen or a pencil so all of you can draw, too. The rest of it is up to you. You decide what you want to draw and how you want todraw. You gotta learn basics and stuff, you gotta get a feeling for it. You need to practice. Draw what you like to draw, draw what YOU would like to see. There isn’t an instant recipe for the perfect picture and even if there was one - I’m really not the right person for that.


Q: Can you make a tutorial on drawing/coloring?

I actually did that! I don’t know if it’s really helpful but you can always see it as a demonstration of how I do things and I know that some people (myself included) find those things very interesting.

Part I
Part II

Apart from these, I have little to no motivation to ever make another tutorial.


Q: Would you please take a look at my work and give some tips?

A: I received that kind of question a few times already and, DAYMN, it’s flattering, you have no idea. <3 I am so glad that you’re enjoying what I do and if you decide to seek advice from me, it’s like… wow. Seriously. Wow. Speechless, I am.

However, I’d feel really uncomfortable doing this. I am so sorry! I said before that I’m not the right person for this kind of thing and I mean that. I feel that I’m not in the position for giving critique of that kind because I still have a lot of things to learn myself and, honestly, who am I to pick apart what people obviously have fun with? I wouldn’t even know what I’m talking about. I’d probably stutter like an idiot. xD I have my preferences when it comes to different drawing styles so every comment of mine would probably be a little biased from the start. And if you need some advice for anatomy and all that jazz - well, you really shouldn’t ask me because I have issues in that area as well. I am self-taught but apart from other self-taught artists, I still have no idea what I’m doing. How am I supposed to give advice in such a situation? xD

I am not a critic. And I don’t want to be one. I am just a random person who enjoys drawing. I’d like to keep it this way. ;D

There’s some advice I can give to all of you, though: Draw what you would want to see. Draw what you enjoy! I’ve been doing it like this since I could hold a pen. Draw what lies in the bottom of your heart and soul. Artwork that comes from deep inside will automatically reflect your own personality and that’s definitely something people enjoy! I do!

I really have no other explanation than that for why people like my stuff. It’s not perfect, it’s wonky, it has flaws but it is mine. No one else can see into your head after all so use your imagination. Let it flow. The rest will come to you, sooner or later. ;D And if you really want to learn - use some references of photos (or anything else) you like! (I rarely/never do that but that’s a quirk of mine.) It’s perfectly legit, it is NOT cheating and it’s helpful for getting a grasp on expressions and anatomy! Look at yourself in the mirror for expressions. That might sound stupid but I’m serious! Also, sketch a lot! Not every piece has to be a finished masterpiece. Sketching will help you to find your flow!

/End of horrible advice.


Q: What’s your job/profession/etc?

A: I’m a trained Designer of Communication. And a self-taught illustrator.


Q: May I use one of your drawings as reference?

A: You may! However, give me credit please! Like, a link back to the drawing you used or anything of that sort so people can see that the original drawing is mine. And please, do yourself a favour and don’t simply trace an image. Trust me, it’s not only frustrating for me but for you as well. In the end, I can’t stop you from doing so, this is more of a personal matter. Thanks!


Q: How do you come up with all your outfit ideas? Do you plan to be a fashion designer one day? I’d SO buy your stuff!

A: This is probably the most flattering thing one could ever say to me, haha! I’d LOVE to be a fashion designer one day, though it’s a tough business and I doubt that I’ll ever be able to set a foot into that door.

Apart from that, I don’t think about that stuff too much. When I draw clothes, I tend to draw what comes to my mind immediately.

I have always been interested in fashion, though. Not the Runway kind but the Everyday kind. The simple stuff. I look through stores a lot, even when I’m not buying stuff for myself. I never copy the stuff I see and I’m not directly looking for anything, like certain seasonal trends or so, I just like to keep the various shapes and forms in mind.

In the end, however, I go with what I would like to wear/see other people wearing and what I would like to see hangin’ around in stores.



… to be continued.


*******************
Original Characters FAQ


Q: So, your characters are really cool and they seem quite popular. I can’t find their story, though! Are you writing a story? Or do you have a webcomic, perhaps? I can’t find anything! I’d love to see!

A: And I’d love to show it to you but sadly, there’s nothing bigger going on behind them at the moment. I’d love to do something with them in the future but at the moment I’m not feeling confident enough to actually start writing or drawing a comic. I’m not a storyteller and I fail pretty much when it comes to making up interesting and coherent stories. So it’s just the people randomly interacting with each other in my gallery, mostly for my own amusement. And the whole thing takes place in a city that obviously sucks.

I do have some pretty vague ideas but I’m not always openly sharing them since they’re still inconsistent and often fall victim to my mood swings. ;D

I’ve made several entries about this matter already, see here! Or here!


Q: So, which city is it that sucks so much?

A: My little universe takes place in Boston, MA. Just for the record, I don’t think that Boston sucks. xD I’ve never been there so I can’t tell, can I? I choose it pretty randomly but from what I know and what I’ve heard about the city so far, I think I would really like it!


Q: But why “This City Sucks”, then? D:

A: I have no idea, really. “This City Sucks” was the title of my very first official cast line up I uploaded on my DeviantArt page. A working title, so to say. Seemingly, I’m now stuck with it. Sadly. Because I kinda… don’t like it. xD However, I can’t think of something more appropriate right now (since I don’t follow a proper storyline anyway) so… *shrugs* … we should probably just deal with it at this time. 8I

(Besides, we can always imagine it to be some sort of a… battle cry. You know what I mean? I think that each of my characters has at least said it ONCE in their life. xD )


Q: Why does Holly use a walking stick?

A: You can read her story here!


Q: What is it with Charlie and Kieran? Are they a couple now or are they not? I’m confused!

A: ‘Course you are. Because I tend to act a bit silly with these two! However, for clarification…

I play my characters real-time, kind of. And Charlie is going to end up with Kieran but not yet. I imagine them getting together not until a few years after they first met (which was only recently, about some months ago or so). When it happens, I imagine that she’s about 26/27 and he’s about 31/32 or so. They’re meant to be. Once together, they won’t seperate again. And if they actually do one day, they’re meant to get back together again. And again and again. Until they finally figure out that they have no choice but to accept that they’re SO damn stuck with each other for fucking eternity. 8I

I don’t want Charlie to be stuck with a man when she’s still that young (right now, she’s twenty-one). I’m having way too much fun with her as a single girl, looking for love and happiness, and I want her to have a few other boyfriends/crushes before realizing that the right man for her has already been there for a few years. Right now, Charlie doesn’t even think about Kieran that way.

At the same time, I certainly do love thinking about these two together. So, I’m always toggling between the years. I’m sorry if that’s confusing but well, that’s how it goes when you aren’t following a proper storyline but still want your characters to evolve. So, just for the record: Any time I throw out something slightly romantic between these two, you can imagine both Charlie and Kieran to be about five or six years older than they are now.


Q: And what about Holly and James!? They’d be AWESOME together, aw!

A: I regret to inform you that these two are definitely NOT meant to be. SO SORRY! However, they clarified their relationship themselves not too long ago! See what they said!


Q: Can I draw your characters? Or write a story about them?

A: Oh, for the love of all that’s kitten and rainbows, please feel free to do so! I’d be delighted, really. I have received a lot of gift art so far and I’m in love with every single piece. Also, all of them end up on the walls in my room… that sounds stupid. Let’s just pretend that’s the greatest honour ever. Because it is, at least to me. ;D

Q: I’m not a drawer but a writer! I can help you coming up with a story and write scenes out for you! We can collaborate! You up for that?

A: You are incredibly sweet! You most certainly are! However, no. I am not up for that. The main reason for this is that I always preferred to work on my own. These are my characters and while I really like showing them to the world, I wouldn’t want to… well… share them with anybody.

I love your gift arts, your thoughts and possible writing snippets, oh fuck yeah, I do! They’re completely inspiring and awesome! You wanna fool around with my characters for fun? By all means, go ahead! Show me your pics, tell me your thoughts, I’m always up for that!

However, if someone actually wrote/planned out things for me so I can publish them, it would feel wrong to me. Even if I liked all of the ideas, it wouldn’t feel like my own universe anymore. Any possible media about my peeps that might be published in the future shall be made/created by me and only me.



… to be continued.