Even if I end up altering the colours to suit the setting of the picture, I’ll always start by colour-dropping these canon reference images to make sure I’m starting with the right base shade. It’s difficult for me to post actual colour palettes since mine change from image to image depending on the setting (like a sunset scene, for example, will have very different colours to a night scene). The only constant is starting with these base colours before adjusting them accordingly.

Now, as for giving shance a chance I can’t say the pairing dynamic really appeals to me very much? I enjoy how they are in canon and I don’t mind it as a ship, but I wouldn’t actively go hunting for shance content. I’d be more than happy to draw it if someone commissioned me to, though!

Thank you so much! I’ve only actually used CSP a couple of times, so I’ve not used anything but the default brushes it comes with. I like the lighter pencil for sketching and the G-pen for inking so far! Give me some time, though, and I might be able to give you a more thorough answer.

Sending hugs straight back from England!

When I first started drawing, I copied a lot. I would copy panels from my fave manga, promo art from anime etc etc, and I would sit hunched over on my bedroom floor for hours, drawing on printer paper with really basic pencils and pens. I never traced anything, but worked by eye. Once I felt more comfortable with what I was doing I started drawing my own poses and stuff. Still fanart, though! That’s never changed. When I first started digital work I had a very basic tablet (the Wacom Graphire 3, I believe!) and was using a program called Pixia.  

I’ve come a long way, but the tools I started out with were so basic!

I tracked my progress over the years by re-drawing old pictures every so often for comparison purposes. I also updated a progress meme every year from 2004, although I still need to add 2016. It’s really interesting to see how my style and skill has changed over the years!

Thank you, anon

I mostly use the default PS brushes for all of my drawing. I tend to use the hard round pressure opacity brush with shape dynamics turned on for the inking, and use a mix of the same brush and the hard round pressure size brush for colouring. I do like sketching with the Stumpy Pencil tool (which you can find if you google it), and use the odd texture brush for things like clouds. Nothing fancy!

Um, well I’d never say never, but I’ve only actually used CSP a few times and am mostly winging it? I watched some general CSP tutorials on youtube and was like YOLO since I have to start somewhere ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ They were very helpful tutorials, though, and could probably explain things much better than myself. You can find them here and here!

No problem! I’m glad you liked the way I did it! And I actually only used the default G-pen, but with the stabilizer turned off since I’m not a big fan of those. That’s it, really! I didn’t alter anything else about the settings for it.

I tend to draw the body “naked” first to get a framework of the anatomy right before hanging clothing on it. This allows me to make sure everything is where it should be, and will give me a better sense of direction when it comes to clothing folds. There’s no “correct” way of doing this kind of thing - it’s whatever you feel most comforable with - but for me it makes sense to build the base model and work from there. You don’t normally go straight in with the finishing touches, after all!

I’m delighted to hear my art has inspired you! Thank you for telling me

For the most part I use Photoshop CS6 with my Wacom tablet. It’s what I feel most comfortable and competent with, but I want to learn how to use Clip Studio Paint so I can do comics!

Thank you very much! 

I currently use a Wacom Intuos Pro Small tablet (which I upgraded to about four years ago from a Bamboo) and mostly use Photoshop CS6, occasionally Clip Studio Paint and SketchBook Pro. You really don’t need expensive equipment and programs to get started with digital drawing, though! 

PS is obviously at the upper end of the price scale if you get a legit version, but there are programs at the lower end of the scale that are perfectly decent, like Fire Alpaca and GIMP (free) to Clip Studio Paint and SAI (~$50). The same goes for tablets. I’ve only ever used Wacoms but I know there are a number of other brands that offer decent alternatives.

Go for whatever you have the budget for, and you can always updgrade later! Good luck!

Nah, along with the default PS swatches I also downloaded a set that match the colours of Copic Markers. I can’t remember where from but I’ve had it for years now. I do add my own, though, usually colour swatches from canon stuff, or colour combinations that I’ve used and like together.

Hmm, I should probably have answered this one sooner...

Chances were high I was using either the Stumpy Pencil or Kyle’s Animator Pencil, both of which are designed for Photoshop and are tools that I really enjoy working with!

Thank you very much!

I use Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), which is compatible with multiple streaming platforms. It’s very straightforward to use!

I’ve noted down all the programs I use for my art on my ABOUT page, which also contains handy dandy links and key tags. 

Alrighty then, lets talk art styles!

The thing about style is…you already have one. If you and another artist were to draw exactly the same thing - the same character, the same object, anything - both pictures would look very different. That style you already have will develop organically as you grow in skill level as an artist and, as with any labour of love, that takes time. You’re not going to be able to wake up one day and go “today I’m going to start drawing this way” and for that to be it!

That’s not to say you can’t push yourself in a different direction stylistically, but it’s certainly not a simple thing. The way you need to frame the style development question is as such: what about my current style do I like? And what about my current style do I not like? And from there you can work on building it into something that you’re happy with because you’ll have specifics to work on. 

Looking critically at artists you admire is also helpful. Try and identify which bits of their work you find appealing. Is it the linework? The way they use light and colour? I’m not saying go around copying other artists brush stroke for brush stroke, but there’s nothing wrong with saying “hey, I find this style appealing for X reason so I’m going to see if I can re-create that somehow in my own work”. Treat it as a learning exercise. 

But the main thing is to focus on improving overall as an artist technically speaking, nail your fundamentals and then start pushing boundaries once you can make conscious and informed decisions about how to break the rules.

Good luck! :D