Drawing Tutorials
MangaTutorials
Coloring Tutorials
    Creationism, as you may have eventually implied by the title, is actually the section for elaboration on the “creation” process of my illustrations. Contrary to popular belief, it is truly not meant to imply anything religious. Okay! (^_~) So please refrain from flaming me any further you Darwinistic fanaticals!
right here. Just label the email with something that will catch my attention, that way I won't misinterpret it as computer generated spam. ^-^

     Okay then, we will first commence with a listing of all the applicable questions. (^_^) As always, they are listed in bulleted format for easy reading. I think some of the answers are common sense, but hey, they've been asked before so I might as well state them! (^_~)

       P.S. I will also be adding some Tutorial Sections, complete with step by step instructions!!! So continue to check back everyone!
(o_O) lol. Anways, the primary contents below contain answers to art questions that I have been frequently, or rarely,
asked by inquiring minds. Hopefully you will find all of the answers you seek! If not, feel free to let me know,  and I will gladly answer
your questions ASAP! I am most easily accessible
Images, characters, titles, web content © Francessca Bella Coniglio
Home
Tools
* Can I use your characters for some of my stories?
Of course ... you may not! (^_~) I work extremely hard to design my characters, both visually and impactually so I need to them to remain intact! Plus, it is better to use your own characters anyways, then you will own full copyrights to them.

* Can I use your pics for my website?
Yes, but please ask me for permission first, and if I agree, then provide a link back to this website! (^_~) I think that is reasonable enough!!!
* Are you going to pursue a career in the manga industry?
Most likely not. I simply enjoy drawing as a hobby, not a job! If I was forced to crank out pages of art to generate revenue for publishing company, I would cry! (O_O) Therefore, I probably will be steering away from that path. I know a lot of people have been pleading with me to reconsider this choice, but I don't think that my mind will change, at least not anytime soon. (^.^) Gomen nasai!

* Are you ever going to finish a manga story?
Maybe, or maybe not! (^_^) It depends on how I feel!

* Have you ever entered RSOM?
Nope, I never even heard of it until someone asked me this, which was in August 2006. But now that I do know of it, I may enter it and try my luck! I’m not promising that though! (^_~) It depends on how much free time I gain in the future!
* Do you take art requests?
I used to, but the requests quickly became to numerous to fulfill. As a result, I am no longer taking any! So please do not ask me to make a special exception for you either. I will be forced to decline it, because that would be unfair to those that were previously denied. Sorry! (^_^)

* Are you offering any commissions?
Yep! Just email me here, and let me know what sort of a project you have in mind! I will get back with you ASAP, usually within 24 hours! I will also be putting up a commission page soon, with detailed info on project types, prices and things of that sort, so keep on checking back!!!!! (^___~)
* Do you do artwork collaborations?
Unfortunately, I don’t. They tend to take way for long for completion, which is now highly unpreferable  since I have become so busy lately. I am not talented at teamwork illustrations anyways. lol
Permissions
* What papers and mediums do you use for your art?
The line art is initially drawn out with a mechanical pencil, and then inked using a standard fine-tipped pen. For coloring, I use either colored pencils or watercolors. The paper is generally just everyday computer paper, although I may occasionally use watercolor paper, but that is on extremely rare occasions!

* Are you ever going to try computer graphics?
I am sure that I will give it a try someday, but for the moment I am not interested! I actually like traditional media more than digital! It's just my preference!
* When did you first start drawing?
Heheh, this one is asked a lot for some reason. Anyways, I started drawing since I was 5 or something near that age anyways. Of course, that's based on the assumption that Crayola scribbles classify as drawings. lol (n_n) On a more serious note, I have been drawing since a very young age because it has always been a hobby. In regards to anime/manga style, I started using it in Spring of 2000, when I was in sixth grade.

* What were your first anime/manga drawings of?
Are you sure you want to know? Okay then ... Pokemon!!! (O_O) Hahah, this is the truth! I first started drawing them, and then the human characters as well. My first studies were the card illustrations by Ken Sugimori. I used to copy his human poses on the Trainer cards, (<_<) and turn them into my own characters. Hey! I had to learn somehow!!!

* Where did you learn to draw?
I practically taught myself through image observation, as most artists have. (^_^) I had an art class in high school though, but I hated it because we never really got to draw anything, just make crafty things, and paint abstract artworks! (@_@)
* Do have any tips to help out art beginners?
Hmm … just the usual advice. Study your art books and get in lots of practice. It is a fact that the more you draw, the more you learn about drawing, and therefore, the better your skill level becomes. It is also important to not just draw anime/manga, but you should also draw from real-life and study human anatomy (I even need to do this more myself, lol). Anime/manga may be surreal, but it still follows anatomical laws, for the most part anyways.

* What things do you dislike about your drawings?
Eeeek! Lot ’s of things actually, such as all the flaws. (;_;) That’s really about it! (That was a really helpful answer, wasn't it!? lol)

* What things do you like about your drawings?
Probably the colors, at least most of time. I especially like the ones where the colors match well, and flow throughout the entire pic! I also like the way some of the co positions have come out.

* Will you look at my own artwork and offer me any critiques?
Ahh! Of course I will! Just let me know and I will gladly be of service! (^.^) I enjoy seeing the brilliant creations of others!!!

* How do you take to negative criticisms on your  images?
If it is a legitimate and constructive criticism, then I am grateful! Sometimes, there are flaws in my pictures that I can't see until someone points them out, and then I can learn how to improve. Unfortunately, not many people give me legitimate criticisms, just praise, so I sometimes continue to make mistakes that I am unaware of! (@_@) So yes, if you see something that you think I need to improve on, feel free to let me know!!! I would really appreciate it!! (^____^)
Manga
Experiences
* How come you don't have any fan art?
There really is no particular reason, other than I do not usually find drawing other people’s characters very intriguing. It is creatively stifling for me! (n_n) I used to do a little bit of fanart when I was in middle school, but since then I only create it rarely, unless it's a commission of course.
Critiques
Displayment
* Are there places where your works can be viewed?
(^_^) There certainly are, and those places include:
www.tokyopop.com/francessca
www.francesscabella.deviantart.com
http://anime.artwanted.com/fushigi
Services
Stylization
* How do you develop your characters?
Usually, I just draw the visual elements of the character first, and then create the personality based on how they look! Sometimes, I get my characters from dreams that I have, it's rather comical actually. I will wake-up in the middle of the night after a dream that had some characters in it, and will start drawing them, even if it's past midnight. (<_<) I will also write in little personality notes at the sides of those midnight drawings. lol When coming up with the visual designs of my characters, I usually start with deciding upon a hair style. (^_^) I simply love anime hair, and it just happens to be very important to me in regards to character design. I also place high value on a character's clothing, and try to come up with new clothing design elements.

* How long does it to take to make a fully colored image?
Unfortunately, I don’t really know! They all take different amounts of time, but I have never actually measured it for any. I promise to do that sometime though! My random guess would be that the really detailed pictures take around 8 hours to color. It is actually drawing them and arranging the composition that takes a long time. Between 8 and 15 hours sometimes!

* Where do you get your ideas from?
I don’t really know! I usually just start drawing, and it turns into something! Sometimes I start out with a specific image in my head, but it never end up turning out the way I initially conceived it! (@_@) I always end up changing major elements by the time I am finished up!
  
* How do you know what colors to use?
There isn't necessarily any correct and incorrect colors to use in a picture. It just depends on what colors someone wants to put into their image. I usually like colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Such as blue and purple, or yellow and orange. Generally, I think it is best to choose three dominant colors for an image, and then stick with those three. Of course, it is okay to use different shades of those colors, as long as they are within the same family.
Random
* Why do you choose anime/manga art over other art forms?

When I first seen the art style, I was inescapably captivated, most especially by the eyes and hair of the characters. I also love the bright colors, surrealism, fantasy, and high level of detail that anime/manga illustrations can involve, considering that they are technically cartoons. I think the foreign aspect of it caught my attention as well, but that aspect of interest has faded away these days, since anime/manga art is becoming so popular among America’s youth.

* Is anime/manga your only style?
Much to the dismay of realism supporters ... yes. For the moment, I am uninspired by other illustration styles, but someday that may change You never know! I am still young, and technically “immature-minded.” Besides, every older person I know says I will eventually grow out of it.

* Why do you have to make your pictures so cluttery?

Oh yes, the infamous issue of picture clutter! Lol Some people love it, yet others are appalled by it. (^_~) Personally, I adore it, although I’m sure you already know that! (^.^) Well, there is actually a very explicit psychological reason as to why I clutter my pics, but I don’t want to get into it. However, on a surface level of explanation, I simply can’t help myself. It is practically impossible for me to restrain my compulsive urges to add more and more lines and objects to the images. When it comes to my own pictures, I tend to dislike the ones that are not cluttery. The simpler something is, the less competent I feel, so I have to make it complicated. (@_@)

* How do you draw so much detail without going crazy!?
Reasonably enough, I love detail and possess inhuman patience! Besides, I am probably insane already, so it really doesn't matter much anyways!

* Do you ever draw anything shonen?
No, not really. It really doesn't interest me as a drawing subject! Although I absolutely adore the shonen works of others. It may sound illogical and contradictory, but it is true.
Inspiration