100 Questions for Artists

Filling out this lovely questionare by fellow netizen Stupied! No particular reason for it! Just thought it'd be fun :3

1.) Introduce yourself! What kind of art do you make?

Hi hello! I'm Blanki, I mostly just draw but sometimes I say a funny...I make all kinds of art! I'm primarily a 2D digital artist and animator, but I also dabble in crafts, writing, music, etc.

2.) How long have you been making art?

I started taking art seriously in 2020 but I've been making it since I was like 10 or so!

3.) How many hours do you spend for each piece?

HEAVILY depends, but I usually spend 30 minutes to an hour drawing semi-daily!

4.) Do you prefer taking your time or do you like to quickly move on to the next thing?

I like quickly moving to the next thing! I've been known to finish stuff very quickly and art is no different LOL. I just want to do as much as I can!

5.) When do you decide a piece is finished?

Either when it feels complete (most stages are done for example) or I am no longer having fun making it.

6.) What part of the creation process do you enjoy the most?

Conceptualizing ideas honestly. Bringing stuff together in the early development process and seeing things click together is SO AWESOME!

7.) What part of the creation process do you dislike the most?

Being stuck/unsure how to approach a problem...

8.) Do you have a designated workstation or do you just work wherever?

I draw on my Ipad, usually on my bed admittedly LOL. But I can work anywhere if I try hard enough!

9.) Do you monetize you work or is it purely a hobby?

I take commissions but it's primarily a hobby! I'm looking to make creative work a part of my career though!

10.) Where do you share your work? On social media or a personal websites? Do you keep to yourself and close friends?

The best way to keep up with my art is either my toyhouse or my DAD gallery. It's where I update the most currently!

11.) What's an aspect of your art you enjoy?

I like how I do expressions!

12.) What are things you would like to improve on?

Probably backgrounds and prop design!

13.) Are you self-taught or had formal education?

Almost entirely self-taught! With the exclusion of regular schooling I taught myself to do all the things I do. I prefer it that way!

14.) Do you research about old techniques or stick to newer ones?

I'm always willing to try new things, even if that thing is an old tried and true method for someone else!

15.) What do you value more, experimentation or mastery?

Experimentation honestly! A jack of all trades is better than a master of none after all.

16.) Do you practice drawing from the arm? What other art techniques to you practice?

I do draw from the arm! Technically not so much a technique but I also try to do hand stretches because I am NOT getting carpal tunnel if I can help it...

17.) How frequently do you do studies?

Not as much as I'd like to sadgely...primarily though that's just cause I don't get specific study inspiration often. I do like doing em though! I've for sure developed a much healthier relationship with them in comparison to when I was much younger.

18.) Do you understand color theory? How'd you learn or do you want to?

Ehhh...Subconciously yes but if you asked me to explain it I'd be unable to LMFAO. I would like to learn in more traditional way though!

19.) Favorite color(s)?

Blue, Yellow, and Purple! Who would've guessed. I also love rainbows...

20.) Are there colors you avoid? Do you think ugly colors exists?

I typically don't enjoy more desaturated colors however I still think they can work in the right contexts!

21.) Can you do perspective?

Somewhat! Not perfectly, but who can?

22.) Do you like doing lineart? How do you go about it?

I've honestly abandoned doing traditional "lineart" nowadays LOL. I much prefer to clean up my sketch! When I do do it though I usually just trace over my initial sketch with maybe small fixes.

23.) Do you have multiple unfinished projects? Will you ever get to finishing them?

Absolutely, whether or not I finish them is a mystery only time can tell us the answer to...

24.) How do you start a new piece? Do you have a plan or just figure it along the way?

Honestly most of my work comes from spur of the moment LOL

25.) How do you handle art block?

Usually I try to take a step back and indulge in other stuff so that I can find something I feel I want to do instead! Or I just make myself bored enough that I actively miss creating. As the great Defunctland once said, "The only thing I hate more than making films is not making them."

26.) Do you listen to music or watch something while working?

Yes LOL. I often rewatch shows, have youtube on in the bg, or listen to music while I work.

27.) When are you most motivated to create? In the morning or evening? Rainy or sunny?

Mostly in the morning actually! When I wake up I feel the most urgency so it's easier for me to start something new. Weather doesn't usually impact my creative drive.

28.) Are your sketchbooks messy or aesthetically pleasing?

I've embraced how messy my sketchbooks are. They are SKETCH books after all, maybe I'll write an essay someday about the "performative sketchbook" phenomena and how we should allow ourselves spaces to just make random bullshit instead of needing to cater everything for an outside audience. Nothing wrong with those who do love making aesthetically pleasing sketchbooks though! I admire their dedication, I just find it more stressful than enjoyable personally.

29.) Do you like showing sketchbooks to others?

Depends on who I'm showing it to! But usually I'm alright with it if the other person is respectful and polite about it!

30.) Do you have any art friends? IRL or online?

ABSOLUTELY!!! Basically all of my friends are art friends!!! Some of my dearest friends were forged in the depths of the art and animation communities...

31.) Do you collaborate frequently with your friends? Is there something you'd like to work on together?

I do collaborate with my friends when I get the chance! The person I collaborate the most with honestly would probably be my friend Dream. This is primarily cause of our OC friendship pairing Kiyospy...the little freaks how I like them so! I would love to make something like a game with others at some point.

32.) Have you created art to gift to others? How do feel about parting away from your work?

Yes I have! I usually try to keep a screenshot or picture for myself so I don't have to fully say goodbye, but if it's for another person it's theirs before it's mine!

33.) Have you drawn for someone else? Like commissions or requests? Did you enjoy it?

I have! And I did! You can commission me too y'know!

34.) How's your posture?

I don't wanna talk about it...(I am well aware I have shrimp posture and I am trying to fix it but it's HARD!!!)

35.) Have you ever been injured making art?

Yes, especially when making crafts. We will not discuss the amount of hot glue burns I've gotten...

36.) What's a medium of art you've wanted to try / currently attempting?

Honestly I would love to try making my own clothes someday!

37.) Do you prefer stylized or realistic art?

Stylized! I'd like to dip my toes into realistic art sometime though...

38.) Do you like hyper-realistic art?

It's hit or miss for me honestly.

39.) Do you like abstract art?

Also hit or miss! I've come to deeply appreciate the practice behind abstract art though!

40.) How do you feel about fine art?

(Shrugs) It's alright!

41.) How do you feel about outsider art? Do you think you fall in that category?

I guess traditionally yeah! I would! I'd say I like it given what it represents!

42.) Do you follow art trends?

Sometimes, usually only if I find them appealing though!

43.) Do you think your art is influenced by what's currently popular?

Ehhh not really? Maybe I'll do a small trending animation or two but I don't really care about "the grind" tm.

44.) Do you compare yourself with others? Does it affect you negatively?

Sometimes, I've been trying to work on it with time. It has affected me negatively in the past, but I've come very far!

45.) Your controversial art take?

I could literally give hundreds if I had the time, but I will say that everytime someone claims something they find gross for whatever reason could've ONLY been drawn as purely "fetish/sexual content" (...as if it's inherrently wrong to want to make sexual art LOL) an angel loses its wings. Also I'm getting you

46.) Art related pet peeves?

When people make studies seem super serious, academic, and put a ton of pressure especially on artists to study fundamentals super duper closely. Maybe I'm just an Animation Meme Community survivor (claim your "NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING PUT IN A CRINGE COMPILATION AND/OR PKRUSSL VIDEO" badge here) but those sort of attitudes were EXACTLY what kept me from really doing studies or learning proper fundamentals.

I remember getting so stressed about not improving "fast enough" and crying because I also wasn't really finding a way to learn that worked for me.
I cannot imagine how some survive given today's short form Slop Machine formula as a young artist, I really want to it to be safer for young people especially to express themselves and properly learn in ways they actually respond to positively! Additionally, MAKE LEARNING HOW TO DRAW DIFFERENT THINGS FUN! I know so much of the art community talks about "diversity" but I sincerely mean it, learn how to draw people who don't look like you. Draw weird ass buildings, freaky little animals, draw a chair for christs sake! Once you stop treating art like a product and an oppurtunity to learn not only in the skill of creation but also about the world around you it will be so much more rewarding and so much more fun.

47.) Who or what are your inspirations?

I have oh so many! But currently I would say Fourleafisland and Ginjaninjaowo/ActuallyRea are the biggest influences on my art right now! Also Chiho Saito...

48.) What's an art piece / artist you wished got more attention?

Yes and that is THE WORK OF MY FRIENDS!!!! Everyone should follow and give a like or subscribe...

49.) Have you touch grass recently? Do you go out frequently or do you spend most of your time indoors?

Yes...shocker I know, in this day and age? I've been trying to go out more but I admittedly am a bit of a homebody LOL.

50.) Do you create art daily?

I've been pushing towards making art daily again with the help of this website!

51.) Do you take breaks from creating? How frequently?

Yes I do! I take a break whenever I feel burnt out, so that fluctuates.

52.) Do you set deadline for your work?

I try to have deadlines as they really help me finish projects. As I have likely mentioned elsewhere, I like putting myself into minor torture rituals like I'm a Saw movie or something.

53.) Do you archive your work? Do you keep old pieces?

I do! I have an entire section of my site dedicated to my old artwork.

54.) Are you embarrassed of your old work? Or are you indifferent by it?

I used to be very embarassed about a lot of my older work. I've grown to appreciate and be kinder to my past self however. If anything I regret losing so much old stuff because it makes organization PRETTY DARN DIFFICULT!!! But it happens...

55.) Do you seek out for criticism? How do you handle feedback?

I don't actively seek it out, but I don't mind feedback! I'm autistic so I have a hard time distinguishing Actual feedback from malicious comments sometimes LOL. I try to assume good intent unless obvious to otherwise though!

56.) Are you harsh on your own work? Or do you love your work despite all it's flaws?

I am harsh on my own work, but I'm working to love it despite it's flaws. It's uniquely mine after all!

57.) Do you get compliments frequently? How do feel about them?

I wouldn't say frequently, but I have very kind friends who will always gas me up. I admittedly love being complimented but then again who doesn't LOL

58.) How do feel about the rise of generative AI? Do you use it for getting ideas or references?

Not too fond of the slopinator 9000...I do not use Generative AI in any of my major works or projects. I believe GenAI is like, the antithesis of creation itself. Even in absolute best case sceanrios in it's current state it's just not being used in the ways it could Be Beneficial so.

59.) How do feel about tracing? What about tracing 3d models to streamline art process?

Hot take that would've had me executed circa 2017 but I think tracing is fine LOL. Especially if you're starting out it can be a huge help! Like any technique though, it's only as good as how much you learn and can diversify how you use it. If you find yourself relying on tracing rather than having it help you then I would say that's a problem. Also, obviously, if you're taking a large enough chunk that it's noticeable to others you traced, you should credit the original artist.

60.) Drop your art resources!

I'll make a proper resources page sometime, but for now have this giant spreadsheet of art resources!

61.) Do you prefer making fanart or original content?

Original content all the way! With the exception of Utena fanart sometimes hehehe...

62.) Do you think original content are more creative than fanart?

I mean, I don't think you can really judge the "creativity" aspect in an objective sense, but I think fanworks can be just as if not more impactful than original content depending on the writer behind them. It's about the craft rather then the content to me.

63.) Do you strive for originality?

I try to!

64.) Do you draw from imagination or heavily rely on references?

Mix of both!

65.) Do you think using references is a crutch?

NOPE! Anyone who says otherwise must be boiled I fear. Learning from others is not a crime and it never will be.

66.) Do you like to make mood boards or scroll through Pinterest?

Absolutely Pinterest has gotta be one of my Only active "social medias", what can I say I have the instinct to hoard.

67.) Does your work have a story behind them or do you just make things that you think look neat?

Mix of both! I often just doodle absentmindly but anything that is bigger than that almost always has some sort of meaning behind it...

68.) Do you think art should have a purpose?

To me, art instrincally has purpose. Whether it be in a meta sense (I.E, its purpose when being created) or something the creator wanted to get across there is always an inherrent purpose to a piece of art's existence. And sometimes that purpose was to simply, exist!

69.) Favorite aesthetic?

I like cybercore and rainbow color palletes...hehehe...

70.) Do you have a muse or a theme you fall back to?

Currently my 2 blorbo binglets are Kai and Nate...so I've been drawing them lots lately.

71.) If you could eat you art, what would it taste like?

A S'more ^_^

72.) If your work suddenly became sentient, would it adore or hate you?

I dunno! I'm not the work I can't tell it what to say or think...but I'd like to hope it'd tolerate me at least LOL

73.) Based on previous question, can you win in a fist fight against it?

Probably not I'm shrimpy as hell I fear...

74.) Is your art style consistent? Do you prefer making a wide variety of art?

I'd say my art style is pretty consistent! I do like to play around with new things though!

75.) Do you revisit old concepts or sketches? Do you touch em up or leave them as is?

I sometimes do! Especially for animations I tend to revisit old stuff and make it new.

76.) Do you believe in talent or is it all skill?

I think all "talents" are just skills. Some people are just predisposed to enviornments to make learning those skills easier. Like, if you place a baby in a warehouse with every art supply ever and had people using those supplies around them constantly and the baby learned to mimic that behavior is that "talent"?

77.) What's your favorite thing to draw / make? Do you prefer making living things or still life?

I like to make Bewilthredverse stuff...it's my pride and joy...

78.) Do you create your art with a specific audience in mind? Who?

The audience is ME!!! And whoever likes me and the things I make...

79.) How do you feel about people taking inspiration from work? Do you think art style theft is real?

I'm honored if people take any inspiration from the stuff I do, big or small! Art style theft is a term made up by Big Deviantart to sell more Adoptables (joke). After all, copying is an act of love! If you couldn't tell I stand by the copyheart manifesto very strongly LOL.

80.) Do you participate in art conventions? Do you sell your work or support everyone else?

I'd love to participate in them! I haven't gotten the chance to yet but someday...

81.) Are you art materials expensive? Do you hoard any tools?

Probably in quantity yes because I've been gifted a lot of them over the years. I don't really hoard stuff but I must always resist the urge to buy 5000 things when I go to craft stores LOL.

82.) Do you organize you supplies and tools systematically?

I've triiiied....I have also faiiilled...So not really LMFAO.

83.) Do you clean up after a project? Or do you just leave everything lying around till you need the space?

I clean up somewhat but I usually forget some things until later...

84.) Do you have a ritual before you start creating? Do you have a drink or some snacks?

I do try to get a snack if I haven't eaten in a bit and I typically put something on like music or videos to get my mind in the Flow State mood.

85.) How do feel about censorship in art? Where do you draw the line for inappropriate art?

I would love to write a big essay on this also someday, because I think it's important. To put some of my thoughts briefly though, all pieces of art have a right to Exist, however they also are subject to perception and critique from other people through Existing. Fiction is not a direct mirror of reality, but it is an interpretation of it. How that interpretation is taken or meant to be recieved by viewers changes from work to work. Sensitive Content warning for discussion of rape, incest, opression, etc, under the cut. I don't go into immense detail but still.

For example, one of my absolute favorite works of art, ever, is the show Revolutionary Girl Utena. And that show is centrally about the opression of women and "femaleness" by society. When I first got into the show, I was worried that by warning people it had "rape, incest, etc" as some of it's key topics, it would signal to people I was Ok with those subject matters. Which is ironic, because the show has some of the most textured and authentic portrayls of trauma there is. That is why I really, really do not like most "pro/anti" discourse nowadays. You're making an extremely nuanced and complicated topic into what is essentially, let's be real, a stupid fandom debate. When it shouldn't be! The question of "does fiction affect reality" is politically Important. To deny fiction's ability to impact others disregards how it has impacted various demographics, why do you think representation in media matters?For many, it is a gateway into understanding those they are different from. But at the same time, sheltering people from learning about perspectives that may be "taboo" or "strange" to most outsiders simply BECAUSE they are taboo is also just not great for anyone either. I just think a lot of it stems from a lack of taking work in good faith or being fair to it's authors. We often percieve artwork nowadays as a product rather than well, art, and I think that is only helping to create bigger barriers for people to talk about sensitive topics in their works. So yeah, my line for it is that it constantly changes based on the work. I think that's how it should be for most everyone, but also I'm not your parent, do whatever you want forever. Just don't hurt anyone while you're doing it.

86.) Do you censor your own art? Do you feel like you leave out details for it be socially accepted?

Ok ironic considering the elephant above me but I do sometimes. I'm working on fixing that though. It's just a lot of internalized shame I gotta unlearn (along with intense paranoia I have from growing up on sides of the internet where being cringe meant you got doxxed LMFAO)

87.) Do you feel intimated with starting a new projects?

Sometimes, but I have been trying to take the approach of not letting myself fully commit untill I feel comfortable with it. It helps!

88.) Are you scared of your art regressing? Do you think it's even possible to get worst at art?

I don't think art regression is a thing. I think art can "stagnate" in the sense that there's no immediate visible change in style, but I don't think you can Unlearn what you have already learned. A lot of examples of "art regression" I've seen is literally just someone changing their style or maybe being out of practice. Like duh if you lift weights everyday then take a break and come back and struggle I don't think you "regressed" as a bodylifter I think you just Need to get back into practice.

89.) Do you frequently make compromises for your work? Does your art come out the way you envision them?

Sometimes I do, my scope can be a bit larger than life sometimes. But I always try to find something to be happy about with my work, even if it didn't turn out the way I intended.

90.) How well do you manage your mistakes? Do you stress about them?

I do stress about them a lot LOL. I've gotten better at managing them though! I try to give myself the same kindness I'd give a friend, and hey a mistake is just a fingerprint saying I made it!

91.) Do you make lists of things you'd like to make? Do you actual commit to them?

I've tried many times because I loooove list making but I almost always forget about those lists when it comes to drawing/animations specifically LMFAO. I just have too many ideas!!!

92.) What is your ultimate goal of your work? Like, is to tell a story, connect with others, or just to enjoy the process?

For me it's all three at once. I'm a storyteller and a dreamer by heart, maybe I'll make a mini clique or something someday for it but creation is central to my way of life! When I make stuff, it's my way of being alive.

93.) What's something you've recently worked on that you're really proud of?

EVERYONE GO WATCH TRAINING PRACTICE IT'S THE 20 MINUTE STORYBOARDED EPISODE OF BEWILTHRED AND IT'S GOT BOY ON BOY ACTION IN IT!!! WATCH IT NOW!!!

94.) Do you have any dream projects? Have you started on them?

My dream project is Bewilthred technically, and yes! It's always a work in progress but I'm always happy to do stuff for it.

95.) Would you prefer unlimited money or unlimited time to make your projects?

Hrmmm....I can't really answer honestly! With unlimited money I could hire as many people and get as many material resources I need, but unlimited time means I can do everything forever...I can't choose...

96.) Why do you create art?

Because when I create art, I am alive. It's part of my way of being! And it's my way of connecting with others as well.

97.) Are you happy with what you create?

Depends, but overall yes!

98.) Do you think everyone should make art?

YES! Everyone should at least try! More things count as "art" than just drawing you know? Even web dev is an art!

99.) What's advice you'd give to newer artist?

Be authentically yourself, unapologetically. Even if you feel scared to be. Everytime you do something in spite of others expectations, you get a step closer to finding out the person you truly want to be. If you do it for anything, do it for you!

100.) When did you finish this? How'd you feel?

Passionate! Invigorated even! I got a lot more poetic and grandiose than I thought I'd be, but I think we all have to be if we want to survive the God Forsaken hellscape that is our Earth at times. It can be wonderful too though, after all it's got you in it!!! And I'm sure you're pretty great!!!