Due to "popular" request, here's a quick page to let you know who I am and how I do it.  Information is current as of October 04, 2004.

Some quick and random info about the artist:

  • My name is: Lucy.  But please call me Nendil.

  • My age is: 19.  I'm attending my third year of college as a computer science major.

  • I can speak: English, Mandarin Chinese, and a fair amount of Japanese.

  • My dream is: Becoming an animator.  I've a long way to go...

  • My favorite Senshi are: Sailor Saturn, because she is who I am (and she's got the coolest costume =P); and Sailor Moon, because she is who I wish to become.

  • At Hogwarts, I belong in: Hufflepuff House.

  • In Super Smash Brothers Melee, I play: Link/Young Link, Pikachu/Pichu, Zelda, Peach, Roy, and for some reason Ganondorf.

For more quick random info, check out this 100 Questions for an Artist survey I filled out.

Things people want to know (or not):

When/How did you start drawing?
Obviously I'd been scribbling since I could hold any writing utensil.  I really learned to draw in about sixth grade by tracing out of a friend's Sailor Moon books. (You know, the big thin DiC ones.) After that, I suddenly cranked out something one night and realized Hey, I can do this!  So basically, I've been "copying" stuff for around seven years and am glad to say that I have improved some.

What do you use to do your pictures?
Every picture's info is now labeled with its medium, so you can just check there for specific reference.  My best tool is my Wacom tablet, but I'm also fairly familiar with pencils and oil paints.

How long does it take to complete a picture?
First, the line drawing can be finished in one or two days, longer if I get frustrated with not being able to get something right.  Colored pencil and "sloppy" CG coloring are the quickest, and can be finished in a few hours.  Watercolor is generally done in one day so my paints don't dry out.  Detailed pencil-shaded pictures are intense jobs; they usually take around ten hours or more.  A full-fledged, careful computer coloring job (which is what I do most nowadays) may be anywhere from 5 to 50 hours' work, spread out over many days.  Of course, my schedule and procrastination puts many many non-working days amidst the process. ^^;;

Can you put up a tutorial for drawing/painting/etc. the way you do?
Only some advice on CGing!  Go here.  It's kind of old now, though, and I don't think any simple tutorial can cover "how" I create my works nowadays.  Nonetheless, I'll try to see about updating that thing one of these days...

Where do you get your ideas?
I wish I knew.  A lot of it comes from random daydreams about my favorite characters.  It's easy to tell from the pictures that I'm a hopeless romantic =)

Any advice for other aspiring fanartists?
Practice lots.  That's my advice for doing anything, because I self-taught myself a good deal of things.  However, this easily leads to a habit of doing things wrong or uncreatively (like my style or lack thereof), so my cumulative advice is: Take classes (or at least read some books), and then practice lots.  Also, be very observant.  Look at other art you like to figure out what you're doing wrong (and right).

Any prints for sale?
If you're willing to buy, I'm willing to sell!  Let me know exactly what you're interested in, and I'll give you an estimate to what is available and at what price.

Can I put your pictures up on my page?
Most likely, as long as you e-mail me and ask first.  However, I'd rather donate to specific shrines or displays than just collections of generic fanart.

Can you put my pictures up on your page?
Sorry, I'd like to keep this page personal.  There are many sites that will be more than glad to display your art, not to mention you could make your own webpage too.

Can I link to you?
You don't even have to ask, though I'd like to know who's being so kind =)  You can use either of the buttons below, with a link to http://aquafraternal.twin-elements.com:

 

Why is your darn URL on all your pictures?
I don't mind people saving my art to share with others, but I'd like to get the credit for it too.  This watermark will (hopefully) direct people back to this website if they find one of my pictures somewhere unlabeled.  Also, though I haven't yet come across MANY instances where my drawings are wrongly credited, this is just a little safeguard that's slightly less easy to edit out than my signature.
Small rant: I am more forgiving than many other artists, and will be vaguely flattered instead of flying into a rage if I find my pictures used without any credit.  HOWEVER, if you try to steal the credit for someone else's (read: mine) work, I WILL find out and take action which will likely be humiliating for you.  Also, bandwidth theft is NEVER okay--this site is kept on an account that Elwen, not me, pays for, and there is no reason she should have to put up with this kind of thievery.  I'll be glad to lend you pictures as long as you ask me about it.

Anything else you think should be on this page?  Send me an e-mail and let me know.