FAQs:
How do
you produce your paintings?
Having obtained a description of what is required
from the client, I sketch out the image in pencil
on paper. Once this is approved I then mainly work
digitally, painting in Photoshop. The speed and easy
nature of making changes this allows are big bonuses
in commercial art. I like to paint traditionally with
acrylics every now and then when I have the time and
the project suits. I love using oil paints but I find
the drying time is incompatible with commercial deadlines.
Here is a sketch for
an illustartion from the Players Hanbook of 4th edition
Dungeons and Dragons. It is quite rough but shows
where the different elements will be placed, some
basic tonal values, and the design of the characters.
Having seen this the art director asked for the dragon
to be turned so as not to face the viewer as he should
be unaware that he is being spied on through the magic
mirror.

Here is the final
painting for this artwork, with the changes that were
requested and some additional detailing. You can see
a larger image of it in my D&D gallery.

Did you
always want to be an artist?
Yes. My parents were extremely long suffering as even
when I was a small child I was continuously pursuing
art or craft projects. If you practise anything for
long enough you are bound to get better! It is a real
pleasure to be able to bring fantasy subjects to life
and share a mythical world with other people.
How can
I become a freelance artist?
The first and most important thing is to actually
try. There are a lot of people who would like to do
this, and many other things in life, but don’t
ever do them. The only way to fail for sure is not
to try. Practise as much as you can and get some commissions,
however small, as a way to learn. Do what the client
asks you to and do it on time. A good site which provides
free hosting and an opportuniy to show some of your
images to the world is Devaint
Art. I post there under the name Ironshod
http://ironshod.deviantart.com
Can I
have one of your pictures tattooed on?
Yes, if you would like one of my artworks permanently
displayed on your body then be my guest! I would love
to see the end result so please email me a photo.
Here is a photo of
a tattoo of one of my paintings from James Hughes
in Canada. The piece was done by tattoo artist Paul
Gobet @ Infliction Tattoos. Thanks James for sending
it :)

Can I
use your art on my web site?
Not all the artwork that I produce remains my copyright.
For the paintings that have © Anne Stokes in
the text undernether them please send me an email
asking for permission. If it is for non-profit making,
non-commercial purposes and is part of a gallery this
will be ok, although I would ask you to credit me
as the artist and add a link to my site. For the other
images that are now copyright of the companies that
commissioned them you will have to direct your enquiries
to the company that owns the rights.
Can I use your work in
our signature tags and to make email stationary?
Not
all the artwork on this site remains my copyright.
You can use images that have copyright Anne stokes
in the text below them. This permission is for fun
personal use only and not
for tags or any other files that are intended for
sale. Please credit myself as the original artist
with a link to this web site on the tags. I would
rather you didn't colour in sketches or alter the
colours of the art as then it will no longer be my
art and won't be yours either. Sparkles and some small
animations are fine to add.
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