F.A.Q. - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Art related questions

  1. Do you take requests or trades? ("Can you draw me?")
  2. Do you take commissions?
  3. Are you currently open for commissions?
  4. Can I repost your images on PhotoBucket / Facebook / Webshots / etc?
  5. May I use your pictures for...?
  6. May I use your character(s) for roleplay / avatars?
  7. Are you taking fursuit or plushie commissions?
  8. How did you make your fursuits?
  9. May I print your pictures on a t-shirt or other products?
  10. What things will you be drawing / not drawing?
  11. Do you sell prints?
  12. Do you have tutorials?
  13. Where do you post your art?
  14. Do you mind if I draw your characters?
  15. How did you learn drawing like that?
  16. What program do you use for digital art?
  17. What colors do you use for your traditional art?
  18. What do you mean with art is "not free for use"?

General questions

  1. Can we be friends / pen pals?
  2. Do you like to chat with me?
  3. Do you want to roleplay with me?
  4. Can you look at my art and give me advice?
  5. Can you teach me how to draw?
  6. Do you have ICQ, MSN or AIM?
  7. Are you visiting conventions?
  8. Do you have a LiveJournal / Blog?
  9. Why do you have a mailing list / newsletter?
  10. Do you have a Guest Art section?
  11. Can I link to your website? Can we banner trade?
  12. Where is the package (order) you sent to me?
  13. Can you post [contest,advertising,...] in your journal for me?

Please read before asking!
Q1: Do you take requests or trades? ("Can you draw me?")
A1: NO, I am sorry I am not doing free requests anymore. I have a lot of projects and commissions to do, and my free time is very limited. Of course I will still draw gifts and thank-you-pictures (but not by command).

I am sometimes doing art trades, but that very depends on my time. Usually I will ask people if they're up for a trade. So if you ask me and I say no, please don't be disappointed.

Q2: Do you take commissions?
A2: YES, I am generally offering commissions, but I am not always open (please see question Q3)

Information & prices me you can find in my commission section.

It is my right to refuse a commission if I am not comfortable with the topic.
No prints will be sold of commissions unless I have the permission to.

Q3: Are you currently open for commissions?
A3: You can find my commission status on the front page of my journals:
DeviantART or FurAffinity

If you want to stay up-to-date, please subscribe to my mailing list.

I do not keep a waiting list any more. If I have open commission slots, I will announce them in my journals (and cross-link in my blogs). I will usually also define what kind of slots are available, and also name the price again. Auctions will be announced as well.

More info regarding commissions you find here.

Q4: Can I repost your images on PhotoBucket / Facebook / Webshots / etc?
A4: NO - please do not repost my artwork on such galleries!

I do not like to see my artwork on such galleries (their policies also usually forbid uploading copyrighted material) where credit is never given. Some of those galleries even include "buy print" options, or "allow free use" of the uploaded contents - no matter what the original artist says. People find pictures on those sites - and think it's OK to use them again. In the end - nobody even knows who the original artist was, cause everybody thinks it's free stuff. So please - don't do it.

Q5: May I use your pictures for...?
A5: For my detailed permission list - please click here.

• Commercial use? - reselling, making copies, use for commercial projects

NO - in no case! Any commercial use of my artwork is strictly forbidden (unless you have my permission for a project). This not only means reselling copies or prints, but also commercial projects that include my artwork, like shops on SecondLife.


• Avatars / Roleplays?

YES - ANONYMOUS CHARACTERS (unnamed, random) I drew are fine for use (please give credit). I will usually add the picture information in the commentary field. If you're unsure, please ask me.

NO - COPYRIGHTED CHARACTERS are never allowed for use.
Most pictures I draw show copyrighted characters (that belong either to myself or to others). You may not just take a picture of another person's character and claim that would be you(rs).

For example, all my personal characters like Tani, Savoy, Daiquiri, all WeuUkoo Wolves are not allowed for use in any way.


• Your blog / forum / website?

NO - unless you read the conditions on my permission website which tells you which characters/pictures are allowed to use, and which not. My pictures are no "free templates".

Please don't just ask "May I use your art?" again and again, but please read my permission page.


• Reference for learning how to draw?

To a certain extent - YES, it is OK for me if you use my art as reference - as long as it's for practice only, this shall not be a cheap way of getting free artwork (my pictures are no "templates"). Please note that paid commission pictures are never allowed for use/tracing in any way.

Using as reference still means you have to draw the picture yourself - just editing/recoloring my art is not allowed. Credit must always be given.


• Personal use? - like desktop backgrounds, birthday cards, etc.

YES, you can use my art for personal things without asking.


• Prints? (private use only, no commercial use)

YES, it's OK if you print one of my pictures to hang it on your wall. But as the pictures I have online are just low resolution files, it would be better to buy a high quality print from me. :)


• PSP / Signature Groups (MSN, Yahoo, Google,...)

YES, please read and respect my conditions.


• You Tube Videos (slideshows)

Yes, if full credit is given, and/but ONLY if you're not pretending that the characters were yours (like "pictures of my character XYZ"). A slideshow just showing my art is fine with me (giving credit would be nice).

Q6: May I use your character(s) for roleplay / avatars?
A6: NO. My personal characters are NOT free for roleplay or any other use at any time! It is also NOT allowed to use their pictures as avatars. Please respect that. This counts for my personal characters:

TaniDaReal, Savoy, Daiquiri, all WeuUkoo Wolves

Random, anonymous (un-named) characters I just drew once and that don't belong to anybody are OK for roleplay/avatars, if credit is given.

Please do not create profiles or accounts under my name "TaniDaReal" (fake my name). Maybe it's kind of an appreciation people want to "be" me, but I don't feel comfortable at all people running around pretending to be me... :/

Q7: Are you taking fursuit or plushie commissions?
A7: NO, I do not offer commissions on fursuits or plushies.

I am not professional enough, and I don't have enough free time for such projects at the moment. If I should ever be open for such commissions, I will let you know, but it's very unlikely.

Q8: How did you make your fursuits?
A8: I created a making of website of all my fursuits. All tips I can give you (tutorials) for making an own one you can find there - please read them first before blindly asking something. If you have any question that is not answered there - of course feel free to send me an email. :)

Fursuits: http://fursuit.tanidareal.com
Plushies: http://www.plushies.de

I also want to mention that I work with artificial fur ONLY.

Q9: May I print your pictures on a t-shirt or other products?
A9: MAYBE, please ask and tell me what the project is about, or what picture you want to use. For private use, that's usually OK (again, please just do not use my personal or other copyrighted characters of other people).

Please understand that I will not send out my high resolution print files.

Q10: What things will you be drawing / not drawing?
A10: I mainly draw furry art of all kinds (animals, anthros). Landscapes and natural environments are fine, too.

What I do not like to draw are for example humans, robots, machines, buildings, space stuff, cars, engines, reptiles (except dragons), extreme violence or fetishes I am uncomfortable with, etc.

Q11: Do you sell prints?
A11: YES, regular (unlimited) DIN A4 prints (about letter sized) are available online or at conventions (Dealer's Den). For prices and further information please visit my Prints page.

Some pictures are also available as Jumbo prints (oversized). The Jumbo-Print-series limited to 3 or 5 prints are only for sale at conventions (Art Show). Other Jumbo-Prints (some are limited, some are not) you can find at the Jumbo-Prints section.

Q12: Do you have tutorials?
A12: Yes, you can find them in the Tutorial section.
Some more, general advice and tips you can find here. More to come whenever I have the time. Feel free to make suggestions.

Also check out galleries with search options like DeviantART, there you always find a lot of nice tutorials as well.

Q13: Where do you post your art?
A13: In first line to the two main galleries. FurAffinity may include some artwork that is not uploaded to DeviantArt.

Fur Affinity: http://furaffinity.tanidareal.com
DeviantART: http://tanidareal.deviantart.com

Q14: Do you mind if I draw your characters?
A14: Of course not. :) Receiving fanart is the greatest compliment an artist can get. I always feel very honoured about it and love every single picture. If you're posting it, please just add a little info somewhere whom the character belongs to (copyright) so that others will not misinterpret it as free RP character or such.

Reference: Tani
Reference: Savoy
Reference: Daiquiri
Reference: WeuUkoo Wolves

Q15: How did you learn drawing like that?
A15: I would say - practise is the main point. I have started drawing furry art in 1999, so that's many years of practise. And I always loved watching cartoons and animated movies as inspiration, and drew my favourite characters.
Using books and photos to learn about anatomy, drawing from life and using tutorials is the best way for learning how to draw. As some people asked - no, I did not attend any art school.

Some general tips on drawing I have listed here.

Q16: What program do you use for digital art?
A16: I use Adobe Photoshop, a very good image editing program. The more I am using a graphic tablet - a Wacom Cintiq 12WX, which is much more precise than a mouse.

Q17: What colors do you use for your traditional art?
A17: My main choice are Copic Markers combined and colored pencils (Polychromos). I use Copics for the basic coloring and shades, the colored pencils I use for details like fur structure, highlights or to intensify the shadings. But I also very much like coloring with watercolors (Schmincke Aquarell).

More info about material you can find here.

Q18: What do you mean with "not free for use"?
A18: This just means that a character / picture is copyrighted and belongs to somebody (either me or somebody else) - and that it is not allowed to use it for roleplay, as avatar / forum picture, for representing your own characters and such. It is of course fine to draw the characters shown on it (fanart), to fav or to save the picture.

Random characters / pictures I drew (unnamed / anonymous characters, not belonging to anybody) are OK for use (also as avatars or roleplay) if credit is given. Altering / Editing my artwork is never allowed by the way (unless it's a clearly defined Freebie).





Q1: Can we be friends / pen pals?
P1: Honestly - a friendship is nothing to ask for.
A friendship is a gift that needs time and work, it's not a contract both sides sign and then we're suddenly friends. Don't expect me to answer these can-we-be-friends-questions.

About pen pals - I am sorry, I usually do not have much time for writing long emails or chit-chatting. I am glad when I find enough time to answer my emails and messages (as I have a full time job). I will always try to answer your mails, but please understand that I don't always have time for long chit-chats.

Q2: Do you like to chat with me?
P2: Feel free to talk to me, I don't bite. :) But I probably won't have the time for long chats, as I'm usually always busy and have a Real Life as well.

When I am on chat, I usually do something else at the same time (like drawing). Sometimes I'm logged in on IRC (nick: TaniDaReal), but I don't write much or answer quickly.

I will always try to answer PMs (private messages), but I rather don't like chatting there (writing back regularly).

Q3: Do you want to roleplay with me?
P3: I never roleplayed very much (except with close friends), and I also don't have the time for it. So no, sorry.

Q4: Can you look at my gallery and give me advice?
P4: I am being asked this question very often...
I am very sorry, but as my free time is quite limited, I won't have the time to check every gallery and give personal advice how to improve.

It doesn't take just 1 minute to figure out where a weakness is, and it would take even more time for me to give a proper answer that is really useful to you (and not just a statement). To give a real advice (and not just a "looks good" or "you should continue practising"), I would have to check and compare several pictures, maybe redline them, give detailed feedback, show you examples and links, etc. - and I simply won't always find the time for that.

Before I just give a short statement that probably won't be useful for you anyways, I will rather concentrate on doing tutorials and WIPs and put them on my website (feel free to make suggestions!). This will hopefully help even more people as well. I love to give advice and help, but please understand that I will do it that way.

Q5: Can you teach me how to draw?
P5: No, not personally, I'm sorry. Please also see question Q4 above.

Teaching somebody drawing would take a lot of time and individual tips and lessons. Online, this is even more difficult, as you would have to send sketches and redlines all the time, which I do not have the time for.

I have written down some general tips for drawing (basics, material, etc.) on my website, which you can find here. I hope these will be a little useful for you. I will also continue to post tutorials.

If there's anything you think that would be helpful and that you would like to see here on my website, please feel free to make a suggestion.

Q6: Do you have ICQ, MSN or AIM?
P6: YES, I have ICQ (#55413096), AIM (TaniDaReal) and Skype (TaniDaReal), but I don't really use them very often. Please note that only people on my friends list are allowed to send me messages.

NO, I do not have MSN! I know that some people registered my name there. If anybody contacts you via MSN using the name "TaniDaReal" - that's not me.

Sometimes you can also find me on IRC (logged in on furnet as "TaniDaReal"), in the German channels #pantherchat or #pantherchat2.

Q7: Are you visiting conventions?
P7: Yes, there are some Furry cons I visit almost every year.
To check the cons I plan to attend, please click here.

• Eurofurence (Germany)
• MMC (Mephit Mini Con, Germany)
• Further Confusion, USA (if it works out)
• AnthroCon, USA (if it works out)

Q8: Do you have a Journal / Blog?
P8: YES, I have a LiveJournal and Twitter. My nick there is TaniDaReal.

Sometimes I write in German, but usually I write in English. Most entries on LiveJournal are friends only, the tweets on Twitter are protected and only visible to people on my list as well.

Q9: Why do you have a mailing list / newsletter?
P9: For people who like to get informed via email when there are open commission slots, new artwork for sale, etc. Without the mailing list you will not miss any information, but it will be easier to stay up to date and not to miss announcements. You can subscribe here.

Q10: Do you have a Guest Art section?
P10: YES, of course :).
It's highly appreciated - I love artwork by other artists. :) Here you find the Guest Art Section. Thank you to everybody for the wonderful pictures! :) They're very precious to me.

Q11: Can I link to your website? Can I link to your website?
Can we banner trade?
P11: Of course you can link to my site - thank you very much!
If you want to use a banner, you can find them here.
The website URL is: www.tanidareal.com

If you link to my site, I very much appreciate this. However, this fact is no guarantee that I also have to add your site as well (it depends on the contents). I do not link to any website, this is also not about fairness, but I want to choose which websites/contents I want to add. However, if I decide not to add your link, this can have various reasons, this does not have to mean that I think your site is bad. Please don't take that personally.

Q12: Where is the package (order) you sent to me?
P12: I send out packages/orders right after payment arrived (if I didn't drop you a note when I sent it off, feel free to ask again). Depending on where you live, it's possible that the postal service takes longer than usual (unfortunately I don't have any influence on this). If it still didn't arrive after a reasonable time, please contact me again so we can work something out.

Uninsured mailing (most cost-effective) at your own risk only. If you want insured or trackable shipping, please let me know before (unfortunately this will be more expensive).

Q13: Can you post [contest, advertising,...] in your journal for me?
P13: "I am holding a contest / trying to get signatures for a petition / want to advertise XYZ - and I was wondering if you could post something about this in your journal?"

No, I am sorry. Unless it's something that really also affects / concerns me, my journal is not available for "advertising". And if I agreed to post one thing for somebody - how could I argue that I will not post the next thing for somebody else? I just want to avoid trouble and keep it fair.

Please understand that I will not always answer questions again and again that are listed here. Please read the F.A.Q. Thank you very much. :)