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 upload / repost your images?
  5. May I use your pictures for...?
  6. May I use your characters 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 / Can you send me the file?
  10. What things will you be drawing / not drawing?
  11. Do you offer 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. Can I color one of the sketches you uploaded?
  19. 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. What is your Mailing List about
  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?
  14. Can I create a Schnolf?
  15. How can I contact you?

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. Drawing is still just a hobby for me and I have a lot of projects to do, so my free time is very limited. Of course I will still draw gifts and thank-you-pictures (but not by command).

Also, please, don't ask me to draw you a picture because of any sad incident, like your pet died. I always feel horrible saying no. But if I would fulfill all requests that I get, I would end up doing nothing but this any more.

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, but due to my rare free time, I am taking commissions only very rarely, except badges / sketches at conventions (please see question Q3)

More Information can be found in my commission section.

Q3: Are you currently open for commissions?
A3: As I can only take a small number of commissions at a time, commission slots usually fill up pretty quickly when I open them. So there probably won't be a longer time when I am generally open for commissions, I am sorry. I also don't keep a waiting list any more.

Best way to stay informed is to subscribe to my Mailing List, where I will announce open commission slots, auctions, etc.

What you can also do is check out the commission status on the front page of my FurAffinity journal. If for example I have an auction running, it will be noted down there, as well be cross-posted on Twitter.

More Information can be found in my commission section.

Q4: Can I upload / repost your images?
A4: NO - Please don't upload my artwork on websites like Photobucket, Imageshack, Facebook, etc. Either there is no possibility to give credit on such galleries, or people just don't do it. Many galleries even forbid to upload material that doesn't belong to you. So please don't do that.

YES - What is OK with me is when you just upload a picture of mine with giving credit (like just for showing), or upload pictures (commissions) I did for you to your gallery.

Q5: May I use your pictures for...?
A5: For my detailed permission list please click here!
Here is a short overview:

This is NOT OK:
  • Any commercial use (including virtual shops like Second Life)
  • Using my personal characters for anything (icons, roleplay, etc.)
  • Using copyrighted characters (that belong to others) for anything
  • Using commissions (I did for others) for anything
  • Copying my artwork or character designs
  • Tracing my pictures without giving proper credit
  • Using my artwork in an inappropriate way
  • Altering / Editing my artwork and signatures

This is fine with me:
  • Using my art for personal things
  • Using anonymous characters as avatars, for roleplay, etc.
  • Drawing my characters / fanart
  • Coloring sketches of random / anonymous characters
  • Using artwork of mine I offer "free for use"
  • Using my art in slide shows / videos if credit is given
  • If a picture was done for you (commission, your character), you can do whatever you want with it (as long as it's not commercial).

Q6: May I use your characters for roleplay / avatars?
A6: NO. My personal characters (TaniDaReal, Savoy, Daiquiri, Kaskai, all WeuUkoo Wolves) are NOT allowed to use in any way - not for roleplays, not for avatars / user images / icons, etc. Please respect that.

Same goes for any copyrighted characters I drew, that belong to other people. Unless you have the owner's explicit permission, those characters are not allowed for use in any way.

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

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

I am not professional enough for offering such items as commission, and I also don't have enough free time for such complexe projects.

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 a fursuit you can find there - please read them first before asking random questions. If you have any question that is not answered there - feel free to send me an email.

Fursuit Making of Website: http://fursuit.tanidareal.com

Q9: May I print your pictures on a t-shirt / Can you send me the file?
A9: In general I don't mind if you want to print my artwork on a t-shirt for personal use. However, there are two things:
  1. Please don't use pictures with copyrighted characters on it without permission of the character owner.

  2. Please understand that I won't send out my high resolution files.

Q10: What things will you be drawing / not drawing?
A10: I mainly draw Furry Art of all kind (anthropomorphic characters, preferrably ferals, but also bipedal anthros), including fantasy creatures like dragons. As for the backgrounds, I usually prefer landscapes and natural / fantasy environments.

What I don't really enjoy drawing are humans, certain species I am not such a big fan of, like anthropomorphic apes, fish, reptiles or birds, technical stuff like machines, robots, engines, cars, space stuff, and certain topics like extreme violence or fetishes I am uncomfortable with.

Q11: Do you offer prints?
A11: YES, there are regular DIN A4 prints (about letter sized) available of most pictures. For 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.

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

Q13: Where do you post your art?
A13: In first line on FurAffinity, and a part of it also on 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 key. 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 am using Adobe Photoshop, a very good image editing program. The more I am using a graphic tablet - a Wacom Cintiq 21UX, which is much more precise than a mouse.

More info about programs you can find here.

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 tools of the trade you can find here.

Q18: Can I color one of the sketches you uploaded?
A18: Usually I am fine with that, yes. Please just make sure that you only use sketches with random / not copyrighted characters on it. If there's a sketch with a copyrighted character (belonging to other people), you need their explicit permission first. If you reupload the colored sketch, credit for my original sketch must be given. Please note that the colored sketches may not be sold in any way.

Q19: What do you mean with "not free for use"?
A19: 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 answers.

Q2: Do you like to chat with me?
P2: Feel free to talk to me if you see me online, I don't bite. :) But I probably won't be online very much and if - I likely won't have much time for talking, as I'm usually always busy (having a partner, pets, a job and a household).

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

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 quite often, and I am always having a hard time answering it...

I am very sorry, but my problem is that checking each gallery and giving personal advice would take a lot more time than I have. It doesn't take just 1 minute to figure out where a weakness is and to give a proper, individual 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 find the time for it.

I will rather concentrate on making tutorials, posting works in progress, and put them on my website. This will hopefully help more people as well. I love to give advice and help, but please understand that I usually won't be able to do it individually due to my limited time.

Q5: Can you teach me how to draw?
P5: No, I can't give personal drawing lessons, I'm sorry. I don't have the time for giving lessons, and doing it online is even more difficult / impossible.
Please also see the answers of P4 above.

But I have written down general tips for drawing on my website, some tutorials (more to come), as well as some useful links and book tips.

Q6: Do you have ICQ, MSN or AIM?
P6: YES, I have AIM (TaniDaReal), ICQ (#55413096) 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.

If there are other messengers with my name it is a fake account. I know that someone registered my name on MSN, but that is not me.

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.

Q8: Do you have a Journal / Blog?
P8: YES, I have Twitter, which I am using the most.
I also have a LiveJournal and Google+ account.

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: What is your Mailing List about?
P9: To keep people up-to-date about open commission slots, conventions and new artwork for sale, without having to check your FurAffinity account every day. I will also post important information on my FA journal too, but people on the Mailing List definitely have a better chance for getting a commission.

You can subscribe to the Mailing List 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 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

However I am sorry I cannot offer you a banner trade, as I don't have a link list on my website any more.

Q12: Where is the package (order) you sent to me?
P12: I send out packages/orders right after payment arrived.
Usually a package takes 3-5 days for Europe, and 5-10 days for international shippings. But depending on where you live, it happens that the postal service takes longer than usual (unfortunately the shipping service does not offer a tracking number outside Germany, however, optional insurance is available).

If he package still didn't arrive after a reasonable time, please contact me again so we can work something out. Please note that uninsured mailing is at your own risk only.

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.

Q14: Can I create a Schnolf?
P14: Actually what I call "Schnolf" is just a snow leopard / wolf hybrid, which is not a copyrighted species, so yes of course, you can make up your own hybrid character as well. I don't have any copyright on this (except my character design).
However, as "Schnolf" has also become a kind of nickname for me (mix of the two German names), I would appreciate it if people would call their species "snow leopard / wolf hybrid" (or use an English mix word like "Snolf"). However, I cannot keep anybody from using that name too.

Q15: How can I contact you?
P15: Email is definitely the best way (either tani@da-real.com or tanidareal@gmail.com), as I can access it from everywhere.

I am using Twitter daily, but it still happens that you miss things. I also read my Private Messages (Notes) on FurAffinity, but not frequently (and can't access them from everywhere). So if you have something important or urgent, please send me an email. Please also note that I do not read my DeviantArt or LiveJournal messages!

Another request: Please don't mix conversations on different platforms (e.g. jumping between Emails and private messages), because that will totally confuse me.

More info about contacting me, you can find here.

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. :)