Where did you learn to draw?

I grew up in China where parents compete and show off their child like some sort of hobby, so drawing class was one of the many things I had to learn. I really loved it so I took more classes but not too much. All my Chinese art classes focused on realism and drawing from live. That gave me the foundations to draw everything else but drawing is not a magical process where you take a class, and BAM! you're an artist, it's all about hard work and practice (like everything else in life). So if you want to draw, sign up for a drawing class. It's really boring drawing basket of fruits at first, but it will teach you the fundamentals of shape, lighting, shading, etc. The rest you'll learn on your own as you practice and be inspired by other artists.

What materials do you use?

I use mostly digital mediums but I use traditional materials sometimes. I have a Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet that I bought for around $450. I use it with Photoshop and Paint tool SAI create drawings like this [link] . I draw most of my things in SAI and touch up on the colors and add texture in Photoshop but I drew everything in Photoshop before I discovered SAI so don't worry if you don't have that program. I do recommend SAI because the line art is crisper and the colors blend easily but each program has it's own advantages. Don't have SAI? Have a 31 day free trial! [link]

I just started with Macromedia Flash and barely taught myself some basic things through dA tutorials so please don't ask me to help you with Flash because I can barely help myself

The traditional mediums I use most frequently are pencils and ball point pen. They are great for shading and line work that has a unique texture not found in digital mediums, for example [link] or [link] On rare occasions I use watercolors like this [link] and even rarer occasions I use acrylic paint but I'm a messy person so if I paint, all my clothes go to hell. I don't use Copic markers because I lack $$ ;_;

I use to make ceramic sculptures like these [link] out of low fire raku clay painted with water color in my high school ceramic class but ever since I came to college, I don't have the materials anymore. I'm experimenting with polymer clay but have nothing to show for yet but expect them in the near future!

How long does it take you to finish a drawing?

That's really hard to answer because there are so many variables. It depends on the complexity, medium, how inspired I am, and how busy I am with school but the actual time I spend on a drawing isn't too long. I'm usually pretty fast if I don't have other things holding me back.

Your style keeps changing, why?

I like to go back and forth between different styles. I focused more on big eyed anime style when I was younger, now I prefer a more realistic style but it's still considered anime. Every once in a while I feel like drawing in my old anime style, especially for those child like moments of wonder

Also, artists' style will change through out life as we experiment with new techniques and improve or skills. It's impossible to stay with a static style forever. The change may be small, but it will be there.

What inspires you?

Lots of random things XD Sometimes I draw out of boredom. I could be mindlessly doodling and something nice will come out. Some of the darker and more emotional art are usually inspired by life experiences. Browsing through dA is also a great way to get inspired, just looking at art makes me want to create art Oh, and this is a weird one but random fictional stories run through my head while I read textbooks and that makes me want to draw out the characters XD

What does "yuumei" mean?

Apparently it means "famous" in Japanese...Yes, I know that's stuck up, let me explain. I was 12 when I got my dA account. Back then I liked anime, Japanese, and the concept of ying-yang. I read on some website that said yuumei means light and darkness in Japanese. I thought that was cool so I stuck to it. Now I know it also means "famous" XD but it's too late to change.

What art college do you go to?

Er, I actually don't go to an art college. I thought about it but I wanted to learn more about science and various other materials above the high school level so I go to a liberal arts college. I go to University of California Berkeley or UCB for short, come visit if you live nearby! I do plan to go to art graduate school, but I don't know which yet XD

Request?

No, and I find it offensive that anyone thinks all the time and energy I put into my work is worth nothing so that any random person on the internet deserves a free one. If you expect to be paid for your time and energy at work, so do I. (But I do draw gifts for close friends/teachers)

Art Trade?

Not anymore. I like the idea of art trade but I'm in college and don't have the time to do art trades like in my younger years. I need all the time to work on my own projects and commissions to help pay the monthly bills.

Can I use your _________ image for ___________ on ___________?

That depends on which image, what you're going to do with it, and where you're going to put it. Note me to ask for permission and I will usually say yes.

Commissions?

Yes, if your interested, please read this [link]
I will also be open for sculpture commission soon, but I still need to work out some details and get use to the new materials.

Tutorials?

Yes, I've made only 2 tutorials so far but I do plan to make more. Like I've said, I don't have a lot of free time after commissions and personal projects so I can't make tutorials as often as I would like, but I will make more so please be patient.

Can you help me design/draw/redraw/color/fix this part of a drawing for me so I can see how it's done?

Sorry, but I simply don't have time for that. Your work might only take a few minutes to help but I get asked quite often and some people want an entire drawing fixed which can take hours. If I say no to one person, I must be fair and say no to everyone.

You didn't reply to my note, do you hate me?

Probably not? XD First of all, dA's note system fails some times and I either never got your note or I replied but you never got mine. If you noted me to ask a Project:We question, I won't reply, but I will still consider the question when I post the next answer. If you asked for something that I find offensive, I will ignore if you ask for a request in a stuck up tone as if I should be honored to be your slave (If you asked politely, I will decline politely), or if you tell me I'm going to hell if I don't convert to your religion. I mean, seriously, how can I not ignore something like that? And yes, it did happen...3 times.

Are you still selling the Augen Auf playing cards? [link]

Yes, I have sold a lot but I still have a lot in stock so no need to rush. If you're interested in bulk order for resale, please contact me and we'll discuss the prices.

Where did you get your cards printed and for how much?

I don't know the name of the company because it's in Chinese, sorry. My father took care of getting the cards printed for me because he lives in China. It cost us around $4,000 to print and ship them here so it was a big decision to make. (I think I might have accidentally said $2000 to someone else who asked, sorry for my mistake!)

Do I have to pay to see Project: WE when you're done with it?

No, it'll be posted on dA for public viewing.

What format will Project: WE be in? Is it a novel, manga, graphic novel, animation, game?

It's not a game or animation, but it will be viewed through Adobe Flash. I'm not certain what category it will go under but there will be a story with lots of images

Can I write a story based off of one/some/all of your Project: WE characters/drawings?

Sure, just credit and link back. Also be sure to explain that your story has nothing to do with my story, I don't want people getting confused XD