I had the Privilege to interview the Uber Talented =niaro this morning and I'm here with the results! Pay attention and you might even learn a few things!!

Question,
1) They all have different styles, extremely different styles! First question is how do you master all these styles that are so seemingly different?
From Cherry to
Desire to
Okaeri

A. Honestly, I wouldn't say I've mastered anything. LOL I'm a growing artist and I have lots of room to improve-- which is probably why I like to experiment with my coloring. I like to see what fits with the picture and, at the same time, see what mood I'm in.

For example, the "o k a e r i" picture, as most know, is from Digimon and so I wanted to do a cell-shading style to respect the style of the movie.

2) Do you ever see an Artist and say "WOW" I love that coloring style? I must try to color in that style?

A. Oh, definitely. So many times. In fact I could list a few of fellow DA artists whose coloring techniques/styles I'm really fond of.


I couldn't imitate them if my life depended on it though. Which is why I admire them. LOL That's good though, it helps me find my own style while being able to stare at the pretty arts of these amazing artists. <3

3) Do you mind submitting that Coloring and Blinking tutorial you have to us for Learning? <3  

A. Of course! I want it to go to anywhere where it'd help people out. I'm glad for it to be of use to anyone. (:

4) What programs do you use? What Program for linearts? What Program for coloring?

A. Along with many DA artists, I use Easy Paint Tool SAI for nearly everything. I only use Photoshop CS5 to add text and final effects to the picture only if it's absolutely necesssary (Photoshop lags me pretty hard.)

5) Do you use a Graphic Tablet, and if you do what Brand? (Wacom and so on)

A. I use a good old Bamboo tablet (small) MTE-450 given to me by my sweetie epsiie. I used to use my own Bamboo Fun CTE-450 but it was getting flickery to use (it's 4 years old).

6) Do you have personal preference of what size a piece starts out at. (12inch by 8inch) You'll find out alot about an Artist from the average size of their canvas!!

A. For serious CG pics, I like to use a US Legal 8.5 x 11 in canvas at 150 DPI. (or 1275x1650 in pixel speak)

I always want to be able to do pictures at 3000x3000 (due to the influence of some amazing artists), but sizes like that slow my computer really hard and saving takes forever. So, I had to readjust to make it less painful for my hardworking little friend. (:

Otherwise, for sketches and doodles, I like starting out at a 1000x1000 canvas and I expand or crop as I see fit.

7) How do you experiment with styles and be original?

A. I'm not saying my style's original by far, BUT it is mine and it does reflect what I like and how I love to draw. I've looked at many other people's styles and pick things out that I like and try to incoorperate those things into my own style without trying to be a copy cat or "too wannabe original." My advice is, look at what you like, draw what you like. If you don't try to imitate someone else's style completely (like go out of your way to draw exactly like they do) then whatever you take from someone you admire will definitely turn into your own style. Hope that's not too confusing. e U e;

I'll admit this. I remember I tried to copy =Kaze-Hime a while ago when I was starting out on this account, but then I realized how unnatural it felt and how I wouldn't get any respect by copying Kaze (after all, copies are incomparable to the original) and began to just draw on my own. It felt natural and my style was able to grow with me. So, now I'm very happy.

8) What would have you loved to know when you were just starting out that you learned in the future?

A. Hm, probably the Clipping Layer on SAI/Photoshop and Opacity lock as well as certain coloring methods. (I actually have a tutorial for that too. )  One thing I'm most thankful for is Layers. OH, also the fact you could save a transparent PNG in SAI. Saves me a lot of time.  

9) Do you listen to music when you draw, and if so what bands?

A. Depending on how I feel, I like listening to a variety of game music (Bayonetta and Final Fantasy <33) and artists like Ryohei, Rurutia, and m-flo. Beside that, I appreciate DJ Max music (still game...) and Nico Nico composer's works for Vocaloid. Pretty much the majority of my songs are Japanese/Korean and I never understand what they're saying. 8D

10) Can you give a shout-out to MangaAcademy!!
Thank you so much for this group's interest in my art and to you, ~jpmeister for interviewing me. C: I'm honored to have been able to answer the questions and I hope this is interesting/useful at all to anyone who's reading it.

❤ Niaro
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No, Thank you Niaro for helping MA with your awesome insight! Here are the tutorials mentioned and some more awesome work by =niaro!