IceArtz - FAQ

What programs / software do you use?

(I sometimes use other software too depending on the job. Check my resume on my website for a full overview of my software skills.)2D Animation: TV Paint, Toon Boom Harmony3D Animation: Blender, Autodesk MayaCompositing / Editing / Motion Graphics: After Effects CC, Premiere CC.Illustration / Digital Painting: Photoshop CC, Clip Studio Paint

What hardware do you use?

I always use a graphic tablet or pen display tablet when I do digital art. My current tablet is a Huion GT156-HD V2 (it requires a computer with an HDMI port to hook it up to). You can watch my review on the tablet from 2017 here.

Do you take commissions? How much do you charge?

Yes, I sometimes take commissions. The price heavily depends on a variety of factors, so I cannot give an exact estimate unless I have more information on what you are interested in commissioning from me. If you are interested, feel free to contact me through my business email (serious inquiries only, commissions are not first-come-first-serve).

Are you a professional? Do you work at a studio?

Yes, I am a professional. At the moment, I work on contract with various clients (including Titmouse, Studio Mir, Meister, Chaos Emporium, and "Lackadaisy"), rather than sticking to just one studio.

Do you do requests / art trades / collabs?

No, I do not take requests. I can't afford to, sorry.Art trades and collabs are rare and limited to friends and mutuals. It is very unlikely that I will ever accept an art trade or collab from someone I do not know.

Can I make you fan art / gift art?

Yes, fan art is always welcome and appreciated! Just be sure to tag me so I can see it. Thank you for your support! <3

What music is in this video? Where is this audio from? Who is this voice actor? Etc.

I ALWAYS leave sound credits in the DESCRIPTION of my videos. Don't be upset if I don't reply to your comment asking this. The answer is always there, whether it's my own original audio or audio taken from something else.

Is this animation part of a show / film?

Again, I ALWAYS leave source credits in the DESCRIPTION of my videos. If I don't credit a source, it is my own personal project. I will always say if it is part of something bigger (like a film) or if it is a standalone thing (like a class assignment). The answer is always there.

Can you PLEASE make an animated show / film? I'd pay money for this!!

I would absolutely love to, and perhaps I will some day! Any time I'm working on a large personal project, I will announce it somewhere when the time is right. However, making such a project would require a lot of research and planning, as well as a lot of money budgeting. It's not something I can jump straight into. Regardless, I'd love to produce films of my characters, but I can't make any promises!

What are those weird little charts with numbers off to the side on your animations? Why do you use them?

Those are called timing charts. Animators use them to plan out the timing and spacing of drawings in relation to one another. This is useful both for an animator to plan ahead before inbetweening, and also to communicate how they would like it inbetweened if it's being passed to another animator! This video explains it well.Personally, I like using them for myself so I can visualize the animation ahead of time and no-brain the inbetweens after it's all planned out.

Do you have any recommendations or resources for beginners in animation?

#1: Practice and Research
I'm sure you hear this a lot, but practice really is key! Keep a personal sketchbook and draw whatever you want as often as you can. Study from life, draw what you see, try to break down why things look and move the way they do. Don't ever be afraid to take constructive. criticism as well!#2: Resources
There are plenty of great resources online to help you progress in your animation career. While there are plenty more than what is listed here, these are just a few resources that can help you:
- I have learned lots of useful information on 2D animation from Toniko Pantoja's YouTube Channel.
- I have heard tons of great reviews on Aaron Blaise's Online Courses in drawing, character design, and animation.
- Proko's YouTube Channel has lots of great information on drawing, especially when it comes to human anatomy. Great for sketchbook practice!
- For 2D Puppet Animation, Stylus Rumble and Oli Putland are great resources.
- Richard William's book "The Animator's Survival Kit" is a good read for beginners. Seriously, it gets recommended by everyone.
- Try studying up on the 12 Principles of Animation. They can be used as a foundation to any animation you create! There are plenty of free online resources that give in-depth explanations of these principles.

Was art school / the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) worth it? Do you recommend it?

This question is hard to answer directly because everyone's experience is different, but I will try my best based on my own experiences.I certainly feel it was worth it for me, but every art school has its pros and cons. The majority of the professors at SCAD have been fantastic to work with. All in all, I'd say what makes art school the most beneficial is what you as the student decide to do with it while you're there. Art school doesn't necessarily give you the skillset, but it does provide you with resources to help you reach whatever goal you're aiming for in terms of your skills! It's all about communicating and staying proactive (constantly finding ways to push yourself and your work through communication with your professors and fellow students). That's how I got the most out of art school.However, SCAD, like most art schools, is very work-intensive. So be warned it certainly isn't easy, and it might not be for everyone (it can take a big toll on your physical and mental health if you are not careful). It's worth it if you play your cards right, but there are some things that I feel could have gone better while I was there.

What story is that big dragon from? What is Hangman's Punishment?

That big eastern dragon with the deep voice (that everyone keeps comparing to Smaug, Scar, Jafar, and Kaa) is a dragon god from a story being written by Falynn Garrison and me, called "Reprisal." His name is unpronounceable by human tongue, so He is simply referred to as He/Him. When He refers to "Hangman's Punishment" He is talking about a curse that the main protagonist, Fearyn, has fallen victim to. "Hangman" is a nickname for the main villain of the story.

Can I pitch my cool story idea to you? I want you to animate it!

Unless you have a big budget that allows me to hire a team, the answer is no. I'm flattered that you would want me to animate your story, but it's sadly not that simple. Animation is a lot of work, and pitching an entire story to a single animator isn't as straightforward as you might think. I would need to hire a whole team to make it a reality, with a budget that can add up quickly. I am only one person. While I am technically capable of doing everything on my own in the animation pipeline (preproduction, production, and postproduction), it is not at all realistic or practical for me to do so for something more than a few seconds long.