F.A.Q.

Who are you?

My name is Marta and I’m a Potterholic.

What mediums do you use?

Watercolours and coloured pencils for the colour illustrations. Graphite or coloured pencils for the sketches.

Are you a professional artist?

Yes, I have a background in traditional media illustration and animation.

What computer programs do you use?

My art is all traditional media. I usually just scan it into the computer, and use Photoshop for some minor colour correction.

I have a request; would you draw it for me?

While I’m happy that many people like my art enough to make requests, my free time is often very limited. I do commissions every now and again, though.

What is a commission?

Here, it means that you order a piece of artwork from the artist (in this case, me ;p) and you are willing to pay for it. Rates are to be negotiated between the artist and the client. It is never free.

Can I commission artwork from you?

Yes, you can — when commissions are open. I will usually post something on the main page whenever they are open. If you are fully aware of the meaning of ‘commission’ then, by all means, e-mail me and we will discuss the details and rates for the order.

I do, however, reserve the right to refuse, without further explanation, a commission.

Will you illustrate my fanfic?

Sorry, I don’t really illustrate fanfics anymore. I used to do it occasionally when I read one that I really liked, but these days I don’t have time to read new fanfics.

Can I make a LiveJournal/message board/whatever icon/avatar using your artwork?

Yes. No need to ask.

Can I archive your artwork at my website?

I’m sorry; it’s too difficult to manage. I like to know where my art is archived, and it gets out of control if too many sites are archiving it. Short answer: sorry, but no.

Can I link to your site?

Sure! Go ahead and link it.

Can we do a link exchange?

I don’t do link exchanges. Sorry!

May I use your art for my website layout?

Yes, with a few conditions: 1) Credit me, 2) Send me the URL, and 3) Keep the integrity of the artwork.

What is the deal with the Ron/Hermione in your pics?

It’s canon, yo. But seriously, I like Ron and Hermione together as a pair, and obviously, J.K. Rowling does too (see the epilogue and everything before it).

Note: Many of their scenes in the General gallery are inspired by R/H fan fiction.

I want to read the fanfics you have illustrated. Where are they?

Above the picture there is a link to the fic it’s based off. Click on the title of the story and voila!

Now, some of these fics are pretty old and the links may no longer work. In that case, simply use Google, since I won’t know the new links off my head.

Have you drawn illustrations for the first four books?

The illustrations I’ve done are on this site. I’ve done some illustrations for the other books, but not many, and not as completely as OotP and HBP.

How old are you?

I am twenty-something.

Are you British?

No, but thank you for the compliment on my English, which is not my native language.

How long does it take to draw a picture?

It really depends on the subject and medium. To give you an idea, the record belongs to the Potterverse picture, which took around thirty hours, between rough sketches and the final drawing. As for everything else, I really can’t tell accurately since I don’t use a stopwatch while drawing.

Where can I find more fan art?

There are plenty of good fan artists on the net. I recommend doing a Google on “Harry Potter art” and that will probably turn up some good stuff.

Can you add me to a mailing list so I know when you update?

I don’t have a mailing list, and currently have no plans to add one.

You haven’t updated in X days/weeks/months; what’s going on?

Oh, there are so many possible answers for this but the most likely one is ‘I am busy’.

Can you give me some tips about drawing?

Maybe I will address this more thoroughly, but the most helpful tips I can give you now are:

1. Draw from life. That is, draw your surroundings — your friends, family, people at the mall, whatever. That will help you to gain some spontaneity and confidence. The more you doodle from life, the easier you will find to produce natural poses.

2. Always carry a sketchbook with you. Avoid using the eraser.

3. Don’t be afraid to draw difficult subjects. Don’t avoid them. Draw hands and feet. Practice with yours every day until you get the hang out of it. Learn to love your backgrounds. They are just so much fun to do. Look at your own bedroom and see how many things are there.

4. Learn perspective. Buy a “How to Draw Perspective” book and do the exercises.

5. Again, practice a lot.

Can you reccommend an art school to me?

I have been asked this more often that I’d expect, and I really can’t answer this question. Most of the people who ask me are from the USA and I have never been there, let alone gone to a school in the area! I think the best advice I can give is to do your research. Learn as much as possible about the programs offered and, most importantly, try to hear from some alumni from that school as well.

Can I use your b&w drawings to practice my Photoshop colouring?

If you insist, but don’t post them online (it’s better to do your own drawings for that) and please don’t send them to me either.

Where can I contact you?

Although I enjoy receiving e-mails about my art, please read through this FAQ to see if your question has been answered. My e-mail volume can get very high sometimes, and I created this FAQ list to hopefully keep it more manageable.

Also, if you expect a reply to some question or something, it’s best not to use a generic subject such as ‘Art’ or ‘Harry Potter’. If you are doing a commission inquiry or using my art in a layout, please do state so in the subject.

That said, you can reach me here. You may write to me in the following languages: Portuguese, Spanish, French or English.