What do you tell your hairdresser when he or she cuts your hair? To make it more clear, how do you describe how you want your hair to them? For example, your insanely cute concave bob. I have been for the longest time trying to tell my hairdresser to “stack” or layer it in the back, so it goes to the natural shape of my head, but she never does that, and I just really love the way it looks and I was just wondering how you went about explaining what you want to them, and getting it right the first time. :) Thank you so much. You’re truly one to admire.

Ohh, thank you! :)  Haha okay, whenever I go to the hairdresser I make sure I’m EXTERMELY prepared.  Perhaps even overprepared.  I had a traumatic experience when my mum took me to my first “professional” hairdresser when I was about 13 (she hacked off my ass-long hair & gave me a bowl cut) and have been paranoid ever since.

So, this is what I always do:

1. Search the web extensively for images of the desired hairstyle, or parts of the hairstyle that I can piece together.  It’s particularly good to find pictures of fringes (bangs) & the back of the hair.  Narrow it down to a few & print them out.
2. Based on those images & the one I have in my head, I drew a few sketches of the haircut I want.  I make sure to detail the front, side & back.
3. Make a mental list of specific issues I want the HD to address.  In my case, I always ask for more volume/extra layers on the crown (since I have such fine hair).  A good HD will probably notice these things anyway, but it’s good to make sure.

If you’ve got a talented HD or are lucky enough to have one that has taken care of you for some time, then you won’t really have to worry about these things.  I’ve never had a regular HD, though, so I arm myself well.  I hope that helps!

Quick question about the Dot-Girl you just posted: Since it’s a digital piece, where do you get the textures you use to make it look rough? Make ‘em yourself or do you get ‘em somewhere?

I just made those textures myself using a bunch of different brushes I had.  There are plenty of sites for textures, though, like CGtextures.  Also HEAPS of textures on DeviantART.  Just have a search.

You love leggings!!! Do you wear jeans? If you do I want to see a picture of you in jeans! (And p.s. you look great with short hair.)

Haha! Well I actually love different kinds of stockings/tights. :)  I only occasionally wear leggings.  I do wear jeans sometimes!  Or my trusty black skinnies.  I’ll draw one for my WIW series soon, haha.

Noodling in my bedridden boredom!  <3 ya Ravenskar cherie :D

Hi, Danno. :)

Have you ever thought about doing online tutorials or some simple “How To’s” or anything of that kind? It would really up art that look up to a lot.

I’ve considered it, and I’ve been asked many many times.  But like I’ve mentioned before, tutes are seriously time-consuming and I feel awkward since I’m not exactly an expert.  Perhaps during the holidays!  Maybe one on hair?

i’ve always been intersted in art, and i wanted to start drawing again, but i have this HUGE creative block…any advice you could give me? maybe even some advice for a beginning artist?

Man, I hate art blocks. :(  I think the most important thing is to refrain from forcing yourself to draw.  Just wait until the feeling comes back to you.  Until then, try to keep your life as stress-free as possible — or at least make sure you have an outlet for it.  All the usual things apply, too, like looking at/listening to things that inspire you.  It might be your favourite cafe or gallery, or a song, or just taking a walk.  You never know when your muse will come to you.  It’s good to have a little sketchbook ready with you just in case you have that sudden spurt of inspiration, though.

How did you come up with the name ravenskar?

I was about thirteen and I was uploading my art to the internet for the first time.  I had to think of an alias.  I thought I’d be awesome and create a username based on Raven’s name.  What better way to spruce up the already totally unique and non-emo name than by adding “scar”?  Ooh, so arty, so clever.  But let’s not stop there.  Why spell it the normal way when you can spell it with a ‘k’?!

Yeah, I was a loser.

you should do make a sketch of your outfit everyday. They’re super cute!

Hahah, every day?!  I’m so lazy, I don’t think I could manage that.  Besides, I also recycle a LOT of my outfits, so you’d just be seeing variations of the same thing over & over again.  But thanks. :)

Noodle Box it uppp.

i love you and want to practice acts of fornication with your artwork. just so you know. ;)

LOL.  … thank you.

When did you initially start drawing, and what were your favorite subjects to draw? (Humans, animals, still-life, etc?)

I started drawing when I was, like, zero.  My favourite subjects were three-legged dinosaurs, and girls who had diamonds on their foreheads and rode unicorns.  Soon after I spent about six years drawing anthropomorphic animals (particularly dogs).  There were many Anime princesses and assassins interspersed during this period.

ONE DAY I WILL CREATE A DRUG TO INCREASE PEOPLE’S METABOLISM. DO YOU WISH TO BE MY TEST SUBJECT? D:

.. no. D:  If you increased my metabolism I think I might die.  Tell me when you create a drug to reverse it!

What size do you usually do your paintings?

At least A4 dimensions (8 x 11 inches-ish).

I love your “What I Wore”.  I really look forward to each day hoping you posted a new one!  I absolutely love your style.  It’s funny, I used to hate hate hate leggings, but you made them look so cute, that i went out and bought a pair… for only ten bucks! :D

Aww, wow!  Thank you. :D  I’m so glad you got such an awesome bargain.  High five.  Perhaps you should give stockings a try? :D  They come in many different styles.  That’s what I usually wear (by ‘tights’ I mean ‘stockings’).  Unless you mean leggings = stockings, too.  (I’m a bit confused now.)

Say hello to my Noodle Box.