The Art:
What do you use to draw?Will you draw something for me?
Will you draw a portrait for me?
Will you do me a portrait of a famous movie star?
Will you do an illustration for me?
Is there anything you won't draw?
Why don't you paint in oils?
Can I use one of your pictures on my website / in a publication / somewhere else?
Do you have some sort of magic pencil?
How long did it take you to draw that?
The Website:
Why Alene Illustration?
Why the mouse?
Who designed your website?
Will you design a website for me?
About Me:
How old are you?
When did you start drawing?
What else do you do?
The Art:
Q: What do you use to draw?
A: I use a lot of different media.
Digitally, I use Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Illustrator CS4. I like to use scanned or photographed textures as well.
For traditional work I use watercolour and coloured pencil, graphite pencils, technical pens, watercolour, and ink with either a brush or a dip pen. I frequently use mixed media, and use many of those at once. I have also been known to use acrylic paints.
Q: Will you draw something for me?
A: Only if you pay me. Sorry. This is my job, and it's the way I make my living. If I spent my time giving out free art, I'd starve to death. If you are prepared to pay, then the answer is yes.
I also do not work on spec.
Q: Will you draw a portrait for me?
A: Yes, I accept private portraiture commissions. Please contact me for further information: Prices start at around AU$100.
Q: Will you do me a portrait of a famous movie star?
A: No, sorry, not unless you own the copyright to the original photo. The movie star portraits I do are purely for my own amusement (and also to prove that I can capture a likeness), and no copyright infringement is intended. I cannot, however, sell them.
Q: Will you do an illustration for me?
A: Yes, I will. Please contact me for an obligation-free quote. I can't immediately say what it would cost, as illustrations vary in complexity.
Take a look through my galleries first, though, to get an idea of what I do. It's no good for you to ask me to paint a zombie apocalypse in oils – that's just not what I do.
Q: Is there anything you won't draw?
A: I'll try most things, but I'm happiest if I can avoid things over a PG rating, or realistic representations of insects. (They give me the creeps.)
Q: Why don't you paint in oils?
A: I'm allergic to them. If I get them on my hands I come out in a rash, and the smell gives me a migraine. I do not wish to suffer more than necessary for my art.
Q: Can I use one of your pictures on my website / in a publication / somewhere else?
A: It's best if you contact me if you want to use my art somewhere. The worst that can happen is that I'll say no.
Q: Do you have some sort of magic pencil?
A: No, alas. I daresay a magic pencil would make life easier, but my art is created by the much more mundane method of hard work, practice and perseverance.
Q: How long did it take you to draw that?
A: Pictures take varying amounts of time. As a general rule of thumb, a portrait usually takes me between 15 and 30 hours. A full illustration can take upwards of 50 hours, although a lot of them are much quicker than that. It depends on what goes into them.
If the picture is also up on my deviantArt page, I have often said how long it took in the artist comments, if you're really curious.
Q: Why Alene Illustration?
A: Alene is a name I used in a story I was writing with a friend many years ago. I liked the sound, and kept it. There are a number of other Alison Muttons in creative fields throughout the world, and so a different name would, I thought, be handy to differentiate me from the others. And, well, I illustrate.
Q: Why the mouse?
A: I like mice. I used to have pet mice. Mice are fun to draw. The first incarnation of my logo was designed at a sports carnival in about 2001 (yes, I loved my sport. Can't you tell?) and I'm not about to let it go.
Q: Who designed your website?
A: I did.
Q: Will you design a website for me?
A: No. When it comes to web design, I really haven't a clue. This here website is the product of much blood, sweat and tears. Seriously.
I do illustration and some print design; multimedia is generally beyond me.
About Me:
Q: How old are you?
A: I'm 24.
Q: When did you start drawing?
A: So long ago that I can't even remember. Definitely before 18 months of age.
Q: What else do you do?
A: Not much, really. I enjoy reading, watching old stuff on tv and playing the piano. But I'm happiest when I am being creative.