HELEN ZHAO

F.A.Q.

Last Updated: 03/25/2024

PART 1: ARTWORK & TOOLS

Q: What tablet do you use?
A: Wacom - Intuos Pro Pen Tablet MQ: What digital art program do you use?
A: Adobe Photoshop CCQ: How long does it take you to complete one full illustration?
A: Anywhere between 3-4 days to 2+ weeks, depending on complexity and life circumstances.Q: How long have you been drawing?
A: I've been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil; I started taking art seriously in 2020.Q: How often do you draw every day?
A: Between 6-12 hours every day.Q: How many layers do you use?
A: I usually don't keep track; the number of layers heavily depends on the complexity of the artwork.Q: What size canvas do you use?
A: Usually somewhere between 4000 - 7000px. For larger illustrations I can go up to around 7500px.Q: Do you have any tutorials?
A: I have not published any tutorials.Q: Do you sell any merch?
A: I am not currently making or selling any merch with my artwork.Q: What is your drawing process?
A: Usually the following:1. Rough draft - determining placement of character and background elements.
2. Clean sketch
3. Colors draft - to help visualize what the final artwork will look like by determining lighting direction, shadows and highlights, etc. Sometimes I will skip this step.
4. Lineart
5. Base colors
6. Base shadows/highlights
7. Refining, detailing
8. Color editing, effects, final touches

PART 2: ARTWORK USAGE

Firstly: Do NOT repost/re-upload, edit, copy, trace, sell, print, or use my artwork in any way or form, for any purposes. An exception is if you commissioned artwork from me, in which case please check the TOS on my Commissions Info website. Thank you!Q: Can I use any of your artworks as inspiration for my own?
A: Yes, with proper credit to @helen_ zzhao.Q: Can I redraw your artwork as practice?
A: For practice is fine, just don't upload it online.Q: Can I use your artwork as my profile picture/social media banner?
A: No. This falls under using my artwork, which is not allowed. Exceptions are if I specifically created an artwork for you (e.g. commissions). Under such circumstances, proper credit to @helen_zzhao must be visible.

PART 3: REQUESTS

Q: Do you take art requests?
A: No.Q: Do you do art trades?
A: No.Q: Do you accept commissions?
A: Commissions status is updated on my Commission Info website.Q: Do you accept work for zines or similar projects?
A: For guest inquiries please email [email protected]Q: Do you accept critique/feedback for your work?
A: No. I prefer to work and learn on my own; draw what I want without being told what to change. I am well aware I make mistakes and can improve.

PART 4: WEBSITES AND SOCIALS

The following are my active social media accounts where I post my artwork:

Commission Info & TOS:

The following are my backup social media accounts:

The following are my currently inactive social media accounts:

I do NOT have any accounts on Facebook, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Pinterest, Reddit, etc. Any accounts displaying my work that are not linked above are NOT me and not authorized to represent me or my artwork.If you have questions left unanswered, feel free to message me on Twitter or Instagram at @helen_zzhao . I will always answer questions that are not too personal. I hope you find this helpful!