I often get asked various questions about my art, or myself, or if I can give any tips on drawing or painting. I have created this page to answer some of my most frequently asked questions. If you have a question for me that hasn't been posted here, feel free to e-mail me! It might take me a while to answer your question because of my busy schedule, but I always do my best.

"What type of media do you use to create your artwork?"

I've used just about everything there is, from pastels to oil paint. But I most commonly do things the old-fashioned way, by sketching out a picture using pencil in my sketchbook or on illustration board; if it's something I like, I'll usually transfer it to canvas and then begin painting it with acrylic paints; this is my favorite method for some reason. Most commonly, it is either acrylics or watercolors that I use, and I have been known to mix the two mediums in a painting and even go so far as to use my acrylics in a manner similar to watercolors. A lot of my work is done with those two particular mediums, but I've also recently been doing a lot of digital artwork. After drawing a picture, I'll scan it onto my PC, and use a designing program (my favorite is Corel Photo-Paint 8) to do neat things to it while coloring it with my Wacom Tablet.

"How long does it usually take you to do a piece of art?"

That's a hard one to answer, and I get asked that question a lot. I lose track of time and "zone out" when I'm working on something; if I don't get artist's block, I'd say about a day or a week to draw, and anywhere from a week to a month to paint, depending on complexity, detail, size, and my own personal schedule. Commissions usually take longer, sometimes up to two or three months if they are extremely detailed, because I won't stop until everything feels 'just right' to both myself and the person I am working for.
If I lose interest in a sketch or painting though, it ends up filed away in a special folder I keep of half-worked on pictures waiting for a rainy day.

"What is your favorite subject and media?"

My favorite subject would definitely have to be people and monsters or creatures. These can be unique and original, and portraying people can convey a sense of emotion, which is something I strive to capture in my work. In a way, it's almost like being a goddess...I can look at one I have drawn and say, "I have created these beings. Their fate is in my hands."
As for my favorite media, I truly enjoy charcoals and computer created art, but my favorite would have to be the old tried and true method of acrylic paint on canvas or illustration board. I also enjoy using watercolors, and on the rare occasion, colored pencils.

"What inspired you to begin drawing?"

When I was a little girl, growing up, I had a head full of dreams that words couldn't describe...it was as if I couldn't rest until I had them captured, for all the world to see. So I began to try my hand at drawing, striving to find some way to make these dreams last forever so that I wouldn't forget them. The more I drew, and the more time that went by, the better I began to get and pretty soon for some reason everyone that saw my artwork went nuts over it. Before I knew it, I had friends lining up asking me to draw their Dungeons & Dragons and role-playing characters; and then people actually started offering me money to draw for them! After that, I began to get all kinds of jobs, even working as a creature/character designer for game companies, and this was the beginning of my illustration and freelance career.
Of course, I was kept inspired by many comic books along the way, and even created my own series, which are both already copyrighted and trademarked and will someday be self-published. I learned a great deal of figure drawing this way, which really helps me out to this day.

"Have you taken a lot of art classes?"

No. The fruits of my labor come from many years of practice, patience, and persistence. I did take art classes in high school, and am even now learning new things in college as I seek my degree in illustration and design, but I'll always believe that if you truly want to accomplish something, you have to work for it and never give up.

"Can I use your artwork in my own site?"

If you wish to use my art on your own site, please contact me. If you do, I will generally allow you to use my images as long as you meet a few small requirements.
Your page must be a non-profit website; my artwork is not to be used commercially for any purpose without my permission.
You must have a © Heidi Hardmeier displayed by every image you use on your pages.
The images must not be altered in any way! I can't stand seeing my work squished into all sorts of odd shapes, and won't be very happy with you if I do. Do not use them as part of other graphics, and don't try dissecting them either. I don't mind if you make some small proportional, I repeat, PROPORTIONAL resizing, but the pictures were made to be a certain way, not super skinny or fat or long. Please keep them that way.
Do not link directly to the images on my website. This takes up my much-needed bandwidth and will not only slow my website down, but yours as well. Instead, right-click with your mouse, save the picture to your hard drive, and upload it to your own server.
Lastly, this isn't something that is required, but it makes me very happy if you choose to place a link back to my galleries from your site. You can link to http://www.aeondreams.com.
Please keep in mind that my works are copyrighted, and if you violate any of my terms and conditions you are violating a serious law. Not only will I be very unhappy with you, the law will too, and action will be taken. So please, be sure to ask me first before you use any images.

"How about for my desktop?"

I'd be honored to have my creations used as your desktop! As said before, as long as you give me full credit for my work, you're more than welcome to. I'll even send you a resized image specifically for desktop use if you send me an e-mail stating your viewing size and the particular picture you'd like to use.

"Can I use your artwork for siggies/skins/etc.?"

I am sorry, but I do not allow my artwork to be used for siggies, skins, or anything that involves editing or changing the original image. In the past I had far too many people abusing my hard work, treating it as nothing more than free clipart, and therefore I no longer allow it to be used for these purposes.

"What about using your artwork for other purposes?"

As long as it's non-profit, or for your personal enjoyment I don't mind at all. If it's not, please email me and I'll be happy to discuss possibilities with you.

"Can I put a link on my website to Aeon Dreams?"

Of course you can! You're more than welcome to do so. Here is the address: http://www.aeondreams.com. And if you'd like to use one of my banners, please click here to pick from several of them.

"Will you draw a picture for me?"

I often get a lot of requests like this, but to tell the truth I honestly don't have the time to draw for free as I am a professional artist. I do occasionally take commissions though, and if you are a company interested in hiring me you are welcome to contact me.

"I'd really like to meet you/have you sign my print. Will you be appearing anywhere?"

I hand sign and number all my prints after I receive them from my printer, but if you've got one you'd like personalized I'd be happy to include any personal message on it for you. Please email me if this is the case and we can work something out.
As for my appearances, I am often found at Sci-fi/Fantasy Conventions and Renaissance Faires. You can check the main page for a list of my current appearance schedules.

"Can I interview you?"

Send the questions along.