I get asked quite a few questions so I thought I'd go ahead and answer some of them:

What program do you use?
I currently use Photoshop CS5, though before that I used Photoshop CS4 and before that Elements 7. I also have an Intuos4 Tablet that I'm learning more and more about.

Is Photoshop hard to use?
At first, yes. It's hard in the sense that you have to learn what all the features and controls do, and this will differ based on the specific Photoshop you have. Once you learn about the program, you'll be amazed how much easier things are. I'd strongly suggest a walk-thru guide or watching some videos on Youtube that show Photoshops features.

Can I get Photoshop for free?
Sadly, no. It's pretty pricey and you can visit Adobe's website for exact pricing. If you are a student, though, you can get a discounted version. (Details on their site as well) If you are looking for something free, Gimp is a great choice.

How long have you been making graphics?
I started in August of 2009. I was an artist on a site called The Dark Arts, and it was there that I learned how to use Photoshop. You can also find tons of tutorials on Youtube and online in general. You just have to look!

What is The Dark Arts?
This site is also known as "TDA." This site's main purpose is creating banners for the HPFF (Harry Potter Fan Fiction) website. Want to learn how to make those banners? Go to TDA and join. It's where I learned and they offer TONS of tutorials and lots of fun stuff. You can find TDA here: [link]

How long does it take you to make a graphic?
Depends on what I'm making. Some can take less than an hour, some will take days to tweek just right. The longest part of the process is image selection, actually. Finding the right stock, models, etc to showcase what you want to get across.

I could never make this stuff..how do you do it?
Yes, you can! When I first started..my stuff was laughable. There is only one way to get better: practice. Practice until your fingers hurt. Seriously. The only reason I can do what I can now is because I've put HOURS UPON HOURS into Photoshop. It took me about a year of constant practicing to get where I am, and still, I am constantly learning.

Can you make a tutorial?
I have made tutorials..on the-dark-arts website, haha. Truthfully though here's the thing: it's really hard to WRITE a tutorial when you really need SHOWN. It's why I always recommend Youtube because you can see for yourself what to do. I'm not sure how I could write a tutorial over here..but if there are a lot of people interested, let me know and I will consider it.


Any tips?
PRACTICE. I can't express this enough. How does anyone get good at something? They practice. It gets frustrating, yes, but it's the only way. FIND TUTORIALS. Youtube is great because it shows you the techniques. Once you figure out how to blend properly, color, cut, text..you'll be well on your way. GO THE EXTRA MILE. This means that being a perfectionist will pay off. Every little detail counts. Don't get lazy..because it will show. MAKE SOMETHING YOU LOVE. Making a graphic for something I care about makes it 100x easier. When you know the material, you'll be shocked how easy a composition will come to you.

Well that's all for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!