Czar

Name: Czar (Azie) Esteban
D.O.B: 05/30
Gender: Female
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts
Interests: animu, mango, books, art, video games, writing, character design, world-building, web
Contact: czar [at] czaresteban [dot] com
 
When not being hounded by guildmates to play support for a dungeon run, Czar assumes the role of a full-time illustrator in the party. With stats allocated for a pure artistic build, her main focus are on digital concept artworks and game design, as well as graphic and web design. During breaks from quests, she works on her online fantasy graphic novel, Nox.

Faintest Clouds

This site was launched on February 14, 2010 under the name Panagimpan, a word in my first language that means “dream” and what I feel could accurately describe the vibe I want this site could give off to its visitors: light, subtle, and soft . On January 06, 2013, the site was updated with a new layout and was re-launched under a new name: Faintest Clouds (words picked for the very same reasons above). This latest change was more personal as 2013 marks the year I’ll be undergoing several major changes life-wise and I felt that some sort of transition that reflects this is also needed for my personal site as well.
 
Currently, we’re at version 4.2: wanderlust redux. Screenshots of previous versions can still be viewed here: sun-kissed, wind-touched, counting stars, wanderlust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s your name? Where do you study? What course did you take for college?

Answered above. :D

What art materials/tools for the trade do you use? As much as possible, specify them.

Oh, LOL. This is going to be a bit lenghty:

For traditional drawings, I use 2b, 4b, 6b, and 8b pencils (really, though, any pencil will do); but for linework and drafts I use mechanical pencils (0.7, 0.5, 0.3) because they give me cleaner lines. As for the paper, I use ordinary letter-sized printer paper. For digital works, the software I use depends on how lazy I am, lol. If I want easier blending (which is a bit harder to achieve in Photoshop), I’ll use Paint Tool Sai or IllustStudio. They’re both Japanese softwares but Sai already has an official English translation. These two are also good for making clean digital linearts. Lately, I’ve started using Photoshop and Corel Painter for coloring. I also use a tablet, which I affectionately named “Celty”, to get the job done.

Which medium is your favorite?

I prefer working digitally because its easier to change things in case I mess up or I just feel like it! But I do most of my drafts traditionally. I’ve also fallen in love with watercolors and wish to try working with it once.

How many hours do you spend making art everyday?

If I don’t have anything school-related to do, I usually spend the whole day doing nothing but drawing. However, if school decides that it hates me and wants to keep me busy, I try to draw for about 4-5 hours a day and if I really don’t have the time, I always carry a small notebook with me to keep me entertained during boring class lectures. XD

Where do you get inspiration from?

I filled-up an inspiration meme from dA a year ago here. I think I was able put there all the things that influenced me up to this point? Additionally, I also listen to music by Kajiura Yuki, Kokia, as well as soundtracks from different movies when I’m working.

Do you do commissions?

I… I think I’m not yet good enough for those. I’ll probably open slots in the future but for now, I’ll focus on improving so I’ll have something presentable I can show to my future clients. :) I open requests during school break, though!

How often do you go to conventions? Do you have your own space there to display your art?

Erm… When I have the time? Conventions here in my place happen during the weeks when I’m extremely busy with my course’s final requirements so I don’t really have time to go. Plus! Cons here don’t have a big enough space for an Artist Alley, which is quite a disappointment. I’ve seen artists who sell their works huddled in a small space along with merchandise sellers and you almost can’t see them because the place is too congested! Somehow that makes me feel a bit discouraged. :(

Hopefully, though, in the future I’ll be able to sell my works in conventions despite the lack of a proper Artist Alley here.

Would it be okay to do collabs with you?

Sure! As long as I’m not working on something, I’m pretty much open to it. Just drop me a note! Here or in my dA:D

What drawing style do you like the most?

I like drawing in anime/manga style but I also like doing realistic sketches from time to time! Most of the artworks you’ll see here have the former’s style, though. I’m practicing on that one because: 1.) It’s faster to draw with it, which is what I need for 2.) my graphic novel project. But when I work on that style, I keep in mind that variation on design is important for characters so they don’t all look alike when I strip them naked or I shave their hairs off their heads. It seems I still need more practice on that part!

Do you do tutorials?

I wish I could But I’m so bad at explaining things, OTL. Besides, I think I still have a lot to work on before ever dreaming of making one. XD;;;

How do I contact you?

Here or here or here. I’m everywhere, LOL.

Do you have any other sites I can follow?

Other sites I own can be found in the Exits section of the site. :)