FAQ's: Updated: 11/7/2011
This section contains answers to some of the many questions that Melissa is asked most often. It will be updated and purged as needed. If you have a question, email me.
Do you do any digital work?
Yes. Most of my design work for greeting cards and borders for prints are done digitally.
Do you draw anything other than fantasy?
Yes, absolutely. I have many other interests and much of that artwork can be seen in my Zazzle shop.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on a commission of a dragon and a duck. Should be interesting.
Is it OK to use your art as an Avatar or signature tag?
I am being asked this more and more. Even though you are not making a profit on it, part of my income comes from designing these little pictures. If anyone wants to commission one, I would be happy to do so. But granting the use of these images for free isn't fair to those who have hired me to design them in the past. Surely you all can understand that.
Will you alter my Magic card?
I don't get this and it seems really popular right now. The image is the way I wanted it to be unless I was required to do something dumb. Like the lack of wings on the Cloud of Fairies card. Other than that I don't alter my work on cards.
Your Artists' Proof page calls the white backs tear sheets. What is a tear sheet?
A tear sheet is used by the artist in their portfolio as proof of publication for prospective clients who are unfamiliar with the artist's work.
Do you take commissions?
Yes I absolutely do! See the Commission Pricing page for a ball park idea of how much it would cost.
Do you charge for your autograph at shows?
I do now. A dollar a card unless you purchase something. I've been to shows where I've sold nothing, but I've never been to a show where I didn't sign anything. It helps defray the cost of attending (read GAS) and for the time away from the board. This is only at shows. I will still sign your cards for free if I meet you somewhere in public.
How many cards will you sign at a show?
As many as you bring me. I do not restrict the number of cards. What I will do though, if there are a lot of people waiting, I'll sign 7 & send you to the back of the line. You can return as often as you like. It's better to have a lot of people get a few cards signed than to have a few people get a lot of cards signed. But don't get crazy & ask me to sign 40 copies of the same card. Nobody needs that many except dealers.
Do you sell copies of your own cards?
Only my Artists' Proofs. See the Artists' Proof Cards page on this site.
Do you sign cards through the mail?
I do sign cards as a thank you perk to my supportive online customers, it is the only way to get cards signed through the mail.
When you buy something from this site, or any of my PoD shops, I'll sign any 5 cards per item bought. So if you buy 2 prints, I'll sign 10 cards. This includes all cards from all games, not just Magic. When you purchase an Artist Proof card, I'll sign 15 of your cards per card bought. When you buy an original, I will sign as many as you send at that time. I do this because overseas fans say that the Americans sell my signed Magic cards at hugely inflated prices. It also isn't fair to sign only for overseas fans. This policy levels the playing field.
Do you answer your mail personally or does someone do it for you?
I do answer all my mail. Those of you who have sent snail mail are on the floor laughing. Hey, I didn't say I answered it quickly. I must be about 3 months behind now. I must admit that I am not the greatest correspondent in the world under the best of circumstances. Please be patient. It's why it takes so long. I'm much more conscientious about answering my email. If you need an answer quickly, please use email. Always include some text in the subject line or my filter will dump it.
Where will you be appearing so that I can get my cards signed?
Click here to link to the Show Schedule page.
Do you play Magic?
Nope. The only CCG I know is Dragon Storm. Sue Van Camp taught it to me at a convention in VT. I couldn't have had a better teacher. After all, Sue created the game. Visit her web site: www.dragonstorm.com. But I do admit, Camelot Legends is one I will probably learn.
Did you go to art school?
Yes. I went to Paier College of Art in Hamden CT where I received my bachelors degree in Illustration. It's a great school. Most of the instructors there are working professionals, so they are in touch with the actual problems that professionals face.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From the phone bill. Knowing that the only way to pay it is to get the job done can be very inspiring. Seriously though, I read a lot. My favorite authors are predominantly the older ones. Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, C. M. Kornbluth & Fritz Leiber. Modern authors: David & Leigh Eddings, you get the idea. I also am very fond of Clive Cussler & Ellis Peters. She wrote the Brother Cadfael mysteries made popular by Derek Jacobi. Go figure. I also have an EXTENSIVE clip file and reference library.
Which of your own cards is your favorite?
I don't have an overall favorite. I have favorites within groups but that's it.
How long does it take to illustrate a card?
That's really hard to say because I don't do each image beginning to end & then move on to the next repeating the process. I do all the cards in a given assignment, an entire stage at a time, in an assembly line fashion. So if there are 15 cards, all 15 thumbnails are done at once, then all the sketches & so on. Some pictures are more involved & take longer than others so giving an average would be misleading. There is also the fudge factor. If something really bad happens (and at lest one card will give me grief) I need time to do damage control.
Do you work in acrylic or watercolor?
Neither. When size (& time) is not an issue, I prefer to work in oil. There is nothing that approximates the radiant glow that comes from glazing. My oils are usually 22 x 28 inches or larger. Certainly no smaller than 16 x 20 inches. Most of the card art is done with Dr. Martin's dyes & Berol Prismacolor colored pencils. This is because the required image size for the older card art was often quite small. This was before the use of digital files became common. The art was usually between 5 x 7 inches to 8 x 10 inches. I use dyes for color saturation & pencils for detail. More than anything else though, I am the most proficient with graphite pencil. I love pencil work.
Do you do the coloring too?
Yes. Only comic book fans seem to ask this.
Do you go to conventions often?
Not as often as I'd like. They are getting too expensive to go to and it's time away from the board.
Do you ever work with other artists?
Nope. Although there is a possibility that Quinton Hoover & I will do something when we both have free time at the same time. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oooh,... that was a good one!
Have your questions been answered?
If not, email (please put FAQ in the subject line) or write to:
Melissa A Benson
Ranting Centaur Studios
POBox 119
Stratford, CT 06615-0119
USA