Hello again Linda, hope you’re feeling better. 
Just asking a question that popped out of my head the other day:
How important do you feel that it is for individuals to have an Art background or know Art in some way before going into digital illustration? (doesn’t have to be just digital paintings, it could also be things like vector art, design, etc.)
hi linda
looks like you have a lot of admirers in more ways than one lol.
i think you look a bit like the master in your challenge painting, is the painting some kind of self portarit about your personal life?
jmBoekestein – Aw, I’m just glad if I can help 
Dimmur – You’re quite welcome :] And you’re not alone, lots of folks do that.
ArtisticVisions – Ha! I went there, I saw, and I liked. So hush you :]
Aloriael – Aw, thanks <3 I’m not quite that tall, though. I’m 167, but nearly always wear high heels. I love high heels. My friends are all insanely tall.
I’m so honoured I’ve inspired you. Thank you for telling me.
NOOB! – 
Lilie – Oo, it does sound interesting :] Thanks for telling. Heh, I did get sleep in the end though not much of it. Only ‘real’ sleep was last night, when I totally collapsed and slept for eleven hours of dreamless exhaustion. I still feel a little knackered. Damn this strange head of mine.
Artjunkie – :hides: you guys! Just tell me if you ever need Azzy-fur reference, I’d be happy to snap more photos. His fur texture is gorgeous in sunlight, a little like a fuzzy li’ll bear.
Fooxoo – Heheh, yeah, I suppose I do. I tried to pronounce my name the way we do up here rather than how the English and the Americans say it - which is never quite right at all. Despite of training my foreign friends, I can’t get them to say it right, heheh.
And, well… I’m sorry to say that I’m terrible at perspective. I’d love to be able to help, but… well… I’ll go check your M&S entry out anyway :] Maybe there’s some bit of advice I can give.
Enialadam – Aw, thanks :] I’ll go have a peeksie at your piece right after I’ve replied to this thread, see if I can give you some bit of help there (I’ll give it in that thread rather than here, if that’s okay :] )
Mahtan – Thank you :] It’s been long since I read any kind of fantasy literature or similar. I stopped with those kind of books when I was a teenager, after having devoured what was honestly massive amounts of them (around four hundred, I suspect). Mythological books, which I do read, tend to be pretty heavy literature. The Iliad is an old favourite of mine. Dante’s Inferno is a lovely, but intensely heavy read. The fantasy books that I remember (and still love) are Tolkien’s, Katherine Kerr’s and some books by Stephen R. Donaldson - a series called The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant… all of these books nice reads and far more accessible than the Iliad. If you have the time or the urge, try to pick up Eddan, old Norse stuff, very inspiring :]
Alden – thank you :} I’m glad you’ve found the Q&A informative - I feel like I’m just babbling in places… it’s so hard to stick to the topic at hand, and actually nail what people are asking me about :] As for your question – I find that I usually get the anatomy right without having to count… I resort to counting when I feel like something’s off or not working. The problem is, it’s only just good if the subject is not in perspective, not sitting, not bending down or over or leaning in one direction or the other. It’s always quite difficult to get proportions right :[
Erpel – Heheh, thanks :] Azrael is a difficult subject to catch - if I don’t do him justice, I feel awfully ashamed of myself.
Pushav – Heh, your questions are awesome. Now, lessee…
bcairns – Yeup, that’d be him. Very mischievous but so adorable.
Style – Hi hi :] For fun, eh? That’d be a long list. I read, I play games, I watch telly and movies (and for the moment, shamefully gawking at every Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, as a friend has let me borrow all the three first seasons, oh my!), I hang out with my friends, I go for walks and I go out dancing. I go shopping. I am such a spendthrift. If I am in a poor mood, I’ll go downtown and just buy stuff - preferably pretty stuff, clothes, jewellery, makeup (sigh, am such a girl in some ways). I make masks in papier maché, I take insanely long baths, I read about serial killers, I surf the web, looking at pretty stuff and getting riled up by stupid conversations, and I sit around listening to music. A lot of it like pretty much anyone else, I suspect :]
Shyam – Ee, forgot to write you, getting right on it…
Dead pixel – Thank you kindly :] I’m glad the brushes are helpful, I was so hesitant about posting them first but I’m happy I did, now.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever get around to making such a dvd. Maybe one day - I think I’d like to focus more on painting, than on showing how to paint, for a while now. That is, after all, why I got into the business in the first place - to paint :]
Mosconariz – Hahah, silly <3 Thanks though.
Akima28 – Hi there Monique :] and thank you very much for your kind compliments. Don’t worry so much about what your family thinks about your work - my mother always finds my darker projects disturbing, and my brother hates my feminine men (‘draw real men!’, he’ll grump, ha ha). I go with what feels right, though, and I’ll try to depict whatever emotions run through me and what stories I come up with. It’s difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t got the urge to paint, themselves. Not everyone understands that without the darker moments, there can’t be any lighter ones - a painting of a happy, beautiful place is always nice to see, but the more haunting pieces are the ones we’ll remember… at least that’s the way for me, I rarely recall the ones that made me smile for a second and then click and close the window, or turn the page. Just stick to your guns, draw what you love and what you’re fascinated with - your family should be happy that you’re so inspired, and that you’ve found some way to convey your emotions and thoughts.
Jan-Mark – Thankee :] Hm. What’s important. Man, you do like to ask the difficult questions, don’t you?
I like to convey different things in my pieces. They’re usually some little iddy bit of me, of something I’ve felt or of something I’m unhappy about. I have a couple of pieces about the destruction of nature by mankind, as that’s something always close to my heart and always disturbing me (see my old piece “All that I loved is gone” as well as my master and servant entry). Sometimes, I’ll paint something that simply makes me feel happy at the moment - some of the pictures are sort of exercises in design or in beautiful things, but I still try to think of a story, of a point to them, of something going on in the background. I’m not one of those people with a major goal - with something they want to scream at the world. When there’s a message in one of my pieces, it’s discreet and gentle, and it’s not there to slap anyone in their face: if someone wants to take it to heart, they’ll have to look for it, and it’s rarely too obvious. Mostly when I paint, it’s to exercise my own demons, to get some thought or picture out of my head. I rarely think, “hey, the people need to KNOW this”, I don’t have an agenda and I rarely stop to think about how the message will be perceived - most of the time, it just flies straight by and nobody even notices. I don’t mind :] Does that answer the question?
ArtisticVisions – Much better, thanks :] Having art education to back you up when painting digitally is about as important as it is when you’re painting in water colours or oils or acrylics. The computer’s just another tool, after all. It’s nice if you know how to draw, but you can learn it either way, you know?
Orion 77 – Hi hi :] I’m afraid a lot of my paintings turn out looking a little like me. It’s an entirely subconscious thing - I end up painting myself into a lot of my paintings. I try to keep from doing it but it still happens… quite embarrassing really. I think most of my paintings show a little bit of me in one way or the other, though, so I suppose it’s just natural :] This one is no more a self-portrait than A Thought Made Flesh is (another painting that all my friends tell me looks just like me). Weird, they both have masks… hm.
Hi Linda and thanks for the explanation, once again…
Well, there’s much to learn…I always find myself at a lack of time and words…and I do love it!
But your answer raises yet the same curiosity in me…blah blah…O_o…
You’re the best!
Am seriously anxious to see your book!!!
your up for a silly comment? I was thinking your paintings are a bit like a prerafaelite painter got a wacom and started listening to some Coil, the Shroud and mazzy Star…
Hello Linda~
Since I couldn’t think of a question unanswered, just wanted to say that I love your work
I want a cat >_>;;
Hi all,
If you have any final questions or critique, please post them now. We’ll officially close this session at the end of Monday 18 April.
Thanks,
Leonard
Glad you that you like my questions. I tried to give you some other questions other than art questions because I knew that they would be the norm here.
Lol Mouse trap. You like Smurfs and thundercats. You truly are an 80s fan.:applause:
Well here are the last batch of questions before the admin locks this Q&A featuring you down on Monday.
Here we go.
Do you like yo-yo's or Play dough?
Would you rather watch Captain planet or G.I. Joe?
Who is you favorite G.I. Joe character?
Do you think that you are paying to much for gasoline for your car?
Who do you like better the care bears, stawberry shortcake, or rainbowbrite?
Which pokemon do you like the best? (yeah I said pokemon lol. Don't act like you have never heard of them lol:D)
Are you a starwars fan or star trek fan?
Has you cat ever scratch you in your sleep or bit you somewhere?
Which do you like better Disney or Anime?
Do you think that splendarifavanglorious is word? If so do you like the word?
If someone was to make a movie about your life, which actress should play you in a movie?
Who do you like better He-man or She-ra?
Who do you like better Bruce Lee or Jet Li?
Have you ever felt like doing this :banghead: somedays?
Who would win a fight Winnie the Pooh or Tigger?
Who would win the robotics division, Power Ranger Megazord or Voltron?
Have you ever thought of being a fantasy card game artist? (like the art on magic the gathering?)
Who rides in a better looking car Speed Racer or James Bond?
Do you think that I have earned the title of “the people’s champion”?
Do you wanna ask Pusha V questions like this?
Last question. (I know it is hard and its sad that you will not be able to answer anymore of my questions so I will give you a moment to get some tissue to wipe the tears from your eyes…)
Are you a Pusha V fan? :shrug:
Sorry for so many questions this time.i have a small question…i sent u a PM couple of days ago…just wondering if u received it or not
Hey Linda, thanks for the advice on my painting, it was a great help and has given me the extra boost to continue with it, thanks again,
Maddy
All right? this would probably be the last time I get the chance to answer.
Jan-Mark – thanks again :]
Erpel – hahah, I like that. Thanks!
Sung-jae Kim – Thankee :] You should get a cat, then.
Pushav – Heheh, I was a child during the eighties, of course! Here we go…
Nor a license.
At least those are happily geeky.
Have a lovely day :]
Stealth Pharaoh – I did? D: I’ll take a looksee and see if I’ve missed it, otherwise (if it’s gone), I’ll send you a note.
Enialadam – I’m just glad I can help :] good luck!
Anyway, it’s been wonderful, everyone! Thanks for your patience and thanks for your kind questions :]
Aw, hehe, its been a fun topic. Just a few last words from me…
I see your Meet the Artist is ending today, so I thought Id ask you a few final questions and give you one big HUG for being so sweet and patient with all of us :) I want you to know that youre on the top of my Favorite Artists list and that I have a huge amount respect for what you do and respect for you, as a person. I know its hard to keep up with so many people around you especially with people why constantly try to bring you down for unknown reasons (ack, [i]unknown[/i].. theyre probably just frustrated; at least thats what the psychology freak in me thinks anyways). Youre a strong person, just dont let them get to you not too much. Because they can hurt you only if you [i]let[/i] them hurt you. To quote Anastacia, one of the people I admire the most, You never know what could happen next, what could be positive.
So yes, Linda, we wuv you
Ahahah, you go, girl! I really had a lot of fun reading this topic and learned so, so many new things thank you! *big hug for you and Azrael*
PS Oh, and if you have time, check out an awesome band, Poets of the Fall.. Im not sure if youre into that kind of music.. Im not sure if I can define their music, but their songs are simply beautiful. Maybe they fall into soft rock category, Im not so sure :P Oh well, that was one music tip from me!
Keep rockin
~ DonnaLinda, I have no further questions but I want thank you for this big effort… all this questions and you answere them so kindly. You are such an great inspiration for my work.
NEVER STOP PAINTING, PLEASE :applause: :applause: :applause:
Reaching the end now, hm, not sure when this is ending as most of you (including CGtalk) aren’t in the same time zone as I am. I’m taking the kitty out for a walk now and then snagging a nap. In case it’s closed by the time I get back, HUGE hugs for all the lovely people out there <3
D-NA – Hi Donna, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it - I’ve had a fun time. Thank you for the hug and the kind words :} <3 I promise to check the band out, thanks for the tip.
Falcore – Aw, it’s been my pleasure. I promise I won’t (stop painting, that is). Have a wonderful day.
You take your cat for walks?? That is cute, if I took my gran’s cat for a walk, she d run away and never come back, fiesty one… 
Thanks for the great Q&A :D:D:D
Hi Linda… I’m a bit late to this and i’ve tried to read through the thread to check my questions aren’t ‘duplicates’ but… phew… it’s a biggy!!? Congratulations!!
I’ve just got a couple of technical questions… i hope i’m not too late…
What kinda RAM have you got in your PC? And what size Wacom do you use?
And what versions of Photoshop and Painter do you use…?
I think you’ve done fantastically well to answer the questions in this thread. It looks like it’s been a full-time job in itself!! :eek: It speaks volumes about your commitment to the CG community and your art.
Now i’m going to have a play with your brushes…
Lol. ok I have no magical weapon.
But one day I shall have the title.
:wavey: peace out.
Hey Linda could you bare answering a couple of cheeky questions for me?
There a tad bit out of line but what the hey, I’ve been wanting to ask so I’m gonna.
Euthanasia: Why on earths call it that? Without that title I would have seen a naughty boy/girl just escaped from the monks, but I can imagine things into it with the title under it. I most certainly do :wise: not mean it the bad way. Because I love to think about these things, try and find more to them(yes, that’s why I’m still curious). All I’m saying is that it has a morbid title for such a free creature, is it an escape from growing up? Is it going to kill something. Or did you just laugh in the face of inertia, and want to make a statement?
Last thing, really quick. I promise…
…:surprised…
I forgot again…
I’ll edit this if I remember…
Okay, last time now :]
Fooxoo – yes, I do :] Azrael loves to take long walks. He sticks by me unless he spots another cat - then there’s a fight. He always wins, heh.
Duddlebug - Hiii The thread is insanely long, I’d have to start over and read it from the beginning, heheh. You’re asking the toughest kind of questions, for me to try to respond to. I know next to nothing about actual computers - my friends, and my brother, take care of all of that for me. But I think I found the info… it’s 1GB’s RAM on this machine. Works pretty nicely for me. I’m still just using an Intuos 1 tablet, I’m afraid - size A5. I’d like to update to Intuos 3 pretty soon, but I’ll be sticking with the size - I feel uncomfortable with the larger ones. They don’t fit nicely on my desk and I usually paint with small movements, anyway :] Anyway, hope you enjoy the brushes <3 Love your M&S entry, by the way.
Pushav – heheh, good luck
Jan-Mark – Weeellllll… I had many thoughts behind the title of the image. One was the willing death of childhood when we grow up (you got that one right)… another was an idea of the child being Death in its kindest form, calling willing souls from tormented bodies, bringing them into the light. Death doesn’t have to be a bad thing :]
Anyway, I’m off to bed now, I suspect the thread might be closed when I wake up. It’s been a hoot and a holler, everyone Thank you!
A big thanks to Linda Bergkvist for taking the time this week to do the Q&A!
Please do check out Linda Bergkvist’s book “D’artiste: Digital Painting” which she co-authored with Philip Straub, John Wallin and Robert Chang. Every copy purchased supports CGTalk and the arists.
Best,
Leonard