My name is Dan Schoening, aka Dapper Dan, which is kinda misleading as I don't really wear fancy clothes at all or even slick my hair back with pomade. I'm an animator by trade, but enjoying doing illustration work as well.

I've been busy in the animation industry for about 5 years now, working on various television shows, films and video games.

I've recently started working on projects for comic related properties, and I'm really enjoying the change of pace it offers compared to the animation business. I've been honing my skills in Flash for over 3 years now, and I almost exclusively use that to color a large portion of my work.

I also collaborate with 6 other amazing artists on a web site called the Sketch Tavern. I currently work full time at a studio in Victoria BC, Canada.

When I was a wee Dapper, I was always fascinated by cartoons and comics. My first memory of animation inspiration was of Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair arcade game. After I played that, not only was I broke, but I fell in love with the art of animation. Soon after I began drawing constantly, and found old Warner Bros cartoons, older Disney classics and comic books a great inspiration. The old Tex Avery and Chuck Jones shorts were a personal favorite. Being a kid of the 80's I was also influenced by many shows of the day like Transformers, Galaxy Rangers, Visionaries and M.A.S.K. to name a few. I was always encouraged as a child by my family to continue drawing, and I owe them all a lot for the guidance and support.

At the moment I'm still hooked on pencils, go figure! First off, I normally rough out my work with red Col-Erase pencils, then I use 2b Stadetler pencils to clean up the piece if it needs it. I've been using automatic pencils recently and find the line quality easier to work with compared to the regular pencils. When it comes to colors, I mainly use Macromedia Flash. Instead of keeping the outlines, I create the volume of shapes with color. I find Flash gives a nice crisp and clean feel to the art, while keeping that animated flavor. I also love to color with markers, and the tria brand markers are great for blending and getting nice even fills. I've also been known to use a bit of acrylics and prismacolors from time to time.

There are some artists that have truly inspired and influenced my art in many ways. Some off the top of my head would be John Pomeroy, Richard Williams, Ward Kimball, Milt Kahl, Don Bluth, Bill Presing, Bruce Timm, Mary Blair, Alex Toth, Tommy Lee Edwards, George Perez, Brad Bird, Tony Fucile and Stephen Silver. I'm also inspired by such artists as Gustav Klimt, George Braque and Alexander Calder. I tend to be influenced by things that remind me of my childhood. A lot of what I "draw" upon is stuff I remember while growing up. Certain people in my life also inspire me to create art. Whether they themselves do art, or if they give me the muse to make it. I find taking something that exists and putting your own spin on things very inspiring as well.

I went to Camosun College in Victoria BC for 2 years. There I took everything from ceramics, 3D sculpture, painting and photography. Right after that I moved to Vancouver and studied at VanArts, which was an intensive 12 month course covering everything from storyboarding, character animation to life drawing. Everything else, including Flash was self taught.

Currently I work at Inlight Entertainment, creating games for companies such as Disney, Pixar, Leapfrog, CBC and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. I've been here for over 3 years and counting. I also do a fair share of commission work which includes pitches for comic books and film/television. Previously I created a majority of the designs for the short film "Catching Kringle" starring Danny DeVito and John Rhys-Davies. I also worked on Season 4 of Ed, Edd and Eddy at AKA studios.

Get obsessed about drawing and art in general! Breath it in and draw as often as you can. Even if it's a picture you aren't happy with, you made the effort and learned something. Also, look at as many different types of art to learn from. You'll find the most interesting things in places you'd never expect. Have fun with it too, as when it becomes a chore to do, you have to step back and take another look at where you are. Creating art is a passionate thing, and to do it for a living is a dream come true. You really have to want it.

To constantly improve and try new things in animation and illustration. I've a personal belief that no one is a complete master of their craft, as it's a life long journey to become truely accomplished at something. And I believe it's that outlook upon art, that will help me continue to grow as an artist. From a job stand point, I'd love to take a stab at designing character for a superhero cartoon...like DC perhaps *hint hint*

Like everyone else, I'm just searching for that happy medium in life, where things become balanced. It's hard to be a successful dad and animator at the same time. So if I could achieve anything it would be to have those in harmony together.

Oh man, that was a while ago! I actually first posted in 2004, but stopped posting until a year or so later. At first I didn't have much of an opinion about dA. I liked the idea of networking a lot, not to mention being in awe and inspired by many artists on dA. Now, I really like participating on dA, sharing my work, and commenting as much as I can on pieces other artists do. The people that I've met on here have been awesome to me, and I'm in eternal gratitude for all the crits, comments and feedback I get.

A very good one! It's key in growing as an artist to share, and recieve feedback. Just meeting all these cool people and seeing great art is awesome. It's pretty rare to come across negative, non-constructive words on dA, so that's refreshing to see a mature outlook on art from everyone.

Oh this is a good one! Since I'm heavy into animation, I tend to be drawn towards more cartoon/animated pieces. I really enjoy the artists that either create new ideas or take an existing idea, and make it their own. I'm also drawn to artists that really showcase a unique style. People that can draw from real life, but can twist that reality and make something original. I'm also a fan of photography, sculpture and graphic design so I often peep those images as well.

I have my commissions open at all times. I can do anything from pin ups, animation, storyboards and character design. The price is subject to each piece, so if you are interested in starting a commission, just note or email me and we can discuss the details.

Be true to yourself and concentrate on what makes you happy as an artist. If you like the work, and you made it the best it can be, you should be proud of it. You have to work really hard, and be dedicated to your craft to succeed. Stick with it, and success is but a pencil's length away. Cheers!