Feeling like a “phony” for working on my OC instead of fanart?
2mo
Tommy Pinedo
Hey everyone, I wanted to ask something that’s been on my mind.
Lately I’ve been putting a lot of effort into creating my original character — exploring different styles, studying artists I admire, and trying to capture what I see in my head. But sometimes I feel like a “phony” because I’m not drawing fanart of popular anime characters like a lot of other artists do.
It makes me wonder if I’m missing out on something important by not doing fanart, or if it’s okay that I’m just diving deep into my own OC and trying to find my style through that.
Do any of you ever feel this way? Is it normal to feel guilty or “less valid” as an artist for focusing on original work instead of fanart?
lastly I guess the style that’s been attracting me is more anime, where their gestural, more dynamic, action, expressive, and fun.
Thanks for any advice or encouragement 🙏
I think it’s a good idea to be able to do both. Well, also fanart is a good way to improve on your OCs, but making an OC improvise and techniques and improve your style, I highly recommend working on both but primarily OC .
I think it’s a good idea to be able to do both. Well, also fanart is a good way to improve on your OCs, but making an OC improvise and techniques and improve your style, I highly recommend working on both but primarily OC .
•
2mo
I think pouring your energy into developing original characters is one of the best things you can do as an artist. Exploring styles, studying artists you admire, and translating the ideas in your head onto paper is far tougher than drawing established characters, because you’re building something completely from scratch. Fan art is never fully yours. That said, there’s nothing wrong with drawing popular characters. It can be a fun way to practice, pick up new techniques, and study what makes the art you love so effective, but it’s not a requirement, and it's not more valid than any other focus for your art work. Keep up the good work!
Can't say I empathize with that. I want to learn to draw so I can create the stories and characters that come from my head. I would only dabble in fan art because as you say it is very popular and it's a good way to create a following.
Hey Tommy
I think there is no right or wrong and you should do what feels right for you at the moment - there are a thousand ways to learn and I find it wonderful if you want to develop your own style. I can only encourage you to keep at it and experiment, it will be worth it.
Hi Bri 😄
Your right, I remember hearing somewhere that learning art is not linear and it’s like a spider web that spreads out learning so many different types of topics, skills, and techniques but it’s up to the artist what he wants to do with their art. Thank you for the encouragement and thoughtful advice. :)
Also maybe something important I should mention is I am currently enrolled in drawing basics and figure drawing fundamentals.
as of this posting, I can doing the final assignment on values for drawing basics and I am up to the shading chapter for figure drawing fundamentals. Just to give other artists an idea what I have been doing lol.
I took a peek through your albums (sorry I be nosy) I get the impressions that you already knew how to draw well, and are using the Basic and Figure Drawing class to improve. Am I wrong in saying that?
