“Why do artists hate it when I compare their art/OC’s to something else?”
Or maybe you don’t realize artists hate it because every artist you’ve run into is nice! Well lucky you, I’m not.
Short version: Because it’s fucking rude.
Long version: Comparing artwork to something else has extremely negative connotations in the art world, for starters. I mean, not always, because often times artwork is inspired or a parody or a throw back to something else, but here’s the thing: Usually, if that’s the case, the artist will just fucking say so. (Example: “I was inspired by ____” or “Referenced from ____”)
But generally, the only time you should be saying “this looks like ____” is if it’s 1) a very obvious rip off of someone else’s character, or 2) traced from someone else’s work. In that case, the artist probably needs a stern talking to. Otherwise?
I don’t know if non-artists just think we’re idiots, or unintentional in our design choices, or what, but seriously, no one is impressed with your ability to compare their art to something else you’ve seen before. I don’t care what obscure reference you’ve managed to pull out your dickhole to compare my art or characters to. Chances are, I made the comparison before you myself. Have you heard the phrase “I’m my own worst critic”? That generally applies to artists. And believe me, if an OC comes out looking similar to an already existing character, chances are the artist has sweat buckets about it long before they ever even posted it for you to draw the same comparison.
Unless the artist is clearly stealing/ripping character designs, or tracing art, give them the credit they deserve. Artists work hard on their art and OC’s and it’s discouraging when the only thing people have to say about them is how much they look like something else. You could just like, be nice, and ask about the OC if you’re curious about them. Chances are they’re an individual the artist has put time into fleshing out and aren’t a one dimensional design that looks similar to a character you saw in a cartoon once.
Don’t even get me started on people who complain that an artist is “copying another artist’s art style”, that’s a different rant for a different day but long story short no, you cannot copyright a WAY of drawing so please also cease that jargon.