I’ve come to realize that I am not good at drawing. I’m not, even if my friends tell me I am, even if people oh and ah over the things I paint I am not that good. My stuff just doesn’t look terrible, which counts for a lot when viewing art. The main reason I’m not that good is that I didn’t study from life earlier, stubbornness on my end. But I had a reason for that stubbornness that I’m sure a lot of people feel and I’m here to say why that stubbornness is understandable and why you should get away from it to grow as an artist.
Anyone who dives into my account can see I’m inspired by Japanese illustrations and concepts. I have been since i was about 12. My mother and father (Love you guys) have always been encouraging and let me draw whatever I want without looking down on it. Before I was inspired by the likes of anime and Japanese works I drew the Western cartoons that showed on TV. I feel that is important to say, because if I had continued on doing a “Western style” I might have felt less defensive in my future works.
Let’s face it: a lot of people hate “Anime art” I’m putting quotations here because I think it’s stupid that every art piece that comes out of Japan is considered anime. Last time I checked games weren’t anime, but whatever, I’ll just call it anime art to make it easy. You can call it lazy, you can call it unoriginal (You’d be wrong, but I’m trying to get to the meat here) or maybe you just hate it because it isn’t a part of your culture.
I wasn’t trying to be this amazing artist, I just wanted to draw things I liked and what I found pretty, so I would copy the styles I enjoyed from mangaka and put them into original works. Once I got onto social media I realized how scoffed at the community my art was a part of was, and that made me angry. Instead of actually helping any of us get better our work would be mocked at and we would be told to draw “better” things. This in fact even happened to me recently. I happened to be doodling something, something just for myself to keep myself busy and someone peered over my shoulder and became so offended they left the room and talked about me to the people outside the class. (All the people outside were really nice to me and told me that it doesn’t matter, drawing what you like is what you should do. They’re so sweet.)
Now, to anyone who doesn’t want to read a giant background, start here.
Look, if you draw anime art, Disney art, etc. and your teacher and other people hate it, think it’s lazy or somehow not real art and tell you to work from life, do it. Not because your work isn’t worthy or inferior. Do it for yourself.
I get it, if someone tells you that what you’re doing isn’t real art of course you aren’t going to listen to their advice, I did so for years. I know, I know, you don’t want to throw away what you love and work so hard at. Don’t want to lose your identity. But you aren’t, you won’t. Draw from life, practice from it, study from it. Try new styles out, it’ll help your artistic growth and you never know, you might like it. Do all of that while still doing your own original works in the style you prefer. You should draw whatever the hell you want if it gives you enjoyment. Just add in some real life practice and your other work will grow as well. Don’t be a stubborn dum-dum like me who is only just going back to the basics and is fumbling through them. Be able to draw whatever the heck you want, when you want it, with awesome anatomy and all that good shit.
Now, for everyone who talks badly about people’s art and the people themselves based on the style of their drawings. Don’t be an asshole; be helpful. I think that we’d have a lot more people willing to draw and study from life if they weren’t made to feel bad about what they draw. Teachers, tell your students that it’ll help them improve and make them better at any type of art they want to pursue. Don’t be a jerk or a dreamcrusher. If they’re drawing isn’t that already wonderful, no matter what they draw?
Final words. This is all sloppily put together as I’m studying perspective. Even though I wish my younger self would have already learned these things I’m happy I threw away (most) of my anger and stunting pigheadedness before this year ended. Anyone who follows me and supports me, thanks. I hope to put out better art for you to enjoy in the near future.
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