#zap rambles

[zipzaptoastainthebath]

Like imagine in the same week-long span that you accept that you’re gay after like a hundred years of it looming over you without addressing it, you also end up with two guys becoming very obviously into you AND ALSO find out a guy who helped kill you was into you AND THEN realize and confess to being in love with your best friend of 30 years like holy shit dude are you okay everything became so gay so fast do you need to slow down and take a minute to breathe? LET HIM BREATHE DAMN.

[videobun-art]

I don’t think this is an unpopular opinion but I think people are too defensive/protective of their work sometimes to an unhealthy degree but nobody tells these people when they’re being that way because they’re too afraid of looking like they’ll defend theft.

- Referencing isn’t theft. “Do something similar to this existing work, but with your own spin; iterate on an existing work but start the process from scratch” is done at a professional level. The main difference is they know how to do it while still respecting the original work. If you draw and are a big name, expect your art to be a ref for other people. Obviously you can be upset if someone copies it precisely, but art’s just gonna be reffed. If it ain’t traced and is altered beyond simply being a master study, it’s all good.

- Tracing is fine for private practice. Feel free to call attention to artists who trace and post it as their own work, but don’t get mad at and berate the very act of tracing itself. Also learn to know the difference between people who know better and kids who don’t. They might not be receptive to it but they’ll hopefully learn over time - it’s better to explain WHY tracing and posting is bad as opposed to just telling them to piss off for even doing it in the first place.

- Character designs aren’t always the most original thing. I think it’s fair to get upset in the case of stealing distinct characters over a period of time, such as when you notice someone who seems to constantly borrow elements from you or straight up 80% of the same character design without fail within weeks of you making a new character, or essentially copying the vast majority of the characters from one of your stories, comics, etc. but one or two coincidences isn’t something to get worked up over, not even cases where it’s weeks apart. What matters more is the trend. Do they constantly copy from people or was it just a few cases?

- Don’t get mad at kids copying your style. Hell, to be quite honest, I don’t think it’s worth getting mad at anyone who’s simply a hobbyist copying your style. If they’re a kid, they’ll probably grow out of it. Honestly I remember when I was younger I’d get into some bs with finding out who copied me and my friend group’s art and basically talk about ‘em behind their back and it was far more harmful than the actual act of copying an art style was. We’ve all moved past this but honestly looking back it was basically just bullying without the aspect of confrontation. I think if a kid is copying your style (even if you’re young too) and they’re just a hobbyist then they probably just look up to you. Same thing with adult hobbyists. Obviously if they’re taking commissions and such and they fit into the above category of actual design theft and they don’t do anything to differentiate themselves from you then you could probably confront them about it. Otherwise, I feel like style is one of those things people grow into as opposed to just trying on. it’s not easy to copy for so long that it becomes their thing forever. They’ll naturally deviate over time, and it’s only worth being suspicious if they manage to constantly follow your every trend (does every single type of composition you do, even starts to copy all of your experimentation, etc.). If anything, it’s a good opportunity to talk to someone who’s interested in your process. Be nice to them and they’ll probably take your advice to heart, as well as learn a good lesson in varying their sources of inspiration. Of all things though, it’s not worth getting mad over people drawing the way you do hair or the way you do shading even if you notice they do it immediately after they start following you. They’re learning something new about how to visualize their own work through you, that’s something to be happy about, not annoyed.

Obviously I still believe clear cases of theft (well, in terms of what it feels like, not necessarily the literal legal definition) are bad, such as no-permission unsourced reposting, resale of your designs/resale of non-substantial variants, but all of those above points are distinct from that sort of thing and are all completely fair if done to a respectable degree that isn’t excessive.

TL;DR: It’s not fair to get mad at people for following the advice of “Steal like an artist” just because you happen to temporarily be the source of inspiration. If anything, it’s a good opportunity to talk to someone who probably looks up to you as well as help them not fall into bad habits of actual too-close theft. While allowing people to copy unchecked is bad, it’s also not that good to discourage artists from learning how to properly look at and be inspired by various sources for the purpose of improving their own work. Don’t make people paranoid for wanting to attempt the way other artists do things.

[videobun]

people with rabbit sonas 'cuz they're horny is fair but i prefer them for other features like: - stress - awkward when excited - hard to approach but affectionate deep down (not always but this is the general idea) - just wants to flop and take a good nap

other reasons people might pick one: - grumpy - territorial - secretly deadly - shits

[angrybomberanian]

Hi guys. I’m so sorry. I’ve been super busy with making cosplays for Anime Boston, work, life, I just got a second job and my dog is super sick. I feel like I’m trying to do a million things at once. I have a lot more scenario requests than head canon requests. I might to hcs of scenarios for now and then do full scenarios when I have the time? I’m so so so sorry lovelies! I’m still here and I still love writing for you! (BTW ALL 700+ OF YOU HOLY SHIT GUYS WHAT)

[zipzaptoastainthebath]

PSA: Next to Normal does not have, nor does it need a villian. Gabe is not the villain, he’s a product of the Goodmans’ very complicated grief. Dan is not the villain, he’s under-informed, desperate, and terrified. Diana is not the villain, she is a woman with no control over her literal disorder.

[zipzaptoastainthebath]

Something about Charles and Edwin each thinking that theres something intrinsically wrong with them while believing that the other is the best person that they know.

[zipzaptoastainthebath]

I don't feel like we talk about Marya's paintings enough. I'm honestly surprised Wylan was able to get out of Saint Hilde's before breaking down. He only just found out his mother was even alive after eight years, half of his life, and the entire time, despite her drugged and barely-lucid state, she was still thinking of him, missing him, loving him like his father never would. All of this while Wylan was still disguised as Kuwei and had no way of knowing if he'd ever wear his own face again. The face that his mother, for years, spent painting over and over in some desperate attempt to keep her baby with her. I am not okay.

[zipzaptoastainthebath]

whoever came up with the whole wesper one night stand thing in shadow and bone is the funniest person ever by the way