Artists. Oy!

[lionkingcmsl]

To all my artist friends, please forgive this rant. I need to get it off of my chest. :=/

Why is it that most, not all, artists, when they see another artist's work that is different from theirs, automatically think they (the artists doing the viewing) are no good?

I have artist friends, a few do on-line comics. I also know of many talented artists on the Napping Cat's Dream.

I read, and hear, "Look at that artist! He/she is so much better than I! Wah!!!" To those that say that, I say, "Enough!!!"

Ok, maybe they can render faces better than you, or maybe their coloring has more depth, or the clothing folds are more realistic. That does NOT mean that your work is worthless and should be trashed.

Every artist has their own style. If you want to improve on that style, fine, go ahead and do it. Just don't lament that someone is better than you, in some way. If you can pick up some tricks, or learn something from another artist's style, again, fine, but don't lose your individuallity by doing so.

I would not want to look at my friends' work and not be able to tell who did it. That would be boring and uninteresting.

I have said before, and I'll say it again, I like to see how others "see" LK, Altaica, me and my other characters. Sometimes an artist will bring out something that I did not consider. One such artist is Patches and the rendering of Altaica. I had always "seen" her with a short, military style, haircut. The drawing of Altaica with longish bangs, bigger eyes, plus a more "dainty" muzzle, gives me a new way of seeing her.

Here are three versions of Altaica:


The were done, in order, by me, Nezumi and Patches. The reason they are in this order is because that's the order they were done; oldest to newest.
Here is a link to Altaica's NCD profile. It is the basis for the second and third pics, though the first pic gave me an idea of how to write the profile.

Notice the differences. Does any of the three match exactly how I see Altaica? NO! Do I think any of the three should give up art? Yes. Me! The reason is, I'm not an artist. A draftslion, yes. An artist, no. Do I prefer any of the three? No, for even my rendering gives me something to refine my thinking of how I see Altaica.

So, to all my artist friends, don't bemoan the fact that you percieve that another artist is better than you. Enjoy their work, understand that they may think the same of you, and keep drawing. There are people, like myself, that enjoy every artists' efforts, especially when we know it'll be a long time, if ever, before we can reach such talent.

P.S. BTW, I know people have complimented me on my art, but I can't do it on a consistent or regular basis. That's why I don't consider myself an artist. To me, an artist is one who can put out the same good, or better, art, day in and day out. That is not me, by a long shot.
Maybe I could be put in the "doodler" category. :=/

Comments

Thank you!

[silverfoxmzdm.livejournal.com]

At least I am not the only one saying this to others. Everyone has their own style when it comes to drawing. We can not immitate anothers style unless we so choose. Find a style that fits you and perfect it and show the world your work. It is the same with writing, poetry and any other medium that an artist uses. Never say that another is better than you and give up. Just use that to make yourself better. :)