This is not a fandom exclusive thing but it is relevant.
Sometimes I wonder why I even bother trying to make decent work where I either really nail the anatomy or movement or even try and finish a piece. Because it will never be held in high regard like a cheap, scribbled copy of a meme 🥴 At this point I’m convinced I’m delusional about my skill level and people are only liking the funny stuff just to be nice. Probably why people irl think I don’t draw anymore.
Ugh. I need to go take a life drawing class again.
First, your style is amazing and I, at least, adore both your finished and draft works.
Second, anatomy is great if hyper-realism is what you're going for, but your works are balanced, with the proportions correct and your characters well balanced (I wish my people came out as well balanced as yours). Yes, your sketches are amusing (fucking granny panties gremlin was incredible), but your Gritty works wouldn't have been nearly as impressive if you hadn't finished them.
Some pieces need finishing and some can work either way, but as for your skill level? Your art is incredible. You have a style, and that's half the battle right there. Anatomy classes can teach realism, but mostly it's about teaching proportions and techniques. If you want to take a class, go for it. Add to your repertoire. But don't doubt the skills you already have. Skill is about techniques, but what techniques you need really comes down to what you want to draw. No artist knows every technique, they only remember what they use. And every artist is always learning, growing, and experimenting. Your skill level is about whether or not you can draw the things you want to do. The way those things turn out, what you draw, and what the final piece looks like? That's all your style. And that's something uniquely yours and people may or may not like, but it's how your works are. And as long as you love the works you create, that's all that matters at the end of the day.
(sorry for any spelling errors or things that don't make sense, just waking up)
I think I’m just getting so disillusioned because I’ve realized it’s familiarity that people prefer. Like, even at cons around where I am some of the most popular booths are selling what are essentially character stock poses they’ve grabbed from google, blocked in black to make silhouettes (or sloppily redrawn over) and slapped on a premade background. Idk how to say it without sounding obnoxious and snobby but damn, I am better than some of the stuff I see churned out that gets fawned over. But I know it’s not good form to sound that judgmental and egotistical so I keep it to myself (because I’m also not entitled to people’s attention, it would be idiotic of me to expect it). It’s just frustrating to see stuff that I know is low effort getting passed around everywhere T-T Meanwhile other things get glossed over (and not just my own stuff, I’ve seen plenty of people be over looked because they’re not doing the hot topic of the moment).
But I’ll just keep doing my sketches and studying quietly because it’s what scratches my brain good.
I get that. Creative endeavors are hard and it feels not worth it when you put it out there and just... No one seems to care. But your work? It makes everything more colorful and vibrant. Everyone who adds to fandom in genuine ways and not attempting to just make money is helping weave this vibrant, colorful tapestry made up of the views and perspectives.of each member who contributes. And at the end of the day, even if it feels like people don't appreciate it, you've added to something bigger than yourself. Something that was made by many hands. And that vibrancy persists and adds to the experience of those who do interact with it.
(sorry if that makes no sense. I'm running on exhaustion, grief, and stress).
