artist-confessions:

Don’t blame the anime aesthetic because it happens to be popular. 

Everyone has to start somewhere, and it might as well be drawing something that they relate to and enjoy. If they want to get “better”, they’ll do it on their own terms at their own pace. If they can only learn by eyeballing or emulating a popular style, let them eyeball. Realistic artists don’t do anything but eyeball, yet there isn’t a lot said about them.

Being elitist about realism or indie-western styles isn’t helping anyone. If people want to draw realism, they will.  If they want to draw megabuff muscle-dudes, they will. If they want to draw three fingered googly eyed schoolchildren, they will. And yes, even if you don’t like it, if they want to draw triangle-faced bishoujos with eyes the size of Saturn, they will. 

Your way isn’t the best way for anyone but yourself.

I need this signal to boost. Art students here [who happen to catch me working] have a habit of telling me “Well, even though it’s anime inspired it’s really good looking”

Which is about the same as telling me, “Oh you’re pretty cute for a black girl”

I promise there’s no improvement in me changing who I am at the core. I can do what they do, I just don’t want to.