On the subject of copying and originality.

Recently I've noticed that on DA, there's been loads of things going on regarding personal characters and copying others.

I've seen it happen, saw the pictures, read the comments, and GOD are there a lot of haters out there! Sure it's great that you wish to speak up for the artist you idolize or prefer, but flaming artists for -possibly- stolen ideas is both unneeded and stupid.
The anger comes from both sides, fangirls and -boys defending their idol and artists trying to defend their own style and originality. I've been part of this all myself, as some of you might remember, and I too was forced to change my style because of the raging fanmobs that wouldn't leave me alone. That was almost three years ago now, and I can safely say I have accomplished a style of my own. But it's not really the copied styles that's an issue, it's mainly people trying to be original with their personal characters, and that's what bugs me.

You don't -have- to have tons of details and feathers and jewelry and markings and whatever the heck everyone comes up with to be original! There are SO MANY personal characters out there, there's noway you can design a character without -some- part of it being similar to another character. Also, it isn't called a -personal- character for nothing, people. I've designed Lhune as I feel she should be, and -want- her to be, not how other people would like to see her. That's what it's a personal character for, to have a design that is completely your own and that you are happy with. So don't go sticking huge-ass feathers on your character because you've seen it somewhere else and people seemed to find it cool, only stick them on there if YOU feel they should be! Think of how YOU want YOUR character to be, simply don't be bothered by other people's designs and what others think is awesome, only -you- have to find it awesome.

Another thing that I've seen happening that's -really- starting to annoy me now is that artists, especially the so called 'greater' artists are starting to lay claim on certain designs, restricing others to make their characters as they want, out of fear of being accused for copying. I've actually read a comment on a recently uploaded character design (can't make it less obvious, most of you will know who I speak of) that was tailless, and the comment said that person was just about to make his or her character tailless as well, but since this design was uploaded now, he wouldn't. Out of fear of being flamed or out of fear of being unoriginal, I don't know, but come on. If you wanted to make your character tailless, DO IT. It's YOUR character.

I agree there are too many people out there copying -styles-. There's tons of Shinerai- or Neondragon-style dragons out there for instance. I understand it's annoying, but everyone started out using other artists as a reference, even Shin and Neondragon themselves. And for gods sake people GIVE those artists the TIME to evolve and develop their own style! One cannot change their style within a day, I -know-, I've been there.

So, a message to all those artists out there who are being flamed or who now realise they've been referencing off other artists too much, or who are afraid they can't be original: Stop worrying. Whatever everyone says, it's still -your- hands that draw your drawings, and it's still -your- mind that holds the image you wish to draw. Stop watching the art of the more populair artists because you really don't need to copy designs to get others to like your art. You have ideas and creativity of your own, that's what you're an artist for. So go on and try to draw what is in your head, rather than drawing what others wish to see. But -take your time- for it, no matter how much you are flamed or how much people -or yourself- are trying to push you to change.



Do realise I am -not- encouraging art theft or copying, I am encouraging artists to stop being bothered by what other people think. Who the hell cares what is currently the hype, just because tons of people suddenly stick loads of feathers and fluff on their characters doesn't mean you should as well, that just destroys the whole meaning of it being a PERSONAL character.


~ Lhune.