My art, my choice

The frequency with which I get these kinds of comments from fellow artists is disappointing.

It’s typically from individuals who seem to feel that the only way you can be considered a legitimate comic artist is if you draw your own characters.

When I painted portraits of people based off photos, was I not an artist? When we ALL learned to draw from references, are we not artists?

Often times the fact that I draw existing characters like Cable and Wolverine here, I’m also supposedly “not original”. Soooo, Jim Lee isn’t an original artist because he draws Batman? Todd McFarlane wasn’t the real deal when he drew Spider Man? Ryan Ottley isn’t legit because he didn’t create Invincible?

Here’s the rub…

I can draw original characters. And I have many many many many many many many (you get the idea) many many times.

Changing a characters costume, clothing, hair, skin color, etc is easy. I CHOOSE to draw existing characters because I LOVE these characters. I WANT to draw these characters.

Those who seem to think the only path to legitimacy is to do EVERYTHING on their own is likely why they haven’t had more success.

Every individual element of comic creation, whether it’s pencils, inks, colors, writing, etc, is in and of itself a craft you could spend a lifetime perfecting. You don’t have to do it all. In fact, the number of people that can manage to do it all and do it all successfully is almost countable on one hand. @eriklarsen and @the_official_jeffsmith_insta are the only two I can think of on any meaningful level. @benytheconqueror being another notable young man.

Do what you love and do it to the best of your ability.

If that’s everything, cool. If that’s just one aspect, cool.

But if you think I’m not legit because you and I have different goals… 😬 bro… letting that kind of judgement and haterade out on your fellow creator is not going to help you improve, and honestly, could burn a bridge you didn’t know you’ll need to one day cross.

You don’t have to say anything nice. But whatever you think flexing is, this is the opposite.