Posted

Feb 10th 2008

Mood

Confused

And here comes the reason on why I do not enjoy going into furoms of any kind. C:

I recently joined another art site called Fanart-Central. Most of you should know that site. For those who don't know, it's runs very slowly and most art on there is, well, fanart.

Just a few moments ago, I was bored and decided to frolic for a bit in their furoms. I found one thread entitled, "Only people who don't UNDERSTAND art would say this:"
Intrigued, I clicked and began to read.
It had something do with anime, and about how some people would comment on their art saying something like, "Aren't you a little to old to be into anime?"

I don't agree with that quote, but that's not what I'm ranting about at the moment.

I began reading the rest. The posts were long, descriptive, and gave good points here and there.

HOWEVER.

It began to bug me when people starting saying things like "anime is a flawed style." Well, all a matter of opinion.
And then, they continued to say you CANNOT start out by drawing anime.
...
So, wouldn't that be the same thing as saying you can't start with cartooning?
They continued and explained that kids should not start out with this, because it is such a simple art style. "Huge eyes, huge head, little bodies." Continuing, they said it just looks "poorly done" and "simple."
BECAUSE. THEY'RE. KIDS.
From the first time I picked up a pencil, I DID NOT start out drawing like pro with detailed structures and correct anatomy.

As another point, children who begin drawing aren't going to automatically find their own unique style. Copying is quite possibly the best way to get a feel for the trade, get experience, and know what you're doing. My uncle once told me that tracing art also helps control and steady the hand. He even let me trace some of his work when I was younger to get the hang of it.

Also, though children are always surrounded among every day things, they usually enjoy to associate themselved with a world that is brighter and more colorful. I'm talking about one of the most influentual of things to a child. Television.
To put it into simpler terms, cartooning.

Kids do not know how to draw realism right of the bat.
This is the reason why we start off by drawing STICK FIGURES.
Cartooning is quite possibly one of the easiest ways to start out with drawing. Though "childish" it still fleshes out what would normally be a mindless stick.
Emotions portray very well in cartooning as well. Different facial expressions are always loads of fun to draw.

Continuing on, I believe anime/manga is like cartooning, but depending on the style, is more fleshed out and takes more skill and time to practice.
Though drawing in the anime style is not total realism, you still have to work on the correct anatomy structures, porportions, etc.

The best way to get better is to simply keep practicing. Obviously.

The thread continued to say that anime is a horrible way to start out drawing because, as stated earlier, it is simple and you can't build anything from it.

WRONG.

I have seen lots of styles that are anime or extremely close to anime related. None of those works are IN THE LEAST bit simple. There are so many tiny details, so many things that go into that one peices of work.
And still you call it simple?
For shame.
Now, if you cannot gain any experience from drawing anime, how come I got to where I am now?
Looking back at my old art, I SUCKED.
I'm way better than I was back then!
Well, if what that person said is true, guess I've been living a lie. :/

Back on topic though, children cannot draw fancy things at the ripe old age of 5. It takes time to build skill.
In fact, I'm slowly trying to creep up into something more realistically styled. It just takes a lot of practice.
BECAUSE I DREW ANIME.

I'm done.
Feel free to comment.
I'd love to discuss this. C:
I'm pretty sure I missed a few details here and there, but this was all I could manage to write down before I forgot it. xD;

P.S. Not in anyway am I saying that "OMG, ANIME IS TEH BEST DRAWING STYLE!!11!ONE". There are lots of lovely drawing styles out there besides anime that are simply beautiful.
I'm just trying to state an opinion here. C: