Unpopular art opinions 🖌️

Same face syndrome usually comes from a place of lacking ethnic diversity. Like pls look at urself in the mirror and look at ur friends and do some studies there is no reason ur Romani characters, East asian characters and black characters should all have the same nose (Noses are the easiest to diversify to me but if ur rlly good u can add eye shapes and bone structure too to make a face not look the same) 

I find that it’s rather easy to over texturize a layer if you’re not careful. Sometimes all you need is a gradient layer and a single texture layer with blur.

Also, I adore default gouache brushes in CSP. I’ve done so much with them, and they’re incredibly useful! I feel like default brushes often get overlooked rather easily. 

I tried drawing on an iPad because I often see artists recommending it, and I couldn't stand it! I don't know how to articulate it, but I personally find it so uncomfortable to use. I strongly prefer to use my screenless Wacom and my computer.

to add on: drawing every day is only good if you are in the right space for it tbh, have the time, energy and motivation as well as ideas for it. (coming from someone who rarely doesn't draw daily). this is something that shouldn't be forced and something you shouldn't worry about too much. draw at your comfort but try out new things and go out of your comfort zone here and there. For example, lets say you draw every single day, but what you draw is always the same. Someone who draws less but tries out many things, including difficult tasks, will likely improve much more, even though they don't draw nearly as much. This is something I see quite often. I'm of course not going to name-drop, but if your artwork looks exactly the same even after 10 years, it's because you never try anything new. But of course, anyone should be drawing what they like, especially if it isn't their job. Just a little advice if you do wanna see improvement in your art and if that's your goal.

airbrush shading is awesome! recently I've been including it more and more in my pieces. airbrush shading was always something I really loved. (I am talking about high-skill level airbrush shading done by someone who knows what they are doing). I feel like airbrush shading is one of the most difficult things to learn. which is why it is so hated. most of the time it's not executed well. I'm still learning a lot even now, but I hope one day I will be able to shade that way like other top-tier artists in that area.

I feel like a lot of people care about follower counts way too much. Every time I hear that "reduce your expectations" audio on Instagram I scroll right past. Most of the time I don't even check my follower count and it helps a lot. I know everyone starts out with dreams that they're gonna be a super popular artist with tons of followers and fanart (I sure did when I was 12) but that only happens so often. Is the algorithm on almost art sites bad and punish those who draw only OCs? Yes. But you can always share your art with friends in smaller communities if you want feedback on your work. To me that means a lot more than a high amount of likes. 

And y'know, just draw for fun. Draw all the silly little guys that your heart desires. Someone who only draws what will get them more followers is a lot more unlucky to me than someone who doesn't have followers but draws what they want, when they want.

agreeing with the drawing every day thing. it gets tiring for me, and it’s not enjoyable if you feel forced to do it. you’re not working on anything in particular either, which doesn’t help as much. not to mention that it’s hella time consuming. 

black airbrush shading never looks good, you cannot change my mind

I like bad proportions paired with cool styles

'consistency is key' my ass. like i am sorry but the fine minute details of my style are going to change. i just recently started being serious abt drawing humanoids more so i'm still figuring it out. even with old styles i've developed for years doesn't always look the same. mostly in my lineart, detailed colored v black v simple colored, overall variation in line weight, etc. just depends on my motivation honestly. also w shading. i always say that my style can be flexible so if you want something specific please just ask. don't be pissed that u didn't get exactly what commissioned me for smh

also 'drawing animals/anthros makes you a furry' i've never personally agreed with that one, based on my own experiences. i did used to have a fursona or two, though i never really connected to them much. i have a persona/self insert i adore now, but she's human. i still draw animals/anthros and other people's sonas, but don't consider myself a furry or having a fursona at all. (now in no way do i have any issue with anyone who does, just not something i do/am) in all truth, i don't fully understand the in's and out's of the furry community, but i'm respectful and willing to learn. i've gotten some anger on both sides of things for this and i'm over it. i mean, maybe i am in the wrong here somehow, and if so i'd love for someone to (politely) explain!

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olliesaur

I totally agree with you about consistency! I mainly see people recommend consistency when trying to navigate social media algorithms, but honestly, I find it suffocating to have to draw the same way all the time. Experimentation is also a great way to improve and can even help with art block.

Speaking as a furry myself, you are totally valid! I think that the label "furry" should be opt-in, not something that other people can assign you. There's many reasons why someone might not want to be called a furry. Perhaps they are worried about the social stigma and misconceptions around furries, they don't like labels in general, they don't participate in the fandom all that much, etc. I'm sorry to hear that folks were giving you a hard time about it, it really shouldn't be such a big deal.

There is nothing wrong with changing your art style every thirty seconds, that’s how you grow and improve as an artist! IE That’s quite literally what I do every other week…