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ART STYLE THEFT ISN'T REAL - HERE'S WHY
thread: i'm going to explain why style theft is largely a scam invented by bullies, and how it's used to abuse vunerable artists. often, the desired outcome behind someone claiming "style theft" is to manipulate and gaslight.
RT to boost
thread: i'm going to explain why style theft is largely a scam invented by bullies, and how it's used to abuse vunerable artists. often, the desired outcome behind someone claiming "style theft" is to manipulate and gaslight.
RT to boost
stealing art obviously means you are taking what is not yours. the issue is, some artists assume ownership over things (read: style components) they don't own, and percieve anyone who share similar style quirks as "stealing" them.
this leads to those artists attacking others.
this leads to those artists attacking others.
style theft is less about a style being "stolen" and more about insecure artists using "theft" as an excuse to bully people into drawing differently (or not at all), b/c they feel they are the only people allowed to draw a certain way.
this is textbook abuse for several reasons.
this is textbook abuse for several reasons.
if i point to someone's art and say "you've stolen my style", i'm taking credit for their work.
i'm arrogantly proclaiming "all of the love and labor this person's put into their art was actually just ME existing. their skill comes from staring at MY art." it's BS.
i'm arrogantly proclaiming "all of the love and labor this person's put into their art was actually just ME existing. their skill comes from staring at MY art." it's BS.
it's delusional to say that someone looked at a few of your pretty pictures and magically they have all this technical skill and they're using it to draw like you. "style theft" implies you are the driving reason this person is the artist they are. you're not that important lol
recap: 1, it's arrogant. 2, "style theft" is meant to discourage or suppress new talent. the only reason i've been attacked for "stealing a style" is by people who had a vested, selfish interest in wanting me to drastically change my style, because then they'd feel special again.
some ppl make style theft sound like it's a crisis.
the truth...if your style is "copied" by many, it's not unique to you, is it? you can't take/give permission to others to draw a similar way.
style theft disproves itself. "ME. IM special, not these hordes of THIEVES" nah bro
the truth...if your style is "copied" by many, it's not unique to you, is it? you can't take/give permission to others to draw a similar way.
style theft disproves itself. "ME. IM special, not these hordes of THIEVES" nah bro
entire markets exist for specific styles, ever heard of comics/animation? discouraging young or budding artists from drawing a certain way because YOU feel threatened by them and using your platform as an established artist to do so - disgusting.
that's sabotaging their FUTURE.
that's sabotaging their FUTURE.
some artists seek out new talent to intimidate them into changing their style path, so there would be less competition of their brand/aesthetic. new talent isn't threatening, it's refreshing.
NEVER trust artists who discourage growth. "experiment but not like this" is bad advice
NEVER trust artists who discourage growth. "experiment but not like this" is bad advice
recap: 1, arrogant, 2, it's a tool to intimidate new artists. 3, it takes advantage of fan/creator power imbalances.
by voicing style theft as both an issue and mostly done by new/young/budding artists, you're planting fear and uncertainty in an already vulnerable community.
by voicing style theft as both an issue and mostly done by new/young/budding artists, you're planting fear and uncertainty in an already vulnerable community.
seeing an artist with any sort of following tweet "hey i hate it when new artists steal my style" makes EVERY. SINGLE. impressionable fan of yours question and requestion their art. it's demoralizing. it's terrifying.
the only way to ease this anxiety - is to ask if you apply.
the only way to ease this anxiety - is to ask if you apply.
i get a LOT of dms from growing artists following me and showing me their work, and then telling me they hope they aren't coming off as stealing my style, when there's little to no similarities. "style theft" is a problem only the accuser can solve, which is why it's dangerous...
accusing a person of stealing your style means they have to defend themselves against claims of art theft. how is that not traumatizing? what happens (& i know this from experience) is you end up BEGGING for forgiveness. you haven't done anything wrong. "proof" is rarely given.
i tell ppl in my DMs "no, your work is yours, please don't consider your favorite artists as shareholders of your style because some will take advantage of you and hurt you"
you & you alone are in charge of your art. it is irresponsible for established artists to imply otherwise
you & you alone are in charge of your art. it is irresponsible for established artists to imply otherwise
by calling style theft a problem, other artists pick up on that - demographics like growing artists who don't know it's manipulative. i cannot tell you how ripe of a feeding ground it is for toxic artists to have impressionable fans that would panic @ sudden art theft accusations
artists who capitalize on fan/creator power imbalances by being a gatekeeper of style/technique are usually manipulative.
it isn't a coincidence that style theft accusations always seem to be thrown at younger/newer artists, or artists with smaller followings than the accuser
it isn't a coincidence that style theft accusations always seem to be thrown at younger/newer artists, or artists with smaller followings than the accuser
when you read between the lines of this concept, it boils down to 3 base foundations:
1: taking credit for accused artists' art & labor
2: discouraging artists from creating similar content
3: using the fan/creator power imbalance to intimidate fans into seeking your approval
1: taking credit for accused artists' art & labor
2: discouraging artists from creating similar content
3: using the fan/creator power imbalance to intimidate fans into seeking your approval
another talking point i see that took me a while to figure out & overcome is that the artist you are inspired from is "original". this isn't true. when you draw something, it becomes yours. inspirations aren't stockholders for those they inspire. i wish i knew that sooner.
inspirations shouldn't be held over your head. they don't own a stake in your art.
it's a ridiculous concept that specifically creates an outlet for manipulation to tell new artists they need *permission* to draw certain styles, & their style inspirations are *permission-givers*
it's a ridiculous concept that specifically creates an outlet for manipulation to tell new artists they need *permission* to draw certain styles, & their style inspirations are *permission-givers*
you don't require approval to draw a certain way. i draw big eyelashes. if you like big eyelashes in art, you're free to try your hand at drawing them yourself or incorporating them into your style. you don't need my - or anyone's - permission to do that. draw what you want.
good news: recently the art community has started to collectively realize art style theft is a scam, and has rejected artists pulling that shit accordingly.
having been manipulated into hating my art twice, i will NEVER stop letting artists know THEY are in charge of their style
having been manipulated into hating my art twice, i will NEVER stop letting artists know THEY are in charge of their style
i won't be replying to 
 heads who think they're the committee of art style approvals for their aesthetic or whatever. fuck off.
why do you care so much about what other people are drawing? why do you insist on being the only one allowed to enjoy [thing]? answer: you're toxic!
 heads who think they're the committee of art style approvals for their aesthetic or whatever. fuck off. why do you care so much about what other people are drawing? why do you insist on being the only one allowed to enjoy [thing]? answer: you're toxic!
some people will inevitably try to sidestep my points b/c they really crave justifying wanting to control other people:
i am talking about STYLE THEFT only. not tracing. not reposting. not actual art theft (style theft doesnt count lol) if you draw it, IT'S YOURS. that's that!
i am talking about STYLE THEFT only. not tracing. not reposting. not actual art theft (style theft doesnt count lol) if you draw it, IT'S YOURS. that's that!
if this thread helped you, feel free to RT any of the posts, or share your own experiences.
in the end: if you accuse someone of style theft, it means you're admitting they're doing what *YOU* do convincingly, which means you're not one-of-a-kind and don't own that thing!!
in the end: if you accuse someone of style theft, it means you're admitting they're doing what *YOU* do convincingly, which means you're not one-of-a-kind and don't own that thing!!
