Moving, artfight and rambles
Artfight is almost around the corner again and I'm excited!!!! Last year has been one of my favorite years ever, with lots of art I still adore (both my own and the ones I received) and I'm hoping for a year that's just as good, if not better.
We are in the process of moving on the 22th next month, but if everything goes smoothly I shouldn't have less time to participate. But likely less motivation and brain cells due to other topics being the focus. Like unpacking, plants, pets, important registrations etc. etc. I would hate to skip it, it has become my favorite (art-) event of the year. Partially for somewhat selfish reasons because I love getting solid art of my characters, which I rarely have the chance for otherwise.
On the same vine, (and I'll probably start yapping here) there's an ongoing "controversy" regarding tracing (see upload rules, rule 5) and how this rule is terrible, and boy oh boy, what is this? Besides from the fact that tracing was always disallowed in the event, It seems a lot of people just trace their art rather than picking up and working on a basic skill.
Idk if this needs to be clarified but tracing isn't referencing. Not sure if things got lost over the years but please look it up if you are genuinely unfamiliar.
"I'm not participating this year", "Glad I never joined artfight in the first place", to name some replies on this subject. Frankly idfc what you do with your personal stuff, and if you don't care to improve as an artist, but artfight specifically has a point system, and for that point system especially creating fast traced slop to get points and lots of (likely free hand drawn) art back is not and never was in the spirit of the event.
Tracing photos, 3D models, or even artwork is and has always been completely normal for private practices and studies. But why are we crying over a common rule for an original character art event here?
I had phases where I felt somewhat bad over the fact that I use references as inspo for a lot of my work. Well turns out a ton of people can't even draw without tracing and cry because its "hard", and "they can't draw without it". What happened bro? Drawing is something you have to learn and practice, like many other things too. Using references is a basic skill for original creators in most art forms. "But my art looks bad if I don't trace a 3D model". again. learn. It seems you people want to draw good, but don't do anything to get there. And then a common rule is the end for you.
"its against people with XY". As someone with learning disabilities, I couldn't agree less. Your process is slower, but something you can still work towards. Plus, creating "bad art" isn't wrong. Literally took me 4 years to understand what css is. Ive been drawing all my life but just in recent years have a decent understanding of anatomy. etc. I'm BAD at picking things up myself, this is not an excuse, but an explanation for slower growth. I also know of people with aphantasia (a common case brought up in this topic as well) who work with references or even completely without them, too. Just means you can't draw from imagination, obviously.
I'm just tired of this whiny culture in the art community. Nobody wants to learn but cry about how bad their art is if they can't use x, and how unfair x and y is. Nobody forces you to participate in an event you don't fit in. People are generally a bit allergic to effort I feel like, want to reuse bases, trace poses and put in as less work as possible. Again, you don't need to join an event thats not suited for you.
This rule may or may not be removed, given the current situation and mob after the artfight staff. But I'll stand by my word even if so. Just wann have a normal chill fight man. Thanks for coming to my ted talk