Is it bad when I only draw OC's?

[keac]

I have been drawing my OC's for a long time, and I'm quite enjoying it. When I was searching on the internet, especially DA, I saw a lot of fan arts and drawings based on a mainstream style. (You know those Sonic style, Steven Universe styles, Eddsworld style, anime style and whatnot?).

And because of this, I planned on drawing a fan art so that I might try drawing other characters and see if it's my thing. I was kinda good at drawing cartoon-based fan art. But later that time, I had a drawing request that is based from an anime character, and I agreed. And to be honest, I was so bad at drawing anime characters! But after that suffering of drawing an anime character just because of a request, I quickly came back drawing my OC's based from my own drawing style.

I kinda became guilty, though. Because I felt that I am not open to other drawing styles by experimenting other styles by drawing a fan art. But, I tried! It just so happen that they are not my thing for awhile. I'm not really sure if this is alright.

[respheal]

No.....? Why would it be bad...?

I think the issue here isn't drawing OCs vs fanart, it's drawing in a style that you're not comfortable with. There's no reason on earth you can't draw, say, Steven Universe in your own art style. You don't need to emulate others' style to create fanart. Heck, some of the best fanart is in a wildly different style than the source material (Let's take the Undertale fandom for example--very little Undertale fanart is in pixel art. Get what I mean?)

Draw what you want and what you're comfortable with. Maybe tackle that drawing request again, but draw that character in a style you're comfortable with, rather than the anime style.

But yeah, for the main question: Is it bad to draw only OCs? The whole reason fanart exists is because someone drew their OC a bunch and it got popular.

[gateofselidor]

There's nothing wrong with drawing your own characters at all. Draw whatever you like, in whatever style you want. You can draw fanart in your own style, or your original characters in a borrowed style for fun, even.

You might find yourself at a disadvantage in terms of building a following, because it's quite a bit harder to market original work than it is to supply an existing fanbase with art of characters they already love, but I think you'll find the fans you do gain for your original work are more loyal in the long run, because they're there for you, not for Steven Universe. I follow people who do mostly original work on Tumblr, but many of them also draw fanart, and have to deal with people messaging them saying "when are you going to draw more [insert fandom here]?" when they're clearly more invested in their original work, or a new fandom they've moved onto.

[shazzbaa]

The only reason there's a lot of people encouraging fan art right now is because there used to be (and in many places, still is) this idea that fanart was somehow not "real" art, and that only original content is worthwhile. So you might see a lot of artists saying fan art is good and talking about the ways it can grow your art and audience, to fight against that attitude -- but that doesn't mean that NOT drawing fan art is bad. It's okay to prefer your own creations!

I actually drew very little finished fan art for a long time because it was just hard to be excited for it? I was too excited about my own stories. Now that I'm finally making my own comic, I draw a LOT more fanart on the side. Draw the things you're excited about and inspired by! I think it can be fun to try out other styles, but it's okay to say "I don't want to draw anime right now" or "I don't enjoy drawing in this style."

[spadesart]

broe my art tumblr is almost exclusively ocs its 100% cool

[Mharz]

There's nothing wrong with drawing OCs. There's no need to be guilty about anything. I draw my OCs 90% of the time. I throw a couple of fanarts every now and then but I'm drawing it in my own style.

The most important thing is that you enjoy what you are drawing. You don't need to emulate a different style if you're not comfortable with it. Drawing it in your own style is more fun. : D

[indagold]

I stopped drawing fan art years ago because people are shallow and only pay attention to that but ignore your original art. I prefer original art any day to fan art because it lets you not get stagnant when it comes to creativity.

[joannekwan]

It's totally fine!

I personally like doing fanart because I just love whatever IP it's of so much. And I have fun connecting with other people who enjoy the same thing (I've made a couple of friends over tumblr that way). A number of people who've followed me for fanart enjoy my original work as well, that makes me extra happy.

However I'll always do fanart and commissions in my own style. It's just easier that way. And over time, people will come to you for your style!

[apocryphagraphics]

You should definitely feel fine about only drawing in your own style and your own OC's. The comics medium is oversaturated as it is with people trying to emulate their heroes' styles and draw popular characters instead of developing their own unique way of expressing themselves. It's always been true that there's some money to be made in jumping on bandwagons, but you're more likely to contribute something meaningful to the form by doing your own thing.

[infectedbloodcomics]

I only do fan art for comics I actually enjoy and I'm very happy with that. Whatever you do, enjoy it. Just don't follow the sheep - that's not going to make you grow as a creator or as a human being.

[Starfestival]

I hardly ever do fanart to be honest. I'm either drawing my own characters or making up new ones that go nowhere at all. It's all good my dude.

[VermillionWorks]

I prefer to draw OCs and just love obsessing over my own work rather than other stories (don't get me wrong though, I CAN obsess over other stories), though I'd draw more fanart if I had the extra time and arm strength to. XP Been a LONG time since I've drawn fanart because of those reasons, actually.

If I could draw more fanart, it'd be mostly for really obscure things. XD

[AnnaLandin]

I only draw fanart when it's something I am really into - but I always, always prioritise my own original work. Fanart is fun, and it sometimes lets you step out of your own comfortable box (maybe using colour schemes you aren't used to, or drawing body types you don't usually draw, etc.), but I've always had more fun drawing my own characters and telling my own stories.

[punkarsenic]

I'll be honest, being able to mimic a style is a useful skill, and a good way to develop your own style - ive spent time studying a style i like before. but that doesnt mean you have to be able to and want to draw in the style of every single cartoon and anime. its better, really, to have your personal style that you hone - trying out other styles is only there to supplement your own style. in fact, a lot of fanartists draw in their own unique style, that goes unchanged between media theyre making art of - if disney fanart all looked just like the film, it would be boring. part of the joy of fanart is the exploration of a character in different styles, and an artists particular interpretation.

but basically. no its not bad that you dont draw fanart. no its not bad that you dont mimic other styles. drawing fanart can help you build a fanbase, which is helpful, but you are by no means less of an artist for focusing on your own work.

[Merryweatherey]

No.

It is not bad when you only draw OC's.

[blodeuwedd]

As long as all the art you do helps you to better yourself as an artist, it's good to draw anything! Whenever I draw my OC's, the drawings really seem to bring out the story-teller in me. I get a lot of ideas for my infant comic Kanada by just free drawing the characters in various situations, interacting with other characters, and reacting to changes in their environment. No matter what anybody on the Internet may say, your OC's are part of the art world from the moment you put them to paper. There is no real difference between your OC's and mainstream, recognizable characters besides the popularity of whatever piece they are from.

I noticed in your post that you said drawing OC's has helped you with your drawing style. That is a very important thing to develop, and it happens over time, whether you're drawing OC's or fan art. You have experimented before, and this lead to your rich art today! Who's not to say that you won't experiment again, whether you recognize the experimentation or not?

I know that self-consciousness is a strong thing, but no matter what you see, I promise you that drawing OC's is as legitimate as drawing fan art!