Polite way to give fan art (how do people prefer to receive it)?

[migxmeg]

Being that I'm a relative noob to the comics community, can you fill me in so I can avoid bad etiquette and awkwardness on this one?

I think most creators like receiving fan art of their comic/characters... and I really love making it . When there's a thread or a dtiys I know what to do! But I'm not sure about random drawings... do you post them on Instagram and tag the author? Send it to them privately (is that creepy??)? Ask first? Just not make it or keep it in a secret folder? Help!

[KoreanTacos]

Personally I prefer being tagged or sent to me so I can at least thank them for their hard work. I can understand to an extent why some people don't like to send their fan art, I know I get extremely self conscious whenever it comes to me delivering artwork to other people so I'm not that upset if I end up just running across my OC's just randomly (still think the funniest moment was discovering my secret santa from last year drawing my OC on Twitch and NOT being allowed to say anything about it for two weeks).

I don't really think there's a wrong way to give it to someone, but there is a wrong way to accept them.

[cherrystark]

I think the best way is to go with your gut. I haven't received fan art before. But in general, part of me is okay with just being tagged so I can see the art. If the art is more intense, I'd like foreknowledge of it before it's posted. I'd be embarrassed to start scrolling through my Pinterest feed, for example, and find inappropriate artwork of my sweet baby characters that I didn't know about.

[migxmeg]

@KoreanTacos @cherrystark thanks so much for your replies! So it sounds like posting it with a tag is cool (assuming it's respectful and not nsfw). When the day comes that I can make some nsfw fanart without going poof, I will keep it in a secret folder, haha. Because I can't imagine anything more awkward than sending that pm .

[joannekwan]

Personally, I like it sent to me! That way I can have it in a concrete spot and it's not lost through insta's stories or a post that might get lost in the shuffle.

[BrambleberrySquirrel]

I’ve gotten fan art posted publicly and privately to my wall here on Tapas, sent to me via email and just tagged on social media. They’re all super welcome. As long as I can thank the person or ask them how they would like to be credited if I post it on my own socials. Having it emailed is nice though because then I have the original full res file saved on my own device.

[midnight_rendezvous]

I received fan art from a reader once and they messaged me privately to give it to me! If you feel comfortable doing that, then that is also another great option! I'd say that you can post it on Instagram if you want. Just make sure to allocate the appropriate credits i.e. that the art is your work and it was inspired by XYZ.

I can't imagine a creator being weirded out to receive one (as long as it isn't wholly inappropriate). Personally, I think fan art is incredibly touching, especially as you're going out of your way to appreciate the creator

[artamazon]

When I'm doing fanart, I send it to the person and ask them if it's ok to post. Also, I'm always paranoid they won't like what I did with their characters. People usually do that for me as well, though I personally don't mind, and I encourage them to post publicly and share with everyone. And like joannekwan says, I also like to have it sent to me so I can save it for myself on my computer. I print out fanart and hang it up, I love them

[KoreanTacos]

I can't imagine a creator being weirded out to receive one (as long as it isn't wholly inappropriate).

When I first started I had a fan send me a four page hentai of two of my characters. Believe me it can be really surprising to get the first time, but after awhile I took it as a compliment of how they felt about my characters, and let them know I prefer lewds as opposed to porn XD.

Now the closest people that follow me send me lewds.

[artamazon]

lol wow, that's when you know you made it.

[migxmeg]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like the best option is to pm it directly .

Especially if I make a 4 page hentai. @KoreanTacos I can imagine that would be a bit shocking to receive, haha, but yeah... strong feelings about your characters is quite a compliment!!

[midnight_rendezvous]

A 4-page hentai! Wow haha, that must have been a shock to receive. Your storytelling must be very impactful to receive lewds on a regular basis

[rajillustration]

I just post it on twitter, tell my followers to read their stuff, and tag em. But my fanart is all really kosher--no nsfw stuff so there's not too much reason for them to be upset about that.

[domisotto]

Like, in my dreams, someone would tell me and then I post the links all over the place tagging everyone. Like, look, fanart!

[Darth_Biomech]

Yeah. It's like the fourth or fifth stage of popularity. Can be uncomfortable but it is a sigh of a fantastic reader success.