What do you do when someone continually pries into your work?

[DualDragons]

So my brother has the nasty habit of continually prying into my work and asking questions about it. While I don't mind if he asks me about it once in a while he does it nonstop. I can't take a moment off without people looking over my shoulder or trying to pry into my phone/laptop/sketchbook. Even when I tell them not to.

It's really bothering me and I wonder how to tell them off without insulting them?

[Kelheor]

Just tell him it distracts you a lot, you cannot draw when someone is watching you doing it and "please don't do it while I am working". This is fucking annoying and people should know they should not do it.
When people don't get it I just stop and look them in the eye until they leave

[ChaoticConstellation]

Ask your brother if maybe he wants to draw too since he's so interested in what your doing.

As for other people when you notice them over your shoulder just open a new layer for digital, or off in the corner for traditional, and just draw some.. erm male genitalia, the cruder the better. When they ask just say "Oh I thought you wanted a show. I'm not really a performer so this is the best I can do" It's how I handled in in HS.

It's okay to be a little rude. If you explain that drawing in public is like texting in public. You can also text in public and if you catch someone reading texts over your shoulder, you would think they were rude. Put the rudeness on them. Let them know that it's rude.

[snowy]

Actually, that sounds kinda adorable. He's into your stuff. That's a good thing. Give the kid a pencil and make him draw a back-up comic.

[Kelheor]

"The kid" just as well may be a 30 y.o. guy

[DiegoPalacios]

I have some younger brother perspective that may help.

Explain to him that you need your space to focus and work on your comic, and if it`s age appropiate, you can show him later.

@ChaoticConstellation mentioned that it is possible that he may want to draw too. In that case, get him some pencils and paper and you can work on your project while he is focused on his own drawings.

[DualDragons]

@ChaoticConstellation @DiegoPalacios that would be a good idea but unfortunately it doesn't work like that. He isn't into drawing (atleast not now)

We're both around 17 and 20. I explained to him that I want to do my stuff in peace

[CAOMouse]

You should feel great to have your bro interested in your work.
My bro doesn't even notice my work because "Pewdiepie is better"
He just watches Pewdiepie all days....

[Random_Guy]

Lovely, but that isn’t the topic of the thread. He’s asking for ways to politely tell his brother off, not whether or not he should be upset.

@DualDragons
Don’t be afraid to be a little rude. He’s being rude by prying so much, turnabout is fair play.

[kmlangleyauthor]

Sounds like you need to set some pretty clear boundaries. Especially with siblings, the more leeway they have, the more they’ll take, in my experience.

[spadesart]

My parents tend to go through my room while I'm at work so I've taken to buying locked journals and hiding stuff deep in my closet/drawers where they won't care to look. When they try to sit and watch me draw, it makes me uncomfortable (same issue where they ask prying questions about the work or offer unwanted/nonsensical critique) so I tend to subconsciously stop and freeze until they leave.

[ryoko]

That's so frustrating... how did he react to you telling him you need your space? I don't know how your living space is set up, but is there any way to physically lock him out when you are working on your art if he won't respect your need for space?

[gmaximin]

He’s 17? What could possibly drive a 17 male away from annoying you... what, what, what I wonder...
Any friend of yours you could introduce?