I did not make this list so don't yell at me, it's translated from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpKyLCh2JZU&feature=related japanese video.

It's a bit harsh but well, holds a lot of truth. It could become a good guideline to those of us serious about art- because lets face it if you can do most of this then you're a damn good artist.



1. They never admit their lack of drawing skills. They insist that it's their drawing style.
2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.
3. They draw shitty characters with a mouse and tell people that they don't have a tablet.
4. They always draw heads and face.
5. Their characters always face the same direction.
6. The proportion is awful.
7. Every character looks the same.
8. They draw same faces with different hairs.
9. Their characters angle and direction are very odd.
10. They don't give a shit about the basic drawing.
11. Others only care about the basic drawing.
12. They have no idea what a layer is. (Photoshop)
13. They always draw one character. (no more than two characters in a single canvas)
14. They always draw characters in same angle.
15. Every character has same facial expression.
16. Static and passive pose. They can't draw characters in dynamic pose.
17. They never draw feet.
18. They can't draw figures from high or low angles.
19. Some of them don't even know the definition of high and low angle drawing.
20. A shitty figure drawing in dynamic pose can be turned into a 4th Dimensional abstract.
21. Same character looks totally different when it is drawn in different angle or direction.
22. They can't even draw anything other than characters or draw everything but characters.
23. They always draw cute characters.
24. They don't know how to draw old people.
25. They don't know how to draw hands
26. Their characters' hands are always hidden behind. (because they don't want to draw hands)
27. The idea sketch is professional but the actual quality is shitty.
28. They try to cover up one of the eyes with hair so that they can draw only one eye.
29. Their works are always asymmetrical.
30. Line art = Finished piece
31. Rough sketch = Finished piece
32. They have no anatomical knowledge.
33. They only draw eyes.
34. The size of the character's eyes and boobs are ridiculously huge.
35. They love boobs but they don't know how to draw boobs properly, so they only love boobs.
36. Their works are free from all logic. Awkward anatomy and proportion.
37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
38. They think they are genius when they come up with satisfied quality.
39. They collect other people's works as practice references but they actually collect them as a collection.
40. They are not patient enough to practice.
41. They think tablet is the magic wand that makes them draw like Bob Ross.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.
43. They are more than willing to draw but they lose the spirit so easily.
44. They completely lose the confidence when they see the works of true genius.
45. They draw once a month or even once a year.
46. They get mad when their favorite artists are being lazy.
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.
48. They don't even have a faith in themselves.
49. The word 'slump' is their most common excuse for being lazy.
50. They realized their problems and know where to fix but they never do.

Skullbie
1. They never admit their lack of drawing skills. They insist that it's their drawing style.
2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.
3. They draw shitty characters with a mouse and tell people that they don't have a tablet.
4. They always draw heads and face.
5. Their characters always face the same direction.
6. The proportion is awful.
7. Every character looks the same.
8. They draw same faces with different hairs.
9. Their characters angle and direction are very odd.
10. They don't give a shit about the basic drawing.
11. Others only care about the basic drawing.
12. They have no idea what a layer is. (Photoshop)
13. They always draw one character. (no more than two characters in a single canvas)
14. They always draw characters in same angle.
15. Every character has same facial expression.
16. Static and passive pose. They can't draw characters in dynamic pose.
17. They never draw feet.
18. They can't draw figures from high or low angles.
19. Some of them don't even know the definition of high and low angle drawing.
20. A shitty figure drawing in dynamic pose can be turned into a 4th Dimensional abstract.
21. Same character looks totally different when it is drawn in different angle or direction.
22. They can't even draw anything other than characters or draw everything but characters.
23. They always draw cute characters.
24. They don't know how to draw old people.
25. They don't know how to draw hands
26. Their characters' hands are always hidden behind. (because they don't want to draw hands)
27. The idea sketch is professional but the actual quality is shitty.
28. They try to cover up one of the eyes with hair so that they can draw only one eye.
29. Their works are always asymmetrical.
30. Line art = Finished piece
31. Rough sketch = Finished piece
32. They have no anatomical knowledge.
33. They only draw eyes.
34. The size of the character's eyes and boobs are ridiculously huge.
35. They love boobs but they don't know how to draw boobs properly, so they only love boobs.
36. Their works are free from all logic. Awkward anatomy and proportion.
37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
38. They think they are genius when they come up with satisfied quality.
39. They collect other people's works as practice references but they actually collect them as a collection.
40. They are not patient enough to practice.
41. They think tablet is the magic wand that makes them draw like Bob Ross.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.
43. They are more than willing to draw but they lose the spirit so easily.
44. They completely lose the confidence when they see the works of true genius.
45. They draw once a month or even once a year.
46. They get mad when their favorite artists are being lazy.
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.
48. They don't even have a faith in themselves.
49. The word 'slump' is their most common excuse for being lazy.
50. They realized their problems and know where to fix but they never do.

Ten out of fifty :(

Skullbie
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.

Ha ha, that's so true. Poorly drawn hentai can be puke inducing. People shouldn't inflict the kind of thing on their readers. Still, I think that guy's pretty unfair to lump together up themselves no hopers and unconfident / improving artists. Overall its funnily true though.

I believe the list was made to Motivate artists who make those mistakes by calling them 'bad'- They'd try harder to learn if they knew they'd be lumped in with horribly proportioned hentai art lol.
I think it's a good way personally, i've seen a lot of artists who do this stuff and either get horribly defensive or use #50 and that's it. (or worse- #1)

#41 is true ;)

I suffer from #39, #38, #24, #18, #16 a lot lol

This must just apply to *webcomic* artists. Since "fine art" does not take points off for chosen subject matter (like not drawing characters or feet or whatever ... although that did keep Hitler out of art school...) Nor do artists get points off for not knowing Photoshop.

Also, I'm fairly sure attitude has no bearing on artistic skill. Some people are really insecure but create brilliant artwork(or not) and being a conceited jackass has no bearing on artistic ability. -- These qualities will hinder you in a world of webcomics (and will be a setback as you try to learn and improve), but as far as pure artistic ability, I don't think it has any bearing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That said, most of these apply to me. Having recognized that, I'll add a few more helpings of #48.

Attitude has tons to do with it. People aren't just born with a certain amount of artistic skill.

If someone is so conceited with their art the way it is, then they'll improve themselves. They may not be bad, but they'll get better either, it also limits their willingness to experiment and expand.

If someone doesn't have enough confidence, then they're never going to actually show off their word, and again, will never improve.

I can see that. I just haven't noticed that much of a correlation when looking at established/successful artists (particularly in terms of "non-comic" art). Antisocial mental cases can produce good art, and confident, determined people can work at it forever and might never produce good artwork.

I guess it goes back to this being a "50 characteristics of a bad webcomic artist" list. (The fact that they refer to "hentai" and call people "characters" instead of "people" or "human figures" makes that apparent.)

Well Webcomics are notorious to have shitty art. xD I still love them though.


Art is a personal thing for many people, too personal sometimes, so attitude can matter. There's a big line between and artist who feels personally offended at crit on their art or the way they do things and someone who takes it in stride and learns from it. The easy going attitude is the golden path for the beginning artist.

(plus, I've found most good artists who act insecure by critiquing their own art every author comment are always subconsciously fishing for compliments. Which is fine every now and then i 'spouse. >.> )
in b4 someone who does this rages on me

Custard was right on the money there.

ha ha, my characters used to look like the same character wearing different wigs. that has changed, but it still happens a bit from time to time.

"the only reason why Kayli is easier to draw because she is missing half a face."

usedbooks
This must just apply to *webcomic* artists. Since "fine art" does not take points off for chosen subject matter (like not drawing characters or feet or whatever ... although that did keep Hitler out of art school...) Nor do artists get points off for not knowing Photoshop.

I think it applies to all artists.

Reading through the list, it reminded me of this: http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Concept_art#Teh_Drama

Actually it's somewhat spot-on, at least generally-speaking. I know I personally recognize... pretty much all those traits from when I started drawing. Some of them stuck around until a few years ago. I still got a few of them ^^; (I'm looking at you, #48)

And I think #41 should be put on a billboard somewhere >>; The same thing applies to those Copic markers. It's not the materials, it's what you do with them!

usedbooks
Antisocial mental cases can produce good art

That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. :D

2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.

This one kind of bugged me. It is annoying when people are constantly making excuses for why their art isn't as good as they can really do or whatever, but still learning or practising something, especially for a young artist, seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to say. Doesn't that mean that the person realizes what they need to improve on and are working on it, so that they can become a better artist?

Also, I don't think that calling someone a bad artist is a good way to motivate them to improve. That's what constructive criticism is for. Calling someone a bad artist will likely just upset the person and discourage them in their artistic endeavors.

51. Portions of sucky drawings get shifted outside panel and cropped off.

Eunice P
51. Portions of sucky drawings get shifted outside panel and cropped off.

Or covered up with speech bubbles.

Skullbie
I believe the list was made to Motivate artists who make those mistakes by calling them 'bad'- They'd try harder to learn if they knew they'd be lumped in with horribly proportioned hentai art lol.
I think it's a good way personally, i've seen a lot of artists who do this stuff and either get horribly defensive or use #50 and that's it. (or worse- #1)

Yeah, I can see how that could be motivation. In fact its actually helpful in helping you remember the things you need to improve on. A bad attitude is what bugs me most though; I really can't stand people who get irritated over reasonable critism and won't admit that their work is anything less than an master piece. I used to always moan about how bad my own art was in my comments but after reading other moany comments and seeing how annoying it gets I stopped myself and try and be more possitive. After all, if I hated it that much why would I even post it?

I still have pretty bad problems with 2, 18, 37 (in relation to age only), 40, 42 (again, to do with how old they are compaired to me). I guess I'll have to do some work on getting rid of these too.

I'd say the title is incorrect. Should be more like 50 negative Characteristics of artists. They don't have much to do with "a bad artist". Obviously whoever thought of that just wanted attention for the idea.

ozoneocean is smart. :) I agree.

ozoneocean
I'd say the title is incorrect. Should be more like 50 negative Characteristics of artists. They don't have much to do with "a bad artist". Obviously whoever thought of that just wanted attention for the idea.

That sounds much better. I was about to say after seeing the video that this Japanese person is being pretty hard on other artists.

As an art teacher, the hand issue is completely true. I'm always telling at least one person in class. Have confidence in yourself, just try to draw the hands. Don't draw all your characters with their hands behind the back it's obvious you are avoiding drawing the hands.

Oh I'm guilty of some of those things. You do get better through!
These two are ones I feel the most guilty about.

37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.

When I started comics it used to be if I looked at any professional manga, I wouldn't be able to draw for a week. Then I would look at webcomics for inspiration thinking I can do better than that. I think it's pretty sad, but I admit it.
I've gotten much better in four years. I look to manga for references and in webcomics there is always strengths and weaknesses. It's silly to compare webcomics to others. It's like apples to oranges. I remember at a convention panel once hearing the creators of Alpha Shade comparing their comic to Megatokyo. I was thinking, dude your comic is in a completely different genre! There isn't one better than the other!

I was going to go over the first post point by point, post what refers to me and what doesn't etc. But I decided to skip it. Let's just say that I don't think I'm a good artist. Sure, I'm better than 99% of world's population, but 99% of world's population has problems holding the pencil the right way, not to mention of drawing anything. The 1% above me ranges from bad to excellent artists.

Basically... don't be lazy, draw a lot, observe what you're doing wrong and try to improve and then you don't have to worry about lists like this. There's a pretty big chance that the fav creator that inspires you also hates his own art and tries to constantly improve. Or better yet stop trying and do become better :D

Skullbie
24. They don't know how to draw old people.

Oops

I think a comic isn't real good if you find tons of panels that are perfectly suitable for making a nice thumbnail pic, or banner, or for example the Featured Comics pic.

That is, pictures not cut off by panel borders, covered up by word balloons, and the figure is in a perfect pose etc.

It also ticks me off when I find that the banner/ad art is 20x better than the actual page art.

LOLLMAOROFL!! *pounds fist on the ground laughing

hee hee, oh man I laughed throughout the entire list.

a-hem art school will knock 99.9999% of this out of aspiring artists. However, just because they're lazy doesn't make them a good artist or a bad artist, I think that's just human nature.

So I guess I suffer from 30,31,40,and 43 hahahahaaa!!

Skullbie
I did not make this list so don't yell at me, it's translated from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpKyLCh2JZU&feature=related japanese video.

It's a bit harsh but well, holds a lot of truth. It could become a good guideline to those of us serious about art- because lets face it if you can do most of this then you're a damn good artist.



1. They never admit their lack of drawing skills. They insist that it's their drawing style.
2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.
3. They draw shitty characters with a mouse and tell people that they don't have a tablet.
4. They always draw heads and face.
5. Their characters always face the same direction.
6. The proportion is awful.
7. Every character looks the same.
8. They draw same faces with different hairs.
9. Their characters angle and direction are very odd.
10. They don't give a shit about the basic drawing.
11. Others only care about the basic drawing.
12. They have no idea what a layer is. (Photoshop)
13. They always draw one character. (no more than two characters in a single canvas)
14. They always draw characters in same angle.
15. Every character has same facial expression.
16. Static and passive pose. They can't draw characters in dynamic pose.
17. They never draw feet.
18. They can't draw figures from high or low angles.
19. Some of them don't even know the definition of high and low angle drawing.
20. A shitty figure drawing in dynamic pose can be turned into a 4th Dimensional abstract.
21. Same character looks totally different when it is drawn in different angle or direction.
22. They can't even draw anything other than characters or draw everything but characters.
23. They always draw cute characters.
24. They don't know how to draw old people.
25. They don't know how to draw hands
26. Their characters' hands are always hidden behind. (because they don't want to draw hands)
27. The idea sketch is professional but the actual quality is shitty.
28. They try to cover up one of the eyes with hair so that they can draw only one eye.
29. Their works are always asymmetrical.
30. Line art = Finished piece
31. Rough sketch = Finished piece
32. They have no anatomical knowledge.
33. They only draw eyes.
34. The size of the character's eyes and boobs are ridiculously huge.
35. They love boobs but they don't know how to draw boobs properly, so they only love boobs.
36. Their works are free from all logic. Awkward anatomy and proportion.
37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
38. They think they are genius when they come up with satisfied quality.
39. They collect other people's works as practice references but they actually collect them as a collection.
40. They are not patient enough to practice.
41. They think tablet is the magic wand that makes them draw like Bob Ross.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.
43. They are more than willing to draw but they lose the spirit so easily.
44. They completely lose the confidence when they see the works of true genius.
45. They draw once a month or even once a year.
46. They get mad when their favorite artists are being lazy.
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.
48. They don't even have a faith in themselves.
49. The word 'slump' is their most common excuse for being lazy.
50. They realized their problems and know where to fix but they never do.

I draw my comic with a mouse D:<

LOL Don't be offened TM. This list can be pretty helpful if you think about it.

Well, I seem to suffer from most of those, wheee. Then again, I've only been seriously drawing for about a year.
And 42 and 44, well, those are just kinda natural anyway. XP

0 1/2: Can't draw anything without a moustache.

I suffer from that.

Someone
1. They never admit their lack of drawing skills. They insist that it's their drawing style.
2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.
3. They draw shitty characters with a mouse and tell people that they don't have a tablet.
4. They always draw heads and face.
5. Their characters always face the same direction.
6. The proportion is awful.
7. Every character looks the same.
8. They draw same faces with different hairs.
9. Their characters angle and direction are very odd.
10. They don't give a shit about the basic drawing.
11. Others only care about the basic drawing.
12. They have no idea what a layer is. (Photoshop)
13. They always draw one character. (no more than two characters in a single canvas)
14. They always draw characters in same angle.
15. Every character has same facial expression.
16. Static and passive pose. They can't draw characters in dynamic pose.
17. They never draw feet.
18. They can't draw figures from high or low angles.
19. Some of them don't even know the definition of high and low angle drawing.
20. A shitty figure drawing in dynamic pose can be turned into a 4th Dimensional abstract.
21. Same character looks totally different when it is drawn in different angle or direction.
22. They can't even draw anything other than characters or draw everything but characters.
23. They always draw cute characters.
24. They don't know how to draw old people.
25. They don't know how to draw hands
26. Their characters' hands are always hidden behind. (because they don't want to draw hands)
27. The idea sketch is professional but the actual quality is shitty.
28. They try to cover up one of the eyes with hair so that they can draw only one eye.
29. Their works are always asymmetrical.
30. Line art = Finished piece
31. Rough sketch = Finished piece
32. They have no anatomical knowledge.
33. They only draw eyes.
34. The size of the character's eyes and boobs are ridiculously huge.
35. They love boobs but they don't know how to draw boobs properly, so they only love boobs.
36. Their works are free from all logic. Awkward anatomy and proportion.
37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
38. They think they are genius when they come up with satisfied quality.
39. They collect other people's works as practice references but they actually collect them as a collection.
40. They are not patient enough to practice.
41. They think tablet is the magic wand that makes them draw like Bob Ross.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.
43. They are more than willing to draw but they lose the spirit so easily.
44. They completely lose the confidence when they see the works of true genius.
45. They draw once a month or even once a year.
46. They get mad when their favorite artists are being lazy.
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.
48. They don't even have a faith in themselves.
49. The word 'slump' is their most common excuse for being lazy.
50. They realized their problems and know where to fix but they never do.

Only when the person is A TRUE GENIUS. Like a little girl painting Jesus like she's a 40 yrs. old man... AWESOMELY.

Other than that, I feel at ease on the other parts. It must be pretty hard to take in though, for the 'bad artists' I mean. Especially if they already know all of these stuffs but they still preach about how other artists should be.

I have to admit I do some of these things XD. For example the drawing from an upwards or downwards angle XD.

And I think someone said it but I agree that these seem to mostly apply to webcomic artists :O

Oh, for the sake of kittens... I'd like to see one artist, good or bad, that doesn't suffer from at least one of those above mentioned traits.

Making lists like that never really helped anybody, so I wonder why people keep doing it. We aren't bad just because we can't draw éverything 100% realistically.

I'm not planning to count, but of course I'm not perfect. I never claimed to be.
I'll just keep doing what I do and hopefully get better at it along the way.

Hmmmmm. . .

Skullbie
1. They never admit their lack of drawing skills. They insist that it's their drawing style.
2. They always make excuses for the shitty quality of their works. I'm still practicing or I'm working on it are the most common excuses.
3. They draw shitty characters with a mouse and tell people that they don't have a tablet.
4. They always draw heads and face.
5. Their characters always face the same direction.
6. The proportion is awful.
7. Every character looks the same.
8. They draw same faces with different hairs.
9. Their characters angle and direction are very odd.
10. They don't give a shit about the basic drawing.
11. Others only care about the basic drawing.
12. They have no idea what a layer is. (Photoshop)
13. They always draw one character. (no more than two characters in a single canvas)
14. They always draw characters in same angle.
15. Every character has same facial expression.
16. Static and passive pose. They can't draw characters in dynamic pose.
17. They never draw feet.
18. They can't draw figures from high or low angles.
19. Some of them don't even know the definition of high and low angle drawing.
20. A shitty figure drawing in dynamic pose can be turned into a 4th Dimensional abstract.
21. Same character looks totally different when it is drawn in different angle or direction.
22. They can't even draw anything other than characters or draw everything but characters.
23. They always draw cute characters.
24. They don't know how to draw old people.
25. They don't know how to draw hands
26. Their characters' hands are always hidden behind. (because they don't want to draw hands)
27. The idea sketch is professional but the actual quality is shitty.
28. They try to cover up one of the eyes with hair so that they can draw only one eye.
29. Their works are always asymmetrical.
30. Line art = Finished piece
31. Rough sketch = Finished piece
32. They have no anatomical knowledge.
33. They only draw eyes.
34. The size of the character's eyes and boobs are ridiculously huge.
35. They love boobs but they don't know how to draw boobs properly, so they only love boobs.
36. Their works are free from all logic. Awkward anatomy and proportion.
37. They lose confidence when other people's works look great.
38. They think they are genius when they come up with satisfied quality.
39. They collect other people's works as practice references but they actually collect them as a collection.
40. They are not patient enough to practice.
41. They think tablet is the magic wand that makes them draw like Bob Ross.
42. They regain confidence when other people's works look shitter than theirs.
43. They are more than willing to draw but they lose the spirit so easily.
44. They completely lose the confidence when they see the works of true genius.
45. They draw once a month or even once a year.
46. They get mad when their favorite artists are being lazy.
47. When they draw Hentai art, they end up drawing grotesque horror pictures because their proportion is so fucking awful.
48. They don't even have a faith in themselves.
49. The word 'slump' is their most common excuse for being lazy.
50. They realized their problems and know where to fix but they never do.

I'm not a good artist.

Sysli
Oh, for the sake of kittens... I'd like to see one artist, good or bad, that doesn't suffer from at least one of those above mentioned traits.

Making lists like that never really helped anybody, so I wonder why people keep doing it. We aren't bad just because we can't draw éverything 100% realistically.

I'm not planning to count, but of course I'm not perfect. I never claimed to be.
I'll just keep doing what I do and hopefully get better at it along the way.

Exactly! Art used to be a form of expression. Now it's just another way to get praises, money and endorsement -___-

Ahhh~ I could feel the wrath of the artists from centuries ago as they look down on us from the Heavens.