Ok...this is driving me absolutely nuts and I have the need to rant about it!

What is it with people and attacking those who create fanart? OK, so I get that tracing is bad and using references is not usually encouraged. But I hate the fact that there are so many who look down on those who draw fanart rather than doing something else. I mean, what's wrong with that? I personally love looking at fanart, seeing what people can do with already established characters or taking a book and bringing a moment to life.

What is wrong with that?

Surely as long as the artist does not take full credit for it, there is nothing wrong. Fanfiction writers are never criticised as much as that. Where lies the difference? What mental area draws a line between influencing established characters by word or by pencil?

In criticising a fanartist, you may be taking away their confidence in themselves. Or, like me, you could be taking away a hobby that gives them some pleasure in their lives.

At the same time, you criticise those of us who enjoy looking at fanart. You make us feel like idiots. As if, in admiring the talents of those who can recreate something familiar almost exactly, we are not worthy or intelligent enough to appreciate "real artists".

But isn't that what art is about? Taking something and recreating it in your own way?

When did we become artistic snobs? We should be encouraging talent and guiding an artist to find the right medium and style for them. Whether it's with fanart or something else entirely. It's not fair and it's not right.

Ok...rant over!