Artists of Melonland, who are the artists you want to be like?

[Corrupted Unicorn]

So... little story first, after two failed attempts, I'm submitting my homework to Drawabox It's a series of art lessons with a community built around them, with the objective of teaching you how to see the blank page not as a 2D surface, but as a 3D world you can create. 

I've joined their Discord in order to get critique on the first chunk of assignements, but they have very interesting rules on how to guarantee that critique:

THE FIRST TIME YOU SUBMIT YOU NEED TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
- If you didn't need to study art or fundamentals anymore what would things would you want to draw right now?
- Show some examples similar the art you would like to draw ultimately from other artist. (1-3 at least)

Two questions geared exactly towards the big one: "What artist/s do you want to be like?" It almost feels like a school assignement. And I was wondering what kind of answers would I get from the artists here at Melonland 

Now, I'm sure every field of art has "the big one". For example, I bet every artist interested in animation wishes they could make movies like Hayao Miyazaki or animate like Richard Williams (if you don't know who Richard Williams is, look at what was he capable off right now!!!), but I'm sure everybody has smaller, more personal heroes. And in this humble topic of Melonland, I want to know who they are and what kind of art do YOU want to make.

In my case... you know I love animation, but more specifically, music videos. "The Music Scene", by band Blockhead and animated by Anthony F. Schepperd is the one that looks closest to what's on my mind. For me, animation is about creating what a camera can't capture. Many people will call this video "trippy", but I'd rather call its animation... absolutely free, without any boundaries.

But I still like classic cartoons. Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, classic Mickey Mouse shorts... The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat is my favourite one: an imperfect yet sublime mix of 20's and 90's cartoon sensibilities.

And because I feel I can't talk about aspirational animation without dropping Disney, here's my favourite work from them: Fantasia & the Pink Elephants segment from Dumbo.

And as an extra, a lil' tidbit from my favourite unreleased pilot, 3 Dog Band, just to round up the whole "cartoony, fun, bright, vivid, whimsical" vibe. 

Now it's your turn! What are the things you, as an artist, would like to made, and what exists right now that gets closer to what you want to create? Show it to us!

For the brave only!

Now, Drawabox isn't just a series of art lessons trying to teach you dimensionality. They are also teaching you a new philosophy about art. One that is based not on drawing pretty things you can show others, but around getting comfortable around your own failures and mistakes. Which you will inevitably do as a beginner.

And there's one more thing they ask from you... they want you to create at least one of those things you dream of making. Right now. With the skills, tools and knowledge you have available in this very moment. To come to terms with who you are right now. It's a brutal stab at your own ego, a sobering realization. But you can't make a journey without a clear start point and a clear end point.

In my case, they have gentler rules around big projects such as animation (it doesn't have to be complete). But I still want to submit a messy, ugly animatic. I'll upload it very soon...

Edit: And it's here! https://www.bitview.net/watch?v=kqjNksGH

[close]

[angelhanachi]

For me, this might be a bit too extreme for others but I'd like to create art similar to the likes of Trevor Brown (The Japan-based one, disturbing content TW for those who want to look him up) because his works hit me home on a lot of my trauma, except I'd like to do a version that expresses sexualized horror depictions of men instead, since that's within my tastes!

I'd also like to make 2000s era collage style horror animations similar to the likes of Piropito but I'm still juggling my time to work on them lol, but unlike Piropito's style, I'm looking for my work to have a sort of blend of PS1 style 3D graphics and dark Slim Shady Show and Vermillion Pleasure Night type dark humor added into the mix.

In music, I'd like to do works that are a blend of Bjork, Venetian Snares, Aphex Twin, Static-X and KoRn. In fact, the new album I'm working on is already sort of achieving that sound.

If I think about it really, when it comes to my work, I don't really have a singular focus on my influences, but more that I take parts of my influences that I like to make my own thing. Certain elements about myself, I can't even think of any influence it came from, so this question was a bit of a hard one to answer but I hope this is enough to be understandable :)

[nobo]

I like Tristan Tzara, but what I like about him is challenging the art status quo. I'm not sure that we have the same status quo that existing during his time but the message of Dadaism resonates with me.

[neoratz]

it seems really useful to have such regimented homework. i hadn't heard of Drawabox before this, but i looked through some of their beginning pages and i like their 50% rule. i need to push myself to just DRAW more i feel like immersion is really important for learning basically any skill...

right now, my biggest inspirations are Ume Aoki, AAMY, and a mishmash of moe artists.

(left to right: Ume Aoki, AAMY, suka, suka x2, Chisato Naruse, Misato Mitsumi, Mizuki Kagura, Kouhaku Kuroboshi, Akane Ikegami, Aoi Nishimata... just to name a few  )

i've determined some overarching features i appreciate in their art (bug eyes with one big highlight, big hair, chunky clothing, cutesyness, light/warm colors, etc...) but it's been hard to decide on basics like shading (soft or hard?) and lines (thin or thick?). especially since i have been struggling with shading/volume for years @_@ while i don't necessarily have to settle on one, i'd like to for now so that i can develop a consistent style and better fundamentals

[Corrupted Unicorn]

it seems really useful to have such regimented homework. i hadn't heard of Drawabox before this, but i looked through some of their beginning pages and i like their 50% rule. i need to push myself to just DRAW more i feel like immersion is really important for learning basically any skill...

I can attest to that, even if I just finished Lesson 1. I'm very glad to be out of a formal educational system right now, but I am also the kind of person who can use a little structure to learn. This is best of both worlds: I can take my time but I also know exactly what to do next 

Also pssst, I finally uploaded my thing for the spoiler, you can check it under said spoiler or here. I wish it could embed but since it's Bitview instead of Youtube... 

[Bede]

I've thinking about this recently, actually, because I've been doing master studies of artists I really admire! My main points of inspiration are GinjaNinjaOwO, fourleafisland, candyje11yfish, and yananaua!



(Art credits are in the order of the artists listed!)

Although I don't want to replicate her style, I also find Mika Pikazo's usage of color super inspirational, so I've been studying her hardcore lately, too!

[candycanearter07]

I personally try to avoid feeling that for artists because it tends to demotivate me, but tbh like the pokemon artists? ig?