hahah yeah, there are A LOT of facets in a community, specially a multi-discipline one like "ART" cuz it's such a HUGE umbrelly

I mean, the art of writing is often very much treated separately than the visual art mediums, same with performing arts, and music, and cinemas. But let's not open too many rabbit holes XD

I do think CASUAL photography can be overwhelmingly accessible these days, since every one has access to a phone (and therefore a camera) but then again CASUAL art is.... NOT that inaccessible either. Lots of people can just pick up a pencil and draw. But maybe more have the reluctance not to just post their silly doodles online? Mmm. Silly doodles are really almost as easy to make as selfies, I think, in terms of difficulty?

To be fair, the tag #art does not really belong to only illustrators and painters, but people just CRAVE to be more visible so I understand why there were a kerfuffle about pushing photography out as the amount of contents can drown out what the illustrators / painters bring, but what's wrong with using #drawing or #illustration to be visible at, instead? :O

(I love your drawing of that can of worms, btw, it has such the same energy as RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!! XD)

Photobashing is a legit technique in which the artist brings more of themselves into the work. It's like the artist are preparing MANY ingredients to make a cake. It's *different * to just using **one **photograph to work off, I think...?

Like, even taking a portrait photography that looks good is pretty hard, so if a portrait artist wants to use a photographer's pretty photograph to work on, it's just good form to give some credits back to the photographer... in my opinion!

Cuz like, photographers need some social media visibility too, and an artist who rely on a single primary photograph can support each other by giving shout out back to the photographer's name. This way, the photographer's work and brand is being boosted through the artist's work, as well. Lots of my photographer friends struggle with getting orders or to get noticed online!

And hahah, APPARENTLY, lots of illustrators and painters who does portrait work thinks that a study doesnt need to be cited, fyn. Which is fine, I think, if the photos are their own, or if the photos are free to use. But to come across a portrait photography that looks "nice" and then to use it as a base for your works without giving back gave me pause.

I am like you, in the way that I do not mind showing others my whole process, from the beginning to the end. That's why I often share my process shots or these days, even the entire video of the drawing (since my bestie bought me a video editing app :D) but I think, maybe you and i are not the majority XD Most artists are protective of the glamour (for lack of better words) of their artistry. Which is totally understandable. This is a very human and very relatable feeling, but we should also empathize with the artistry and the value of 'tools' that helped us along the way. Pretty photography is not achieved easily and to treat it without giving back some acknowledgement is a little selfish by my standard...

Like, you wanna make a pretty art, but you dont wanna acknowledge the pretty photograph that helped you make that pretty art? Like why not????

(also your prog blogs are great and im happy that they help you produce some consistent weekly updates ! you are a pathological perfectionist XD)

And finally, thank you ! I like to insert a bit of myself into my arts ... it's the story teller in me, I guess :D