The 'Anime style' debate.

I used to draw in an 'anime style'.  

 I was going to show my progress on the Abbey study today, but this is all over my twitter feed and I feel like it is important for me to talk about.  This debate is very close to my heart, because watching anime made me fall in love with drawing in the first place. 

I have gone through about 4 distinct style shifts as an artist, and anime was one of the most pivotal. The 1st was just the style I drew in as a child. Always changing, can't really define it at all. 

The 2nd was the anime phase, and the last time I drew without caring about improvement. I just wanted to draw because I loved it and that was all that mattered. I miss that feeling sometimes. 

The 3rd, and most difficult transition was from anime to realism. I wanted to draw like my best friend, and I became so obsessed with getting to her level (smooth, realistic and detailed) that I lost myself in the pursuit, and my confidence along with it. I didn't know who I wanted to be yet and it took a long time to figure it out. 

The 4th is what I am today, the truest to myself and what I love. Horror, realism, old masters and messy brushwork. I am still working through all the issues left over from before, but at least I don't feel like I am pretending to be someone I'm not anymore. 

But what if I had stuck with a Japanese comic style? One of my favorite artists, Takehiko Inoue, is the creator of the manga 'Vagabond'. His style is breathtaking, reminiscent of traditional Japanese artwork and Kurosawa films. Vagabond has some of the best composition I have ever seen. The fact that he is such a huge inspiration to me even now when our styles are so vastly different should say something. I would probably look up to him the most out of anyone if I hadn't learned realism. 

When I think back on my anime style, I never feel ashamed about it. It made me happy. I may not draw or watch it anymore, but it kept me going, kept a pencil in my hand. That is what is important at the end of the day. Do what you love. Do what keeps you going. No one should ever be discouraged from drawing, no matter the art style.