Sta.sh
About my break
Despite the increase in activity from me here on DA recently, I'm not entirely "back" in the normal sense of the word. I'm kinda just tip-toeing the waters to see if things have calmed a bit. I'm still trying to get through my issues, with mixed success, and a two month leave of absence isn't going to undo years of stress buildup and stubbornness. But I'm working on it, slowly but surely. You might see some new work here or there, but I don't think I'm ready yet to jump back into doing any of my longer narratives.
In fact, judging by my recent comic's reception, I probably am not ready for a full fledged return just yet...
Kotaku Sunday Comics WIN!
Before I get to the heart of the matter, I would like to thank everyone who voted for brentalfloss over on Kotaku. Kotaku has a weekly feature called "Sunday Comics" where they showcase strips from various game-related web comics and brentalfloss the Comic was up for nomination of being included in the lineup. And it won! I'm actually quite impressed since I wasn't able to really give any sort of "heads up" aside from a brief post on facebook to help out. Thank you everyone!!
On Bad Advice
I get this a lot, but after my recent comic it's been parroted around even worse than usual:
"He needs to be stopped because his advice is bad for all young impressionable artists."
Thankfully, impressionable young artists don't exist in a vacuum where my advice or viewpoint is their sole source of information on how to exist. All advice, whether you think it's helpful or not, benefits a person's development of their self. And even if my "bad" advice "might" influence some young artist, if they chose to ignore all other advice given to them by teachers, professors, other more accomplished artists, etc, then that fault isn't mine or my responsibility.
You don't have to agree with what I have to say, but I'm nowhere NEAR as influential as some might think I am, and I am certainly not respected enough to give me any sort of professional "clout." Art as a concept doesn't need "white knights" defending it from the likes of me. And I really wish people would stop making it out like I think I'm some sort of artistic god, which I clearly am not.
I just want to make comics and have fun. People really need to stop over analyzing everything I say or putting so much emphasis and weight on how I say it. I'm not that important, guys. I'm semi-popular making low-brow comics and fan art on a niche internet website. I am not in any sort of position of power, I am not in control of people's opinions, and I am not making millions off my "mediocre" work.
Is it bad for me to suggest people should focus that defensive energy into making their own stuff better than mine and to stop worrying so much about my artistic development (or lack thereof)?
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Insecure 
Les mauvaises paroles ressortent toujours du lot parce qu'elles sont criées plus fort. Pour une poignée de personnes irrespectueuses du travail que tu fais, il y en a des centaines qui te suivent attentivement parce qu'ils apprécient comme moi ton oeuvre.
Sorry for the part in french, but there was to many word I could not express in english ah ah.
And then there's the other reasons. Every reason seems to consist of something you did/were like in the past. People are actually using things from years ago to try to get a frail shot at you. That's just...damn that's weak.
But, getting off track here - you just do what pleases you, as a lot of people have been saying. I honestly don't believe what I've seen of your advice is awful...most of it appears pretty solid, particularly the fact that people should try learning how to draw by first doing what they see around them, so forth and so on.
Just do what you wish and listen more closely to the people who are actually giving true advice that doesn't consist of 'I don't like this and that's it. No advice. I just don't like it'. Cheers. c:
Congrats about Kotaku Con. That's awesome!
I don't get why people are so concerned about "bad advice" to people other than them. Honestly, if they feel the advice is bad, why not offer better advice themselves rather than blame you? I mean, clearly, this is a matter outside my expertise since I rarely get people asking me for artistic advice, but... it just seems silly to me that this is even an issue. I just don't see how it's anyone's concern what advice you do or don't give to someone. If you gave them advice that they didn't agree with, that's one thing, but what's between you and another artist is none of their concern.
In my opinion, anyway.
But, of course, people have to argue over or be dicks about /something/. People just can't keep their damn noses out of other people's lives. It shouldn't be anyones concern where an artist gets advice or influence from; it doesn't affect any single person in any way, shape, or form unless they personally know them. Even then, unless they're something like family, it still likely doesn't concern them.
And, like you said, artists get influence from many different sources. Getting a little bit of influence from you won't hurt anyone in the long run. Hell, I do think you are a good artist. No, not the best, and you've never tried to make yourself seem like you are. But there are a great amount of us who do enjoy your work.
I just read your and honestly your whole situation hurt me. I know I'm nowhere near to understand you situation but as a 'young artist' you inspire me. I'm now a College's art student and a whole lot of people used to love to tell me that I wasn't an artist at all. Your art and advices help me move forward to be a better artist and even if sometimes I disagree with you I still respect your opinons. It is the first time I am actually posting a comment on your page or a similar situation. I seriously think people should shut their mouth more on the Internet. I mean, yes it is a great place to give your opinion, but people just like to be mean on the matrix because you don't have any names...
Anyway the most important thing I wanted to tell you is that : You will make it like pickles. I know it sounds crazy but keep on reading if you are actually reading this... You know not everyone love pickles but it is in almost every freaking hamburger on the planet! So yeah I think you get my point. Have a wondeful holidays season you deserve it!