Fan Art: An Explosion of Creativity | Off Book | PBS Digital Studios

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The fan art community is one of the most creative and active online. Taking pop culture stories and icons as its starting point, the fan community extends those characters into new adventures, unexpected relationships, bizarre remixes, and even as the source material for beautiful art. Limited only by the imagination of the artist, the fan art world is full of surprises and brilliance.
Featuring:
Brad O'Farrell
Adam Juresko
Jonah Block
Sam Spratt
Fred Seibert
Image Credits!
(Incomplete so please message or comment and we'll add you!)
aiydrin.deviant...
vanillycake.dev...
/ fritzier
sepulchritude.d...
/ poupon
kundagi.deviant...
/ daunt
olinmercury.dev...
/ quirkilicious
Music by:
StatueOfDiveo www.jamendo.com...
Revolution Void www.jamendo.com...
Mindthings www.jamendo.com...
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Tumblr: / pbsarts
Produced by Kornhaber Brown: www.kornhaberbr...

[@TheErikM]

You know what never gets old? Hearing someone say "fanart isn't Art." Then observing the reaction when you point out that for hundreds of years artists were almost exclusively focused on producing works inspired by if not based wholly upon scenes from the bible. Think bout it, how many paintings have been made depicting jesus on the cross? But I don't see many people saying that only the first person to paint it was an artist and everyone else a bunch of un-creative fans.

[@crazypuppypoker]

Sam Spratt's work is the only variation of the rage faces I've ever respected.

[@GrapeTesting101]

I love that the end of the url for this vid ends in "o_O" Haha. ♥

[@TindraSan]

this moved up my spirit so much^^ Now I just wanna draw fanart like crazy XD

[@DouchebagChocolat]

Lol, that AT dude thinks the Fiona and Cake episode is the highest rated in the series' history because the fans loved the idea when we all really just wanted to see more of Fiona's massive ostrich thighs.

[@TheOnly1Zalo]

I'm one of those people that can't get into doing fanart. I love watching fan art of course, unless its sonic or mlp spam, but I never enjoyed producing fan art :P

[@embrown23]

we really like good sound so we really try to do it right :)

[@hkygirl805]

I don't get how somebody is wasting their talent, fan art is a great way to refine your skill while channeling your passion for a show/book/game/etc. and also it's a fantastic way to get your name out there. People may come for the fan art but they stay for your talent as an artist. Not to mention not everyone wants to go professional, for some it maybe a hobby not their career choice.

[@LusaderX]

I don't know how people do this shit. I tried to draw a tree yesterday and got so angry I had to lie down and count to ten.

[@carlopez3]

Fan Art is Art by all definitions. Can an artist really lock himself in a white room and come up with some thing completely new and original: can she make something new that relates to nothing else ever done before. Humans shape their world through interpretation and imagination: creating or expanding their world and worlds that do not exist.

[@NyanBunny98]

I started doing fan art of characters when I was little and later it inspired me to create my own characters. It improved my artwork and makes me feel a part of the fandom by contributing my opinions or ideas on the show.

[@RomiVidal]

[whispers] but johnlock is real

[@rachiedone1]

[silently raises hand as a Sherlockian]

[@Stormandfire]

The comment about the Sherlock fandom. I think it's partly to do with the long breaks between 'seasons' but also because absurdity is a very British type of humour. (Although the corgi/llama thing may just be poking fun at how Martin Freeman is half a foot shorter than Benedict Cumberbatch.) But the Adventure Time segment just made me grin so widely.

[@AngelMeiu]

Actually, by watching the video you can SEE the creativity that comes out of fanart, which isn't necessarily always traditional art. Themed cakes, floor murals, plushies, lego - fanart in its many forms is the very essence of creativity, as people take a thing from its original format and make it their own in new and interesting ways.

[@RyanGatts]

um... real quick, is it not true that if it is not a direct copy, then it must be original and creative? Straight piracy is not creative, but fan art and fan works certainly are. Ask yourself: is West Side Story not original or not creative? After all It's based on Romeo and Juliet. Is A Bug's Life uncreative for being based off of 7 Samurai? Starwars because it's built on the hero's journey? Spoiler, the answer is, of course they fucking are. It's the very nature of art.

[@wywymitro5598]

yes, fan art and fanfic-ness is insane, we like to turn consulting detectives into hammerhead sharks and whatever John is into hedgehogs who wear red underpants!

[@oblongman63]

I'd be way more into fan art if there weren't so many horribly disgusting fan-made items about Adventure Time, threatening to ruin the show for me.

[@CoolRiceBunnies]

I love this so much. Words cannot even express how happy I am to know of such a community like the "fan art" community. This is why I love art and the internet combined.

[@MarkusXC94]

It's like a blog site that allows you to follow a ton of other blogs. It's surprisingly addicting.

[@HAPPYDASHII]

If it weren't for the power rangers fanart when I was in gr.1, I wouldn't be drawing today

[@P00HB3AR131]

I love this so much. It almost made me cry and I am not sure why....that rhymed. :)

[@artman40]

Fan art should be legalized!

[@TylerOakley]

Oh my God, Brad. Your life.

[@hkygirl805]

aww you guys forgot fan music. Can we get a special on that?

[@qualityfandubs]

Hi guys, Just finished watching the video and would like to give credit to the team who researched and documented the film. It's the first time I've seen anything like it - talking about fanart in a rather legit and positive light. Great work guys! I'd also like to thank AgentWebdog for spotting my 'How to draw Sonic Heads Tutorial' that got featured on the film. Might as well let you know the source! = ) *thumbs up*

[@artman40]

And why is there no petition to make fan art legal?

[@Ratryoshka]

Btw thanks for featuring my artwork (I'm Chocoreaper, I did the Adventure Time genderbent fanart) :]

[@Ratryoshka]

I bet you most of the fanart featured are done by girls. Oh wait, it's already the truth :D

[@CourtoonXIII]

Oh! I'm the Fionna cosplayer near the end of the video! Thank you for including me!

[@johnylitalo4163]

You see these on DeviantArt.

[@alexandredesouza3692]

That Chihuahua one, oh my God.

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

You conveniently left out "documentary" from your list of fair uses, which this clearly is. I don't see any issue with it whatsoever - after all, a fair amount of fan art on the Internet is impossible to attribute anyway, having been shared nearly an infinite number of times. The purpose of the episode is to demonstrate the breadth of content out there, and it did a fine job, IMO. If you happened to be featured in it and you're upset, just let them know and it seems they'll credit you too.

[@lilkuey]

"Generally, the right to reproduce and display pieces of artwork is controlled by the original author or artist under 17 U.S.C. § 106.However, fan art using settings and characters from a previously created work could be considered a derivative work, which would place control of the copyright with the owner of that original work. " - wikipedia[dot]org/wiki/Fan_art The artist does get a copyright to that one piece of artwork. No licensing rights, but the right to say they drew something.

[@lilkuey]

And yet, making remixes of music is legal. As for the Beatles song recording, it't not a remix, but a duplicate. In fanart terms, that would be taking a screenshot or official art, and tracing over it. Fanart, for the most part, is entirely original, except when it comes to the world/characters used. Actually, no, it can't. It still has to abide by the rules of the country they reside in. In this case, they abide by the rules of the US. -continuing-

[@KnocksX]

Again, creating unlicensed derivative works does not give the "remixer" a copyright. Recording a piss-poor cover of the a Beatles song will not give you any copyright to it. It's an infringing work to begin with, and you have no right to create it unless you license. deviantART and others are run by artists and can make whatever rules they want. Finally, any artists whose works are featured in this special should be kissing PBS' ass for being featured in an awesome series like that.

[@lilkuey]

The art itself, yes it does. The copyrighted characters they used, no. It might be unlicensed, but just try and take someone's fanart and post it on a site like deviantART or ConceptArt. You'll be slapped with a ban fast, because the ART belongs to the person who made it. Fair use is case by case. But even the guidelines say it's best to get permission first. Would it have killed them to credit the artists to begin with, instead of just waiting for them to find the page and ask for credit?

[@lilkuey]

They don't need permission to report news, but as far as copyright goes, the art belongs to the artist. They may not be able to legally sell it or use it other than to show off skills, but it's still theirs to say who can/cannot use it. And companies give the okay for fanart, because it's free advertising, so long as they're not making money off of it to the point the companies notice.

[@nlicky]

Well, fandoms can create a ton of stuff. Pretty good getting the gist of people drawing for their love of the show, while each artist's approaches can vary very highly. The meme art guy is awesome and spreading around memes is fun. Using Adventure Time as an example of a creative fandom is neat, but there's a ton more different mediums and styles to represent and also much more different shows and movies around. An interesting insight in something very widespread.

[@ElderUnikirin]

...that looks like it could be a poster, or official comic book art, or part of a pin-up calendar. Obviously there is a lot of crossover (this is coming from a male fanartist who draws stuff that fits in the former category) but that's what I'm thinking when I refer to 'male-dominated' and 'female-dominated' fanart. And I have come across folks who do the second kind of fanart saying disparaging things about the other kind. It's not that common, but I've seen it enough to think it bears mention.

[@ElderUnikirin]

I didn't mean like, boy fanartists specifically dissing girl fanartists or vice versa, but...okay, here's my logic (which sound shakier to me by the minute, but I'll bear with it): the kind of fanart that is exploratory/appreciative of the characters in unexpected, sometimes romantic, sometimes crack-fuelled ways tends to be largely drawn by females. The same is true of males and fanart that tends more towards a straightforward representation/interpretation of the work, the kind (TBC :P) ...

[@ElderUnikirin]

I agree that it should be more balanced. In my experience, the male-dominated side of fanart is a very different place to the female-dominated end of the spectrum. Differing themes, values and ideas tend to prevail in each. Female fanartists and male fanartists can spend most of their internet lives being totally divorced from that other side of their community; sometimes looking down on each other's works or even being unaware of each other's existence. Pretty weird, but maybe that's why?

[@Engelen]

It is indeed a pity that no women were featured talking in this video. Fandoms are vastly composed of women, often creating the majority of the art (and I say this, based on nothing, other than my very own personal experience on he internets, AND as a female fanartist). I am not saying a video should be made only about fanartist women, or girls who write fanfiction, but a little bit of balance is expected in the 21st century.

[@Cheesegoddess]

LOL I love how it seems as if people are just now discovering fanart, fiction and all the lovelies that go with it, but really it's been around FOR YEARS! LOL My grandmother who's 70 something, use to tell me about this character she made up for the Green Hornet radio show when she was younger. She made a fan character LOL I'm really glad though that shows are starting to take notice of their fans because without fans, there's no show.

[@kuleModerator]

DOCTOR WHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lilkuey]

Rereading the quote, I see that now. So basically, any lines I draw that connect to a character/setting not of my own mind automatically becomes not my art. Even if my own blood and sweat went into creating it. I also have no say whether people rip it from my site and play with it online, because it /not my art./

[@KnocksX]

Please stop arguing for the sake of arguing, since you seem to know very little about the subject matter. Even the Wikipedia article that you're quoting is actually proving that your point is wrong. Read it more carefully. Creating a derivative work places the copyright with the creator of the ORIGINAL work, not the creator of the derivative work.

[@Engelen]

It just seems so strange to me. I think it would be interesting to dig-up statistics (although I think the most "reliable" source at the moment would be DeviantArt). In any case, I think it's a pity that male and female fanartists don't interact more. I have never heard of women dismissing male-produced fanart though (nor the other way around).

[@MegDaunting]

You are AWESOME thank you so much for saying so. :) It's really a freaking fantastic video and painted fanart in a wonderful positive light. I'll spread the word for NYC lady artists to shoot you guys a note. (Ps: thanks for using my art! Though I have been blushing ridiculously since last night when I saw it.)

[@embrown23]

HI! I'm the director of Off Book and not including female artists was a total mistake on our part! It wasn't intentional and we are sorry for the omission. I would love to interview some amazing female fan artists. We are in NYC, so please message me with NYC-based artists and we'll see what we can make happen!

[@cranscape]

I almost always run into female artists online. I guess women are so over represented they felt they needed to only interview men? No wonder they were so confused about Sherlock fandom. Maybe a women could have explained some of the nuances. Too bad not a single woman was available and it will forever be a mystery.

[@NationalFilmSociety]

Thanks for all of the great Arrested Development works!

[@lilkuey]

What about people other than the 'copyright owner' in this case, going to play with art I made. Since they're not me, and they're not the copyright owner, do they still get to do whatever they want. Also, at what point does fanart also fall into parody. :\ Is it JUST when it's making fun of the series?

[@KnocksX]

That is exactly correct. Because your art is based on other people's blood and sweat without their permission. If you want to create something that will be protected by copyright law, you have to either: a) create it from scratch, b) base it on public domain materials, or c) license it

[@KnocksX]

The copyright of the fan art does not belong to the artist. It's an unlicensed derivative work. But even if it was licensed, using it for 1 second in a PBS special would still be fair use. It's a documentary for christ's sakes. They can do whatever the fuck they want.

[@OurBenefactors]

Why would you subtitle a video about fanart with "An Explosion Of Creativity" - that's the exact opposite of what fanart is? Fanart is a way of being artistic without being creative or original in any way, it's almost the definition of it

[@360Flare]

I have some point I'm trying to make but as I'm tired as hell I'm having a hard time putting it into words. But basically, a lot of fandoms didn't get featured. If they didn't single out bronies it isn't that big a deal is all I ever was saying.

[@LexusCalcearius]

I absolutely adored seeing these creators embracing fanart, and seeing it for the creativity it is. But yes, I would have loved to see some female creators. In almost every fandom I've been in, the most popular fan writers and artists are women.

[@BSMART18]

Great Video! I just wish female artists were interviewed. Also, what about fan art communities specifically for book fandoms? For example, fan art for Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices is downright gorgeous!

[@atomherrerin]

*SHOCKED GASP* a tv channel that embraces us? OMG this is magical!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you! thank you! (clarification: BBC likes us, and i think they were the first, but PBS actually embraces us!) i feel so special!

[@OKTOBERFESTE]

BTW could i get credit on my art at 0:12 - 0:13 i'm fritzier on tumblr / sepulchritude on deviantart. i wasn't even asked permission for this and i don't really mind so much but i'd really like credit! thank you

[@ambroiseforsans1431]

The Sherlockians even have a webseries (yes I am very happy to be in this insane fandom).

[@kiddynamo41]

but this would be all in the same show really. it would be more like that last episode of the spiderman cartoon from the 90's when all the spidermen had to unite to save existence. that was awesome.

[@roose85723]

"ONE OF THE MOST" not the MOST. if you go to any of the sites they mentioned and more, it's rare not seeing a large amount of spn stuff. so the fact that it was never represented in this video is weird.

[@JoseSantos]

There was a female artist in the spotlight and they made a big deal out of her art, you vou have notice it if you had payed attention to the video instead of finding sexisom in it.

[@WolfFang884]

I'm doing comics about marceline and Finn they get married and stuff Finn dies after like 80 years and marceline did 't age at all then she goes off and lives as a wild animal

[@kiddynamo41]

I would like a crossover episode. Maybe Finn, Jake, Fionna, Cake, and Susan Strong band together to stop the ice monarchs of all dimensions from totally destroying everything.

[@lilkuey]

I thought PBS would know better and actually ask permission of the artists before featuring their art. Or were they hoping that they wouldn't find out/be perfectly okay with it. o.o

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

They're not passing it off as their own art...so I'd say it's more like fair use. And they did credit the artists in the description, so I don't see what the problem is...

[@KnocksX]

PBS does not need permission to report on something newsworthy. Not to mention that the artists never asked for permission before creating the fan art in the first place.

[@Romzyx]

It's kind of weird that they featured only male fanartists, but from my personal experiences on tumblr and deviantart, most fanart and fanfiction is done by females.

[@mackleless639]

the gay fan art is called yaoi/BL. the fangirls ruin everything in manga to real life, trust me, FREWARD from my chemical romance will explain (don't flame me for hatin yaoi)

[@kawaiifoxbabe300]

Oh my god the Sherlock pictures made me scream... I'm just like "Holy crap the world doesn't need to know about this!!" xD What happens in the fandom STAYS in the fandom

[@drunk_doodles]

hahaha have you seen those My Little Pony fan artists. They might have the market cornered for now lmao. They didnt even mention that in there either. hahaha.

[@hawkthewalk]

never mind, i guess that's been covered. still, it was pretty jarring. first reaction was, where the hell did they find a dude who writes fanfiction?

[@Hardiot]

Wow. I had no idea Fionna and Cake were based off of Tumblr posts. Or that Fan Art really does have an amazing impact on the entertainment community!

[@hawkthewalk]

cool video, but why didn't you talk to any women? especially when speaking in reference to the tumblr fan community which is predominantly female?

[@Artismoi]

@Emideus thats a really good uestion one that i keep asking my self. i do not have the answer but if someone gave it to you let me know please.

[@embrown23]

please! youtube doesn't let you put email addresses here but let me see if i can make it obvious in a dumb way... eric@+kornhaberbrown daut kom

[@MegDaunting]

LOVE this so much! :) Thanks for making it guys, wonderful talk, wonderful information. Also, I would like to hug you my fellow fans.

[@Foxpawed]

This was amazing and you guys should feel amazing for making it. Fandom on the internet is one of the most amazing things on this entire series of tubes. The ur example in my book would be Homestuck; In addition to transcending the definitions of what a comic can be on the internet, the whole thing has been essentially a giant collaboration with the fans since day one; The art and music team is composed entirely out of readers, and even elements of the plot are based directly on fan speculation

[@MarkusXC94]

I think it is legal, but I don't think you can profit from it. Don't take my word for it, I just heard it through the grape vine.

[@mauraofdunlath]

It's interesting how this short basically boils down to: "Fan art- it exists." Are there actually people who need to be told this?

[@drunk_doodles]

i don't think any ONE fandom can claim MOST anything. lmao that's like saying the lake's water is the MOST wet out of all waters. XD

[@aibanez123]

There are just some things one needs to show their Art teachers. This is one of them. Your craft is not dead; it has just evolved.

[@zeedoubleyou]

cre·a·tiv·i·ty /ˌkrēāˈtivitē/ Noun: The use of the imagination or original ideas, esp. in the production of an artistic work.

[@wickeduploads]

I think this video is great, it inspires me. i was linked here from a deviantart member and i use deviant art everyday to post new pictures i collaborate on with artists from all over the world. it would be nice to make a living doing it, not just a hobby!!

[@embrown23]

aww shux i'm so glad you think we did an ok job. we know there's a lot more story to tell and hopefully we can do it!

[@kpossibles]

I think you should've interviewed alicexz! Especially since she does Sherlock fanart and went to a PBS Sherlock event! (also, female!!!) I also wish you would've mentioned the boom in fanart/doujinshi in Japan.

[@acheron187]

Fan art is definatly not the most original thing in the world, but it defiantly can start you upon your own track.

[@MarkusXC94]

I'd disagree...I feel like crossovers are the beginning of the end for a TV series. Think Jimmy Timmy Powerhour.

[@chockie]

Egophiliac? But bronies have tons and tons and TONS of amazing famous male- Yeah, I'll stop.

[@Blueglassgirl123]

I hardly think that you can call Sherlock a normal show. And I am a big fan so I know what I'm talking about.

[@Engelen]

By the way, "Kundagi" on Deviantart and "Poupon" on tumblr is the same person. Who also happens to be a woman.

[@lasarousi]

dude(ette) i knew it was rude but i just was joking, i stated that. but yes i make damn good sandwich. and most great artist (including the one in the video) i know are woman.

[@morippe]

1:16 is scdc @ tumblr also zoo-ette @ deviantart she doesn't seem very happy to find her work here though.

[@1kamikazeewatermelon]

WHY NO NARWHAL??? because it wasnt absolutely necessary for there to be one. doesnt mean we hate narwhals

[@spicyplants]

I make A LOT of fan art!! I do creepypastas and anime!! :D

[@lasarousi]

guess they were making sammiches backstage... i feel such a duche... i actually think girl artist are more reserved and dont really need great recognition.

[@RactupusRex]

@Sean Fitz-Gerald I know what you mean. On deviantart you use filters to only view appropriate fanart