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

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!)

Music by:

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[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.

[hkygirl]

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.

[NyanBunny]

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.

[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.

[MarkusXC]

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

[aibanez]

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.

[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.

[rachiedone]

[silently raises hand as a Sherlockian]

[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

[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.

[Scaven]

thiswassogood

would love to check out a full length documentary!

[sed]

I just keep watching the Adventure time part over and over again, it's good

[nygge]

Looking at fanart on youtube as well as deviantart is awesome, sometimes you see fanmade stories that show us news sides to characters.

[wywymitro]

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!

[crazypuppypoker]

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

[soda_fairy]

I hope adventure Time fan art never stops

[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.)

[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.

[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

[atomherrerin]

*SHOCKED GASP* a tv channel that embraces us? OMG this is thank you! thank you!

(clarification: BBC likes us, and i think they were the first, but PBS actually embraces us!)

i feel so special!