Artists and animators

I mean, if you think about it, just about every fandom is centered around OCs. Star Trek, Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender ... all OCs.

I've got a friend who makes comics. His OCs get fan art all the time.

So, if you own the character and commision someone to draw fat art, it isn't fan art. But if someone is a fan of your work, and draws fat art of them or commissions someone to do it for them, then it is fan art.

I supposed I'd be flattered if someone chose to draw some "fan art" of one or more of my characters. I'll be the first to admit that as a self-taught/untrained artist that my sense of character design lacks the sophistication of many others, but I am always pleased when someone reacts positively to something I've created, even if it's just a nice "thumbs up" or encouraging comment.

Enjoy your milkshake, Emily.

if it's just pinup sort of stuff (like a single drawing, for example) i don't think it matters - original or existing characters, it all depends on the execution and the idea behind it.

for story-based stuff, like comics, i prefer o.c. material. i have seen some excellent fan-fiction comics on deviant art, but they kind of have no where to go, you know? ray norr, i think, did some amazing fat lois lane work a few years ago, but most fan art is interesting but i can't even remember it now, you know?

there are some amazing ongoing original comics being posted on d.a. though - annonnyxz's revenge series is incredible! better-with-salt has done some cool stories, and fatgirl33's ponderous woman and michelles diary comics are great too.

Both tbh. Though in some aspects (especially when it comes to characters that are minors) it can become quite creepy.

Both, think I care about art style and subject matter more.

Defiantly Origials. When the fanart uses a character from my childhood or from more innocent parts of my brain it completely ruins the fun.

a little of both actually. Would love to see more art around Lizzo

I also agree that OCs are the way to go! (though I might be biased because I have a bunch of OCs myself lol) You can take a lot more creative liberties with your own characters like with their appearance, personality, and settings, it's easier to switch things up! With fanart you're kind of stuck in a box of what the character already looks like and acts like but no shade to anyone who does fanart! (Except those weirdos who make fanart of canonically underage characters lol)

I honestly dislike it ahen people use characters for feede art or anything related. OCs are better imo for it. Looking at your favorite characters fat and bloated puts an unsettling feeling on you, but if it’s just an oc.. who cares.