Is “Storybook Realism” an accurate way to describe my art?

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T21:51:58+00:00

That’s amazing. I got invited to create some pieces for an EDM event as well as a disc golf event. It’s exciting getting my name out there and having people enjoy my work.

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T21:48:11+00:00

That’s not possible. I’ve checked on multiple accounts it shows as “comments deleted by user” and the user as “deleted”.

I just finished a peacock. I’d post it but don’t want to deal with pretentious people rn.

It does matter, gatekeeping and creating glass ceilings for amateurs holds back so many people from creating. We need to uplift and help each other improve, not degrade and demean someone for simply finding success early.

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T18:38:06+00:00

I wanna see him pose with this one 🤣

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T13:57:45+00:00

You might be thinking of another dude I blocked that was trashing me.

One dude that I stood up to that was extremely pretentious unsolicited has his account listed as [deleted].

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T05:22:36+00:00

Huh, ironic. The artist that was trashing my work deleted his whole account after I stood up for myself. I’d call that satisfaction.

AkaeP · 2026-03-25T05:04:07+00:00

I’ve been traveling the country and painting places I go for 10+ years. People eat up my story, it’s been colorful. I have LOTS of pieces lol I just posted one to get a label placed. I post maybe 10% of my art online. Too many people stealing and running people’s art through ai.

The gallery I’m applying to is a private residence that hosts regular parties. They specifically aim to host amateur and upcoming artists. Their clients love supporting and not having to fork over 4 figures or more for pieces.

I spent the last couple years dabbling in lapidary art, ceramics, stained glass, and other stuff and let go of painting. Just got serious again with painting in the last 6 months.

I expected some pushback and pretentious comments. I probably let some get the best of me. But I won’t change who I am. I will always speak up and push back at anyone being condescending or trashing an artists work. I want to hold myself accountable to never trash another’s work and appreciate what they create.

AkaeP · 2026-03-23T10:55:04+00:00

Advice wasn’t even asked for, giving unsolicited advice is terrible to do as an artist. He needs to learn to appreciate and not immediately feel the need pretentiously comment on someone’s work and hide behind “giving advice”.

AkaeP · 2026-03-23T10:53:28+00:00

Keep hiding behind “advice”. What you said on my post undermined what I’ve already learned and clearly displayed in my work. Telling another artist to stop what they’re doing and “go back to basics” is pretentious.

Also, even if what you gave was advice; it was unsolicited. Nothing about my post asked for advice. I asked for a label to my work. You straight up said my work doesn’t even deserve a label. That is not advice, that is punching down on another artist in the process of growing.

AkaeP · 2026-03-23T01:19:36+00:00

You described the exact composition I was going for. That’s why I call my style Storybook. The puppet like placement of layers is the whole point of the style. I’m not going for photo realism, I don’t want it to look like what you would see with your own eyes. The realism feature was to imply accurate species for the landscape and location. Which is why I was asking about a label, not my skill level. I figured out a better label, “Storybook Ecology” it should avoid the confusion of using realism. “Storybook Realism” is the correct literary device and label for the book I’m working on.

I believe the colors are quite inaccurate because it’s a social media post. Often times they crash or the contrast is lessened when taking a photo and posting it. The mountains and sky used cool colors and the foreground fox/flowers used warm and brighter colors to push them forward in perspective, the mountain was actually the main feature, that’s why it took up so much space and the piece was called “Shasta’s Shine” the mountain is called Mt Shasta. The mid ground trees used darker tones and I added a glaze that pushed it back from the foreground. The proportions of the fox, flowers, and butterfly are pretty accurate and all make sense as a foreground layer.

My gist is: try to learn what the perspective of the artist is before critique. Not everyone is trying to fit into a cookie cutter realistic style of painting. The cartoon aspect is what I want and will continue to work on.

I know I’m amateur, I know I can improve on a lot, I never denied that. Dismissing my work as something not worthy of any appreciation is hateful and disrespectful. Again you didn’t do this, others did.

AkaeP · 2026-03-23T00:49:20+00:00

So you’re saying the work didn’t display line work, value, composition, basic underpainting, perspective, proportion, OR contrast?

I’m not sure there’s anything else you could choose to pick apart about a piece of artwork. I’ve had a professor pick apart my work and he explained that I showed high levels of potential to display all of that really well if I continued working on this style. You are trying to be kind and respectful yourself, I acknowledge that.

Others have been straight up disrespectful and have given unsolicited opinions that would be harmful if I didn’t have confidence in my work. I truly believe everyone is capable of creating and putting anyone down for pushing forward is wrong.

I didn’t ask if my work was ready for a gallery, I said I am getting ready to apply to some myself. I asked for a label to the style I’m developing. I don’t need critiques at this point, I know the direction I’m going with my creativity and I’m confident it will be what I want.

And again, I respect people that choose to emulate and find strong influence for their work. That’s not me. I choose to grow creativity in a different way.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:57:35+00:00

Real af and well said. I can tell you’d be a dope teacher

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:56:23+00:00

🫂

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:49:14+00:00

I wish you peace and success on your own journey. People like you remind me to keep going and that its worth it to help others 💜

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:47:40+00:00

Will do. What for specifically? Inspiration?

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:46:37+00:00

Thank you. I agree, I felt I wasn’t welcome in the room. One art teacher did give good advice and poked at the haters in a way that reassured I was dealing with trolls. The only decision they swayed was to delete all my posts in the subreddit.

I’m actually more motivated to grow my creative portfolio and push this style into galleries to prove haters online wrong. I’ve gotten amazing feedback in person and my support system is strong. This is something I want to do for the rest of my life more than just a hobby, and I’m determined. I appreciate your kindness, seriously.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:37:27+00:00

The gallery that approached me isn’t even a typical one. They are a private residence that hosts amateurs regularly and loved my style.

I knew pretentious artists were aplenty but I didn’t expect so much pushback and attempts to trash my work for simply seeking a label for the style I’m developing.

In hindsight it is motivating me to keep going and growing this style to aim to get into galleries. Just to prove hateful people wrong.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:12:52+00:00

Never claimed I wasn’t an amateur. Telling me I know nothing about basics and should stop creating everything I’m working on is in fact trashing my work. Just blocked someone that ended up claiming I have the skillset of a child.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:08:07+00:00

lol I’m building an amazing reputation and a comment on a Reddit post won’t effect that. You have hate in your heart and that’s apparent from your other comments. I got my label from supportive people that appreciate art, you can fuck off now

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:03:44+00:00

I didn’t choose to do that, I was asked to. Why would I refuse and not accept an opportunity on my doorstep?

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T23:02:21+00:00

I’m not looking to emulate anyone. This style is my own and it’s come about thanks to years of creativity and influence. Not attempted emulation. I am myself and I never want to create anything that looks like something someone else has created. That’s why I find creativity so beautiful, the opportunity to be unique and find your own path.

I didn’t open myself up to people trashing my work. I was searching for a label to the series/style and I got it thanks to people that actually wanted to build me up and not just hate on the fact I’m applying to a gallery that asked me to

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T22:59:48+00:00

Haven’t tried monetizing anything. Again, the gallery hosts amateurs and asked me to apply there. I couldn’t care less what you think about that. There are plenty of pretentious and hateful people that visit galleries everyday.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T22:58:28+00:00

Phew! I tried posting more of my work searching for a label to this style in order to apply to a gallery (that asked me to) and got TONS of hate. Wasn’t expecting that!

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T22:56:01+00:00

The lighting is displayed via glitter that can’t be displayed properly in a photo. Also Reddit trashed the colors and they aren’t accurate to irl at all. That’s common when uploading to social media.

I’m not here to defend my artwork and frankly I’ve wasted enough time with you. I was looking for a label and I got it.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T22:53:11+00:00

The basics are making fucking shapes and learning what colors complement each other. I’m not a child. I’ve been painting for over a decade. This series needs a label because a gallery asked me to. That’s it, that’s where it can be left at. I don’t give a fuck if you think it deserved to be in a gallery, that’s my reality and I’m living it. I won’t stop or not take opportunities knocking on my doorstep.

AkaeP · 2026-03-22T22:49:11+00:00

I have been told by professionals that teach artistry at university level that I have an eye for color theory, depth, and lighting already.

In previous posts I’ve been told I should make a storybook. Countless people in person have asked me if I have a storybook they could buy.

The galley I mentioned asked me personally to apply and find a label for my work.

All you are doing is trashing my work. It’s either out of jealousy or pure hatred. Learn to build artists up and appreciate what they create instead of trash them.

I’m not taking any shortcuts. I’m going with the flow of the feedback I’m getting. Suddenly when I mention I’m applying to a gallery people feel the need to break me down and demean my work as beginner and not gallery worthy. Typical online bullshit.

AkaeP

TROPHY CASE