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eviltomp β Evil Tom Preston - Cheap Shot
Published: 2013-12-16 10:03:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 8988; Favourites: 58; Downloads: 15
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ORIGINAL FOR COMPARISON: tompreston.deviantart.com/art/β¦How not to be a complete tosser when someone gives you any form of criticism of your work.
I used to think that I was the only one who felt like they were being attacked when their work (or actions) were criticized by others... but it turns out that it happens to many artists, particularly young ones, and especially online. It's something we all go though, apparently. If you however use the tip like the one in the comic, you can at least focus that pain of criticism into something more productive than trying to debate or explain your way out of the situation; this way, you can learn and grow while acknowledging criticisms. It's pretty slick.
But then again, there are people who DO criticize you and your artwork for the sake of just criticizing you, so don't think you need to be completely spineless and roll over just because it's potentially "constructive criticism". However, it is fairly simply to spot people who really do want to help from those who just enjoy the sound of their own voices; either way, you can always spin it to YOUR advantage.
SIDE NOTE: I gave myself a Green Belt, not a Black Belt, because I'm not "there" yet with my artistic skills. Also because I'm still sort of "green" (at least I see myself as such). In retrospect, I should've made myself a Blue Belt...
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Comments: 45
This honestly needs to be read by every aspiring artist. To understand that even bad criticism can be used to make you a better artist is the most useful skill you can have.
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I like how you can take Tom Preston's comics and make them less dickish and condescending.
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Tom Preston is such an unfortunate case. He could be great,he has his heart in the right place (more or less). But he screws it all up with childishness and SJW BS.
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I appreciate these words. I'll keep them for my own purpose. To be honest, I love even laughably bad criticism since it gives me ideas for future work.
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I love it! Although I would be the person who would get "hit" then ask for more.Β
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I wonder why that repugnant, obese, dickhead can't be more like you.
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I'm not sure... but, if one "Tom Preston" isn't a "repugnant, obese dickhead", I don't mind being it!
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And you are doing a great job being the "evil" Tom Preston. Love your art and keep up the great work!
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Now THAT is how you handle criticism; You use it to make yourself better rather than turn your critics into parodies in order to make yourself look like the smart person.
And, after seeing some of his recent comics, I really want to sock that blue koala.
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You're still free to turn your critics into parodies and all... but I don't think other people appreciate that kind of stuff. Like, outsiders wanting to assess the situations and see what really was going on, y'know?
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Yeah, that sort of stuff tends to skew a person's perception of the situation. The way regular Tom goes about it is mostly blowing said criticisms out of proportions and then try to act like the smart guy in the situation and making the critic seem like a blithering moron that's just yelling at him for no good reason.
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I think most artists go through that stage early on (where they're the witty good guy and their opponents are blathering idiots).... I don't have a problem with it too much because, for the most part, it IS a "stage" that artists eventually grow out of... maybe in their late teens or so. I even went through that myself.
However, Regular Tom Preston doesn't seem to have gotten past that stage... his work of that sort may entertaining to artists who HAVEN'T grown out of that stage yet, but it's just too one dimensional for artists who HAVE. As such, you're not going to find many people interested in reading that kinds of stuff, particularly the folk who actually have money to spend on it, y'know?
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I found this link thinking it was going to be cyberbullying and I was pleasantly surprised! lol.
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I'm afraid there's no cyberbullying here! 
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I like how you still included the ridiculous mouth in the third panel. And I really like the positive message in the end, not as hate filled as the original. And I like the idea that you (a green belt) successfully able to throw the one with the black belt by taking critiques people throw at you and using it as motivation instead.
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Yeah, there was no way I was going to let that one slide without a reference.
In taekwondo and hapkido (and I'm sure most other martial arts), in training it's normal for different belts to practice with one another. I used to spar with a few Black Belts even though I wasn't one; I liked the metaphor of someone higher up taking a fall to help you learn.
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the first panel Β in the original comic. Β Tom Preston's cross eyed. Β XD Β The original is terrible. Β Β
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The thumbs and the really goofy-looking face in frame three bothered me the most in the original... yeeesh.
Errors in art are easier to ignore if you give readers something else to focus on. I mean, I'm sure the shading in my comic looks a bit off, and Evil Preston's head looks weird in frame two... but I think people forgive those errors if they feel the comic is entertaining enough.
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I liked the part when you flipped the man. Β It may not be perfect, but I found it very fluid. Β
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"You're not blocking fast enough!"
Don't give him anymore encouragement!
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Awww wellllll...... I'm already a lost cause in that department
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It bothers me about that fucking blue Koala finding himself worth enough to wear a black belt when it comes to art.
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WHAT?! I thought that was a rejected Care Bear...
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Yeah I noticed that right away... which is why I gave myself a more modest Green Belt (sorta midway in taekwondo and hapkido).
Giving oneself a blackbelt is the martial arts equivalent of drawing yourself super fit, witty, popular and handsome... Β¬_Β¬
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Compared to the original, you can actually GAIN something from this.
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Thanks! I do what I do in the hopes that people can take something positive from my work.
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Exactly. This is the correct way to view critique.
I honestly feel sorry for any aspiring artist who takes advice from the other Preston. They don't even realize the harmful lies and negativity he's feeding them.
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My goal is to ensure that *A* "Tom Preston" is able to give positive artistic advice to new artists.
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I await the day when you become more popular than that blue care bear in a fedora. XD
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Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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Do "Entry Barrier" next
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It's on my shortlist... I just need to think of a good angle.
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Cover it from the truth angle - that fellow artists are actually really glad to help beginners as long as they're genuinely willing to learn. Just PM me if you want more specifics to brainstorm with.
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I only just now noticed it but your art style looks incredibly familiar with something from somewhere else, but I can't quite place where.
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Uh.. uh...... I don't know what you're talking about! I only make Evil Tom Preston comics! 
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This has a much more positive and healthy outlook than the original, and it really shines through. Good work!
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I wanted to use the metaphor of body tossing to relate to how to deal with criticism (even nonconstructive, negative criticism). In hapkido, you're taught to not physically stop an attacker's forward motion with your body, but to instead channel the attacker's forward motion against them to get them off balance. By defecting their attack, rather than absorbing it, even a tiny person can properly defend themselves from an attack.
The same is applicable in criticism; don't try to use the energy that a criticism gives you by trying to debate or explain your methodology to the criticizer. Instead, channel the energy that the criticism gives you (even if it's anger) away from the critic and towards your own work.
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I... I hadn't seen the original until now, that's actually horrifying
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Yeah, I know... it took me forever to work out a good angle for my version because of how strawman-y the original was.
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