Am I going to Hell for being an artist?

[TheGasMaster438]

Hello friends, I need to ask you something.

I feel that the one thing I love to do, that being drawing and creating manga artwork, is evil and going to send me to Hell. Some of the reasons I will not post here because it is not in the mature prayer thread.

It seems like everything about drawing characters and drawing in general is against Gods word, but I don't want to believe it. It feels like I am just gonna create something that will lead me or someone else away from Christ even though I do not want it to. This is devistating to me because I want to b an artist more than anyhing else. Is that a bad dream? Am I simply going to hell because I love drawing more than God? Is it wrong to want to draw people because you have to look really close at the model to get all the details right?

I want to draw, but I don't want to lose God. It feels like I have to chose between what I love to do, or eternal separation from God.

Please help me.....

[Crossfire]

Unless you're drawing pornographic images or something.

[bigsleepj]

Unless its pornographic or sick on some level with no value then there is no way that creating art is a sin. A lot of art have been created in glory of God. Arguably some bad, some better, or some that are theologically neutral, but unless you're drawing something extremely perverse with no moral merit then... no, I don't see how it can seperate you from God.

[rocklobster]

Michelangelo's art glorified God, and even his David wasn't covered up. Something to consider.

[K. Ayato]

I hope you're not trying to deny the hard fact that any form of art is a means of self-expression. Does that mean Michelangelo was a pervert because his portraits that encapsulated the beauty of the Sistine Chapel contained nudity? Probably not. Every period of artwork was marked by something unique to that time, whether it was use of color, extreme detailing on clothing, emotions, or simply the beauty of the human form.

Your art is an expression of what you feel and how you perceive the world. If your artwork has a lot of "dark" characters, then it could mean you're aware that we live in a fallen world and there's darkness pervading everything around us. It doesn't mean you're into cults or Satan worship (then again, if that is what you're involved in...different story).

[Xeno]

So is it that you have to draw the human form that is making you feel uneasy? Because if it is, think of it this way: god supposedly created humanity in his own image. Thus, the human body is something to be appreciated as a piece of art by itself (though it can be art to those of us who are atheists too, but that's another discussion). There is nothing inherently sinful in learning to illustrate the human form, be it male or female, whether final product will be clothed or unclothed. Modern society has an issue with nudity being displayed publicly, but as long as it is tasteful and not profane then there is nothing wrong with it, it is part of nature. Anything you're feeling in regards to art as being "against god" or sinful is in your head.

[rocklobster]

Everything you are is a gift. Including your sexuality.

[goldenspines]

Hello friends, I need to ask you something.

I feel that the one thing I love to do, that being drawing and creating manga artwork, is evil and going to send me to Hell. Some of the reasons I will not post here because it is not in the mature prayer thread.

You seem to underestimate the love of God. While you can indeed use the act of drawing to sin, it doesn't mean you are going to hell. Unless you believe that any sin (lying, stealing, etc.) will make you go to hell. If so, you need to backtrack a bit and review what Jesus actually died for.
Otherwise, the case may be that you are using your God given skills for some type of sinful act? (I can't imagine what, though. Being an artist myself, though, I'm used to most things anyone can dish out. Art history classes will do that to you.)

It seems like everything about drawing characters and drawing in general is against Gods word, but I don't want to believe it.

Could you provide some biblical reference, perhaps? (probably in PM to avoid a huge discussion here) What made you come to the conclusion that it "seems" this way?

It feels like I am just gonna create something that will lead me or someone else away from Christ even though I do not want it to.

This is a bit vague, though I think this can happen with anything, not just drawing. For example, I like food, often a bit too much. Therefore, instead of going to God when I'm troubled, I will sometimes go to food for relief. Thus, it makes food harmful to my relationship with God. Does that mean I should stop eating altogether? Or does it mean I should still eat, but put God first before food? It's the same with drawing.

This is devistating to me because I want to b an artist more than anyhing else. Is that a bad dream? Am I simply going to hell because I love drawing more than God? Is it wrong to want to draw people because you have to look really close at the model to get all the details right?

Don't love drawing more than God. It's seriously not worth it and drawing will sadly not love you back. IN FACT, drawing will hate you, but still be like a clingy ex-boyfriend who is constantly whining in your ear. Yes, I am being serious.
Thankfully, unlike drawing, God is merciful and gracious. Thus, He's worth putting higher than drawing.
Since I answered the other previous questions, I'll answer the last one specifically, because I've definitely been there.
I remember when I had to take a figure drawing class. It's rough because you don't know what you expect, but thankfully because we're artists, we can see things in a different way than the "oheemgee, nekid ppls!" and get all uncomfortable or immature about it.
When I draw a figure, I draw it like a still life, I see shapes and values that create a bigger picture. That's not to downgrade the human body in any way, but that's just how I draw. I don't look as the person as I person, I look at the person and all their shapes and values as something I am drawing.
And if you're still not convinced, God created that human body. Why on earth would God send anyone to hell for drawing what He created? I mean, it's no different from drawing a tree or a rock that God created. (man, if you get sent to hell for drawing trees, I am so screwed. XD; )
Now, if drawing the nude figure is not your trouble, I'm not sure what you mean, then.

I want to draw, but I don't want to lose God. It feels like I have to chose between what I love to do, or eternal separation from God.

Please help me.....

Ah, you must be an artist. We are pros at being overly dramatic. :3 (I mean that in a very lovable and kindred spirit way)
Question time!
Who created you (with all your personality traits and skills of drawing)?
Using the answer to the previous question, why would a creator who gave you these skills be like, "lol, if you use those skills I gave you and you specifically, you will be sent to hell. My bad. kthxbai."?

If you have the Spirit of God living inside of you, don't underestimate God's love for you. Nothing can separate you from His love (see Romans 8:31-39 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... ersion=NIV ).


tl;dr
No, you're not going to hell. But pray about it with God if you are still uneasy and I'm sure He will provide you with a sure answer for your issues.

[Nate]

I'm going to assume you feel this way because as an artist, you'll have to take life drawing classes which involves drawing nude/barely clothed people.

I don't know how to help you, except to say I'm sorry that some people have made you feel like you're sinning for perfectly normal feelings of arousal. This is a major problem with certain sects of Christianity, and it's very dangerous and evil thinking for reasons exactly like this, harming people who are doing nothing wrong.

All I can say is you are doing nothing wrong, and I hope you can overcome the terrible things people have done to you so that you can do what you enjoy and are gifted with.

[Ante Bellum]

^ That, that right there. All of it. THANK YOU. ^

Anyway, do you think an athlete's going to hell? A programmer? Maybe a cook? (Though, arguably, some of these might overlap with art, considering how wide of an area "art" really is.) How is drawing any different? The human body IS ART. It's a living canvas, a subject, even a tool, if you're so inclined.
If you're passionate about art, go for it. Part of being an artist is to extend outside your comfort zone, but it will stop bothering you. It's then that you start to realize your potential, so don't let anything hold you back!

[TheGasMaster438]

Hey thank you so much for the replies everyone I am very grateful for your contributions

I apologize for this large wall of text, but I wanted to try to reply to everyone.

Unless you're drawing pornographic images or something.

haha I love the Jackie Chan pic XD

to be honest I try to stay away from drawing porn as much as possible. I haven't even really drawn nudes very much, (frankly I don't even want to) if at all. What I'm afraid will happen is my drawing might be unintentionally suggestive of mature themes because I do draw a lot of girls.

Unless its pornographic or sick on some level with no value then there is no way that creating art is a sin. A lot of art have been created in glory of God. Arguably some bad, some better, or some that are theologically neutral, but unless you're drawing something extremely perverse with no moral merit then... no, I don't see how it can seperate you from God.

Like I told Crossfire I try to steer clear of that kind of material in my drawings. You make a really good point about artwork having the ability to glorify God. It's just one of those things we have to be careful about I guess.

Michelangelo's art glorified God, and even his David wasn't covered up. Something to consider.

Very good point, I guess it is the artists intention that really counts.

I hope you're not trying to deny the hard fact that any form of art is a means of self-expression. Does that mean Michelangelo was a pervert because his portraits that encapsulated the beauty of the Sistine Chapel contained nudity? Probably not. Every period of artwork was marked by something unique to that time, whether it was use of color, extreme detailing on clothing, emotions, or simply the beauty of the human form.

Your art is an expression of what you feel and how you perceive the world. If your artwork has a lot of "dark" characters, then it could mean you're aware that we live in a fallen world and there's darkness pervading everything around us. It doesn't mean you're into cults or Satan worship (then again, if that is what you're involved in...different story).

It is true that art is a self expression, and I guess it is a really good way to learn about ones own motives. I hate the fact that nudity is so often associated with sexuality and not seen for the beauty God made it to be, and you are right. Michelangelo wasn't a pervert just because he drew nudes. I am just afraid of putting a stumbling block in someones way by creating an artwork that could potentially make someone think perverse thoughts when that is not my intention.

We do live in a dark world unfortunately, but I wouldn't draw anything demonic. (Although drawing gothic art of people is fun ) It's mostly drawing people the wrong way I am worried about. Gods creation should be glorified in a good way. perhaps the pen (or pencil in this case) is just too dangerous a tool?

So is it that you have to draw the human form that is making you feel uneasy? Because if it is, think of it this way: god supposedly created humanity in his own image. Thus, the human body is something to be appreciated as a piece of art by itself (though it can be art to those of us who are atheists too, but that's another discussion). There is nothing inherently sinful in learning to illustrate the human form, be it male or female, whether final product will be clothed or unclothed. Modern society has an issue with nudity being displayed publicly, but as long as it is tasteful and not profane then there is nothing wrong with it, it is part of nature. Anything you're feeling in regards to art as being "against god" or sinful is in your head.

Thank you for sharing your opinion! I agree that drawing people is not bad in itself, just as money isn't bad in itself, music, or literature and so forth. It's not just because I am worried about getting God mad at me, its also the idea that it would feel awkward to draw nudes, and showing those drawings to others.

I think you are right, I might just be making a big stink over nothing because God even used artists to create furniture for His temples. I just don't want to give someone a means in which they can cheat on their spouse by lusting after characters I draw, and I just don't want to cause trouble in someones relationship to another. Yeah overly dramatic, I know, but cheating is a very serious thing that causes emotional pain.

Everything you are is a gift. Including your sexuality.

Yes it is, and all the more reason not to abuse that gift, and not to lead others to abuse that gift.

You seem to underestimate the love of God. While you can indeed use the act of drawing to sin, it doesn't mean you are going to hell. Unless you believe that any sin (lying, stealing, etc.) will make you go to hell. If so, you need to backtrack a bit and review what Jesus actually died for.
Otherwise, the case may be that you are using your God given skills for some type of sinful act? (I can't imagine what, though. Being an artist myself, though, I'm used to most things anyone can dish out. Art history classes will do that to you.)

I've always had the bad habit of having doubts about God's image of me, and his love. I know Jesus died to save us from all sin, I guess it is just hard to understand that he will love us no matter what. It's hard to think like God because we are so human, and because we are so prone to have a conditional love when God doesn't.

Could you provide some biblical reference, perhaps? (probably in PM to avoid a huge discussion here) What made you come to the conclusion that it "seems" this way?

Sure I can PM you

This is a bit vague, though I think this can happen with anything, not just drawing. For example, I like food, often a bit too much. Therefore, instead of going to God when I'm troubled, I will sometimes go to food for relief. Thus, it makes food harmful to my relationship with God. Does that mean I should stop eating altogether? Or does it mean I should still eat, but put God first before food? It's the same with drawing.

The big problem I have is I'm having a hard time recognizing what is sinful to draw, and what is not. I mean of course explicit sexual themes are off limits, and I know that, but what about characters dressed in bikinis? Is it always wrong to draw characters like that? is it bad to draw characters falling in love? or kissing? I am afraid of being the tempter that the Bible says would have been better off not being born.

Don't love drawing more than God. It's seriously not worth it and drawing will sadly not love you back. IN FACT, drawing will hate you, but still be like a clingy ex-boyfriend who is constantly whining in your ear. Yes, I am being serious.
Thankfully, unlike drawing, God is merciful and gracious. Thus, He's worth putting higher than drawing.
Since I answered the other previous questions, I'll answer the last one specifically, because I've definitely been there.
I remember when I had to take a figure drawing class. It's rough because you don't know what you expect, but thankfully because we're artists, we can see things in a different way than the "oheemgee, nekid ppls!" and get all uncomfortable or immature about it.
When I draw a figure, I draw it like a still life, I see shapes and values that create a bigger picture. That's not to downgrade the human body in any way, but that's just how I draw. I don't look as the person as I person, I look at the person and all their shapes and values as something I am drawing.
And if you're still not convinced, God created that human body. Why on earth would God send anyone to hell for drawing what He created? I mean, it's no different from drawing a tree or a rock that God created. (man, if you get sent to hell for drawing trees, I am so screwed. XD; )
Now, if drawing the nude figure is not your trouble, I'm not sure what you mean, then.

Yes you are right, God is more important than drawing ever will be. I guess an activity we love to partake in can be a possible idol as well, but God just needs to be first. Thanks for pointing that out.

I really respect you for taking the topic of life drawing with a mature attitude. I wish that more people could look at it that way than thinking "oh my gosh! you want to draw naked people! your gross!" It just degrading to be thought of as a pervert for wanting to draw people correctly -_- artists need to look at objects as being shapes to get better anyways. It just seems impossible to see something as it is while getting the shapes right. Thank you for sharing that story, it was encouraging

My problem isn't so much drawing nudes (because I steer clear of that anyway) It's drawing characters clothed but still causing perverse thoughts for the viewer. for example, I am afraid of drawing characters in bikinis.

Ah, you must be an artist. We are pros at being overly dramatic. :3 (I mean that in a very lovable and kindred spirit way)
Question time!
Who created you (with all your personality traits and skills of drawing)?
Using the answer to the previous question, why would a creator who gave you these skills be like, "lol, if you use those skills I gave you and you specifically, you will be sent to hell. My bad. kthxbai."?

well the secret is out! lol. no offense taken, actually I see that as a compliment thank you!
Answer!
God created everyone!
I wouldn't think God would be like that. It seems he would give his creations gifts because he wants for them to be used (more specifically for his purposes).

If you have the Spirit of God living inside of you, don't underestimate God's love for you. Nothing can separate you from His love (see Romans 8:31-39 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... ersion=NIV ).

Yes, nothing can separate us from his righteous right hand! I will have to study God's love more and get a better understanding of it.

tl;dr
No, you're not going to hell. But pray about it with God if you are still uneasy and I'm sure He will provide you with a sure answer for your issues.

Very well said, thank you very much for this thoughtful, and carefully written comment God bless you!

I'm going to assume you feel this way because as an artist, you'll have to take life drawing classes which involves drawing nude/barely clothed people.

I don't know how to help you, except to say I'm sorry that some people have made you feel like you're sinning for perfectly normal feelings of arousal. This is a major problem with certain sects of Christianity, and it's very dangerous and evil thinking for reasons exactly like this, harming people who are doing nothing wrong.

All I can say is you are doing nothing wrong, and I hope you can overcome the terrible things people have done to you so that you can do what you enjoy and are gifted with.

I've always seen the Christian thinking as thinking designed to help keep me, and others out of the situation of cheating on (and hurting) loved ones. I've always seen it as a way of getting myself ready for loyalty and commitment to my future wife. I've always seen it as an act of triumph to have the ability to contain myself. I don't see what I would be doing wrong in listening to Christian teachings other than keeping myself from selfishly enjoying myself. Just saying.

Thank you for your kind thoughts, I do appreciate them. *hugs*

^ That, that right there. All of it. THANK YOU. ^

Anyway, do you think an athlete's going to hell? A programmer? Maybe a cook? (Though, arguably, some of these might overlap with art, considering how wide of an area "art" really is.) How is drawing any different? The human body IS ART. It's a living canvas, a subject, even a tool, if you're so inclined.
If you're passionate about art, go for it. Part of being an artist is to extend outside your comfort zone, but it will stop bothering you. It's then that you start to realize your potential, so don't let anything hold you back!

No honestly I don't think athletes, programmers, or cooks will go to hell because their job doesn't make them a bad person. I simply don't want to wrong someone, or lead someone to wrong someone else with my artwork. I don't want to cause relationship issues or other problems that could arise from the potential of the pen, a weapon mightier than any sword. (yes cliche, but it seemed appropriate)
That is quite a poetic way to put it. and I'd have to say I agree the human body is a beautiful thing, but I do not want to abuse that beauty.
Thank you very much for your encouragement, I'll give it a shot

[rocklobster]

Here's something else I think you need to consider, Gas Master.
In my Catechism, it says Sin has three parts: Knowledge, Intent, and Action. You know it's wrong, You intend to sin, and you do it. Without any one of these things, the action is not wrong. If you do not intend to cause others to sin, you are not sinning.

[K. Ayato]

Also, don't get hung up on whether or not your art is going to cause someone to stumble, or you'll never make art. The hard truth about art is that a good chunk of people won't understand it or interpret it differently from your intended purpose. Take the work of Vincent van Gogh, for example. The whole time he was alive, no one understood his artwork. Did he allow it to stop him from doing what he fed led to do? No. And long after his death, people can still appreciate his paintings and their beauty.

You can't control how someone is going to react to your artwork. It's just a hard fact. BUT, if you intentions and conscience are clear, and you know without any doubt that you're not out to deliberately offend a certain group, then the audience reactions are not a thing to worry about. Again, keep in mind that not everyone is going to see what you present with the same point of view that you yourself had when you were making it.

[Ante Bellum]

(Although drawing gothic art of people is fun )

You bet it is!

I really respect you for taking the topic of life drawing with a mature attitude. I wish that more people could look at it that way than thinking "oh my gosh! you want to draw naked people! your gross!" It just degrading to be thought of as a pervert for wanting to draw people correctly -_- artists need to look at objects as being shapes to get better anyways.

Ah yes, I know what you mean. For some reason, many non-artists can't look at nudes (even those boring academic nudes!) without thinking "tee hee nekkids," not even understanding that there's art behind it. They just take it at face value and move on. Obviously, this doesn't count pornographic nudes that are meant to be taken at face value.

No honestly I don't think athletes, programmers, or cooks will go to hell because their job doesn't make them a bad person. I simply don't want to wrong someone, or lead someone to wrong someone else with my artwork. I don't want to cause relationship issues or other problems that could arise from the potential of the pen, a weapon mightier than any sword. (yes cliche, but it seemed appropriate)

But an athlete can physically hurt another person, a programmer can create a virus, and a cook can poison the food. Even if they didn't, they can't control how others respond to their work. It's the same way with art. It isn't inherently bad, it's what you do with it. I assume you don't go around drawing hate art. Again, you can't control how others see your art. And if "innocent" art causes relationship issues, it sounds like that relationship was doomed anyway.

That is quite a poetic way to put it. and I'd have to say I agree the human body is a beautiful thing, but I do not want to abuse that beauty.
Thank you very much for your encouragement, I'll give it a shot

If you're studying figure drawing of what you believe is a divinely-created body, then that's learning just how that body works, not abusing it. The way I see it, being afraid of the body and covering it, refusing to acknowledge it, is abusing it.

[Xeno]

No honestly I don't think athletes, programmers, or cooks will go to hell because their job doesn't make them a bad person. I simply don't want to wrong someone, or lead someone to wrong someone else with my artwork. I don't want to cause relationship issues or other problems that could arise from the potential of the pen, a weapon mightier than any sword. (yes cliche, but it seemed appropriate)
That is quite a poetic way to put it. and I'd have to say I agree the human body is a beautiful thing, but I do not want to abuse that beauty.
Thank you very much for your encouragement, I'll give it a shot

I think you may be greatly overestimating your impact on the world. It was already said, if someone's relationship fell apart because of an illustration you made, then that relationship was doomed anyway. Art, in whatever form it is in, moves people in different ways. Go to an art museum, you will walk away from an exhibit with a different impression than the person beside you even though you saw the same images. Different images, music, colors, textures, and so forth impact us all in different ways; and if you just give up doing something you're good at because you're afraid someone that you don't know, and will never know, is going to come away from your work with an interpretation of their own, that you can't control, then that is quite sad.

[Vilo159]

Unless it was your intent to lead your audience to sin, the fault isn't yours. You can draw nude people or the like as artistic expression and without bad intent, but some people will still take that message from it. When that happens, the problem becomes theirs to deal with, not yours. Like Rock said, if it wasn't your intention then you aren't to blame.

[TheGasMaster438]

Wow guys, thank you so much for your help on this topic! you all are awesome

Here's something else I think you need to consider, Gas Master.
In my Catechism, it says Sin has three parts: Knowledge, Intent, and Action. You know it's wrong, You intend to sin, and you do it. Without any one of these things, the action is not wrong. If you do not intend to cause others to sin, you are not sinning.

That is a good way to look at it! thanks for sharing
I don't ever want to willingly rebel against such a wonderful God. It would just seem wrong after he has shown so much kindness to the world. although I must confess that I have done so before and regret it. I've Been trying to keep away from doing it ever again, but it is hard.

You bet it is!

Woah that is some crazy artwork! XD I love how it uses perspective to give the scene depth, and how the color scheme is almost monochromatic (with the exception of the dark colors of course). Thanks for sharing this!

Ah yes, I know what you mean. For some reason, many non-artists can't look at nudes (even those boring academic nudes!) without thinking "tee hee nekkids," not even understanding that there's art behind it. They just take it at face value and move on. Obviously, this doesn't count pornographic nudes that are meant to be taken at face value.

well I guess they are thinking on the right side of the brain, but yes non-artistic people could try to be more mature about it. It's unfortunate that some people wish to see the human body in that one way when there is so much more to it (including its functionality).

But an athlete can physically hurt another person, a programmer can create a virus, and a cook can poison the food. Even if they didn't, they can't control how others respond to their work. It's the same way with art. It isn't inherently bad, it's what you do with it. I assume you don't go around drawing hate art. Again, you can't control how others see your art. And if "innocent" art causes relationship issues, it sounds like that relationship was doomed anyway.

Yes just as anything in the world has the potential to be harmful. I remember relating money and power to evil, and that was not right to do either. Money and power actually have the potential to do good as well as bad just as art work. thank you for pointing that out.

You assume right. I don't have the right to judge others with hate art. I don't respect people who hate on others just because they are different and I wouldn't want to encourage that with my art. It doesn't seem fair to hate on other people in artwork.

haha ain't it the truth? People should try to fall in love with someone they like for who they are, and not for what they look like. It just seems like that kind of love would be better!

If you're studying figure drawing of what you believe is a divinely-created body, then that's learning just how that body works, not abusing it. The way I see it, being afraid of the body and covering it, refusing to acknowledge it, is abusing it.

I like your views and I'd have to say I agree. It kind of feels wrong in a way to cover it and ignore it. It seems to be hiding away from the reality of life. This is a good thing to think about. Thank you for sharing your views

I think you may be greatly overestimating your impact on the world. It was already said, if someone's relationship fell apart because of an illustration you made, then that relationship was doomed anyway. Art, in whatever form it is in, moves people in different ways. Go to an art museum, you will walk away from an exhibit with a different impression than the person beside you even though you saw the same images. Different images, music, colors, textures, and so forth impact us all in different ways; and if you just give up doing something you're good at because you're afraid someone that you don't know, and will never know, is going to come away from your work with an interpretation of their own, that you can't control, then that is quite sad.

How true, I feel a little stupid now for failing to remember that fact about art . You know what? your right, it isn't worth giving up something you love just because of someone you have never met. Art isn't about trying to control, but to express and create beauty. Thank you for helping me realize this

Unless it was your intent to lead your audience to sin, the fault isn't yours. You can draw nude people or the like as artistic expression and without bad intent, but some people will still take that message from it. When that happens, the problem becomes theirs to deal with, not yours. Like Rock said, if it wasn't your intention then you aren't to blame.

Which it absolutely is not the intent of my work. actually this brings a verse from scripture to mind "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." Deuteronomy 24:16

I guess I just allowed someone to convince me that even unintended effects on people are my fault, but that doesn't sound right anymore. Thanks for sharing

[TheMewster]

The Bible says to respect your conscience, and that sinning against your conscience is the same as sinning against Christ. So if drawing goes against your conscience, don't draw.

I don't think drawing is a sin. I once was worried about that because I took a command not to make graven images (idols) in the Old Testament out of context (you CAAers still remember that, I'm sure), but through CAA, I've grown out of that. I'm kinda like you, GasMaster: I generally avoid drawing nudes and bikinis/underwear due to my convictions. I love drawing and coming up with modest fashion, though. In fact, that's most of the reason why I draw nowadays.

[SierraLea]

Art is not a sin by itself. Actually, there are very few instances that I can think of where art could be considered a sin.
If you feel uncomfortable drawing people, try a different subject. You would not believe how many ways there are to depict a dolphin or a horse, some of my sister's favorite subjects.
However, if drawing is getting in the way of your relationship with God, like you draw instead of going to mass, then we have a problem.

[Xeno]

The Bible says to respect your conscience, and that sinning against your conscience is the same as sinning against Christ. So if drawing goes against your conscience, don't draw.

However, if drawing is getting in the way of your relationship with God, like you draw instead of going to mass, then we have a problem.

Despite the fact that religious institutions in the past have sanctioned some of the most masterful and wondrous pieces of art ever made, it also has a habit in the modern day of preventing people from being allowed to express themselves. Societal standards of "morality" that says the uncovered female form is taboo, or that drawing the genitalia of a male in a non-sexualized manor is immoral and wrong (because every time I see the statue of David I get upset at its immorality). You can be religious and an artist, there is nothing that says you can't, but you if allow statements like what I just quoted to prevent you from drawing what you want to draw, and exploring your creative limits, then you will never be fulfilled as an artist, and will probably fail as an artist in general unless you find some niche market that's just all about some dolphin paintings.

[FllMtl Novelist]

^Following your conscience (as opposed to whatever your church, Christian friends, or blogs say) as a rule isn't all wrong. There's a difference between "I won't draw this because my pastor/priest/aunt disapproves and is guilting/shaming me out of it" and "I don't like who I become when I draw this, so I won't draw this anymore". Sometimes something you create affects you in a negative way, or worsens something you're already struggling with. What affects you and how it affects you (and whether that effect is considered bad) is going to vary from person to person, though, which is why it's up to the individual to figure out what restrictions (if any) to place on himself. I think that's what Mew intended.

I've had some personal problems from drawing certain things, so now I've put limits on how I draw people. I'm not like "NO SHIRTLESS MEN AND NO CLEAVAGE OHMYGOODNESS SIN", but I do watch what I draw and whether stuff affects me, because sometimes it genuinely does. And if I'm restraining myself for those reasons, I don't think that hinders my creative expression. Intentionally provocative images, or images that would be problematic for me, aren't what I'm about.

I restrain myself for my conscience, and it's the job of other people to deal with theirs (whatever that may mean for them). And your conscience is a part of you. Paying attention to it doesn't make you a lesser artist.


...Which is my two cents on the whole topic. *shrug*

[USSRGirl]

That's me. In hell.

[Ante Bellum]

Is okay. I'll join you. We can color pictures!

[theblackmist]

Why would anyone consider art a sin?

[Ally-Ann]

... Did you even read this thread?

[LastLfan]

I have a good friend who is an artist amd he goes through the same struggles as to not drawing anything too problematic(granted his answer is to draw wolves but beside the point) anyway I told him that it depends not on what the character is wearing, but the tone of the scene. Is it lighthearted and silly or serious and seductive? Ive been making this point all the time lately but lets use cecila from sword art online as an example, now granted the underwear scene had me in a "ahh that more that i needed to see thank you " level of fanservice awkwardness since i HATE excessive fanservice. But the scenes with her skirt didnt show anything to the viewimg audience but was more comedic in my mind(granted inthe mind of a normal person it may have been meant to seem cute and innocent but i found it silly cause i know people who would act like that) it all goes along with what everyone else has said, understand the limits you want for yourself and the limits God wants for you