Is it normal to feel like this about my art? Or am I being paranoid?

The thing is we cannt really tell you that,you are the one
Who has the say if it isn't you or if it is.If you don't want to be like the book then just don't. do what you feel like doing ,I was able to find mine when I turned my brain off maybe it would work for you too.

I wouldn't worry too much. I know how you feel, when you learn from books it kind of feels like your art style isn't your own, I got that several years ago when I started drawing manga for the first time. Get the hang of drawing with that style first; go over any mistakes, keep going until you feel you can do it more easily, and your style will shine through-I think it is almost impossible for anyone to unintentionally end up forever drawing exactly the same as someone else as everyone draws differently. Mimicry is the best way of learning; if you're not quite confident with your work, it's natural for your drawings to imitate the drawing steps of the artist you're learning from. Keep practising, and you'll get more confident and you'll find your art will change over time without you even noticing. I was like that at first-consequently my manga characters, while well-proportioned and reasonably well done in my opinion, don't really look like the ones in the books-maybe they're not 'mangaish' enough, I don't know-but I'm quite happy with them that way. That's what I think anyway. :)

No. Don't worry! What I'd do, is keep doing what you're doing for a few more days, less and less per day. Then get rid of your drawing books or tutorials, and draw on your own till you feel you're a master. Then go back to the books, compare. Now that you're a pro, you'll feel less of an urge to trace the drawings or copy them completly. It's OK to look at a book, then put your own artistic twist on it!! Maybe get comfertable drawing one character with a guide, then go own drawing it without a guide. For me, that character is Hatsune Miku :) I hope you found this helpful!!!!!


~Chole785chole78

Well, . . . um I like my art work to look formal, but i've never taken lessons or book/ tutorials.

Here's a sample of my art.