You’re missing the point about sexism. The problem isn’t that the girls wear bows — it’s that the male is considered the default, with the female an afterthought exception. You can read more about that in more depth in other websites, though, if you’re interested.

In future, you might have more luck fostering discussion and having your points taken seriously if you didn’t descend to insulting those who disagree with you. I see that’s another way in which you’re following Hart’s lead.

[...] Hart, the bestselling author of how-to-draw books who doesn’t take criticism well, will be releasing another book on August 7 from Watson-Guptill. Manga for the Beginner Kawaii [...]

And they were perfectly acceptable books for that age group, when I was frankly too young to notice or care about their various shortcomings.

When Hart says that the sales of the books speaks for the quality of the books – well. They had appeal for kids, and for the adults who wanted to buy an encouraging book for their kids; they were simple, easy to absorb, and easy to find. Once the earlier books got enough steam, publishers have obviously been happy to keep making them, and people keep picking them up because they are quite dominant in that niche market of How to Draw books.

I’m not too worried that Hart’s books are particuarly damaging to young minds, despite his dumb in book comments about drawing women, his assumptions about manga, and the general insipid nature of the advice. But I wouldn’t give one to a relative or recommend Hart’s books to someone, because there are much better options available.

So previous to reading this (and it’s not the first example of Chris Hart trolling/stupidity on the web I’ve come across) I didn’t have a crusade against Chris Hart’s books, (and I wouldn’t be suprised if Johanna had other things to do with her time as well), but after this I gotta say my level of scorn for Hart went way way up. There’s a great solidarity vibe you get from joining in on a “This man is clearly an idiot” conversation. And this man is clearly an idiot.

Having a(so-called)Award winning “How to draw” books does not make you a good artist. Your art should be able to stand on its own. And even if you do buy in to a “How to draw” book, id get one thats a bit more technical than Harts simple 3 stage pictures. No one whos ACTUALLY in to art buys the crap he publishes. Talent isnt something thats learned… ESPECIALLY from Hart. (I can back myself up if i need to, so please, Mr. Hart, enlighten us.

Men being ripped with muscles is a power fantasy. They are not reduced to their abs or biceps. Women on the other hand are reduced to their sex appeal, and Hart’s books clearly show they that women have no right being drawn unless they are attractive and ‘feminine’.

You embarrass our generation by saying a person does not have the right to say whatever they want. Freedom of Speech is a human right.

Diana, apparently something popped up regarding Hart online recently, which caused more interest in how badly he reacts to criticism of his work, thus traffic to this post.

People are entitled to their opinions.

Hart helps some, but hurts most.

If you want to do comic books or cartoon characters, you need to look at the masters and learn their Techniques, Not Hart’s ‘put a circle with 2 eyes and a cute nose and call it feminine’ or whatever.

And to your last comment, a MUCH better artist is Tom Nguyen. Why? While I do not like his style, I love the way he BREAKS DOWN the artwork so the artist can understand.

He draws the six pack, as well as the ‘fat slob’ Image and everything in between.

Hart does not. He pimps his books out with characters that have been done to death.

While I do not like Deviantart, Check out how many other artist use his ‘influence’ or even really mention him.

Hart, coming back as ‘bob’ is not helping your cause.

You are not professional and while YOU many ‘understand’ how to draw, you are teaching others who buy your books to become one trick ponies with no form or mass behind their work.

Hart’s books were…and still are great, excellent resources for aspiring comicbook artists, character designers, animators.

If people want to draw realistic women, they’ll do life drawing. If they want to draw comicbook style, they can look at Hart’s books or in a comic. Eventually those artist find their own style after years of combining the two.

An angry mob of women following a link from a blog is disgusting. Joanna’s comments were just ludicrous. She is of the ‘internet generation’, which means she has no manners and thinks she has the right to say whatever she wants.

You embarrass our generation.

I bet no one has complained about all male characters being ripped, or how attractive men have to be in films, swooning over 6 packs.

Assume that I woman must be “feminine” and cute to be a woman is sexism.

That said, I have seen some scans around that do present some troublesome dialogue about drawing women. Representing other forms of women in your books would go a long way to rectify that. Draw some tanks, some older women, elderly women, fat women – just like you do with men.