Drawn

It looks like he’s come up with a novel way to have an instant illustration career. Not all of us get to draw for a living, and he came up with a pretty fool proof way to do it. Maybe he does his own work on his own time and it looks very different than this. He’s only 28—-maybe some day he’ll lose interest in aping Hirschfeld’s style and move on to something else.

And of course his caricature skill is no match for Hirschfelds. And vector art is no substitute for the pen—-perfect mathematical curves will never have the life that Hirschfeld’s line had. It’s still an impressive impersonation, even if the gradients are kind of ugly.

It looks like he’s come up with a novel way to have an instant illustration career. Not all of us get to draw for a living, and he came up with a pretty fool proof way to do it. Maybe he does his own work on his own time and it looks very different than this. He’s only 28—-maybe some day he’ll lose interest in aping Hirschfeld’s style and move on to something else.

And of course his caricature skill is no match for Hirschfelds. And vector art is no substitute for the pen—-perfect mathematical curves will never have the life that Hirschfeld’s line had. It’s still an impressive impersonation, even if the gradients are kind of ugly.

This is beyond reprehensible.

This is beyond reprehensible.

That is pretty strange…maybe he figures it’s like performance art?

That is pretty strange…maybe he figures it’s like performance art?

A browse through his website reveals that not only is the resemblance to Hirshfeld Snr’s work utterly superficial, but he’s not a terribly good caricaturist either.
What a pointless pursuit.

A browse through his website reveals that not only is the resemblance to Hirshfeld Snr’s work utterly superficial, but he’s not a terribly good caricaturist either.
What a pointless pursuit.

i don’t think it’s reprehensible. (i’ve met a LOT of artist impersonators over the years.) i think this is just a case of someone wearing his influences much too heavily.

and i agree that the portraits are very poor. the drawings bare a likeness to al hirschfeld’s style but they do not bare a likenesses to the people matt hirschfeld is trying to draw. he has a long way to go towards seeing people as well as “the line king” did.

if matt’s enjoying himself though, i don’t blame him for drawing the way he likes to draw. i would ask him to put a bit old “MATT” in front of his signature though… or see how many times he can work that name into the drawings :)

i don’t think it’s reprehensible. (i’ve met a LOT of artist impersonators over the years.) i think this is just a case of someone wearing his influences much too heavily.

and i agree that the portraits are very poor. the drawings bare a likeness to al hirschfeld’s style but they do not bare a likenesses to the people matt hirschfeld is trying to draw. he has a long way to go towards seeing people as well as “the line king” did.

if matt’s enjoying himself though, i don’t blame him for drawing the way he likes to draw. i would ask him to put a bit old “MATT” in front of his signature though… or see how many times he can work that name into the drawings :)

It appears that he’s trying to make coin off of it, so, no, it’s beyond rationalization. It’s theft. It’s reprehensible. I can’t believe the Hirschfeld estate isn’t smacking him down yet. “Next in line?” What unbelievable balls.

It appears that he’s trying to make coin off of it, so, no, it’s beyond rationalization. It’s theft. It’s reprehensible. I can’t believe the Hirschfeld estate isn’t smacking him down yet. “Next in line?” What unbelievable balls.

He’s gotten visibly better over the years, but he’s still not very good. His caricatures don’t look like the subjects, the line quality is mediocre to poor, and his rendition of black people is particularly unpalatable (speaking as a black man).

Sad.

He’s gotten visibly better over the years, but he’s still not very good. His caricatures don’t look like the subjects, the line quality is mediocre to poor, and his rendition of black people is particularly unpalatable (speaking as a black man).

Sad.

It says on his site that he did a croup caricature as a holiday gift some some television show. If that’s not cashing in on a last name I don’t know what is. “Next in Line”? PLEASE be a bigger prick.

It says on his site that he did a croup caricature as a holiday gift some some television show. If that’s not cashing in on a last name I don’t know what is. “Next in Line”? PLEASE be a bigger prick.

Bad idea all around.
Like a comedian that steals punchlines, he’ll get his.
Gross.
Next in line?
The estate of Al Hirschfeld and their League of Bad Ass Lawyers. Hope you saved your money, Matt. It’s gonna be a short, expensive ride.

Bad idea all around.
Like a comedian that steals punchlines, he’ll get his.
Gross.
Next in line?
The estate of Al Hirschfeld and their League of Bad Ass Lawyers. Hope you saved your money, Matt. It’s gonna be a short, expensive ride.

He doesn’t have the same command of human anatomy as the real deal Hirschfeld (look no further than the hands he draws). And yes, the “Next In Line” bit is rather crass. A misguided individual.
I have a feeling that he’s gonna come over here in attempt to defend himself.

He doesn’t have the same command of human anatomy as the real deal Hirschfeld (look no further than the hands he draws). And yes, the “Next In Line” bit is rather crass. A misguided individual.
I have a feeling that he’s gonna come over here in attempt to defend himself.

I just read his “welcome” page. It’s great to be influenced by someone and to acknowledge that, but you aren’t bringing anything new to the table if you don’t put an ounce of yourself in what you do. I’d really like to see what he can do without aping Al’s style.

I just read his “welcome” page. It’s great to be influenced by someone and to acknowledge that, but you aren’t bringing anything new to the table if you don’t put an ounce of yourself in what you do. I’d really like to see what he can do without aping Al’s style.

I checked out his website and thought that the scorsese pieces were done quite well. I understand that some of the bloggers feel that he is an impersonator of the original Hirschfeld, but I look at it as more of an homage to the original. Besides if you look at Matt’s work I think that he has his own style. His illustrations seem to be more detailed. Whether that’s good or bad I think that’s left to interpretation. And as for the last name. He can’t very well use a last name that isn’t his own, so I can’t see how we would hold that against him. Besides I have a few of my own influences including Stan Lee, Hannah Barbera, and Norman Rockwell. There’s nothing wrong with that. Kudos Matt. I can see a future in this business for you.

I checked out his website and thought that the scorsese pieces were done quite well. I understand that some of the bloggers feel that he is an impersonator of the original Hirschfeld, but I look at it as more of an homage to the original. Besides if you look at Matt’s work I think that he has his own style. His illustrations seem to be more detailed. Whether that’s good or bad I think that’s left to interpretation. And as for the last name. He can’t very well use a last name that isn’t his own, so I can’t see how we would hold that against him. Besides I have a few of my own influences including Stan Lee, Hannah Barbera, and Norman Rockwell. There’s nothing wrong with that. Kudos Matt. I can see a future in this business for you.

I know everyone here is fired up BUT i just wonder why everyone is mad at this new guy Matt for being using Al Hirschfelds stle when EVEN Al Hirschfeld’s style was inspired by the Japanese artist “Hokusai Harunabu”.

I am from Nagoya Japan and have seen Harunabu’s work since i was very young. This new guy was obviously just inspired from Al’s work, while Al was inspired with Haronabu. Therefore, how can anyone blame only Matt. I wouldn’t blame either artists. They saw inspiration in beautiful art and ran with it adding there own little touch. And it’s still moving forward.

And Matt if you see this KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I’m just glad you’re keeping Harunabu’s style going!

I know everyone here is fired up BUT i just wonder why everyone is mad at this new guy Matt for being using Al Hirschfelds stle when EVEN Al Hirschfeld’s style was inspired by the Japanese artist “Hokusai Harunabu”.

I am from Nagoya Japan and have seen Harunabu’s work since i was very young. This new guy was obviously just inspired from Al’s work, while Al was inspired with Haronabu. Therefore, how can anyone blame only Matt. I wouldn’t blame either artists. They saw inspiration in beautiful art and ran with it adding there own little touch. And it’s still moving forward.

And Matt if you see this KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I’m just glad you’re keeping Harunabu’s style going!

Hamilton42 and Keiko45 – you are completely off the mark.
I find it hard to imagine that either of you are working artists with this attitude.
There is a vast endless difference between being inspired and influenced by your heroes and attempting to ape them, and further to that, give the impression that you are somehow connected with the original artist.
And Keiko45 – do you really think Matt is championing the work of Harunabu?
I would wager he’s barely, if at all, heard of him.

Hamilton42 and Keiko45 – you are completely off the mark.
I find it hard to imagine that either of you are working artists with this attitude.
There is a vast endless difference between being inspired and influenced by your heroes and attempting to ape them, and further to that, give the impression that you are somehow connected with the original artist.
And Keiko45 – do you really think Matt is championing the work of Harunabu?
I would wager he’s barely, if at all, heard of him.

I think it’s the copying Al H.’s signature that freaks me out the most in the end…

I think it’s the copying Al H.’s signature that freaks me out the most in the end…

I know everything is built upon something, but this is gross.

I know everything is built upon something, but this is gross.

As a working professional artist, I can view Matt as both a discrimination and homage to Al. To all “professionals” who have commented above or thinking this is totally wrong, think hard about your own influences.

Got it? Good. Now compare your art to those influences. Extremely alike. Of course Matt’s work is not very different from Al’s, but that’s because we as artists are very familiar with Al’s work.

Every “artist” draws (no pun intended) inspiration from different sources. On an art blog like Drawn, we instantly recognize the influence. But if this was posted on a blog with an audience of business execs who recognize the style but can’t put a finger on it, Matt Hirschfeld’s work looks pretty good.

The best artists are ones who are great at hiding their direct influences. Then when we as artists look at their work, we say , “oh wow, that’s new”, when really it’s that artist’s perception of other styles they’ve picked up.

As humans we subconciously pickup inspiration and influence in our surroundings or now commonly on this thing called the internet. Some artists use this type of thinking when creating their work, and some artists blatantly try to reproduce what they’ve seen directly where they’ve seen it.

Think of how many times John K has been ripped off. Then again, think of how many things he’s ripped from his own influences which most of us can see. I’m not trying to say John copied, but he was definitely influenced, although we look at him as being so original.

Overall, I’m not trying to defend or offend Matt Hirschfeld. I have neutral feelings for what he’s trying to accomplish. I do give him credit for “studying” Al’s drawings and creating a similar (not replicas) look to Al’s and acknowledging his own direct influence/inspiration plainly on the main page of his website. But he should not be so overly confident as he comes off on his site or ever expect to be Al.

Elliot: Of all the people to be so disturbed by this, you don’t have any right. Your art is obviously inspired from the Hirschfeld style. Obviously. If you think you have your own “style”, think again. Not bad, but not much different.

As a working professional artist, I can view Matt as both a discrimination and homage to Al. To all “professionals” who have commented above or thinking this is totally wrong, think hard about your own influences.

Got it? Good. Now compare your art to those influences. Extremely alike. Of course Matt’s work is not very different from Al’s, but that’s because we as artists are very familiar with Al’s work.

Every “artist” draws (no pun intended) inspiration from different sources. On an art blog like Drawn, we instantly recognize the influence. But if this was posted on a blog with an audience of business execs who recognize the style but can’t put a finger on it, Matt Hirschfeld’s work looks pretty good.

The best artists are ones who are great at hiding their direct influences. Then when we as artists look at their work, we say , “oh wow, that’s new”, when really it’s that artist’s perception of other styles they’ve picked up.

As humans we subconciously pickup inspiration and influence in our surroundings or now commonly on this thing called the internet. Some artists use this type of thinking when creating their work, and some artists blatantly try to reproduce what they’ve seen directly where they’ve seen it.

Think of how many times John K has been ripped off. Then again, think of how many things he’s ripped from his own influences which most of us can see. I’m not trying to say John copied, but he was definitely influenced, although we look at him as being so original.

Overall, I’m not trying to defend or offend Matt Hirschfeld. I have neutral feelings for what he’s trying to accomplish. I do give him credit for “studying” Al’s drawings and creating a similar (not replicas) look to Al’s and acknowledging his own direct influence/inspiration plainly on the main page of his website. But he should not be so overly confident as he comes off on his site or ever expect to be Al.

Elliot: Of all the people to be so disturbed by this, you don’t have any right. Your art is obviously inspired from the Hirschfeld style. Obviously. If you think you have your own “style”, think again. Not bad, but not much different.

PitterPatter –

There’s a difference between incorporation/inspiration and theft. I’m not sure why you can’t see it. And you’re dangerously close to the “everyone’s doing it” dodge, which doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

You’re way off with picking on Elliot as well.

Nope, it’s still indefensible.

PitterPatter –

There’s a difference between incorporation/inspiration and theft. I’m not sure why you can’t see it. And you’re dangerously close to the “everyone’s doing it” dodge, which doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

You’re way off with picking on Elliot as well.

Nope, it’s still indefensible.

Rod – I agree there’s a difference between incorporation and “theft”. But Matt is not stealing. If he was stealing, he’s directly taking line for line Al Hirschfeld’s drawings and making dough from those, which he’s not. He’s creating new drawings that look like something we’ve all seen before. LOOK LIKE. look just like, but still not exact replicas. We all know not as good as the original. And you can’t quote me as saying “everyone’s doing it”. I’m just making the point that everyone as an illustrator, “artist”, creator, or of the sort absorbs and spits out what they’ve seen before.

I will say that I think Matt Hirschfeld is too narrow-minded in that he only takes his inspiration/influence from one artist. This shows the lack of respect and knowledge he should give to other artists to grow as an illustrator himself to vary his “style” from looking like one particular illustrator that we all know. But a lot of illustrators are influenced by and incorporate the Hirschfeld look into their work without directly thinking about it because they’ve seen it a googol times. Just most of them mix and match. Matt chooses not to mix, which I particularly don’t agree with but still can understand his reasoning. Which is why I’m somewhat defending his side.

Sorry for picking on Elliot, he doesn’t deserve it. Great work by him but still is Hirschfeld-ish even if you can’t see it.

Rod – I agree there’s a difference between incorporation and “theft”. But Matt is not stealing. If he was stealing, he’s directly taking line for line Al Hirschfeld’s drawings and making dough from those, which he’s not. He’s creating new drawings that look like something we’ve all seen before. LOOK LIKE. look just like, but still not exact replicas. We all know not as good as the original. And you can’t quote me as saying “everyone’s doing it”. I’m just making the point that everyone as an illustrator, “artist”, creator, or of the sort absorbs and spits out what they’ve seen before.

I will say that I think Matt Hirschfeld is too narrow-minded in that he only takes his inspiration/influence from one artist. This shows the lack of respect and knowledge he should give to other artists to grow as an illustrator himself to vary his “style” from looking like one particular illustrator that we all know. But a lot of illustrators are influenced by and incorporate the Hirschfeld look into their work without directly thinking about it because they’ve seen it a googol times. Just most of them mix and match. Matt chooses not to mix, which I particularly don’t agree with but still can understand his reasoning. Which is why I’m somewhat defending his side.

Sorry for picking on Elliot, he doesn’t deserve it. Great work by him but still is Hirschfeld-ish even if you can’t see it.

This guy is useless. The drawings are quite bad.

This guy is useless. The drawings are quite bad.

Pitter Patter – Actually, until the last few years I’d never even heard of Al Hirschfeld.
My main influences are Tove Jansoon and Gerald Scarfe, which as you suggest is very obvious if you know their work.
The difference is that it’s become MY work and it’s not a homage to greater artists.

Matt is standing on the shoulders of giants and it leaves me cold (thank you M. Stipe).
How is it any better than plagiarism?
How?

Pitter Patter – Actually, until the last few years I’d never even heard of Al Hirschfeld.
My main influences are Tove Jansoon and Gerald Scarfe, which as you suggest is very obvious if you know their work.
The difference is that it’s become MY work and it’s not a homage to greater artists.

Matt is standing on the shoulders of giants and it leaves me cold (thank you M. Stipe).
How is it any better than plagiarism?
How?

And what are we supposed to make of this?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8l2vyF7q0h4

And what are we supposed to make of this?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8l2vyF7q0h4

First off… Your attacks on me are childish. I am here to talk about art. I don’t know what I did to to get caught up in your obsessive wrath. But the last thing I’m going to do is defend my art with some blogger that has some vendetta out for this young artist. With that said. I’ve since looked a lot closer at Al and Matt’s art. I agree that they are very similar, but if you look closely they are very different as well. While Al does a magnificent job of capturing the personalities of his subjects. I feel that Matt reflects alot more detail in his illustrations that grasp a certain grittiness and subtle dark side to his charactors. As far as the mediums they use to express their art, it is my opinion that a true artist should be free to express himself in anyway he sees fit. Besides art is just about expressing how you percieve things to be. And I think that all of us can agree the Matt Hirschfeld sees things differently than Al. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you like how he see things, but he definitely see things different.

First off… Your attacks on me are childish. I am here to talk about art. I don’t know what I did to to get caught up in your obsessive wrath. But the last thing I’m going to do is defend my art with some blogger that has some vendetta out for this young artist. With that said. I’ve since looked a lot closer at Al and Matt’s art. I agree that they are very similar, but if you look closely they are very different as well. While Al does a magnificent job of capturing the personalities of his subjects. I feel that Matt reflects alot more detail in his illustrations that grasp a certain grittiness and subtle dark side to his charactors. As far as the mediums they use to express their art, it is my opinion that a true artist should be free to express himself in anyway he sees fit. Besides art is just about expressing how you percieve things to be. And I think that all of us can agree the Matt Hirschfeld sees things differently than Al. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you like how he see things, but he definitely see things different.

wow. just wow.
i simply cannot believe the impertinence of this guy. not only is he ripping of al hirschfeld in a way that’s beyond any excuse, he openly uses al’s good name to promote his own, less than mediocre attempts. see the youtube link 2 posts up.
that is not only highly unethical, it’s all kinds of illegal. someone (me…?) should probably just go ahead and forward this to the hirschfeld estate. if he indeed is, as some of you seem to think, well within his artistic license rights, he should have nothing to fear.
i doubt it, though.

wow. just wow.
i simply cannot believe the impertinence of this guy. not only is he ripping of al hirschfeld in a way that’s beyond any excuse, he openly uses al’s good name to promote his own, less than mediocre attempts. see the youtube link 2 posts up.
that is not only highly unethical, it’s all kinds of illegal. someone (me…?) should probably just go ahead and forward this to the hirschfeld estate. if he indeed is, as some of you seem to think, well within his artistic license rights, he should have nothing to fear.
i doubt it, though.

Hamilton42 – I don’t think anyone’s attacking you, nor is anyone in the midst of an obsessive wrath.
You say you’re here to talk about art and that’s what we’re doing.
Just because I think you’re deluded doesn’t mean I’m attacking you.
It does means that I don’t think you have a true and honest idea about what artistic expression really is.
Just say I fine a piece of your own art and I copy it off and pass it off as my own.
How would you feel about that?

I repeat – how is what Matt is doing any different than plagiarising?
If you can convince me it’s anything other than stealing then I will thank you and apologise.

Hamilton42 – I don’t think anyone’s attacking you, nor is anyone in the midst of an obsessive wrath.
You say you’re here to talk about art and that’s what we’re doing.
Just because I think you’re deluded doesn’t mean I’m attacking you.
It does means that I don’t think you have a true and honest idea about what artistic expression really is.
Just say I fine a piece of your own art and I copy it off and pass it off as my own.
How would you feel about that?

I repeat – how is what Matt is doing any different than plagiarising?
If you can convince me it’s anything other than stealing then I will thank you and apologise.

Also.
“I agree that they are very similar, but if you look closely they are very different as well”.
This is the truest thing you’ve said…

Also.
“I agree that they are very similar, but if you look closely they are very different as well”.
This is the truest thing you’ve said…

sure, the aping is despicable and annoying, but the real tragedy here is that MAtt will never know his own potential. he will always ALWAYS stay a 3rd rate echo tucked in the shadow of something else.

unless he wakes up and decides to start that exciting journey of self discovery.

Matt (or PitterPatter or Keiko45 or hamilton42 or whatever you want to be called): pick up this glove, you’re an artist. get an ego.

sure, the aping is despicable and annoying, but the real tragedy here is that MAtt will never know his own potential. he will always ALWAYS stay a 3rd rate echo tucked in the shadow of something else.

unless he wakes up and decides to start that exciting journey of self discovery.

Matt (or PitterPatter or Keiko45 or hamilton42 or whatever you want to be called): pick up this glove, you’re an artist. get an ego.

Matt’s self-purported and main claim to fame is that Al Hirschfeld couldn’t use a computer, while he can.

I’m sure the late great Al himself would be appreciative of Matt using his name and face to prop up his own portfolio of forgery work.

For someone who claims to be a huge fan of Al Hirschfeld, he shows a stunning lack of respect for the man himself. Taking that 1996 documentary clip of Al fumbling around on a computer and using it out of context for his own means is shameful and embarrassing.

Everyone should do themselves a favor and watch that previous link at the top of “Al Hirschfeld on YouTube” and see a real master at work. He is a behold to watch – his sharp skills and self-effacing humor still evident at the age of 99.

Matt’s self-purported and main claim to fame is that Al Hirschfeld couldn’t use a computer, while he can.

I’m sure the late great Al himself would be appreciative of Matt using his name and face to prop up his own portfolio of forgery work.

For someone who claims to be a huge fan of Al Hirschfeld, he shows a stunning lack of respect for the man himself. Taking that 1996 documentary clip of Al fumbling around on a computer and using it out of context for his own means is shameful and embarrassing.

Everyone should do themselves a favor and watch that previous link at the top of “Al Hirschfeld on YouTube” and see a real master at work. He is a behold to watch – his sharp skills and self-effacing humor still evident at the age of 99.

Ah, it’s just sad.

Ah, it’s just sad.

The whole thing is shameful, unprofessional and unethical.

The whole thing is shameful, unprofessional and unethical.

Note that on splash page of this guy’s website, it says “Hirschfeld: the next in line”. I think that answers any question about “hommage” vs “ripoff”. It implies that his turn to be “Hirschfeld” has come. Disgusting.

Note that on splash page of this guy’s website, it says “Hirschfeld: the next in line”. I think that answers any question about “hommage” vs “ripoff”. It implies that his turn to be “Hirschfeld” has come. Disgusting.

The guy’s clearly trying to cash in on the name… But he’s definitely not sneaky about it. There’s no way you can be confused by which Hirschfeld is which. He states his influence all over his site and his drawing don’t look anything like the real thing ’cause he can’t draw.

Yeah it’s sort of pathetic and all… but “calling the cops” on him like some of you suggest is more pathetic in my opinion.

Take a chill pill, let him be… He’s not ripping anybody off selling fakes…

The guy’s clearly trying to cash in on the name… But he’s definitely not sneaky about it. There’s no way you can be confused by which Hirschfeld is which. He states his influence all over his site and his drawing don’t look anything like the real thing ’cause he can’t draw.

Yeah it’s sort of pathetic and all… but “calling the cops” on him like some of you suggest is more pathetic in my opinion.

Take a chill pill, let him be… He’s not ripping anybody off selling fakes…

This guy is OUT of line, not next. Although I’m somewhat defending his work by saying he’s not plagiarizing (because unless he’s tracing Al’s work, he’s not technically plagiarizing anything), he’s not helping himself by claiming to be the next Al. He needs to pay respects and move on, not always relate himself to the original. What a nerd.

Elliot – Did you live under a rock until hearing about Al? I again apologize for my rant on your “obvious” inspirations because I do enjoy and respect your artwork. Again, sorry.

This guy is OUT of line, not next. Although I’m somewhat defending his work by saying he’s not plagiarizing (because unless he’s tracing Al’s work, he’s not technically plagiarizing anything), he’s not helping himself by claiming to be the next Al. He needs to pay respects and move on, not always relate himself to the original. What a nerd.

Elliot – Did you live under a rock until hearing about Al? I again apologize for my rant on your “obvious” inspirations because I do enjoy and respect your artwork. Again, sorry.

Yann – If he’s not selling fakes what is he selling?

PitterPatter – I didn’t live under a rock, but I did live in Australia for 30 years where A.H doesn’t have a place in popular culture.
And stop apologising, Bub.

Yann – If he’s not selling fakes what is he selling?

PitterPatter – I didn’t live under a rock, but I did live in Australia for 30 years where A.H doesn’t have a place in popular culture.
And stop apologising, Bub.

Does anyone know a exorcist? If the real Hirschfeld has entered his body let him know it’s time to hang up his pen. I’m surprised he gets away with it. It’s sad.
Steve Nyman
http://www.aaacaricatures.com

Does anyone know a exorcist? If the real Hirschfeld has entered his body let him know it’s time to hang up his pen. I’m surprised he gets away with it. It’s sad.
Steve Nyman
http://www.aaacaricatures.com

Yeah, that’s pretty shameless.

There’s a fairly big difference between showing your influences and literally presenting yourself as your influence reincarnated with a copy of Illustrator. There are a lot of people out there who do pretty straight copies of N.C. Wyeth and Aubrey Beardsley, but they don’t make references to them in every facet of their career.

A good artist shows their influences without becoming their influences.

Yeah, that’s pretty shameless.

There’s a fairly big difference between showing your influences and literally presenting yourself as your influence reincarnated with a copy of Illustrator. There are a lot of people out there who do pretty straight copies of N.C. Wyeth and Aubrey Beardsley, but they don’t make references to them in every facet of their career.

A good artist shows their influences without becoming their influences.