i think the big issue is interests. a lot of fanart and anime works alike get way more attention than original, good works simply because the viewer wasn't interested. The popular artists are the most generic and relatable ones, and its not often a really 'out there' person is well liked, simply because less people understand them.
generic artists and unusual artists can all have the same skill, but the generic artist will have more viewers simply because more people relate to their works.

it makes it very hard for both groups, because generic artists aren't 'original' enough but are still popular, while unusual artists are novel and sometimes pleasing, but rather unpopular.

if you break the rules, are unusual and popular, you become relatable. therefore youre now a generic artist. or, if your popular and original, people may start getting bored and stop paying attention, therefore you're now an unusual artist.

you're always one or the other, or slowly switching between the two. i dont want to say it's impossible to be both, but it basically is. so you have to try to be content with whatever you did get.

HEY! I draw anime and I barely get any COMMENTS let alone watchers, just favorites! Is it too much to ask for comments as to WHY you faved, not just a "hui bye faving kthnx"?


But yea, you got a point there.

I am watching you for your troll-tastic forum posts.

Let's see...

GreenEyedYoshika has been here for 5 years, has 43,500 pageviews and 174 watchers. I must be doing something wrong. Oh. I draw anime/manga. Duh!

Not all anime artists are utter shit.

You are back!

Watches do mean something. They give moral support to artists.
Also. "...utter crap (anime artists etc)."
Really, bro? That's exactly what you told me on my realistic painting of the panther. Everyone else who saw it said it was well done. Then, one troll comes along and calls it crap. Who am I going to listen to? Anime is an art form. You may not like it, but that doesn't make it crap. I don't particularly like abstract art, but it is art--and therefore, not crap.

Whatever sells.

If people are paying me good money for shitting on a plate, then i'll continue shitting on a plate.
Truthfully, manga-style artwork sells like hotcakes. Specially if you go the extra mile in indecency and do porn commisions too.

BLING! KA-CHING! SHA-POW!

I sure do hope you get some attention soon and not "people complaining right back with you" attention. Try being a bit more nicer to people, that may help.
Also anime/ manga is not all that bad, sure I know it is not your taste and that's ok but, it can be pretty well done depending on the artist(s). That goes for any art subject, right?

Getting watches from people can mean any number of things. It can mean that you're friendly and get along well with the other users of this site. It can mean that you post non-artistic content that people take an interest in. It can also mean that you're a talented artist with a lot of fans. The most popular artists on this site have tons of pageviews, watchers and comments, and they've earned every one.

It seems to me that the only people who complain about this sort of thing are the people who care about it way too much.

I consider watchers as fans, friends, collab buddies and/or people I want to get to know better or watch their art develop. I believe my watchers feel the same way, or at least most of them.
So I will have to disagree with you. Watchers do mean something. However, I kind of agree with you regarding people who have 5000 watchers doesn't necessarily have to be better than a person with only 10 watchers.