You don't walk into a pizza place and demand a free meal because you've heard good things about it. And you certainly don't storm into a football stadium demanding a free ticket because you're a fan of the team. Then why would you contact an artist for free art only because you've checked out his Instagram account? Well, maybe you wouldn't, but there are plenty of people who do. In fact, Jon Arton from Birmingham, England has received so many free drawing requests, and he started trolling the ones that dare to make them.
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"I've always done pencil drawings since I was a kid," Jon told Bored Panda. "I love art, and it's all I've ever wanted to do."
The artist has been getting requests for free drawings since he was a kid, too. "I'd spend my time in class doodling insulting images of the teachers. It got me in trouble a few times but was worth it for making people laugh."
Surprisingly, even though Jon's art career has progressed way beyond those highly offensive yet super cool drawings, at least a couple of people still ask him for free illustrations every week. "It can be a bit irritating," he said. "I take it as a compliment, and most people are a bit unaware of how much time can go into a piece of art. I thought a silly doodle might be the best comeback to that and hopefully make people laugh."
"Art isn't really seen as a job/career but more of a hobby which you enjoy, so people assume you would be happy to do it for a little bit of 'exposure.'"
"I wish I could fulfill drawing ideas for free," Jon added. "It is something I have done for giveaways to my followers online or for charity. Sadly, I have to fund my expensive pencil habit."
Scroll down to check out his savage responses to the annoying messages and tell us what you think about them in the comments.
Jon Arton from Birmingham, England has put in a crazy amount of time and effort to become an amazing artist
Image credits: jonarton
But not all respect that, and some people have the audacity to ask him for free drawings
Image credits: jonarton
Little do they know, they've messaged the wrong guy
The frustration of being asked to create works of art without compensation is a common theme many artists face.
As Jon Arton from Birmingham humorously trolls those requesting free drawings, it resonates with photographers and other creatives who are tired of being asked for free services themselves.