Art is a form of expression that is highly subjective and often inspires different interpretations from different individuals. It is not uncommon for artists to draw inspiration from the works of others, but there is a fine line between being inspired and blatantly copying someone else’s style. In recent years, the artist known as Mr. Doodle has been accused of ripping off the iconic style of the late artist Keith Haring.
Keith Haring was an American artist who rose to prominence in the 1980s with his unique and highly recognizable style. His work was characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and simple yet powerful images. Haring’s work often focused on social and political issues, including AIDS awareness, gay rights, and anti-apartheid activism. His style was hugely influential and has inspired countless artists over the years.
Mr. Doodle, whose real name is Sam Cox, is a British artist who first gained attention in the mid-2010s with his highly detailed and intricate drawings. His work is often described as “doodles” or “scribbles,” and features a wide range of imagery, including cartoons, animals, and pop culture references. Mr. Doodle’s style is heavily influenced by Keith Haring, and many have accused him of outright copying the late artist’s iconic style.
One of the most striking similarities between Mr. Doodle and Keith Haring is their use of bold, black lines. Both artists rely heavily on thick, continuous lines to create their images, and often use them to fill in large areas of color. Mr.Doodle’s work also features a lot of the same imagery as Haring’s, including dancing figures, barking dogs, and flying saucers.
Critics of Mr. Doodle argue that he is not simply drawing inspiration from Keith Haring’s style, but is instead blatantly copying it. They point to the fact that Mr. Doodle’s work lacks the social and political commentary that is so central to Haring’s art, and argue that he is simply cashing in on the popularity of Haring’s style.
Others, however, see Mr. Doodle’s work as a natural evolution of Keith Haring’s style. They argue that Haring’s work was always meant to be accessible and appeal to a wide audience, and that Mr. Doodle is simply carrying on that tradition. They also point out that many artists have been inspired by Haring’s style over the years, and that Mr. Doodle is not the first to create work that bears a resemblance to Haring’s iconic imagery.
Keith Haring’s Flowers: 
Mr. Doodles Flowers: 
Notice how the painting inside of the black lines is similar to Keith Haring’s.
Also, look at Keith Haring’s framed work with paint over the outlines. Mr. Doodle copies this in his work as well as drawing outline “frames” around his art:
And another Keith Haring drawing with paint markings in the character outlines:
Notice how Mr. Doodle copies this:
Regardless of which side of the debate you fall on, it is clear that Mr. Doodle’s work is heavily influenced by Keith Haring. Whether or not that constitutes plagiarism or simply inspiration is up for debate, but it is clear that Mr. Doodle’s work would not exist in its current form without the influence of Haring’s iconic style. As with all forms of art, it is up to each individual viewer to decide for themselves what they think of Mr. Doodle’s work and its relationship to Keith Haring’s legacy.
