7 Epic Big Nate Fan Art Trends That Prove P.S. 38's Legacy Is Stronger Than Ever
The world of Big Nate fan art is experiencing a massive creative boom, fueled by the enduring popularity of the original comic strip and the high-profile success of the Paramount+ animated series. As of December 2025, the online community, particularly on platforms like Reddit and DeviantArt, is buzzing with new interpretations, stylistic experiments, and deep dives into the lives of Nate Wright and the P.S. 38 crew. This explosion of creativity showcases how the legacy of creator Lincoln Peirce continues to inspire a new generation of artists, making the fan art scene more vibrant and diverse than ever before.
The current trends move far beyond simple sketches, exploring complex character dynamics, alternative art styles, and narrative concepts that expand the Big Nate universe. This article breaks down the seven most exciting and current trends dominating the Big Nate fan art community right now, giving you an insider look at the freshest content being created by the most dedicated fans.
The Evolution of Nate Wright and the P.S. 38 Crew
The core cast of Big Nate—Nate Wright, Francis Pope, Teddy Ortiz, Dee Dee Holloway, and the infamous Mrs. Godfrey—remain the central muses for the fan community. The recent influx of art is a testament to the characters' rich personalities, which lend themselves to endless reinterpretation. The discussions on forums like the Big Nate Wiki and the Reddit community r/ENSLAVETHEMOLLUSK show a passionate engagement with the source material.
Here is a quick look at the central figures whose fan interpretations are driving the current trends:
- Nate Wright: The self-proclaimed genius, an aspiring cartoonist, and the detention king of P.S. 38.
- Francis Pope: Nate’s highly intellectual, rule-abiding best friend, often depicted in art that explores his hidden anxieties or future success.
- Teddy Ortiz: The laid-back, sports-loving member of the trio, whose fan art often focuses on his comedic reactions and loyalty.
- Dee Dee Holloway: The energetic and theatrical head of the drama club, a favorite for artists exploring expressive and dynamic poses.
- Jenny Jenkins: Nate’s long-time crush, whose fan art frequently delves into "shipping" scenarios or dramatic redesigns.
- Mrs. Godfrey: The history teacher and Nate’s nemesis, whose severe appearance is often softened or exaggerated in humorous fan interpretations.
7 Hottest Big Nate Fan Art Trends of 2025
1. The Paramount+ Style vs. The Comic Strip Coloring
One of the biggest drivers of new fan art is the visual contrast between the original comic strip and the animated Paramount+ Original series. Artists are actively engaging in a stylistic debate, leading to two distinct popular trends:
- The Animated Series Look: This trend adopts the vibrant, highly polished, and more rounded digital drawing style of the Paramount+ show. Fans often use Procreate or Photoshop to mimic the clean lines and dynamic color palette, applying it to new scenes or character interactions not seen on screen.
- The Newspaper Coloring Vibe: A significant counter-trend involves artists deliberately using the classic, often imperfect, four-color process look of the newspaper comic strips. This style emphasizes traditional ink lines and a more muted, retro coloring, giving the art a nostalgic and authentic feel.
2. Character Redesigns and "Glow-Ups"
The concept of "Redesigns" has exploded across the Big Nate fan communities. Artists are taking on the challenge of re-imagining the P.S. 38 characters, often giving them older, "high school" or "adult" appearances while trying to maintain their core "vibe."
- Teenage Redesigns: Nate is often drawn with a more stylized, slightly rebellious look, while Francis might be depicted as a sophisticated academic.
- Alternate Universes (AUs): This includes fan art that places the characters in completely different settings, such as a fantasy AU, a sci-fi setting, or even a dark, dramatic take on the middle school experience.
3. Deep-Dive Character Dynamics and Shipping Art
Beyond the main character, fan art is focusing heavily on the relationships and interactions between the secondary and tertiary characters. The community thrives on exploring the subtle dynamics that Lincoln Peirce established in the graphic novels and comic strips.
- Nate & Francis & Teddy: Art depicting the iconic trio in slice-of-life moments, emphasizing their unbreakable friendship.
- Nate’s Romantic Pursuits: "Shipping" art, particularly involving Nate and Jenny Jenkins, remains a popular sub-genre, exploring hypothetical relationships and future scenarios.
- The Antagonists: There's a growing trend to humanize or humorously exaggerate characters like Randy Betancourt, Gina, and the aforementioned Mrs. Godfrey, often with comedic or surprisingly empathetic results.
4. The "How to Draw Nate Wright" Tutorial Boom
The Big Nate Wiki and various art communities have seen a surge in tutorials dedicated to teaching fans how to draw Nate Wright and other characters in Peirce's distinct style. This trend is driven by aspiring young artists who are inspired by Nate’s own love for cartooning. These tutorials often focus on:
- Mastering Nate’s distinctive spiky hair and backwards baseball cap.
- Capturing the expressive, exaggerated facial features that define the comic’s humor.
- Replicating the loose, energetic line work that gives the original strips their charm.
5. The "Big Nate Grand Prix" and Action Scenes
While Big Nate is primarily a comedy, a growing number of artists are creating dynamic, action-oriented art. One specific mention in the community is the "Big Nate Grand Prix," which suggests a theme of racing, competition, or high-stakes scenarios.
- Sports and Competition: Art focused on Nate's basketball team, or his attempts at various sports, often with a humorous, over-the-top execution.
- Nate's Cartoons Come to Life: Fan art that depicts Nate's own comic creations—like his alter-ego, the superhero "Big Nate," or characters like Biff Biffwell and Dan Cupid—in fully realized, high-quality illustrations.
6. Traditional Mediums Making a Comeback
While digital drawing is dominant, a subset of the community is returning to traditional art mediums, emphasizing the roots of the comic strip.
- Ink and Watercolor: Many artists are posting work done with classic ink pens and watercolor washes, directly referencing the look of a hand-drawn comic.
- Sketchbook Doodles: Art that mimics Nate's own sketchbook, featuring rough, spontaneous doodles and satirical strips about his life at P.S. 38.
7. Crossover Art with Other Comic Legends
A fun and recurring trend is the creation of crossover art, pairing the Big Nate characters with other iconic figures in the comic strip and animated world. This helps to establish Big Nate’s place among the greats.
- Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes: Crossovers with these classic strips are popular, often comparing Nate’s antics to those of Charlie Brown or Calvin.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Given the similar middle-school setting and graphic novel format, crossovers with Greg Heffley and his world are common, often playing on the contrasting art styles and personalities.
The Future is Bright for Big Nate Artists
The current state of Big Nate fan art in late 2025 is a vibrant ecosystem where nostalgia for the original comic strip meets the modern influence of the animated series. The trends—from the detailed character redesigns to the stylistic dualism of the Paramount+ versus newspaper coloring—show that the community is deeply engaged and creatively ambitious. The work being shared by the r/ENSLAVETHEMOLLUSK and DeviantArt communities is not just imitation; it is a genuine expansion of the universe created by Lincoln Peirce, ensuring that the adventures of Nate Wright and his friends will continue to inspire artists for years to come.
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