and if you want to make sure it's okay, ask the person something like:

is it alright to add a certain part of your style into my style? i will still try to change it a lot in order to not copy you and so i can have an original style.

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Typhoon, we're all here to see one another try their best and enjoy. We don't judge harshly, nor do we carry the mindset that 'if your skins aren't a certain way, you're not good enough'. everyone understands that it can be difficult to make skins, but all we care about is having fun and trying our best. like i say when we play bedwars: 'we play to enjoy and have fun, not to win'. this can be applied to skinmaking and so many other things. please don't feel pressured or upset with yourself <3

you're not, and im sorry you feel that way

the only way you can get better at something is if you try <3
you cant expect to suddenly just be super amazing at something without trying and practicing a lot. you're trying your best and that's what matters. for me, i keep skinmaking as a little thing to do /for fun/.
something that doesnt make me get stressed or worried.

and, as long as you have permission from the original skinmaker and you have given them credit, recoloring is okay. it can even help you learn. just make sure you dont claim someone else's work as your
own. and if you do decide to implement some elements from their skins into your own style, make sure you put your own twist on it. make sure you dont completely copy their style.