Quote - There is no "artistic freedom" if you want realism.

JoePublic, I don't think I understand the above quoted comment.

As the proportions and appearances of human beings differ so widely around the world, isn't your perception of what is "realistic," like every other artist's, subjective?

And why are typical (or "average") figure proportions assumed to be more correct, or more realistic, than atypical anyway?

Isn't equating "average" to "correct" some kind of aesthetic, subjective judgment?, i.e., an artistic choice, even if an unconscious and unexamined one?

And doesn't that qualify as you exercising your "artistic freedom?"