"Inspired" vs. Copying

Okay, we've all done it. We've seen something we like and we tried to emulate it to learn how to do it. Some of us then twist it and make it our own. Which is what we should do.

But then...
Someone in "Where's the Beef" ran into, effectively, her designs on another person FB page. Our lovely member didn't paint them but there they are.

And someone I know has painted her face using a face that Kerry Ann Smith painted at FABAIC and has it as their avatar photo, the problem is, it's not an "inspired" it's a copy. I know Kerry Ann didn't teach that design in her class and she said as she was painting it that she was not going to be since it was one of the new designs she created for her board and wanted a pro-picture of it (which is why she painted it on me there, so that I would hit the pro-photo room for her). No where did it give Kerry Ann credit. I know it was brought to the attention of Kerry Ann (not by me) and she removed the image from her FB. This is potentially detrimental to Kerry Ann, and while emulation is a form of flattery, it can also be quite hurtful and frustrating.

I know somewhere on here Brady mentioned frustration at people copying his designs without asking him- not being inspired by, copying.

The last thing I want to be is a carbon copy of other artists. I love to look through other peoples pictures when I have a moment but all too often I can name who they studied with or what book they were working out of. More and more peoples portfolios look the same because of this. A friend and I were joking that we can suss out a Wolfe Bros, a Mark Reid, a Marcela, a Jinny or a Sean Avram design from 1000 paces. Problem is, it's not a joke. It's so serious.

Where is the line between "inspired" and "copy"? If we take classes, these designs are taught and therefore given to us to do with as we please. That's fine but even then I think changing them is important.

In performance art the copyright law states that a piece needs to be changed 10% overall. This is how Weird Al can make parodies and those "Not another..." movies can make satires without needing legal permission (though Weird Al seeks it on a moralistic and ethical basis). As a performer, I know this to be accurate and that it also pertains to print art.
This is very different than someone taking a photo and using it as promotion imo. Especially when the people in question promote themselves and creative people. Why are they not creating then?

Or is this the difference between being an artist and being a crafter? Or the difference between being a body artist and a weekend face painter?

So for us, where is the line between inspired and copied?

I can appreciate this concern, but it is a major gray area for me. When I first started, I thought all there was were the snazaroo designs and that's what everybody painted. My portfolio was nothing but copies. Learning to paint those copies is what has given me the skills today to create my own designs. I think that if the legalities of changing it 10% were in forced, it would greatly increase the credibility of face painters. So many people still view us as the volunteer mom that does it on the side just for fun. Unless there is a major difference between us and them, the blur will always be there. The problem is that so many world famous artists have given permission to everyone for those designs to be copied. They see no problem in it and give them freely. In the end, it is the artists decision to give away their design or not. I think it has been discussed before that it is at least appropriate to credit the artist. So many artists really don't care if you use their stuff, I don't think anyone thinks twice about copying as long as they painted it because that as been the stated standard. Although I think we all respect the designs that we know they personally created more than the ones that are copied. I'm still not quite sure where I really stand on the issue, but I do know that a major concern for me is changing the stereotype that face painters carry in the general public.

I think once you post yours pics to the internet they are out there for everyone to see and copy. It is a form of flattery I dont see it as an insult at all. I watch you tube all the time it is there to learn certain faces is it not? Also people post ot give ideas is it an insult to use them then? I think as long as you dont take their picture and call it your own its all good. Besides at that point is anyone really the original artist as you think of a butterfly/ tiger/ spiderman etc who ever came up with that original design?? I think everyone sees other peoples art and is inspired. Its whatever details you choose to take and whatever details you choose to add that makes it your work then. I look through peoples pictures and save them in an idea file. Then when I feel like I need new designs I first try to paint similar and save it as my picture then as I go along I change it. Every kid I paint looks a little different as there face shape changes and details get added and dropped colours get chaned etc. In my opinion with the internet being access to all if you design something and put it out there you are offering your ideas/art to all. If you are the first then kudos to you and imitation is strictly flattery and nothing more. Besides if you had to credit every artist that inspires you whether it be the way you add dots or the stars you add or the line details you use or the general design etc then you would be adding a lot of info on each and every design you post. Then where does it stop? Do you start giving credit to every paint you use? every class you take? Ever paint colour combo you copy etc. Just my opinion in it all. My avatar pic is copied/imitated of anothers art as well... who? I have no idea but I know I googled some type of face piant clicked on images and got it one day and loved it and tried it. Is it as good as the original... hell no. But its mine on my face and my effort went into it and therefor I am proud to display it. To me painting is all about the fun and not about the bragging rights or the claim to fame for anything I create whether it be all me or inspired or copied. I hope I have not just P*ssed people off now by stating my opinion... but I gotta say this comment lit a small fire under my butt .... hopping off my soapbox now

Jenn, I didn't say credit the artist who inspired you, credit the artist you copied. That's the point. There is a difference. You are talking inspiration but what about when things are copied- outright and exactly?
You don't think a person who copies VanGogh exactly should credit Vincent?
How about a cover band performing? They shouldn't announce that they are a cover band?
Movies shouldn't say that they are remakes of other movies or of books?
It's an industry standard, and protected by law, everywhere else, so why not here?

The whole "once it's on the internet" is a HUGE misconception that we are trying to fight. There are threads on here dedicated to that. If it is a step-by-step on youtube or in pictures, then yes, that's up for grabs. A photo that I put up on here is not. Photos are technically protected materials and are not put up for copy, but people assume they are and that is where this problem comes from. Just because we want to share work we are proud of is NOT an invitation for others to take it and copy it.

When a designer puts a photo of a design online it is to sell it, not so that people can copy it. When a musician puts a song out, it's the same thing. Why are we any different, in your eyes, then?

The examples you listed are basics. There are infinite ways to paint masks, butterflies, monsters, etc. So why do we have to copy what's out there and not create our own variations?

Someone took a photo of a design that Kerry Ann put on my face at FABAIC, and copied it, exactly. That is not inspired and Kerry Ann should be credited.

If two artists are working in the same area and one takes the designs from the other and starts offering them as hers, that is not inspired nor is it flattering. It is detrimental to business and disrespectful to the design creator. It is also unethical and unprofessional. Especially when the "knock off" isn't as good as the original but people mistake it for such.

I'm glad painting is about the fun for you but for many of us, it is our life business. This is what we've poured hours and thousands of dollars into doing so being copied isn't flattering, it's detrimental to our business. This is, like every other industry, about branding and standing out, which is hard to do when everyone is copying everyone else.

Whitney, as I said, we've all copied. I do think that most start out that way but I find it interesting the people who don't progress beyond that. I find it sad as well. It is a great learning point, but when a "professional" does it, then it is well beyond the learning point and shouldn't be happening. That's part of my problem, I think.
I do think there is a huge difference between what is taught vs. stopping someone in the hall to take a photo and then copying it or taking a photo off of a website. One is fine. One is not for me.
It is such a crazy grey area but I think for all of us making a "go" of this, it's a huge issue that needs to be addressed.

When learning a design, I treat it the same way I do a cooking recipe. The first and second time through I follow the original pretty closely. After that I start adding my own preferences to it. Eventually, I consider it mine, because it only somewhat resembles the original. This is actually a relatively new concept in art.

Artists have used/copied each others work since art began. I spent longer than I care to remember studying art history in college. It was amazing how many works of very famous old world masters for example, looked similar. We were actually supposed to know something like 20 things about each painting that followed "the" pattern. Because there was a well known pattern and everyone followed it. Google "Madonna and Child" and you'll see what I mean. Copying another artist's work has a very long and illustrious history. It's only in the modern day that this has become a "bad" thing.

As for someone copying me? If I don't want something copied, I won't put it on the internet or anywhere else except a body. But, if it's really good, eventually someone will take a photo and copy it. By then, I will already have something new to take it's place... and the cycle continues...it's expected.

Debra, thank you. That's what I was talking about.
When you follow a face paint recipe the first couple times is it for practice or pay?

I took art history too. The patterns were copied though, the exact images were inspired. Again, there is a big difference. It's the paint-by-numbers copying that I am referring to.

(My professor used to use slideshows and lecturing in Ben Stein's monotone style as "teaching". I don't know how I passed that class, I don't remember being awake for any of it!!! lol)

It is a tricky one because how do you know which ones are happy to have a design copied or not. The way I see it, if it is in a book as a step by step then it can be copied line for line. Anything else is fro ispiration only.

If someone has a signature design or look then I will credit them as inspiration. But I also try to put my own spin on it. I strive to improve and to develop my eye and talent. I can't so this by just copying designs from others.

So, I have copied designs from the newsletter, books and youtube but I think that if I stumbled on some fab designs online I would try them as they push me to be better. I would give credit to the original artist though.

Well said Jennvangogh. Hey you even copied the name. Lol just kidding. But I totally agree with you. Well I'm a newbie at face painting and this is the last thing I want to do is insult a fellow face painter. But if you paid to take a class then good for you. Then maybe the class pix should stay private. And maybe I took the same class. Who knows.If I had borrowed someone's pix, please let me know that is not cool or give me kudos. In my opinion its enough business to go around. We don't work together nor know each other. We all have a very different clientele we serve also. So face painters if you post it I will try it. I will give credit also that no problem l. Don't think the client will know we copied. .

Inspired means - I took the time to copy it, BECAUSE I LOVED THE DESIGN not gonna copy something that looks a hot mess. lol .

Exactly, Skylark! Thank you!

The clients aren't the full point (except in the case listed in the Where's the Beef section that I mentioned). The point is, most artists AREN'T okay with it and it technically isn't moral or legal to do so and promote it as something you came up with, Face. Just because a photo exists doesn't give you the right to copy it. It makes me very sad that people do think this is acceptable.

Workshops, how-to's, step-by-steps, books, etc... are completely different. That's what they are up for. Same thing with the cards that come with some of the paints. They are meant for copying.
Photos put up for portfolios aren't.

Copying isn't inspired. Inspired means that you changed it and made it your own.

There are many pro's who sell prints of their work. It's something we're looking into (at the request of our clientele). Copying them also steps on that and goes even deeper into bad legal realm.

As you develop more and get deeper into this art, I'm interested to see how the opinions of the newer ladies will change.

Before reading all the posts, I'll just say this -

I have, and will probably continue "copying" designs until I get some experience/confidence under my belt.

Unfortunately, when I began saving images, I didn't save many of the artists names. So, now, when I paint - I can't give the names of the artists that inspired me.

I will say that I never say that something is/was *my* design unless I created it myself. I'm very open about being new to FP, and feeling the need to copy until I get up to snuff.
which will be sooner than later, I hope

It's my thought that you see more 'new' FP artists copying than the more experienced.

Lynnie: The 10% rule means your art must not be similar to another in more than a 10%, it is a misunderstanding when people say it is ok to change at least 10%, unfortunately this only applies to all kind of permanent art, not to FP or BP, Clayton
post something about it like he heard from the mouth of a Wolfe bro, that you can not copyright a FP design so you can not own it because it is not permanent, it has sense because I can't image how you can take somebody's face painted to a court for a trial that takes months o years.

I am an artist, I do oil painting, my paintings are originals and I have to certify that and I sell my art at very high prices, but my face paint it is a copy of what I see in youtube, and I don't pretend to make a replica of my art in the faces I paint, I feel very comfortable doing a very simple popular designs.To tell the truth I barely have a request to make something sophisticated and flattery that takes more than 30 minutes, even when I have models coming to my house for a special make up, they want something small and beautiful.

Well I gotta say when I first started I went off of Snazaroo Photo lists trying to get ideas to paint. So I have a lot of others work ideas in my photos.... are they exact I dont think so I am not that good at copying..LOL But I have gone through album after album of the artists I love admiring and memorizing their kind of line work so that I can be more like them. Is that wrong? I think not. For example I looovvvee rebecca anthony's work. I will never be her caliber of painter but what I love about it is the stars and dots and the daintiness of her work. If I try to apply the daintiness to my work I figure it is just a style. As for butterfly's and spiderman faces I think it is one big free for all. I have a hard time painting my own pictures the same twice so I cant imagine I am ripping off someone elses work too much. The first few times I paint something I usually have an idea off of another pic random googled image or now that I am on here might be one of yours. I dont copy names and places as to where the photos came from so to credit the artist would require a whole other level of dedication to details I just frankly dont have the time for. Its not that I dont appreciate the time and effort someone took to make the pic or that I dont respect them as an individual artist its just that I dont believe anyone really has the right to say I cant try to attempt what they did. Its just not the same as a song or a movie as when you change the actors directors scenery and keep the same scenario it feels like it is now someone elses work. If that was true what about the twilight spin offs the farce movies someone obviously took the idea spun it a different way and now its theirs. (Not that I like those movies... f they are a waste of time I think) but the same as when twilight became popular all of a sudden vampires shows and books were everywhere. Its a business... at the end of the day I think we all want to make money off of it why else would we be spending hundreds of dollars on fancy paints etc. And by saying I am in it for the fun I mean I am following a passion for art into another avenue. (Not that I dont ever want to be a well paid face painter and be knocked down or put down as another "hobby mom" which urks me to no means. Kudos to moms who juggle trying to find an income and raise a family at the same time!!) I dabble here and there making cakes, canvases, face painting geez the list could go on and on. I dont beilieve I am stealing anything when I look at pictures and attempt those designs either. In my opinion if you dont want to see someone else doing your work then dont show it. But then at the end of the day what would be the point. If you are that amazing and moving on to the next piece I would think it wouldnt bother you rather compliment you aand be a source of flattery... so if someone really doesnt want me to use their pictures off of facebook remove me from their list because my opinion ( and it really is just that) is if I can see it I can think it and I can remember it it will eventually be on one of my pictures. I have people go through my pictures too so now they take those from me which I am more then happy to supply and if the next person sees their work and they didnt know it was the original artists work are they to blame too? I just dont think this industry or many others mentioned should be subject to it either. You dont own ideas unless you patent them you cant win the lawsuits unless you are a millionaire or a huge corporation and I would rather spend my time and effort enjoying life being friendly and as considerate as possible when I can and not having to worry about being attcked by another person saying I was ripping them off in any sort of way. And Jennvangogh was my chat nickname back in the msn chatroom days and the only reason I got that name was because I tried every combo I could think of and starting picking random things in the room and starry night happened to be on the wall beside me. Did I rip Vincent off? Should I be paying royalties? Once agin I feel like I sometimes step on toes to state my opinions so I guess I should apologize in advance to whomever I am offending but really all i want to do is paint make kids smile and enjoy my job and make enough cash to support my family. My own rules are I will only display on my boards my paintings.. inspired by and copied from etc credits dont always make the cut images on google dont always come with details either.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the artist who did Tyson's tattoo, sued Warner Bros. because they copied his tattoo, he wanted for the movie to be suspended, and then they warner said they will change the tattoo digitally, but the artist lost, the movie was launched with the tattoo and everything, and tattoo it is a permanent art.

I have to say that I started out copying ... but, I did my usual of drawing the design onto a template, colouring it, then using that as my reference to paint so most of my very early work is more "inspired" than copied... although I admit to copying on occasion but don't generally publish those photos.

It is a learning process, always has been... doesn't matter if you are painting or performing an autopsy, your first attempts are copies of someone elses work. You follow diagrams, written instructions, photos, etc. We all have done it.

Where the problem is now, IMO, is that people don't understand that the artist who originated a work is the owner of it. I think the internet is responsible for this in that they have no concept of copyrights. Books have copyright notices in them, the internet doesn't, even though copyright DOES apply to all photos and works published on it. People think if it is there they can use it.

And then there is the little knowledge is a dangerous thing theory - they've heard of copyrights and get that if you are the photographer you own the photo, so they then interpret that as meaning if they take a photo they then own it and can copy what is in the photo.... without regard for the origin of the content.

Copying EXACTLY has always been a touchy subject for a lot of artists - I remember several years ago someone copied a fantastic Australian artist's cats and posted them to a Snaz contest... they were such close copies that she had to double check them herself and she was very upset by it. Those should never have been entered IMO... contests should be for original work, not exact copies of another artist's designs.

I've seen on a painter's webpage (from the UK) an EXACT,, right down to the number of dots, copy of another of the same artist's designs (alien three eyed dog) ... if you can copy that well why not at least paint it another colour?????

As someone who has a step-by-step book published I see copies of the designs from the book all over the place... but, that was the purpose of the book and I get a kick out of seeing how the designs look when painted by someone else. Technique and ability levels vary so they can look very different.

I've always thought that if a person was capable of painting exact copies of another person's work they should be capable of making changes to it before publishing it as their own.

And when you have copied it exactly you KNOW you did, and using it for promotion or entering it in contests is... well, pretty close to just stealing the photo in the first place.

I've got no issues with inspiration or similarities, but EXACT copying and using it publically is really nervy.

Personally, this is how I see it: If I have put out a step-by-step of something - knock yourselves out copying it right down to the number of flakes of glitter... those are images that I've put out there expressly for copying. I don't need acknowledgement or credit for the designs in any way.

If I've posted a photo on my website or blog or facebook, or on a forum... use them for inspiration by all means but I would be a little annoyed to see exact replicas being used for promotion, advertising or being entered in contests without being changed in some way.

Take what you like about them and do your own thing with them. No acknowledgement is required.

What has been published in instructional books, well... the books are copyrighted not the designs but paint it yourself and use the photos, not the book, to copy from! That will help get the images to be more Inspired by instead of just another copy.

And never, ever, use MY photos without my permission... I have on occasion given it, more often not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. And the face painting mafie is everywhere... you'd be surprised. I've has people contact me from other countries to let me know my photos were being used....!

As to local clientele and the public not knowing we copied a design... that's fine, as long as you painted the photo on display and are capable of doing it again ... I admit to some strongly inspired photos on my display, but they are my work and I can paint them without any hesitation on request.

And I personally feel that putting notes on the photo display giving credit to someone else is useless. The people looking at your display have no interest in that information... all they want is what they see painted on their face.

I too have saved photos of really really cool designs... and most I have no idea who painted. But, they are for inspiration only and reference if something comes up that they will be helpful for - as an example, a photo of an excellet Husky was really useful to me designing Wolves for a play - the placement of the mouth and nose helped me get the look right without me having to mess around with trial and error. And no, it wasn't a Wolfe design!

Have I rambled on enough?

I love your ramblings...

I think I have spent days after days of looking through pictures... half the time I dont even remember if they are my thoguhts or ones I have seen before..LOL

When I paint for a contest I would never have a photo of another painters work in my hand because that would be wrong. But if I have an image in my head whether it is exact or not I cannot help if there is similarities...

I feel like almost every face has been done to death at least the ones kids want. I dont do one of a kinf art pieces I dont get that fancy. But isnt everyone to blame for copying marvel comics and disney by using their characters as art? Wouldnt we all be sued if this was the case putting them up on our boards??

What seperates one face painters design from say tinker bell from disney? Why is it okay to paint tinkerbell looking pretty darn close same number wings and all from taking a face painters picture and doing the same?

Its all such a grey area and many people see things in black and white. I dont plan on ripping anyone off at all but I am 100% guilty of looking at pics and painting from them. Offering them to a child or customer for a one day use is completely different then starting a book or contest with that exact face. That I would assume they would be disqualified from.

I just entered a snazaroo kitty step by step... hell the contest is about sharing the step by step isnt it? You dont win cash or products and I never got the certificate from my ear design I did last time I entered something. So my intentions were to just put it out there and try something. I didnt use a picture of anyones work but I am 100 % certain somewhere in the world another face painter probably thought of putting the flowers exactly where I put my flowers or used shimmer powders where I used them. It would be impossible to check to see if my design I got was ever done before but knowing that I have 4 years of looking through pictures probably means I saw some part of it somewhere and retained it. It all is one big blur to me..LOL

That's inspiration then... the homogenous blur.

J.K. Rowling was sued for copyright infringement by someone who had published a book years earlier that had a lot of similiarities... she was a librarian... so maybe she read it? or the dust cover? They lost.

Dolly Parton was sued over the song "9 to 5"... they lost.

It is really hard sometimes to know if your idea is "completely" original or simply a rehash of stuff you looked at five years ago!

It does help when working though.. when I get asked for things I've never painted and some idea from something I've admired pops into mind. That's when it really pays off.

{boy, does my previous post have a lot of typos!! oy! }

I find I have more typos when I get a bit PO'ed lol passion takes over debating Jenn comes out... just have to reel her back in calm down and start back with the pleasant coherant thoughts ...lol I am an expert at decifering typos now just by reading my friends drunken emails trying to see what letter was in the same vacinty to figure out the word they were trying to type..I see it as a game

copying right down to the last detail seems a bit pointless to me - why not take an idea and make it your own, with your own creation?: that's what inspiration means to me.

(Like the person who made a painting they shared here of something on their hand , using their hand to open and close the mouth of the thing they'd painted...sorry, I can't remember what that was now, or who the artist was... but I loved the idea and so made a skull which did the same thing (theirs wasn't a skull) : I was inspired by their idea, but came up with my own 'take' of it.)

Very fine line between copying and inspired. No matter what, it's going to happen. It's happened in so many different aspects of my life since high school and college art classes, I TRY to let it go. It's been a little tougher on my own turf with face painting, when I've inspired 2 locals to have a go at face painting, I visit one of their websites, and find a horribly done copy of one of my original designs. The other is just undercutting me:)

Anyway, if someone copies, I'm not going to go nuts. I'm not happy, but my work and personality usually stands alone. I'm not looking to be published, win any competitions or teach at this time. I just want to paint. Often. For good money.

Bottom line- for good or for bad, if there are photos of the work out there, they will be copied. It's unintentionally disrespectful, but I don't see the point of getting too
upset about it. Especially when any action taken will end up costing you in the end.

..wow. Ok then, let me say I'm sorry if I have stepped on any toes for designs, and please PM me and Ill delete the images that offended you by copying. Im pretty nervous now about painting anything I see now. Im still new to but I like these newer ways to paint things quicker! I never saw it as a problem as long as you didnt call it 'yours' if you had copied it exactly. Isnt that what off brands are for?
I dont want to get into it, but I know I have 'copied' several design ideas from this forum and facebook. Didnt mean to be malicious. Let me know and Ill take care of it, dont want enemies. Most of the time they are different anyways because my level is different and I like my own swirls and such but it could be close enough. I wouldnt enter a contest unless its my own creation, like the dolphin face. lol You saw that funny face.

I find that like Lynnie I am very protective of my skills and the industry as a whole. I do not like all the very cheap painters comming onto the market at the moment - they are copying everything - and because so many of my collegues here in oz have decided to do facepainting classes they are coming out about two a week!... at least three that I know of have taken my work and posted it at events as their own, or on their free ad listings. A few have copied my work.. and as I have never spoken to these people and they are not on the forum it makes me feel uneasy. When I contacted them just to say hi... they ignored me... so what would you think is going on here?
Are they trying to steal my business? MOst definately yes... will they succeed most likely no... but why try? why not make somethng for yourself?

I copied when I started out but learnt very quickly two things....
1. I can't paint like the people I was trying to copy... so I was just frustrating myself.... and
2. It take sooooooooooooooo long to copy!! looking back and forth and back and forth... far out who can be bothered? ... just do your minds eye memory and it won't look anything like the original!
That said - when people started to WANT to paint my designs... well I finally felt like I had made it!.... now how to stop them doing it..... hahahahaha the double edged sword!

Honestly, I find this thread to be unprofessional and not cool at all. Why doesn't this person you are talking about, go to the person who supposedly copied and talk to her? Instead of using someone else to pick a fight? She might have gotten the design from someone else who copied the original This isn't high school. I've always thought this place was a "safe" place for face painters.

I've seen a lot of designs copied and recopied and recopied again. I've recently, seen someone of YT do a design. I thought it was her design, only to see other people doing it. She didn't state that it was her design. Who knows who really came up with it first.

Anyway, I find paint to be a completely different thing. Each painter has their own style so each stroke is different. Am I wrong? In no way can my strokes be just like Brady's. I love his style, but I couldn't copy his strokes perfectly

My avatar was done on YT and was given credit where credit was do. In no way was it even close to the orginal design though

Maybe this person did give credit somewhere else

I agree with Tara, I like to try out new things I've seen other people do. From the posts listed in New to Face Painting. The consensus seemed to be, as long as you paint it yourself, and don't use someone elses pictures, you are good to go. I wouldn't enter something in a contest that wasn't a design I came up with, but I'm sure I have some things on my display board that were someone else's idea. I like to think the designs have my own twist to it, but who knows.

I like to try to paint from my memory of something rather than looking at it directly. Some times, I remember more, sometimes less, and if I want to look at something I have a whole file on my computer that is listed as "inspiration." What usually ends up happening is that I take an idea from here, and another from there, and have them all squished together on my face.

Like Tara, If I have "copied" anyone's work, and it needs to be deleted, please let me know. I have done so because I thought it was beautiful or scary, or difficult looking when done by the artist that did it orignally,and I wanted to test myself to see if I could do something that could come close.

Now I'm confused....CottonKandyClown you wrote the first line and then put a laughing face so I don't know if you were serious or not - event though it is a very serious statement. And sorry but what is YT?

I'm pretty sure I know Lynnie was going on about and and I think you'll find the copying artist WAS approached nicely and chose to ignore it.
How is it un-professional to want to protect your creations?
Of course people are going to copy at first. But after about 6 months they should be using their collected knowledge to make their own creations.

Why does everyone think if work is put up on the net is is there to be copied? You can copy it - but that doesn't mean that that is what it was put there for.

Lynnie was not trying to pick a fight - and this thread has no reflection on whether this forum is a good/bad/or safe place to be. Every so often this issue comes up with people that have been painting for awhile v's people who have just starting painting..... evrytime the same thing plays out.
A seasoned painter will say they don't like stealing pics, or verbage or whatever and then a newbie will come along and say how insulted they are without trying to see it from the other side. Eventually the newbie will reach the same stage as the seasoned painter and go..." OOOOHHH that's what they were on about".... my point you ask?
Don't get affronted by somebodies perspective that you can't understand as you have never been in their shoes.
CottonKandyClown - if someone started a business down the road from you and called it say - " CottonKandy Face painting" and copied your pics to the point where they copied backgrounds and poses.. the style of your logo and some verbage from your site.... would you be ok with this?
If not ask yourself why.... and maybe you'll get where Lynnie was going with this.