"Inspired" vs. Copying

But, LJ, that's NOT what Lynnie was talking about in the original post. She specifically mentioned a person who'd "copied" a design and posted it on her Facebook page and another person who was using a "copied" design for an avatar photo. She didn't mention anything about a competition at that point. Now maybe there's something that the in group knows that us newbies don't, but that initial post is why people joining the discussion aren't getting the "context". And why they are reasonably asking why artists who are willing to make money copying Spider-Man and Wolverine get upset when someone copies THEIR work.

I'm a total newbie, but I thought the general idea was:

Painting a rendition of a design someone's published as a tutorial, for practice or gigging: OK.

Painting a rendition of a design someone's published as a tutorial, for competition purposes: NOT OK.

Getting inspiration from all over the place and using it in your work: OK.

Using photos of another artist's work to promote your own: NOT OK.

Painting your own version of a tutorial design, photographing that and using it in your own work - OK (but nicer if you point out the inspiration)

Am I just about on the right track here?

Kammy x

P.S. I think there was a discussion on here a while ago, pointing out that crediting the inspiring artist would likely mean nothing to the general public...but that's it's nice to do so if you're putting a face here, etc. where we'd have a chance of knowing the names cited.

I've used very copied designs for my avatar photos, and had the original designer thank me! Particularly Z's "Fire Fairy" design, which was published in Illusion and Friends Bk. 2.

Did I do a bad??

No. You're perfectly OK, Kammy!

Idk what to say about this...
It way I learn is through "copying" what I see. That's how I learned to do tear drops, flowers, etc.

I'm in the gray area. I understand the touchy feeling about copying but as an education major in school I feel as those that put their work out there and teach there skill would want to see how others interpret there skill. I'd be honored if someone loved a design of mine enough to copy it, but that's just me. I'm
A teacher by nature and once I'm learn a skill enough on my own I'm eager to share with others so they will know too.

It's odd how the people who would NEVER steal another artists work and post it on their board, making it seem like their own work, are the most ethical people. And they are worrying if they have stepped on another's toes.

Katurah & Kammy, you have nothing to worry about. At art school, we learned by copying the Old Masters painting. I would never post a photo of the Sistine Chapel or John Paul Sargeants' "Madame X" and claim it as my own work.

Happy Painting.

Well, oh my..... So it wasn't YOU. who painted the Sistine Chapel?!

very clever

Katurah, you said it very elogent. (sp?) The one girl that lashed out at my opinion, is in Ohio....I am in Settle. By my using the way that she does a butterfly canot in the slightest affect her earning power. In fact I see on the web many people that use the sam technque . Some of use have never taken art classes we just are face painters. That was my point in that post. As far as ethics on using someones techniques for a photo that they enter, doesn't sound wrong to me. I then would suggest to the person that directed her irrtation to me prsonally....I would suggest you enter your "copy writed" design berfore anyone else. Again I stand by the copywrite issue. We all know that it costs thousands of dollars....I know because I tried to copywrite something years ago. So by SAYING your design is copywrited and it isn' legally copwrited is that right? No it isn't. I think we all agree that when we photo a child with our design on it and someone copys/pastes it to their website or board is very naughty. I personally have all of my photos signed by a models release. Then and only then can one do something legally to the nughty one.