Post by Sylar on Sept 4, 2013 14:48:37 GMT -6
What is art theft?
If you find an image that is not yours and use it without permission.
This is art theft.
It doesn't matter where you found it or saw it.
*It's a common misconception that one can use any picture off of Google! This is untrue, anything can be found on Google. Google does not own these images and therefore cannot and do not make them free to use. (source; support.google.com/websearch/answer/29508?hl=en )
*A friend showed you? That's nice and all, but that doesn't mean they own the picture! Even if they do own the picture, showing you doesn't give you permission to use it anywhere!
*Many social media sites like Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have people that post images without permission. This does not make it right! You can help out by reporting these people to the staff and/or letting them know that what they've done is wrong and they should take it down!
*You can't speak the language of the site? Then stay on the safe side and don't use it!
No permission means no using!
That should be simple enough!
That's not to mean you can't share it with your friends, though!
*When sharing please be sure to link people to the original artist's post if it's still there!
*Do not upload it on gallery sites without permission!
*If you feel that you MUST upload it onto a site, please make sure to give proper credit and link back to the original artist!
*NEVER and I mean NEVER remove an artist's signature or watermark!
You like someone's character a whole lot, don't you?
*It's not yours? Don't use it!
*Being inspired is cool, but the characters have to be different enough that they don't get mixed up with each other!
*To be safe, just ask the artist! Some artists don't mind copycats while others REALLY don't like it. The worst that could happen is that they say no!
What about referencing?
*Referencing is completely fine! In fact, a large amount of professional artists use references!
*Please consider using a real life photo for anatomy reference instead of an artist's piece! If you're not careful you can end up copying the other artist's mistakes!
*Make sure you do not copy or trace the reference!
What's the difference between copying, tracing, and referencing?
*Copying is also often called eyeballing. It's the action of creating something to be as close as possible to the original.
*Tracing is similar, but it includes using the lines of the original or directly drawing over the picture.
*Both are not only frowned upon, they are considered theft!
*Referencing is a tool used by many artists. It means using other images to make sure that the anatomy or pose is correct. It does not include copying or tracing at all.
*Often pictures look almost nothing like what it was referenced from!
*Do not copy anyone's characters, please!
You really like a character and want to draw it as fan art?
*Most people and even companies welcome fan art!
*Make sure that the person allows fan art of their characters! Some prefer the character to only be drawn by approved people!
*Don't forget to tell the owner of the character that you drew them! Make sure to link them so they are able to see it.
*The owner wants you to take it down or do not like it? Take it down right away! Respect the creator of the characters!
What happened to bases and free to use stock images?
*If it's free to use...then feel free to use it!
*Don't forget to give credit and link back to the original artist!
*NEVER claim a free to use image as your own!
Too shy to ask the artist for permission or don't know how to do so?
*If you don't ask then don't use it!
*Be polite!
*Tell them exactly what you want to use the image for and of course which image you want to use. Don't leave anything out!
*Be patient and wait for an answer!
*Don't forget that the worst that could happen is a no!
*No means no! Don't argue!
What if the picture was made for you?
*If the picture was made for you then often you are given the right to repost it!
*That doesn't mean you have other rights, however!
*Extra rights are only given via contract and an extra fee!
*Even if the character belongs to you, the art does not!
*This means you cannot claim it as your own, edit it, or use it to make any amount of money.
Shouldn't someone feel flattered if their art is stolen? That means it was good enough!
*No no no, a thousand times NO!
*Stealing art is a sign of disrespect! Disrespect is NOT flattering!
*Treat it like anything else! Would you enjoy someone stealing something you worked hard on? I don't think so!
Why don't artists just leave it alone? It's not hurting them!
*Actually it's hurting many of these artists!
*Many artists take commissions and do work online. Stealing from them and spreading their work without permission or credit is taking away from the artist's much needed advertising. These artists need exposure, which they won't get from stolen art.
*So many of these pieces take hours, days, or even months to complete. It takes all of a few seconds to steal a piece and convince others that you made it. It's insulting and once again disrespectful to the hard working artist.
If you find an image that is not yours and use it without permission.
This is art theft.
It doesn't matter where you found it or saw it.
*It's a common misconception that one can use any picture off of Google! This is untrue, anything can be found on Google. Google does not own these images and therefore cannot and do not make them free to use. (source; support.google.com/websearch/answer/29508?hl=en )
*A friend showed you? That's nice and all, but that doesn't mean they own the picture! Even if they do own the picture, showing you doesn't give you permission to use it anywhere!
*Many social media sites like Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have people that post images without permission. This does not make it right! You can help out by reporting these people to the staff and/or letting them know that what they've done is wrong and they should take it down!
*You can't speak the language of the site? Then stay on the safe side and don't use it!
No permission means no using!
That should be simple enough!
That's not to mean you can't share it with your friends, though!
*When sharing please be sure to link people to the original artist's post if it's still there!
*Do not upload it on gallery sites without permission!
*If you feel that you MUST upload it onto a site, please make sure to give proper credit and link back to the original artist!
*NEVER and I mean NEVER remove an artist's signature or watermark!
You like someone's character a whole lot, don't you?
*It's not yours? Don't use it!
*Being inspired is cool, but the characters have to be different enough that they don't get mixed up with each other!
*To be safe, just ask the artist! Some artists don't mind copycats while others REALLY don't like it. The worst that could happen is that they say no!
What about referencing?
*Referencing is completely fine! In fact, a large amount of professional artists use references!
*Please consider using a real life photo for anatomy reference instead of an artist's piece! If you're not careful you can end up copying the other artist's mistakes!
*Make sure you do not copy or trace the reference!
What's the difference between copying, tracing, and referencing?
*Copying is also often called eyeballing. It's the action of creating something to be as close as possible to the original.
*Tracing is similar, but it includes using the lines of the original or directly drawing over the picture.
*Both are not only frowned upon, they are considered theft!
*Referencing is a tool used by many artists. It means using other images to make sure that the anatomy or pose is correct. It does not include copying or tracing at all.
*Often pictures look almost nothing like what it was referenced from!
*Do not copy anyone's characters, please!
You really like a character and want to draw it as fan art?
*Most people and even companies welcome fan art!
*Make sure that the person allows fan art of their characters! Some prefer the character to only be drawn by approved people!
*Don't forget to tell the owner of the character that you drew them! Make sure to link them so they are able to see it.
*The owner wants you to take it down or do not like it? Take it down right away! Respect the creator of the characters!
What happened to bases and free to use stock images?
*If it's free to use...then feel free to use it!
*Don't forget to give credit and link back to the original artist!
*NEVER claim a free to use image as your own!
Too shy to ask the artist for permission or don't know how to do so?
*If you don't ask then don't use it!
*Be polite!
*Tell them exactly what you want to use the image for and of course which image you want to use. Don't leave anything out!
*Be patient and wait for an answer!
*Don't forget that the worst that could happen is a no!
*No means no! Don't argue!
What if the picture was made for you?
*If the picture was made for you then often you are given the right to repost it!
*That doesn't mean you have other rights, however!
*Extra rights are only given via contract and an extra fee!
*Even if the character belongs to you, the art does not!
*This means you cannot claim it as your own, edit it, or use it to make any amount of money.
Shouldn't someone feel flattered if their art is stolen? That means it was good enough!
*No no no, a thousand times NO!
*Stealing art is a sign of disrespect! Disrespect is NOT flattering!
*Treat it like anything else! Would you enjoy someone stealing something you worked hard on? I don't think so!
Why don't artists just leave it alone? It's not hurting them!
*Actually it's hurting many of these artists!
*Many artists take commissions and do work online. Stealing from them and spreading their work without permission or credit is taking away from the artist's much needed advertising. These artists need exposure, which they won't get from stolen art.
*So many of these pieces take hours, days, or even months to complete. It takes all of a few seconds to steal a piece and convince others that you made it. It's insulting and once again disrespectful to the hard working artist.