Fan Art

[l4justice]

Hey guys, I've always loved drawing, and I can draw pretty well with a base picture, and I'm wondering if you can use a base picture but drawn by u in the artist alley

[Sakura Cherry Blossom]

I know they usually frown on that in the Art Show.  I'm kinda in the same boat as you but I started trying something that might work for you. Take a couple of different pictures and put them together.  Like I took a pose I liked of Jupiter (Sailor Moon) and put Sora's (Digimon) face on it and made up an original dress I thought she might wear.  It's one way of getting a different look without a lot of trouble.  It's also a good way to practice.   I probably am not explaining very well so, here's an example. The first pic is the original and I flipped it around when I printed it for drawing purposes 'cause I wanted it to go the other way.

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/Tahiri_Solo/Images/?action=view&current=Jup03.jpg

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/Tahiri_Solo/Fanart/?action=view&current=SorafromDigimon_tophalf.jpg

Here's another example

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/Tahiri_Solo/Images/?action=view&current=me16.jpg

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/Tahiri_Solo/Fanart/?action=view&current=MimifromDigimon_sizeadjustment.jpg

It's hard to figure out but the more you practice the better you get. I know what you mean about being able to copy the original way better than drawing free hand. 

[l4justice]

Okay, thanks so much. That also gave me of the idea of taking some different pictures and actually taking the parts of them and putting them all into one picture (i.e. Like drawing L from one picture and Light in another)

I'ma try the style u gave me

[The Enigma]

l4justice, what you describe as "using a base" can also be called intellectual theft, plagiarism, or, most simply, art theft. Such is absolutely frowned on in the art show and also in the artist alley, as both are devoted to showing original works. If another artist, whether syndicated or not, takes the time and effort to find a unique way of portraying something, that is his or her individual intellectual property. Anyone who traces over what someone else has created and slaps on a different hair color or something, and then tries to pass it off as his or her own work, is committing theft. In other words, it doesn't matter if you are copying an "official" artist or some random kid on deviantart--theft is theft. This can also be applied to 'eyeballing,' or copying without tracing, someone else's work. Any art in either the AA or the Art Show that can be justly proved as a copy or a ripoff will be kicked out. I don't mean to be overly harsh, but as you have probably heard, art theft is serious business.

That said, there can be merit to copying other artists' work to improve. Even most art schools have the students attempt to copy the work of the masters. The point is not to steal someone else's base and alter it slightly in the hopes of making it yours, but to learn to improve your own abilities. Copying another artist's innovation can be a great way to begin to understand the human body, light and shadow, or anything else you may be studying. There is nothing wrong with doing this as long as it is kept to private study, for your own benefit. Just don't pass it off in public as completely your own work, and certainly don't try to profit from it!

Now, there is a difference between being inspired by someone and simply ripping them off. The difference, as neatly as I can put it, is whether we can tell or not. If you want to imitate the way that someone paints clouds, or draws hair or something, that's fine, as it is you doing your own work. It may remind us of so-and-so's style, in the same way that Natsuki Takaya could remind us of Watase Yuu, but it is clearly not a blatant rip-off.

If you need any help being pointed in a good direction to improve your study of art, or if you have any other legal or ethical questions about it, I'm happy to help. But for now, I hope that answers your question.

[The Ronin]

I've got a question along the same lines, but what about taking a piece of art and changing it to a completely different medium? I do a lot of work with bead sprites and I'm aware that it's considered borderline. I know that most of the Cons out there approve of and even embrace this art style but I wanted to hear it from someone here before attempting to submit some of my pieces for the art show and potentially getting shot down.

For refrence here's my gallery from another forum http://pixelgasm-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2631

[l4justice]

l4justice, what you describe as "using a base" can also be called intellectual theft, plagiarism, or, most simply, art theft. Such is absolutely frowned on in the art show and also in the artist alley, as both are devoted to showing original works. If another artist, whether syndicated or not, takes the time and effort to find a unique way of portraying something, that is his or her individual intellectual property. Anyone who traces over what someone else has created and slaps on a different hair color or something, and then tries to pass it off as his or her own work, is committing theft. In other words, it doesn't matter if you are copying an "official" artist or some random kid on deviantart--theft is theft. This can also be applied to 'eyeballing,' or copying without tracing, someone else's work. Any art in either the AA or the Art Show that can be justly proved as a copy or a ripoff will be kicked out. I don't mean to be overly harsh, but as you have probably heard, art theft is serious business.

That said, there can be merit to copying other artists' work to improve. Even most art schools have the students attempt to copy the work of the masters. The point is not to steal someone else's base and alter it slightly in the hopes of making it yours, but to learn to improve your own abilities. Copying another artist's innovation can be a great way to begin to understand the human body, light and shadow, or anything else you may be studying. There is nothing wrong with doing this as long as it is kept to private study, for your own benefit. Just don't pass it off in public as completely your own work, and certainly don't try to profit from it!

Now, there is a difference between being inspired by someone and simply ripping them off. The difference, as neatly as I can put it, is whether we can tell or not. If you want to imitate the way that someone paints clouds, or draws hair or something, that's fine, as it is you doing your own work. It may remind us of so-and-so's style, in the same way that Natsuki Takaya could remind us of Watase Yuu, but it is clearly not a blatant rip-off.

If you need any help being pointed in a good direction to improve your study of art, or if you have any other legal or ethical questions about it, I'm happy to help. But for now, I hope that answers your question.

Okay, thanks

[The Enigma]

I've got a question along the same lines, but what about taking a piece of art and changing it to a completely different medium? I do a lot of work with bead sprites and I'm aware that it's considered borderline. I know that most of the Cons out there approve of and even embrace this art style but I wanted to hear it from someone here before attempting to submit some of my pieces for the art show and potentially getting shot down.

For refrence here's my gallery from another forum http://pixelgasm-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2631

With the way you've worded your question, I would guess that nine times out of ten, it's probably not okay. But taking a look at what you do, it looks like a different case and here's why. The sprites that you've been making into bead creations are more icons or symbols than illustrations, sculptures, or other more traditionally considered forms of art. While icons are still art, they are so widely known and recognized that 1. People intrinsically know that you're not just trying to rip it off because they recognize it, and 2. As icons, they are granted far more free access than the majority of art out there. To me, this is in the same vein as using a Mario mushroom on an armband, or the alchemist symbol from Fullmetal Alchemist, or the rice ball from Fruits Basket--you catch my drift. They're much more free reign than the "official artwork" or other fan work. As far as I know, icons or symbols are not a problem when it comes to NDK and artistic ethics in general, and I believe the images you're using are iconic enough that you're covered. I seriously doubt you'd run into any kind of problem for showcasing this sort of work.

l4justice: Welcome.

[The Ronin]

Thank you! I figured it would be ok, I mostly just wanted some kind of answer. Even within the beading community it is a point of discussion, but with very little exception (mostly Pokemon for some reason) we've been welcomed with open arms.