Copyright

[reneeisorym]

I like to paint animals more than anything. A lot of the time I go to the zoo and take loads of pictures for inspiration.
But sometimes I would like to expand to drawing other animals they do not have at the zoo.
Can I legally get a photo book of animals and draw from there? I realize that as long as the owner of the picture's copyright never sees the painting, I'm clear anyway. But aren't we all hoping to be famous one day? The last thing I want is to finally get a break at a gallery and then the owner of the copyright sue me!
Could I change things like the background or arangement of the animals and avoid this all together?

[wheezy]

Where to begin...

These questions deserve the candor of Ilaekae and Elwell...

But aren't we all hoping to be famous one day?


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[Ilaekae]

The problem boils down to knowing the difference between when you're "using reference" and "copying literally." It's common sense. If you feel really uncomfortable doing it, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

Using photos and books as reference is fine as long as you're not simply duplicating exactly what you see in front of you. Using three or four horse stances pretty much as they appear is not going to get you in trouble of any kind if you're drawing a herd of 30+ horses thundering across the prairie. Making a hair by hair painted copy of a famous photograph of Man-O-War will.

There is a lot of useful guidance and tips here, thanks to the wise and talented Emily G and her minions... :P

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=123346

Doing a search for "reference" or "using reference" will also bring up a good number of threads where this has been battled out before.

[reneeisorym]

Ilaekae, Thanks for the help. That thread was great. Your examples were helpful as well.

wheezy, I'm sorry if us newbs can ask frustrating questions at times. Forgive me this once? And point taken about the "famous" issue. I draw/paint just because I love it, but I secrety hope that just a few artists in my hometown would think I was good enough to have a gallery show just once. That's "famous" to me! :) Then I would go about my day job as usual! LOL

[wheezy]

Reneeisorym, I am just as much a newb as the next guy. No question is dumb or out of the question if the subject is relevant to the forums purpose, which yours was. It is how we learn from one another and I commend you for asking it. I merely thought there were two specific people who frequent this forum better equipped for your question, and one of those people, Ilaekae pulled through as usual and gave you what you requested.

I figured I would let Alan Moore's perspective on being famous answer your question about 'hoping to be famous one day?' No harm, just some motivation for you. :D

[reneeisorym]

Thank you wheezy! You had good points, really!

I have been drawing and painting for 13 years. And I STILL feel like I have no idea what I'm doing! I'm forever a newb!