A question about using reference.

~lzx Jul 24, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Hello all.
I have a question about using a reference photo:
So say I'm using a reference photo for a drawing, I draw all by my self and the concept of the drawing it self is not related to the original photo, how ever the drawing it self is basically the reference photo re drawn, what is the "Artist Code" for publishing the drawing?
- Should I ask for an approve from the photographer?
- Should I just ask him to be polite?
- Should I just inform him?

(I'm planing on credit the reference photo any way )

What do you think?

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Devious Comments

~pauscorpi Jul 25, 2012

you have already got good advice, but here is my 2 cents. In order to use reference for maximum benefit, you shouldn't just copy it. You have to understand it and how it works. That's why it is a good idea to actually study at least 2-3 references, understand the structure and then discard them and create your won thing based on what you've learnt. Kinda like taking notes and then just studying only based on those notes.

~lzx Jul 25, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

I did exactly as you said, and it came out really close to the photo.
If I was just copying I would not think on upload it any way.
thanks for the advice.

It really helped me decide

=nelchee Jul 25, 2012 Professional General Artist

If the photo is not stock and you followed it closely, ASK. If it is a stock photo, you don't have to ask because that's what it's for, but just credit it.

~lzx Jul 25, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

I will thanks

~MystiqueDeep Jul 24, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Generally I ask to be polite. Even if it is not specifically a stock image, very few people have ever told me no (I can only think of 2).

If they say "yes", excellent. If they say "no" I either find another reference, or if I've already used it, I don't post it or place the finished work anywhere in public. If they never reply...I guess it depends on how much you've changed the picture then. Can it be recognized? Is the reference photo generic enough that you could have found a similar one somewhere else? At that point just use your best discretion. I generally don't post the drawing unless it is so different from the original I can't recognize it.

~lzx Jul 25, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

In my drawing , I used reference of a man , so the pose and the anatomy is the same...
Can I find it any were else? think I can, There are millions of photos of man and only a limited pose the human body can do.
how ever this specific drawing is very close to the original pic.

~MystiqueDeep Jul 25, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Did you change the man's clothes? Does his face look different? Does his hair look different? If everything about the man looks the same as the reference you should ask. If you've changed all of the details, then you should be fine.

~lzx Jul 25, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

I did change most of the things. but it is very close to the original, I get you'r point and I will ask for promotion - Tank you

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