......ugh

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EDIT: (almost didn't even upload this because i do NOT want any sort of drama, but I'm uploading it anyways >< )Let me just say, this is not aimed at anyone in particular, I am not "raging mad" about this (though I am NOT happy about it) I am not just complaining or whining, this is half a rant, but half not.. This is a journal meant to shed some light on a subject, let other people know where I stand with my work being used, what to do about it, and hopefully, to serve as inspiration for some people to make some original artwork. And to help lessen art-theft. It will never go away completely I know, but if this journal can again, lessen it, then that's good enough for me.


okay, guys, I dont want this to turn into a "drama journal" about art theft, and bases, and weather or not it is my fault or someone els's fault that the internet exists, and if you put art on it SOMEONE is bound to steal it. blah blah blah. AND This is NOT aimed at anyone.... this is an on-going situation that I've been dealing with for quite some time......

And I have something to say about it;


Please, do not use my art for bases, or making bases, or tracing, or manipulating, or role-playing, or line-arts for commissions/gifts,  or copying (or as some say "referencing".... there is a difference between "referencing" and copying a drawing line for line and calling it your own!) etc etc etc.........

I do not upload my drawings for people to steal..... I upload becaus eit is fun to socialize with people of a common interest...... and because I just want to share my art with you guys.....



This journal was longer, but I don't feel like uploading a "rant journal" . I want to keep calm about it.

But I am going to add this....... It really is a kick in the face at times when some people take my work, edit it, upload it, get acknowledgment for it, and don't even have the sense to CREDIT me in the description, so that others may go look at my other art.... heck, they don't even have the sense to ask me permission to use my work in the first place. I'm one of those artists who work hard researching, practicing, and sketching for hours and hours and days, weeks, months, years..... and for someone to just "leach" of my hard works (and or talent).....because they don't think they can do it. It's just soo frustrating.
Well I've got news for those kind of people......
Stop taking my, and other peoples' drawings.....because you CAN improve on your skills.... but only if you TRY.

And before you think  copying is just heavy reffing...let me say this.

(these are not official definitions, they are  definitions as I see them...)

There is a difference between "REFERENCING" and "COPYING"....

Referencing - "Looking at something, figuring out how it works, where some things go, finding the essence of that thing/character, taking that knowledge and then USING IT TO MAKE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT IMAGE.......BUT KEEPING IT ON MODEL SO IT WILL BE RECOGNIZABLE AS THAT CHARACTER/THING...."

Copying - " looking at something, drawing it line for line, making a "copy" of it....."




When I researched on how to draw thylacines...... I DEVOURED a website devoted to thylacine facts, photos, descriptions, anatomy, etc...
And watched videos OVER AND OVER AGAIN....... looked at photos and old original art from the era that they were alive, learned their anatomy, mannerisms, how the sit, their pelt patterns, stripes, tail, flexibility, and so on and so forth..... it took me hours, weeks, and possibly even months to REALLY get it down to where I can draw them believably  without needing a reference.......
I am really happy with myself that I actually took the time to understand something before i started drawing it so it can be as correct as my ability will allow...

And GUESS WHAT!

I have seen my original THYLACINE drawings, of my character.....traced....copied......stolen.....

Why?

Because someone(s) didn't have enough confidence in themselves to try it all on their own.... to learn. to practice.....to research....to try.

Oh....there I go again, RANTING!! :D


Now, I'm not asking you to go on a "witch hunt" to find art thieves with this journal, but If you come across  someone using an image of mine on deviantart, facebook, or tlkfaa (the only sites I upload art to) please send me a message...... if you see it on another website. please message me, make sure it's not me, and I'll ask you to notify  the admin (if i am not on the site) that I do not allow that. And that I'd like the image(s) removed.
DO NOT start arguments over the images. I've seen people get very heated and profane with other people who take my/other people's art. It's un-needed drama. And if you're not going to care about it a week from now, then there's no real point in getting all worked up about it.


Guys, we learn from a very young age that stealing is wrong..... that message should be brought into the world of art.
Fan-art should be fine..... but "art-theft" should never be okay.
And it's not theft if you have the artists' permission. So ask for permission.
Reference, do not copy.
Draw, do not trace.
Work hard, do not leach.
Ask permission, and give credit.


Tracing is fine for use as a learning tool, but do not upload/claim those traced images in your galleries as your own "hard work". It's not very "hard" to trace.

And it is soo much....SOOO MUCH  more gratifying to upload and be known and liked for your OWN art....that you make from scratch.


Sketch your own pose.
make the lineart from your own pose.
Color the image.
add effects and a BG
and OMG You now have your own original image! congrats to you!!!

Just try, and keep trying, you will improve, if you just, again, keep trying!



Goodness this journal still turned out longer than I wanted....

I hope I did not offend any artists who trace because they don't think that their art is good enough. I'm sure a good majority of them do not think they're doing anything wrong......That is not the intention of this journal. But I do hope this journal has urged some "tracers" to really pick up a pencil/pen/tablet pen and try to make art on their own. :)


anyways.
I'm going to end this :\

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go do something positive to get this negative feeling out of my system....

-Danielle.

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whisperpntr's avatar
Hey sweetie, hope you feel better now it's november as this was august, but if this still happens, the ones who work hard go through this and do relate. I'm old now.. well older I guess as thereare still older students in my program. But I can instantly tell who really really studies their stuff and who just goes oh meh.

You're the former.

I also have gone through the heartbreaking realization that some people just don't respect you. I've also placed rants and then gotten feedback similar to the one that frustrates you. After a while when it doesn't stop you go numb. Then a friend you trusted may turn around and just take credit where credit isn't due. And when that shit hits the fan you get so much drama.

I've been there. MANY of my friends in the program have been there. So be friends with those who get it. Ditch those who just tells you you're over-reacting.

Oh and the reason why other artists don't react to theft is because their energy is re-invested in art. Let me tell you, there are times I just don't have the energy to stay awake let alone feel emotions when people steal my stuff. I used to put my name on everything but now I really don't care about the horse and pony show and instead just stick to self improvement. But even in my no energy state I DO care if people use my art and sell it. That requires threats and litigation.

And that's never fun.

Anyways just because some of us doesn't react doesn't ever make what happened OK. So on that note, just remember to share your technique and your art to people you trust but also to realize they can steal your work but can never steal your creativity.

I hope this wasn't preachy and was supportive. I really love your drive and your passion to not copy though an industry secret is, trace to learn. I used to be just like you and abhorred tracing.

Now I do it but don't make claim to it unless it's for class, it has really improved my anatomy even more.

All of my stuff on dA though... not traced. We keep it real here. :)