[william]

Hi
I was wondering...would copying someone's anatomy or character pose be considered fraud? I mean, sometimes when I read comics and stuff, their poses just look so cool and I want to just copy the pose and add on my own concept designs. I haven't done a lot of anatomy study yet. Would this be considered cheating? When I say pose...I actually mean just the body, none of the clothing or concept or style for that matter will be copied.
thanks!!!

[Mangesan]

Ah, the everlasting question...

It's a very trickey issue I must say.. The easiest way to respond to this question is that you will have to decide for yourself, and that is also the truth...

I follow the groundrule: Finders keepers... (I do my own stuff, with own poses)

The bottom line is... If your conscience is clean after the work is done, then I believe it's OK...

You can always notify the viewer of your piece that you took the pose or inspiration of another artist! That is the best way to go...
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It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

Peace.
MJ

[wycliffeart]

Sounds like your just talking about practice inwhich case it's not only acceptible it's expected as just part of the learning process. Just don't put it in your portfolio.

[IDrawGirls]

May I state the obvious? Don't sell it either

I think there's no such thing as cheating as long as you are learning.
And when you post your stuff always mention that it's inspired, copied or whatever ... as Mangesan already said.

[Max]

copying a master's work is one of the best ways to learn (I think)
I don't think there is anything wrong with it
you can only cheat on yourself
do what you like and what you think that will help you

[william]

hmm...ok but here's the thing. I thought about this too, but if I were to ONLY copy the anatomy, would it be justified to call the person a cheater? I mean...poses are for everyone aren't they?
ok here's an example. I copied the anatomy of one of the pictures from itch's site.

http://www.geocities.com/psychommunity0/index.htm

the first one is of course his. The second one is mine.
I think there is no resemblance on the concept of the piece, just the body. Of course I wouldn't use this as part of my portfolio. But I get that guilty feeling when I say to myself, "I drew it".
What do you guys think?

oh yeah...btw...the character is suppose to be a sort of...cleric/soldier hybrid. I thought i turned out pretty cool hehe.
Thanks!!!

[Socar MYLES]

With work that's going to be obviously derivative, you should always mention your inspiration. If the original artist is still alive, if the image is going to be even remotely recognizable, you should cover your butt and get permission. I do the odd derivative work, myself (not to the extent of copying poses, but I have swiped the odd interesting landscape idea from some famous dead guy)--but I always make sure the artists I'm blatantly purloining from are long gone. Don't want to step on anyone's toes professionally, apart from anything else.
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[:::nVIDIA:::]

Personally, I don't think that's a crime what you're doing. As long as you're not copying exactly and taking credit for it and selling it to make money or get a job at some company. But, if you're just copying because it's cool to you I don't see it as a problem.

Yes, I learned too from copying from other artists in my early teens, especially stuff from comicbooks. I think that's how most comicbook artists learn by copying from their heroes. Heck, even my hero Frazetta did it, and sometimes would even pay little homage to Howard Pyle or NC Wyeth. I don't think my work looks like Frazetta's or I don't think because after awhile one starts to develope him or herself and move on and come up with something that's in their personality. It's all good....

Ed--
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