I just bought an old dictionary (1961, not in the public domain) so I could begin painting on old paper and came across your video. I appreciate your concern for the copyrights of the composers and authors of the books. I also happen to be a copyright attorney and would like to speak to the legality of painting on book pages or sheets of music. You can paint on any original book pages or music sheets whether the book or composition is in the public domain or not. You own the physical book or sheet music whether you bought it, were given it, found it, or scrounged it. You can cut it, collage it, or watercolor it. What you can't do is copy the page or sheet. That is the essence of the copyright that belongs to the composer or author . . . the exclusive right to copy. Creating original art from the original page is not copyright infringement. I hope you don't mind me jumping in.
Thank you! I appreciate your response. I draw in books found in thrift stores and yard sales. The quality of some of the book pages is great! I keep the drawings. I use them as my art journals.
Whenever I'm painting on such kind of printed ( vintage or not so vintage) pages I prime them with the Daniel Smith transparent watercolour ground that protects the paper from peeling and makes the process easier because I don't have to care that much on how light are my colour washes.
I love your paintings!! You have inspired me. I have my dad's guitar, and some of the pages from the music books he used to teach himself how to play guitar. I am going to try this, and am so excited!!
I saw that you don’t adhere the painting to watercolor paper, but I would like to make it stronger or into a card, what would you use to adhere the page for this?
How do you adhere the vintage page to watercolor paper? Do you need to prep the vintage page once attached to watercolor paper in order to paint on it? How do you transfer your picture to the vintage paper?
I do not adhere the page to watercolor paper. I paint directly onto the vintage music, no prep to the paper. I create the drawing on tracing paper, then use graphite transfer paper to transfer to the music. I hope this helps!
Wonderful idea! Thank you! ❤
You are welcome, and thanks back to you!
I just bought an old dictionary (1961, not in the public domain) so I could begin painting on old paper and came across your video. I appreciate your concern for the copyrights of the composers and authors of the books. I also happen to be a copyright attorney and would like to speak to the legality of painting on book pages or sheets of music. You can paint on any original book pages or music sheets whether the book or composition is in the public domain or not. You own the physical book or sheet music whether you bought it, were given it, found it, or scrounged it. You can cut it, collage it, or watercolor it. What you can't do is copy the page or sheet. That is the essence of the copyright that belongs to the composer or author . . . the exclusive right to copy. Creating original art from the original page is not copyright infringement. I hope you don't mind me jumping in.
Kathryn, I'm glad you found our video, and thank you for your insight!
Thank you! I appreciate your response. I draw in books found in thrift stores and yard sales. The quality of some of the book pages is great! I keep the drawings. I use them as my art journals.
This answers a lot of my questions. Thanks!
I'm glad it's helpful- thank you!
I use old and new books I find in thrift stores to use as my art journals. The quality of paper is great. I use ink and colored pencil. Great video.
What a great idea, and I agree about the quality of paper. I'd love to see your journals!
Awesome idea! I'm so glad you were in my feed today! Thank you.
Glad you saw it, thanks!
So beautiful! You’ve inspired me !!!
I'm so glad to hear this! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I want to make a painting for my niece for her wedding shower
You are welcome - go for it!
really love ther idea...always seeking new ways to express ideals
Thanks Lindsay, it's a lot of fun!
Love your paintings and thank you for sharing this unique process.
Thank you Diane!
This looks great. Really wonderful job.
Thank you, I appreciate your comment!
Whenever I'm painting on such kind of printed ( vintage or not so vintage) pages I prime them with the Daniel Smith transparent watercolour ground that protects the paper from peeling and makes the process easier because I don't have to care that much on how light are my colour washes.
Thanks for this!
Thank you! Great information. If I were going to do this and just put it in a clear paper sleeve as a gift what would you back it with and how?
You could attach it to a sturdy piece of archival cardboard, maybe using small pieces of two-sided archival tape.
I love your paintings!! You have inspired me. I have my dad's guitar, and some of the pages from the music books he used to teach himself how to play guitar. I am going to try this, and am so excited!!
Yes, MaryLou - give it a try - it's so much fun and fulfilling to reinvent old music! I'd love to hear how it goes!
From what I understand about copyrights is you cannot reproduce it but you can use the original page in your own mixed media art.
Thanks Danielle!
I saw that you don’t adhere the painting to watercolor paper, but I would like to make it stronger or into a card, what would you use to adhere the page for this?
You could use archival paste to do this.
If I didn't want to see the words what would I use to prepare the page before using watercolour?
Hi, I do not prepare the page at all. I place the watercolor directly onto the page.
I might have misunderstood your question. Do you not want to see the text in the music?
Can you use acrylic for this?
Definitely give it a try!
I have used acrylics and they work well.
How do you adhere the vintage page to watercolor paper? Do you need to prep the vintage page once attached to watercolor paper in order to paint on it? How do you transfer your picture to the vintage paper?
I do not adhere the page to watercolor paper. I paint directly onto the vintage music, no prep to the paper. I create the drawing on tracing paper, then use graphite transfer paper to transfer to the music. I hope this helps!
Thank you helps a great deal