Using Other People's Photos as Reference Images to Make Your Art | Is it ok?
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Today we're going to talk about when it is and isn’t ok to use other people’s photos/images as reference for creating art, and where some of the tricky grey areas are. I’ll be using questions from you all for the talking points, including:
Is it ok to use random images (found on Google, Pinterest, etc) when you CAN'T tell who it belongs to?
Is it ok to use random images (found on Google, Pinterest, etc) when you CAN tell who it belongs to, but the terms aren’t listed?
What about stock photos that are marked royalty free?
Ok, so what if I do want to pay for a license, then can I use a stock photo for reference?
So what kind of images can I use?
What about if you only use part of the image?
Basics of fair use for artists
REMEMBER... I AM NOT A LAWYER! Please take all of this as just what it is: my own understanding of a complex subject. :)
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This is the most clarity I’ve had on this subject yet . Thank you . I to am nervous about copywrite laws and I’d never want to offend another or make them feel my intent was to steal their stuff or make money off of their work . I didn’t even realize that royalty free did not mean copy write free . That’s how unknowledgeable I was about this lol. Good to know that . I feel like they really do need to cover copywrite laws in art schools and colleges . But I guess self taught artist need a way to learn this to .
Hi Kendyll
I watch your speed paintings strawberry with my 4 year old students, i am a kindergarden teacher here in Argentina, were are learning about still life paintings, they were amazed because first they thought i was a photo, and they applause in the end. Thanks for your art.
That is the most adorable thing I've ever heard.
Hi Kendyll, this video is so helpful! I sometimes use copyrighted images but only to practice. I didn't know the difference between royalty free and public domain images. Now, I will pay more attention when choosing a photo. Thanks for sharing :)
thanks to everyone who put images on those sites that are public domain, they are incredible references 💙💙💙Thanks for answering these questions Kendyll!! 💙
YES!! Agreed -- big thank you to all those generous photographers. Glad you liked the video, Sarah! ☺️
Even though it was released to the public, it is nice to acknowledge the one that it originated with.
This is such an informative video! Thank you for your honesty and for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to the next one on this topic. :-)
I found this channel because I was googling my name. Always great to find someone with the same name and spelling! I love your channel and your art is wonderful!
Such a helpful video! Thank you Kendyll, I now have a better undestanding about this topic! Hope you have a good day!
"My art will have destroyed us all!" hahaha
Great information, and I completely agree and have the same outlook on this topic. Thanks for sharing!
No joke! It's what keeps me up at night!😂😅🤓
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on this topic. It’s really valuable thank you!
Wow, you were so thorough. I just learned so much.
Everyone always talks about painting from reference images, but my question is about painting objects from life. Let's say I am looking at a teapot on my table in my kitchen and I paint it. Someone else designed that teapot. All of the objects in our lives were designed by someone. Is that ok?
yes
I think in the field of art the copyright issue is mostly related to drawing directly from somebody's art or photo that is copyright protected....u don't have to worry about things that are there in your place or anywhere else
having the same anxiety, tried to study from different sources (but not so smooth, still confused) and your video alr sum it all for me! answered all of my questions. thank u so much for this knowledge you mustve studied hard 😭🙏🏻
So if someone asks for a painting of a Lion, I need to go out and take a photo of a Lion to use as a reference?
You just need to make sure the photo you're using is in the public domain, or that you have the photographer's permission, or that you're using multiple references rather than just one photo.👍🏻
It's simple. If you don't own the photo or reference image, you need written permission from the original artist/photographer with an agreed amount of compensation and terms as stipulated on their invoice, or risk up $150,000 for copyright infringement for each offense. The amount negotiated is based on the percentage of the image being used and for what purpose it is being used.
This video is incredible! It is the most impformative video I have seen on this topic! Thank you!!! ❤️
Thank you so much! That makes me so happy to hear!😃💕
Excellent video ,! very informative , great flow too...answered many questions I have wondered in a direct way. As a new
artist, I also have done copying of others works...so excited to be able to even copy, but not realizing all the laws, and need to honor the original artist! Thank You for covering that.
That there are professional artists and illustrators that have questions about this makes me feel a little better for not knowing all I need to about this field
Good, I'm glad to hear that! It's definitely a tricky topic, and one that needs more conversation for sure!
Totally off topic but I love your hair
Nice video. Amazing that there is a way to get images without a copyright issue. Kalman.
Very helpful. Is this taught in Art School to some extent? Thanks for sharing!
Yes "technically" it's illegal to paint copyrighted photos and sell them without permission. But let's be honest, many artists get away with this especially if they are amateurs. I've seen many recognizable famous photos of horses being painted and sold by artists, and nobody seems to give a crap about it. So what should stop me from doing it? All of a sudden people are saints when it comes to the subject of copyright, when the reality is more people break this rule than follow it. I guess it really depends on what you are painting. If you tried painting something from Disney and selling it, you could be in big trouble. I could get away with painting copyrighted photos of horses for now, but if I develop a bigger following, I plan on taking my own photos.
That's what I'm thinking because I'm just a nobody😂😂😂 but I do use images of models to paint high fashion models and I re-edit them my my liking
I've always felt really shy when using photos to make My drawings
Somewhere I heard, Originality is the art of concealing your source.
I use reference images to get proportions correct.
I can’t draw most animals by memory. So I google lots of them. But I don’t trace them.
Every time I reference images, it’s a combination of dozens of images. And none are traced, copied, or uses the original color combination.
Like I said, it’s to get proper perspective, or biological proportions of people or animals.
Is this legal?
Thank you Kendyll, good job explaining the use of other artists work. My understanding is that to copy the masters such as Goya, or Caravagio etc. is OK as long as you acknowledge the origin . Am I correct ?
My take on all this, is to copy all you want for YOU to learn, but that's it. The joy comes when you can create and/or copy nature
Some pieces of work become public domain when the rights to the work expire, I think about 50 years after the owner dies. Look it up, but old masterpieces shouldn't be a problem!
Hi Kendyll, thanks for a cool video. Have you heard about JumpStory? It’s a new stock photo alternative to the sites you mention. More focus on authenticity and diversity. Maybe you’ll find it interesting. Best regards, Jonathan
Mind sharing your thoughts on using AI for reference photos ? I started a drawing ( not to sell but just for myself and the joy of drawing ) where I used an AI reference photo that looked like a lady I dreamed about ( I wanted to paint my dream images ) but that was when I first heard of AI and didn’t realize that it pulled from other artists images online . A few months later I began hearing about the controversy around AI . Now I feel like I put all these hours of work in to the drawing ( it is a colored pastel pencil drawing ) which consist of more than just the lady I used the reference photo for , yet feel too afraid to put it on my Instagram page .
I’ve been asked to paint a lion . However, I don’t have any of my own personal pictures of lions! What do I do in that case?
Check a site like Pixabay or Pexels!
Yes very helpful I have been wondering.
If you don't exactly replicate the photograph there is nothing they can do and most post people couldn't anyway. I use flickr landscape and seascape photographs all the time and I sell a lot of painting, a lot. There will be something about the composition or view that I like but even then I will alter it. I will change the palette completely and since I don't slavishly the replicate surface detail or even the same light,( I only use palette knives and rollers ), there is little that the photographer could do. Could they even prove that you didn't also take a photograph from the same position? Nope
very informative. thank you!
Is it okay to use poses you see in other images or illustrations to make your own?
I feel sorry for collage artist . They will have to reach out to everyone who’s image they use . In collage that’ll be a nightmare
Thanks that's very helpful 😊
is it fine to use a still from a video that is not famous as a reference?(maybe by changing it a bit, like the colour,etc)
That's tricky -- it all depends on how significant the changes are. I can't say for sure one way or another since I'm not a lawyer.
Am I the only one who just ask the photographers if I can use their pictures?
I do that sometimes too, most people I've asked are quite flattered and say yes immediately :D
HellO! I want to start a new Art Channel, and I really want to know: If I use already existing images as reference and I make my own drawings based mostly on those reference images, but I have no intention to sell or commercialize whatsoever:
Can I Upload a Video on UA-cam of the process of me making the drawing as well as showing the final result? (Sped-up time lapse / "Speedpainting" of me making the drawing based on the reference).
Is that Okay?
I also plan to mention where I found the images and mention the owner if I can find who they belong to.
(Example: I find an Image of an Athlete taken at a Sports Event, and I make a Portrait of that Athlete mentioning where the Reference Photo comes from and by whom it was taken. I film the process of me making the Portrait, and then Upload the video on UA-cam as a sped-up time lapse with some music.)
what if your taking it directly from the anime is that bad?
If you're doing it for fun or non-commercial purposes it's probably ok. This is mainly about using other people's reference images for professional work.
My own take on using public domain art is simple. If like me you like to spend time digitally restoring these pieces to almost pristine condition, then I see no reason why you shouldn't sell them, so others can enjoy them too. Let me explain: I spend up to three days turning poor Public Domain downloads into very printable wall art. Too many people download these images and do little to them, and that cannot be right. I love art. I have been a photographer for over thirty years and don't do too much these days. I keep my hand in by remastering this artwork and will sell prints with the artists name still showing. I guess I'm acting more as a gallery owner rather than an artist, receiving a small fee for handling them. I certainly don't think I will get rich from POD. But its good to know that everyone has the means to buy such fantastic art. That's it really. If you want to use Public Domain art then make sure you keep its integrity intact, and above all, give it the respect it deserves.
What if I want to use Grafit Studios reference photo packs to create a drawing and I purchase a license? Which license should I get to be able to eventually sell my art?
what if you make a video that's a tribute to the artist who took that photo?
I don't know about that for sure -- sorry! I'd imagine it depends on whether you're profiting from it or not.
hi i'm sorry this is kinda old but i have a question: i am an amateur artist and looking to sell some of my paintings. i usually use a whole lot of references for a single object so they aren't "traceable" and do my own compositions and backgrounds, except for poses which i usually copy wholly. my subjects are pretty, i dare to say "unique", as i do extremely bony, grey-skinned human-like creatures, so the people from which i copy those poses aren't recognizable from their face nor physique. still, i'm concerned. are poses copyrighted? (not just standing/walking, but like high fashion model-y poses or any weird ones you usually don't see on the daily)
Mam Ur really great artist
So no more realistic drawings like Drawholic
Just depends on the references. If you get one from a public domain site you're good to go!
Hey how to behave when someone really does give a shit bout the copyright of other artists and claim their works as their own with the mark "study from xy" somewhere but also use them everywhere to promote themselfes sometimes without any info bout the original creator? For me its hard to just forget bout it when the artist is just doin dat- no reference from unfamous artists...just awsome photos and even pieces from stars like ross draws get copied- with good rendering tho. I dont mean angel ganev - i just dont wanna call this person out. I have this big problem that i cant just say - thats not bout me and i cant make him change. It drives me crazy - and i feel i shouldnt do more then explaining it to the person ..but he keeps doin it.. shall i reach out to the creators and tell them- look this is ur piece and he benefits direcly from the copy of it which he calls study? I dont know... what do u guys think?
Hi I'm pretty late just wanna ask, is it okay if i paint a plant that i took a picture at my mom's garden ?
Additional question, how about pictures of buildings i took personally, but that building is famous? can i use it?
when you a computer programmer and just look for free license
That works too!
Put yourself in others shoes. Would you want others using your work to make money at your expense. Some just don’t care which is not alright!
You’re so beautiful
This is utterly depressing 😂😂😂