I'm just learning to paint. If I see a photograph in the newspaper or magazine that I'd like to paint, is it cheating to try to copy it, or use it for inspiration?
2007-10-03 03:23:11 · 19 answers · asked by Mamaj 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
At this stage I don't even show anyone my efforts. I only want to do it to practice a style or composition I admire.
2007-10-03 04:13:51 · update #1
If you turn it in and claim it was all yours, then it would be cheating, but to basically copy it, its not cheating. Since you are just learning, you are looking for things to paint, so to me, you are painting a picture of the picture in the news paper or magazine.
2007-10-03 03:32:31 · answer #1 · answered by George P 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No it's not cheating but if an artist was to use another artists work as a base for commercial sales, then you aren't just cheating; you're stealing and it's illegal.
Working from a photo from the paper, magazine is common but inadvisable.
Work from real life. You have it all around you. The scene outside your window. The car in the driveway, the neighbours cat sleeping on the stoop. The yard in the back of the house.
Anything in life. But not photographs. Use the real three dimensional scenes in everyday life to learn to draw. Otherwise your work is going to end up poor, and flat.
If it is people you are drawing then get your friend to sit for you. Relatives too. If you aren't studying the craft with a tutor then get some illustrative art books on the subjects you want to work in.
A little training is better than no training at all.
You aren't cheating when using photographs per se. But you are cheating your work. Try to do all your work using real life.
2007-10-03 17:18:50 · answer #2 · answered by the old dog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. when you practice its okay to emulate others. if no one copied then we would only have one person doing Dada or Surrealism, or Pop. One of the most famous art pieces was created when Du Champs just signed "R Mutt" on a mens urinal. in fact this is a good way to learn techniques. and after enough practice you'll find yourself painting in your own style. just be sure not to get to comfortable with one way of practicing art. you will find yourself becoming static and your skills leveling off. always try to get out of your comfort zone. try taking pictures yourself and painting those. then go to the same spot you took the picture and try painting the scene directly. then maybe give yourself a time limit (the more time you spend on something doesn't necessarily make it better. Monet spent all day painting haystacks at about 30 minutes each, he was able to catch them in different lighting.
so i guess its okay to paint from pictures, just don't let it be the only way you paint.
2007-10-03 12:47:48 · answer #3 · answered by mateo_114 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! Art students the world over copy the masters and get inspiration from any number of sources. Visual influence is all part of becoming an artist. Keep working is the main thing and paint anything that stirs your passion.
2007-10-03 05:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would consider it cheating but the Chicago Art Institute has its students copy the techniques and methods of the masters for the purpose of learning how to do it. So, while copying the picture is plagurism and maybe even a violation of a copyright, it is also a learning experience. Some say that to be copied is the highest form of complement.
2007-10-03 04:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by Mindbender 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not cheating if you're doing it to learn. Just don't try to sell anything you copied from someone else's work, or pass it off as your original creation. That's called copyright infringement (more stealing than cheating).
Copying is a good way to learn things, but it shouldn't be your ONLY way. You can get very dependent on photographs instead of your own observation. Drawing from life, and taking classes, are more likely to give you the results you want.
Edit: There is a "fair use" exception to any copyright. Educational purposes is only one example of such. I don't know why people are overlooking that, except that possibly they're IGNORANT of it.
2007-10-03 03:38:55 · answer #6 · answered by helene 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you were creating artworks that directly copied the photographs and you mass produced and sold them.. then that would be breach of copyright.
If you are using them as a learning tool, for private use, then there is nothing wrong with that.
I think it's great that you are finding your own inspiration and learning through copying if that's what works for you.
Theories abound about the wrongs and rights of learning that way. I didn't, but I think it's fine to do whatever works for you, ignore anyone who says it's wrong, it isn't. Your art is your own, and no-one (NO-ONE) has the right to question your learning techniques. Good luck with your art! Lidy .
www.notthetate.co.uk/lizzie
2007-10-03 20:34:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Copying it and using it for inspiration are two different things entirely. I would not copy it, but maybe focus on similar subject mater. In the art world it is always best to be completely original. Never take chances on copying someone else's work. There are many reasons for this, just take my word for it. Remember, "Creativity is the Mother of Learning". Good Luck...Nomadic
2007-10-03 04:46:35 · answer #8 · answered by nomadic_rogue_usa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would only be a problem if you tried to sell it. I think most artists start by coping other people's work whether it is a painting or a photograph.
Keep practicing because it is the only way to get better.
2007-10-03 04:31:24 · answer #9 · answered by alice 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try drawing from life... you'll enjoy it much more and you'll actually learn from it. Alternately you could pick up a digital camera and do your own photos.
Why in the world would you want to copy a magazine photograph anyway?
2007-10-03 11:37:32 · answer #10 · answered by Rick Taylor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋