Q: Using 'reference' images found online when painting... (1 Viewer)

[Deer]

Ok, I have a question... I'm sure this is answered somewhere in the syllabus, but before I go reading through hundreds of pages I thought I'd ask you guys first.

What are the rules with using images online for the basis of your paintings? For example, say I wanted to do a portrait of a child, could I just find a photo online and just straight out copy it? I understand its different if you are abstracting it a lot, because one probably wouldn't even know, but where is the line between 'appropriating' an image and just straight out 'copying'? If you're aiming for hyperrealism, for example?

If I found a photo on deviantart, and I ask the artists permission, am I then allowed to use it for a reference for a painting?
Or do I have to take my own photos?

D:

Eee

 

[Cinnamonster]

If the artist of the photograph gave you permission then you can use it.
Mind you I used a load of photos off Google and concert booklets as references for my BOW and my teachers had no problems with it and neither did the Board and three of my works were pretty realistic.

 

[Deer]

Ok cool, thankyou! And yes, I also wondered about stuff from google images... Good to know you had no problems

 

[Cinnamonster]

My only other advice is to give credit in your VAPD. I did that for the pictures I borrowed from devART (even though I didn't end up painting any of them I still had them in my book so I gave credit and wrote that I used them with permission from the artists). And I just stuck the references for everything else in the VAPD too.