Hey everyone. I'm still sick but feeling much better after aaaaa loooottt of sleep. Anywho, I unfortunately have something serious to discuss with you.
Over the last three weeks, some of you have contacted me about someone here on dA, inquiring about possible art/character theft or someone being heavily inspired by what I do. You've asked me if I am aware and I told you guys that I was, but that it was okay then because it wasn't so bad. But gradually, it started to get worse and after receiving another note today, I had to intervene.
Let me explain something first: I am okay with other people being inspired by what I draw/create and use that inspiration to create something of their own. It inspires me too. I do draw a line when there's straight up tracing or copying involved, along with heavily referenced stuff which make it obvious it is linked to me somehow. I also draw a line when no credit is left when any of my art/ideas are traced/copied/what have you. I support originality, not copying.
So with that said, this person began to use ideas I've drawn before, flip the image to disguise it better and then draw them out. They aren't exactly copying/tracing, but they are redrawing something I've drawn in their own image with their own OC.
I contacted them over notes to express my concerns and explain to them that I am okay with being inspired, but that one shouldn't go overboard and take too much. In the notes we exchanged, this person was very adamant about that they aren't inspired by me at all and that they'll continue to do as they do while hoping they won't receive too much hate from my followers. I decided to leave it at that and see where they would take it from there, hoping that our notes may have changed their mind a little or opened their eyes.
It didn't. Instead, they made a vent drawing about how they are doing things on their own and continued with posting art which borders on copying/eyeballing with tweaks. And during these last two days of my absence, I get contacted again by a few of my followers about this person. After talking with a good friend, I decided to make this journal.
I want to thank everyone who contacts me about possible art theft and character copy and what have you. I really appreciate this, because I can't keep up with every single website out there and find things which are disrespectful towards my work. I also want to thank those who come to me first rather than try and take matters into their hands. I don't want to start witch hunts, I don't want anyone attacking others on my behalf. I don't want ANY of this. However... you are always allowed to say, in the politest way possible, that the work in question reminds you of someone else's. Providing a link to what it reminds you of or the artist who made it is a good thing to do. No swearing, no threatening, no passive aggressive comments.
If I find out any of my followers have treated anyone this way (the bad way!), even someone who literally stole my art, I will let them know about how disappointed I am and block them for not taking the proper actions. I don't support this hostile behavior, not even in the worst case scenario.
I am always willing to talk things out and I do try, but the person I've mentioned in this journal isn't budging. There isn't really much to discuss if the other person believes their own lies. I've left a comment on their vent work, a public comment this time around to express what I think and how I feel about it after seeing their reaction to our note conversation. If you come across this person's gallery, Instagram, Tumblr and whatever else site they are on, you are allowed to leave a comment if you feel like you have something to say. But remember to not be hostile and for all that is precious, please do not attack them in any way. Let's be civil about this. I don't want to swing the block hammer around, I really don't.
To use an example as to where I draw a line and will contact the artist in question to talk and come to an understanding (after it happening repeatedly):
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(And this is but the tip of the ice berg)
As long as someone admits to using one of my drawings to draw their own, I am mostly okay with it. I know then, I know I can take credit and tell everyone who is concerned that, yes they were inspired by me and yes, we talked about it... but if they don't admit and continue to pretend they are innocent to then have this evidence keep popping up, I can't really stay nice about it anymore. I try, but it's hard because I've been lied to in my face. I keep saying it is okay to be inspired, it's okay to use the inspiration, but to say you weren't inspired and then jump up and down to try and prove it's all your own idea to then throw out more stuff which is far too similar? No.
So to any aspiring artists out there... Don't do this. If an artist whose work inspires you contacts you to discuss a drawing/design is a little too similar to theirs, talk it out. Don't put on a mask and lie. The artist will, in most cases, be very reasonable. It's why they contacted you; they want to know your half of the story and see if you are aware there are a few unwritten rules one has to follow when it comes to drawing. They want to come to an understanding with you. Don't let it turn into what I am currently dealing with. It isn't nice for anyone involved.
Thank you for reading this block of text, here's a hug if you made it this far *tight hug*. If you have any more questions or concerns about this or similar, don't hesitate to contact me.
