Animation Source Forums

Of all the art sites I've ever been on; this one has the highest rate of people complaining about art theft.

A lot of these 'thefts' are simply people drawing the same pose as someone else more then it is actual stealing of someone's art (like copying it to their computer, getting rid of the original artist's signature and replacing it with there own). But the main thing is the copying of another's original pose.

I personally would be flattered if someone thought my art was good enough to copy. But others are not as tolerant. I do, however, have an idea to slow down the theft problem. You can't stop it completely. And if we get rid of the fanart altogether, well, that just ruins it for everyone.

People like Pample, Cat, and other gifted artists, are incredibly talented. You can draw the perfect dog/lion or what-have-you. That's why you're the most popular folks to copy from. It is only becuase you're THAT good. Cat's work, especially, is absolutely flawless.

I figured this; if you gifted people made pictures especially for those who require ref. poses (i.e.; one page on all sitting poses, one on all laying down, one on standing, etc...), then people wouldn't steal as much, and we wouldn't have to get rid of all of the art. I'm not trying to cater to the thieves, but if you really are that good, why not share?

I've heard people say "we don't draw this good to make other people's lives easier!". Well, maybe I'm different. If I had the talent you have, I'd be happy to share my ideas and poses with those who need help rather then lable them as art theives because they drew a wolf laying down that looks just like my wolf laying down. But, then again, I've never had my art copied, so I don't know what it's like. I can imagine seeing my pose or character drawn [poorly] by someone else who DOESN'T give me credit for the pose or character. It's wrong.

But, not all of these people do it on purpose. Some people have PhotoShop, which as I said before, is a very deceptive program. Photoshop pics may be mistaken for offical pictures and used as a ref (signatures are sometimes overlooked, especially when it's a kid who's using the pic as a ref.)

Let it be known: I'm not agreeing with art theft. The point I want to make is this; if those who are gifted with the ability to draw the anatomically perfect dog made special pics that can be used as refs for the 'artistically impared', it would dramatically slow down art theft itself. Not many would need to copy your pics if they had something special to use.

Believe me, if I was as talented as Cat, Kahvsie, Pample or PerfectPureBlood, I'd be happy to provide a small series of ref. pics. But, if we want to cut the theft ratio in half, we need the help of the artists who are actually talented. They don't have to be colored or very detailed. Just some simple, quick sketches of some of the most popular poses would safice and keep the copiers busy, if only for a little while, or maybe even teach them so they don't need to copy anymore. A lot of these so-called theives are not evil people, they just want to be as good as you are. I can't blame them.

I know there is a sticky topic that has refs for how to draw wolves, but it's obviously not working to stop copying or theft. We need ref. pics in the galleries of the most popular artists; because it's them who are the targets.

I'd be totally for the idea of providing reference pictures for people, but really, all me and the other mods want is for people to do their own thing (art wise, and not in terms of copying people without any regards for the copied). We've said again and again there's nothing wrong with referencing work as long as you cite it, and its the same with everything else. People are applauded for citing references, but they don't know that (or so it seems), and that's what we're trying to encourage. (We're also trying to promote creativity, but that's a different story.) But really, if we give them a reference sheet of poses (used for their own entertainment with our without citations), what's to stop them from referencing work off everything else drawn and not cite it as well? Nothing really. Although, I may test this out to see how it works, but I don't know how good of an outcome we're gonna get.

The reason this hasn't been done is we want to encourage them to find their own style. If we do poses in our styles their more liable to just copy more off artists after all most poses are found through photo references and such. This is why this topic was created: Wolf Anatomy To help artists draw and find their own styles.

Coincidentally? It's more than likely to have their noticable differences (IE leg length, fur ruffles, eye shapes, ear sizes, all of that stuff is taken into concideration and any of that stuff can make something unique)

We have never actually accused someone for having a 'pample like tails etc.' you know you have to have to have a huge amount of similarties for us to consider people 'copying' a style and you know we don't just catch people taking Pample's style. Just the most common art theft on this site is from Pample.

There are an awful lot of people who draw. It's only a matter of time before someone eventually draws the same style as someone else. I agree with TicTac in that matter. If someone draws the same kind of ears, eyes, paws or whatever as someone else, it doesn't make them a copier or an art theif. Only those who intentionally draw someone else's pic/characters/orig. poses should be labled as such.

Well my sister(Horse lover A.K.A soupwolf)has me draw most of her pictures(but she dosan't upload them)and we have been thinking about uploading.I only do the outline she does the coloring so since i kinda do her pictures in my style and if a fan art mod didn't know would they think its art theft or a double acount?

I just stated their are always going to be drawing styles that are similar but their are some that ARE COPIED INTENTIONALLY and that is not allowable if you do so to get more pageviews because you like the artists and want to be just as popular as them that is not how you gain 'fans' or how you 'improve'.

I personally think this would only encourage theft. It might create the mentality that "if I can trace this one, why not others?" Also, since for some odd reason you mentioned me in your list of good artists, I have to say that I myself wouldn't be able to provide any "free poses" as my health has already slowed me down from finishing other things I need to draw for people. In any case, it's good to hear that someone is trying to help curb theft on the site...while you can never stop theft entirely, maybe with some brainstorming we could curb some of it here:).

I said the same thing, but thats why I drew stick figures instead of drawing in my own style XD So its kinda like HA! Now what?! BUt yeah, thats kinda what I said too >_>