We’re all inspired by outside sources. I see nothing wrong with seeing, say, Dave McKean using cheesecloth for texture in his art, and realizing that it’s a great idea… an idea that I intend to use in my own art, in my own way.
Is that “copying”? I’m not sure. Depends upon your definition, I suppose.
But, […]

Copying is a regular topic of discussion among artists. Recently, someone suggested copyright and trademarks as ways to protect clever product or workshop names that we use, and so on.
I can’t give you legal advice. I’m not a lawyer. But, here are a […]

The “three stroke” rule suggests that you can copy anyone’s art as long as at least three brush strokes are different.
This is NOT a law. In fact, even within clear copyright law, every legal case will return a different decision.
My background in copyright law
I’m not a lawyer, so this is opinion and based […]

In the days of the Old Masters, apprentices and students would copy their masters’ works over & over again, until they could mimic the technique perfectly. Then, they’d develop their own styles.
When a student (or someone who’s learning a new technique) copies my art exactly–or very closely–I like to think of them in that context. […]

Many artists–especially new and/or tired ones–talk about being “copied” by others. Sometimes, it’s not clear who is doing the copying, if anyone is. And, artists–even established ones–are often influenced by the same things as others, and develop startlingly similar ideas as a result.
RICE’S MILAGROS DOLLS
For example, awhile ago I […]