Looking for design inspiration?   Browse our curated collections!

Return to Main Discussion Page
Discussion Quote Icon

Discussion

Main Menu | Search Discussions

Search Discussions
 
 

Diane Bell

10 Years Ago

Use Of Art Tutorials.and Instruction Books

Can you legally sell art you created using a tutorial, art instruction book, etc?

Reply Order

Post Reply
 

Diane Bell

10 Years Ago

Thank you so much everyone. You all sure helped clear a few things up. Nikki, you even gave me a few ideas to try. Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

Nikki Marie Smith

10 Years Ago

Here's my layman's advice, as someone who writes and publishes art tutorials. I write tutorials to help you learn a new technique or skill, so that you can become a better artist and have more tools in your creative arsenal.

If you are following my techniques and using YOUR OWN source images, or have added your own unique twist to make the artwork truly yours, then by all means, sell your art! I'm happy that I've taught you a new technique that you've found helpful, as that was my goal in writing the tutorial to begin with. Send me a link as I'd love to see what you've created. If you give me a shout-out in the description, that's a pleasant bonus that gives me the warm fuzzies.

However, if your art is an identical clone of mine, then use it as a learning experience but please do not sell prints of it. Instead, use the skills you learned in creating that first near-copy practice artwork and apply them to a new artwork that reflects your own artistic inputs as well - consider a new subject matter, a different source photo, etc. For example, this fall I'm publishing a tutorial on this fella:

Dog in a Suit Artwork

If you sell a photo of your dog in a suit, wonderful! I'm proud of you! If you were selling my Uncle Jim's dog in my husband's suit, it would make me really uncomfortable...that would be a no-no. If that little voice in your head says "this feels unethical" it probably is.

Learn new skills and techniques and then add your own unique spin on your art -- something from your own artistic soul. Make it your own and you'll be fine!

 

Roseann Caputo

10 Years Ago

What Richard said. If you're using the technique, yes. If it's an exact copy or close of what's in the book, no.

 

Mike Savad

10 Years Ago

i don't see why not. unless you followed their design to the line, then you could get in trouble. if you used techniques from the book, then no, that's the point of it being a tutorial book.


---Mike Savad

 

Richard Rizzo

10 Years Ago

I would think so as long as you didn't copy in any such form from any pictures that were presented in the instruction book or tutorial.
If you are using it as just a guide to learn and not producing any like images from it in other words.

 

This discussion is closed.