Read on Twitter
I've been seeing some confusion in both the megat0nraid/vannicecream tracing situation and the vinneart situation- mostly around the question of why is tracing bad, what IS tracing, what is referencing? So I'm gonna ramble + give some references if ur interested in learning more!
First, some recommended reading/watching. These links explain stuff way better than I ever could.
Tracing, referencing, heavy referencing: the difference between these terms: https://www.deviantart.com/skeleion/journal/Line-art-tracing-and-referencing-437346558
Tracing, referencing, heavy referencing: the difference between these terms: https://www.deviantart.com/skeleion/journal/Line-art-tracing-and-referencing-437346558
On what referencing really is (use references correctly!): https://www.deviantart.com/shattered-earth/art/The-BASICS-Using-References-255875213
Tracing vs referencing (more on the differences between these practices):
Now to my opinion. The main problems I see with tracing fall into 2 categories:
#1 is a problem regarding credit. When you trace an image and post it as your own, you're being misleading. You're claiming that the piece you created is your own, without giving credit
#1 is a problem regarding credit. When you trace an image and post it as your own, you're being misleading. You're claiming that the piece you created is your own, without giving credit
This involves tracing other artist's work, but also tracing photographs - photographers are artists too and deserve the credit! It gets more complicated when you start to sell and post traced pieces online - you're essentially profiting off of someone's hard work and skill
What if you took the image yourself or you're tracing over your own art?
If you take your own photos and are tracing them, then there's no real issue when it comes to credit.
If you take your own photos and are tracing them, then there's no real issue when it comes to credit.
#2 is that tracing can instill bad habits, especially when you're a new artist. Tracing is just another tool for learning how to draw, and as any tool can be overused. It can help connect some dots, but if you RELY heavily on tracing, you can stunt your understanding.
HOWEVER: is it wrong to EVER trace? I don't think so. I think it's something many artists have done in the past when first starting out.
What's important is that you don't post traced works and just use it as study material. Also pls don't sell it like megat0nraid/vannicecream
What's important is that you don't post traced works and just use it as study material. Also pls don't sell it like megat0nraid/vannicecream
When you get into commission territory - people are paying you to draw something yourself. Even if it's in the style of another artist, it's generally accepted that YOU are the one producing the product. Unless you own the image you're tracing, pls don't
What about redraws? Is that tracing?
Nope! It's heavy referencing - you've seen the sailor moon redraw around right? That's not tracing, and the artists who are redrawing it aren't pretending it's anything other than a redraw.
Nope! It's heavy referencing - you've seen the sailor moon redraw around right? That's not tracing, and the artists who are redrawing it aren't pretending it's anything other than a redraw.
You can still be super creative with redraws and they can be original, but it's clear what the original piece was! Generally, you shouldn't redraw other artist's pieces without permission/without asking if it's okay, but if you do, you should credit properly! (But pls, ask first)
What about composition/pose/colour theft?
Personally, I don't think that stuff exists. You can't own a specific composition, pose, or colour palette.
What about art style theft? I don't think that exists either, but if you do, I think that's a valid opinion to have.
Personally, I don't think that stuff exists. You can't own a specific composition, pose, or colour palette.
What about art style theft? I don't think that exists either, but if you do, I think that's a valid opinion to have.
Art style theft is a grey area for me - so I can totally be wrong.
I think it's not possible to steal an art style, since there's no way for you to copy a style perfectly without tracing (which isn't what people who mimic styles typically do). Room for debate on this one tho
I think it's not possible to steal an art style, since there's no way for you to copy a style perfectly without tracing (which isn't what people who mimic styles typically do). Room for debate on this one tho
About the vinneart situation - you can tell that the piece is derivative, but it is not traced, and no one owns the concept. HOWEVER - the major issue is that vinneart reposted the artwork of the original artist without credit.
In that situation, I think it was good to show the inspiration of the piece because when both images are together, it's really obvious the concept has stayed the same, but it was easy to find the OG artist through a reverse image search. That's what the problem was.
A good rule of thumb whenever taking inspo/reference from ONE source, keep that credit handy. If the pieces are similar, credit your inspo! Does this mean you need to credit every single piece you took reference from if you have more than one? No!
If you are using references properly, you're piece shouldn't look like any specific reference photo.
Don't feel scared using references, references are good! They are necessary! They help a lot! One of the above links can help if you're unsure how to do it! ;v;
Don't feel scared using references, references are good! They are necessary! They help a lot! One of the above links can help if you're unsure how to do it! ;v;
What about Photobashing? Is that stealing art/problems with credit?
Yeah kinda. If you are taking images from google and they don't have a licence that lets you create something from it, that's not good. But it's still a good tool for concept artists + is used in the industry
Yeah kinda. If you are taking images from google and they don't have a licence that lets you create something from it, that's not good. But it's still a good tool for concept artists + is used in the industry
However, since photobashing takes A LOT of images and repurposes them to create something new... I'm not sure! I've done photobashing before, and since I'm not selling it and am using it as practice, I think it's fine, but who knows o: I don't know how I feel about it
TL;DR; Tracing/referencing is a complicated topic! I hope this helped a little with clearing up the terms? If you have more resources regarding this topic I'd love to hear about them :DD!!
Also... I am sorry this is so long
i am not succinct
Also... I am sorry this is so long
i am not succinct
