Was wondering what you guys felt about people copying other famous artist's work? Not for financial gains but more for paying homage. Playing on the whole, Mimicing is the ultimate form of flattery. With some artist's work out of reach financially or availabilty, recreating a piece for the house could be a possibility.

I got into the urban vinyl scene recently and painting, and have been floored by all of the heavy weight artist. I recently had an idea for a drawing pad protector. Two thin wood panels slightly larger than the pad that sandwich the pad. I painted the front panel but couldn't think of what else to paint on the other side. Wanting to get it done before the weekend was done I thought of one of my favorite Woebot paintings. I thought, why not? It turned out well, nothing like the great Aaron Martin, but good. Now I didn't sign it and people that I've shown so far I've paid credit where it's due.

I think it all depends if you give credit to the original creator, and that you don't sell it.

A sign of good faith would be to contact the artist directly. From my experience, most artists are very amicable when you get to know them

"Good artists copy, great artists steal." Pablo Picasso

Nothing wrong with what you did at all. Actually doing what you did is a great way to learn. Find a style you are comfortable with, and then in this case a similar artist that you like. Then research and try to replicate their work; you will be forced to learn a good deal in just trying to mimic the original artist. If you never evolve your own style from this and you just like to replicate paintings for your own home... then who cares? Are you going to sue yourself or something? Just don't try to go around selling it or claiming anything that it isn't. Anyway, where's the pics of this, you should at least let us see it ;p

EDIT: I should also let it be known that I did something similar to this. I really loved, and still like a lot, Joe Ledbetter's work and most of my illustration and painting is based off of his style; however it's not identical. As I said above over the past year or so i changed my basis of characters, the medium of my paints and so on to eventually develop my own style. This process takes time though, my work is still evolving, but after the last few years I am starting to feel that I am finally hitting my stride in MY own original works and style.

Thanks for the encouraging words. Sorry for not posting a pic of the work, I'll certainly do so this evening.

Alrighty so this was a project that I was wanting to get done. It's a cover for my drawing pad that's wood panels front and back laced with boot lace on one side and a simple tie on the other side.


Front Panel:


Back Panel:

The woebots piece is pretty sick. You definitely have the skills, I'd try to come up with some of your own material. You'd be surprised what you can come up with

We'll be here to help.

imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery.. but it's one of the best ways to improve yourself artistically imo, i've spent most my time in class just copying works of albrecht durer haha! basically you just immerse yourself in all the different styles of all these masters, copy the crap out of them and you'll eventually pop up with some amazing broodling of your own.

Nice work, you did real great on the woebot replica. BTW I really liked your idea of the custom book. I have made a couple books for my girlfriend as presents, and I have needed a specific couple of sketchbooks; so I think I am just going to make my own sketchbooks. Thanks for the idea! Good luck with working out your own style, it's just a matter or time and determination until you find it.

you've talent....but just keep drawing what you like...scribble down your ideas and keep going back to them and improve them. it's easy to copy ppls work if you've an eye for it (which you do) but just don't get scared of stepping out of 'their style'.

Maybe take ideas from their stuff and gel it into yours but just make sure it is your own and no-ones elses.

I never think it's a bad idea to copy ppls ideas when trying to improve yourself, it's a lesson for yourself as in you can see how much you can push yourself!

Take it from me..I've copied someones style for a tv show...It taught me hella lots but at the same time it also pushed myself further!

In tattooing when we use an idea from another artist, its an unwritten rule to give credit to the original artist, say I tattoo a sailor jerry piece, When I show someone, or post it online, I always give the original artist the credit. Or even if I jist change a design I say, "inspired by.". That woebots piece is dead on. much respect!

Thanks for the compliments! I'm currently engaged in a new painting and it's original. It's taking longer than I expected but hey, can't rush art right? I will post a pic when completed.

I agree with the copying of artist styles to eventually get the style of your own. In fact I think i'd be awesome to combine a bunch of styles you like into one work. It's great for learning and i find i'll start mixing different styles and things I like to the point where my work reflects myself and the artists that inspired me.