"You may use the existing image as a reference, but it should never be the 
ONLY reference. "
This statement, from Jim Perkins, is the method I use to draw natural 
subjects that I cannot either draw from life (or a specimen) directly ... or 
from my own photographs exclusively.
Since I often am tasked to create whole habitats, with multiple species, I 
must supplement my own research with the photos and drawings of others. It 
is an art in itself!
The better your own drawing skill, the better able you will be to use 
multiple references ... you must juggle the images in your head to create a 
new one.

Anne
www.annerunyon.com
www.gnsi.org/profile/anne-marshall-runyon

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lynette Cook
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 10:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SCIART] How different does a figure have to be from a 
previously published one?

I once had a copyright lawyer tell me that while only a court of law could 
effectively determine whether an image is an infringement, a general rule of 
thumb is to change the original reference by at least 30%. How much 
constitutes 30% is subjective, of course. I've also heard that you need at 
least 2 reference images to work from in order to lessen the issues of 
infringement - and the more the better.

Lynette
--
Ms. Lynette R. Cook, Artist/Illustrator
[log in to unmask]
Main Web Site: http://www.lynettecook.com

> On 10/2/15 5:47 PM, Jorge A. Santiago-Blay wrote:
>> Dear Entomo-Listers
>>
>> When authors send me papers for publication, I try to remember to remind 
>> them to ask permission to
>> reproduce images from the owner of the copyright. Whether non-human or 
>> human entities, an email is
>> generally all it takes to say "yes". Yet, sometimes money needs to be 
>> transacted or the reply is
>> "no" or no reply at all is available.
>>
>> My question is, if one cannot get permission, how different does the new 
>> image have to be to be
>> considered as "different" from the previously published one and be free 
>> from the concerns of
>> copyright violations.
>>
>> Your anecdotes (whether personal or from someone else) as well as 
>> constructive suggestions,will be
>> welcomed. Please send them directly to me at:
>>
>> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> Apologies for potential duplicate emails.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Jorge
>
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