If I need an image I go to Google Images, right click > Save as. We all do it!
Often I save an image for my ‘inspiration’ folder, or to use as a reference for drawing specific items; and that is just fine because the use of the image stays within my home and I do not use it for any commercial purposes.
What is not fine is when we copy images from the net and use them on public platforms such as websites, social media, newsletters, flyers etc…especially if we don’t take the time to ask permission or credit the artist.
As an artist, I receive weekly requests for permission to use my images. I always take the time to thank them for contacting me and for considering my work to accompany theirs. In exchange, depending on each specific project, I only ask for a small fee (usually on a donation basis) or that they credit my name under the image with a link to my website. I am glad that most of the people who contact me usually already offer to do that. Fortunately, there are also people that offer to pay for the use of image. If everyone that used an artist’s image sent them even only $10-25 (which anyone could afford) we wouldn’t have to work nearly as hard to make a living from our art! If you use an artist’s image to advertise an activity that you will be making money from then you should absolutely consider offering a remuneration.
Whatever you decide, here is the proper way to do it:
Art by Gaia Orion
(The name of the artist is mentioned with a direct link to her website)
This is the way to do business with integrity and consideration. The person enhances their work with unique, creative, visuals (my art!) and in return I get a bit of exposure. It’s a sweet exchange of service.
The first time I found my art being used without mentioning my name I was furious. I felt robbed and violated. The sad truth is that it happens so often that for my own sake I soon realized that getting angry was only going to hurt me. So I quickly learned to relax about it. Young artists fear putting their work online because of this. I explain to them how the benefits of sharing our artwork with the world outweigh by far this copyright problem.
I generally reach out to the people that I find using my art without crediting it. In doing this I learned that nobody has bad intentions. Most of the time I receive an apologetic note back and they promptly add my name and website by the image. I realize that they simply do it by lack of education.
We artists have to take the time to inform and educate that we make a living from our creative abilities and efforts. People forget that not everything on the internet is free to use just because it was uploaded on the web.
IN CONCLUSION:
If you use an artist’s image:
If you are an artist and someone uses your image with no credit:
I thank everyone that is already crediting images and that didn’t need to read this article! Many artists also create custom images for businesses and websites; you may want to contact them to do that. For more info on how I work with commission work contact me. If you like my art, stay connected by signing up on my newsletter which I only send out a few times a year with news of my new paintings, exhibitions, etc.... You might even see in one of them a newly created piece of artwork that will fit your next article/flyer/website/social media… if that happens now you know what to do, right?
