Due to the recent events that have occurred within the Mystery Skulls Fandom, it is time to shed a bit of light on: the artists, art theft, crediting the artists, and the adverse effects of being an art thief.
First and foremost, everyone needs to realize that ARTISTS. ARE. PEOPLE. TOO.
Yes, believe it or not there are actual people behind the computer screen creating beautiful works of art to share with the world of like-minded individuals, such as yourself.
However, that does not give you the right to treat them like they are less than a human being; always remember to imagine yourself in the shoes of the artist and think about the amount of hours, stress, and pain they go through just to finish a personal or commissioned piece of art.
Empathy and civility are key in this situation.
2. Art Theft
This is something that cannot be stressed enough and there needs to be explanation of the DOs and DON’Ts asking for permission to repost their artwork.
OC Name – Melodie™ (Mystery Skulls Animated: Ghost OC)
DON’T.
If you are the kind of individual that ‘right-clicks’ and ‘savesthe image’ that you find on Google or Pinterest and claim that, “I found this on Google; therefore, I have every right to save it and re-upload it to (insert site name here) if I want.”
Then you are wrong!
In all actuality, that act falls right into art theft and will land you in some serious hot water with the artist(s).
Comic – The Return of Lewis (Mystery Skulls Animated: Ghost Fan Comic)
DO.
If you are dead set on reposting an artist’s work on another website, then you need to message them and ask for permission to do so.
DON’T.
Do not repost the art if the artist says ‘No’ or has not responded to you yet.
DO.
Make sure you are respectful and civil when asking for permission to repost the artist’s artwork.
3. Crediting the Artist
If the artist has given you permission to use their work, make sure you have a link (URL) to the original sourced work to post along with the artwork on the site/app you are using.
Do not credit the artist as, “Credit goes to the artist(s) who created this artwork/image.”
4. The Adverse Effects of Art Theft on the Artists
– The artist will become extremely pissed/depressed that someone would deliberately take their art without evening thinking about asking them for permission.
– They will become more self-conscious of posting more of their art because they are afraid of it getting stolen and re-uploaded again.
– That artist will lose those precious views back to their art page that could potentially help them if the viewers on the site/app would like to commission them, but don’t know who the artist is.
– Repeated acts of art theft will more or less make the artist stop creating art for the fandom or in general if the stress of art theft continues.
Free To Use Watermarks for the Artists
This watermark as shown in the beginning of this post was created, by Ray-Kaladis, to help remind not only the viewers admiring their work that there is a person behind that beautiful artwork and computer screen they’re viewing; but also to remind the artist(s) that there are individuals who love and cherish them and the amazing artwork they create.
The artists’ feelings matter and deserve to know it.
It’s important to note that the full list of artists is in fact FAR larger than this! Even if you find work by an artist who doesn’t happen to be listed here, ALWAYS. ASK. AND SOURCE. ALWAYS.
~My Tumblr Back-Up And Stuffs~ 