Reblogging Artwork Online: Always Credit!

Posted 2011-01-15 2:35

Lately I've been finding lots of awesome PSG artwork on my tumblr dash. I can't remember a series that ever inspired such great (and SO MUCH) fanart. I think it's a testament to the creative team and art directors. =)

On a less positive note, I'm really upset by how nobody ever CREDITS ANYTHING when they reblog artwork!

It's not that hard to just put a link to where you found it, or at least a name of the artist. There's a reason Tumblr has a "source" URL input on image posts. On LJ/dA posts, etc, it's also easy to just add a URL link! Artists deserve to get the credit for their work, and people interested in finding out more about them should have that option.

By not crediting, you are actively robbing the artist of valuable networking and feedback.

And don't even get me started on people who put their own watermark over images they don't own. Just yesterday I had to tell off a girl running an Italian t-shirt company who was using one of my drawings as "her" design- and she had the gall to watermark it, too! It's like stealing someone's baby and writing "MY BABY NOW" on their forehead.

Images online aren't just free property. They are owned by their creators (yes, this includes fanart!) So please give credit where it is due, and link back when you reblog a picture. It's only fair to the artist. (And to those wanting to find more similar artwork.)

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