Mermaid Tail Inspirations - Giving Credit?

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

Sometimes we are inspired by our tail and fluke designs from images around us. How do you give credit to those images you have seen and wish to incorporate into your own design?

For example, there is a style that I envisioned which was similar to my own so I was able to get an idea from that image I saw as to how to shape and outline (how to draw it from what I saw in my mind's eye onto paper). I decided to do the right thing and ask for their permission even though it was only for shaping/outline, if they don't mind however the only downside is that they speak another language other than English, which makes it difficult and they have been inactive from the website in which I saw the image from for the last 6 months...

What would you do if you were in a similar position and if you have your heart set on a design and your unsure if its okay? Is crediting enough or am I going overboard since I am not 'copying' or taking their own creation as mine.

When do you know you have gone overboard?

Hopefully I made sense.

Thank you.

[Dancing Fish]

I know a lot of folks here are sensitive to it, but honestly if you draw your flukes from a fish picture, or without referring to another's design (i.e., draw it without having it right in front of you to crib from) you're probably fine. Posting your inspiration pics is nice, and giving credit to the people who've developed or helped you with a particular technique is also very nice to do.

I think trying to mimic the exact shape of a commercial fluke is probably overboard. But with the more basic shapes, which were themselves drawn from nature, there's bound to be a bit of overlap. You can also probably just ask the original creator if it's OK to use their shape. They might say yes, especially if it's for your own personal use and you don't intend to go into business selling tails with that shape yourself.

I'm a scientist and I teach writing, so I'm paranoid about attributing credit where it's due. But I also think accusations of "copying!" when someone's merely inspired by a shape or a technique or a popular fish/color scheme are unwarranted.

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

Thank you Ashmore, I have written to the original creator however there is a language barrier and also an issue where they haven't logged in for 6 months. I definitely will give credit once the tail is completed. I was even inspired by their painting image which started me on a whole other tandem for my tail designing.

That's a relief.

[Yulia]

Could you show us the picture? :D

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

:p:neener: You'll be waiting just like me... Patiently until Raven has an order availability. This design is my baby and I am not sharing it with anybody, not family, nor friends :) That's how precious it is to me, Jazz's story is also a reflection as to how design sharing for tails can go wrong if placed into the wrong hands.

Thank you for your interest however Yulia :thumbs up:

[Yulia]

I was thinking more of the original picture, not your design. ;) (Not that I don't want to see your design, but that'll be in due time)

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

It'll hint as to what I do have for my tail ;)