Ok, so it has come to my attention that very few people on here know they difference between referencing, and copying some one else's artwork.

So, allow me to enlighten those who are clueless.

Referencing: When you use another person's artwork as reference, you are basically taking a picture of a pose you like, and trying to depict that same pose without pirating the person's style. Referencing from a book is different. If you use a book as reference, such as an animal book, or even a book on human anatomy, you are simply taking the picture,, and using it as a guideline for your work.
Referencing is easier than you think, and it doesn't require amazing skills. If your work doesn't come out in the same fashion as the picture you are referencing from, it's fine! You don't have to have your picture look EXACTLY like the one you are using for reference.

Copying: Copying is when you flat out trace, or copy an existing piece of art work that some one else did.
Now we all know that copying in stealing in one fashion of another, and no body likes when they have to pay the piper so to speak after their works are reported or discovered by someone.
I personally have had to deal with people who had asked me to use my art as reference, but in the end they simply took either my line arts, or many of my other pictures and copied them over and over and over again. Sure, because they traced things weren't exactly right, but still, I could tell they were trying to copy my work exactly in hopes of idk what...
Fame?
Comments?

It's one thing if you are drawing/painting realism, and you are using a photo from reference, but even then, it's best to use 3 or more photos to mix and match so you're not just copying a photograph that someone else took.
But cartoon-styles (ie: Anime, Disney, Dreamworks, ect.) are styles that already exist, if these are copied should be regarded as some kind of 'fan art' because if they are incredibly similar to those styles, it IS fan art to a point.

Look.... I'm not writing this to bitch at people, I'm writing this because I, as well as others on here are probably getting sick and tired people newbie artists asking us to use our art as reference, and agreeing to let them do so only to see poorly traced, photocopies of our works floating around in these people's galleries.
It's not rocket science to understand that you don't have to copy someone's style or art just to get noticed.
All the 'famous' people on here were all newbies at one time, and many, if not all, got noticed because of their style; because it was unique and appealed to people on some level.
Getting recognized takes time, and a bit more effort than you think.
It may seem as though the people who are popular were just made that way the first day that they graced this site with their art, but that's not true.

Very few of the people whose art is constantly on the front page got their first recognition from copying another person's style, but even then, after while they got out of that habit and started to develop their own style, and that when they really gained people's attention.
Copying doesn't make you a better artist, it just proves you have the ability to copy something.
Creativity is shown best through trial and error. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again. We've all heard it before, it's about time we came to understand that.

I guess what I'm saying is don't ask to use a person's art work for reference if all you intend to do is copying their style.
It only cuts you down as an artist, and prevents you from realizing your true potential.
Not to mention sooner or later, someone is going to notice that your art work has a striking resemblance to another person's, and you'll get either spammed with hate comments, or reported for thievery.

As to the people who have asked me in the past to use my art as reference, I am no longer going to say yes, or allow it. Not to be a b*tch, or mean, but because every last one of the people who has asked me has copied the style I've worked hard to achieve.
I have changed my style 3 times because of people copying it over, and over again, and I'm not about to change it again. I, or anyone else for that matter, shouldn't have to change their art because they are getting sick of people copying it repeatedly. That's just wrong.
So no more allowances of people using MY art as reference unless it's pose. (because those you can't copyright)

I suggest others do the same as me and only allow the reference of poses and such, because people need to learn that art comes from a person's ability to portray the world, or their own world, through their own vision.

And one more thing..... just because your art isn't perfect, and doesn't get 1,000+ views a day, doesn't mean your art sucks.
Keep drawing, and who cares if you're not a popular artist. Popularity is overrated anyway.
I felt like this for a while, and believe me, it'll ruin you.

Feel free to agree, or disagree. Opinions are welcome, so long as they are civilized and not just calling names.