I have no idea if this subject has been discussed or ignored 'round these parts. Or if it's even in poor taste to mention, but while cruising the internet(s), I came across MANY articles and debates about the work of Greg Land. He is a comic artist whose work and creative system has been scrutinized and criticized.

He employs a technique where images are scanned and he traces on top of them to create some of his renders. The images vary in source from (some pornography) magazines to still movie frames and also the renderings of other artists. For some, it's seen as paying homage, others see it as straight copy and theft and at worst, a hack job and a lack of respect for the noble craft of illustrative story-telling.

The technique of photo-referencing is common as is modeling,but it would appear his intensive use of this system has led to outcries from some parts of the creative community.

The reason I find this interesting is how it relates to how knowledgeable some seem to be with his creative process. There are numerous sites 'exposing' his source material and many side-by-side comparisons showing how exacting his traces are.

There will always be a supporting sub-culture behind any genre or human interest. Amateurs and hobbyists exist in the narrow world of "experienced enough to have an informed opinion, but NOT involved enough to understand the working environment and system of the living industry".

Familiarity with the creative process can lead to assumptions about the creative. It works both ways. Part of being a Creative + Genius is safe-guarding your sources (of inspiration *ahem*) and technique(s). No one wants to be summarized "All they do is..." "Anyone can do that,I could..."  and have their labors dismissed as a simple process. Credit can be given when the some understand the difficulty in your creative process.

"I've tried that, it's almost impossible to..""Very few can..."

or do NOT understand the process:

 "How do they?" "What do they use to..."

If your artwork is appreciated at face value, any measure of credit can be given whether it be simple or complex

- to do something first

- to do something, no one else is currently doing

- to do the common and familiar in a novel way

- to bring back or capture an old spirit for newer eyes

Our perception of the creative process will decide where our sensibilities fall.

Our attitudes will rank the works we encounter.

Our attitude will decide when respect or derision is warranted.

Our maturity will decide how deep we dig before deciding.