The Block

Flickr is now owned by Yahoo!. I recently sent this email to Yahoo!’s copyright officer. I’ll post the response if and when I get it…

Hello,
I would like to know if it is legal to use images found on Flickr as reference material in creating fine art. If so, does the finished artwork have to be different in appearance to a certain degree in order to not infringe on the photographers’ rights?

Also, is it legal to use Yahoo news photos (which I understand come through the major news wires).

Thanks for clarifying,

Dan Allegrucci

I’m excited to have a little more than a week off. I have a lot of things to finish up and bunch of things to start. Ill list a few things so that when the break is over, I can look back and see if I’ve used my time wisely.

1. Print old Yellow Jacket block
2. Print 3 Fighter blocks
3. Start at least 1 multicolor woodcut
4. Start at least 1 b/w woodcut
5. Continue to draw every day

For one thing, kids’ proportions are weird. When I try to draw my kids they usually end up looking more like teenagers. They are only 7.  I think I accidentally “correct” the large head and all the other differences in how kids are put together versus adults. This quick sketch is the closest I’ve come getting the proportions to read as “kid.” Ill keep at it.

This carving is final, as in “I won’t be messing with it anymore.” It is not final, as in perfect or resolved. Maybe the next one should be head and shoulders or at least head/neck. At any rate, I think this little exercise has helped me understand the figure better and it sure was fun. It definitely points out a few areas that I am a little hazy on as far as understanding the figure. For instance, I always run out of room for the chin. I already have another chunk of wood, so I imagine it won’t be long before I start the next one. However, I have several print related things I would like to pursue first.

I’ve decided to renew my efforts to become an “adequate draftsman.” I have been doing a bunch of 5 minute sketches of whatever is around me, some longer drawings. I find that limiting the time encourages me to just go for it and not over think anything. Plus, it keeps me from spending too much time on any one thing.

Here is the finished Christmas card. Printing woodcut imagery out on the copier may hold greater possibilities…hmm.