Looking for competitions for master copies
 

Have any of you "Master Copy" enthusiasts heard of a fun, good competition in which to enter a copy? I am also interested in an outlet to show/sell master copies. If anyone has any ideas please advise.

Thanks!

Oh, yeah!
 

I also intend to join such a painting competition, but I don't know how to do it. Is it only for America? If the competition is on the internet, I think this is better than restricting it to one place.

I'm still very interested in a competition. I'll do some research over the next few weeks and see if I can find any competitions. If not, I guess we will have to start one ourselves!

Forgive my ignorance of this subject, but can you sell a copy of another painter?

I am referring of course to the Old Masters work. Educate me, please!

Mark

Master Copies
 

Hi, Valerie & Pong,

I am interested in entering a competition, too. This will force me to finish some pieces that were abandoned.

Mark,

I think it is okay to sell them. Usually I would sign my name and I would put "After the original artist's name" below or somewhere in the painting. It could even be in the back of the canvas or board. Hope this helps.

You can indeed sell a copy of a master work. Generally the rule of thumb is any artist that is still alive or lived within the last 75 years is out of bounds. The seventy five years is to easily clear general U.S. copyright restrictions, and copying the work of a living artist and selling it is....well, tacky.

It is good to size your copy at least 5% off the size of the master work. I never sign the other artist's name but sign my own name instead and put "After" and then the original artist's name in regular script (not trying to duplicate their signature). It is also a very good idea to give credit for the copy on the back of the work and anywhere you use it for print or advertising, etc.

Competitions for master copies are probably pretty non-existent since they are derivative works and are most often done by students as part of the learning process - hence, not much interest and probably a slight disdain for such things in the art community as they are not original works and thereby are not a true testament to the artist's actual proficiency.

But you can sell them, so take some comfort there. :)