Fake art - why care and what to look for

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I posted this last week for anyone looking for help to spot fake art.  This is not law, if you don't care, feel free to move on.  But if you do care that there are fakers out there, then maybe this could be of some use to you too.  We have a serial faker on the loose on dA today so it sparked this little lot once more.  

So, the questions/scenarios asked are always the same and the responses/justifications are always the same, but give them a minute to sink in before replying and insulting.

(Q1) Why do you care if someone is cheating what does it have to do with you?
(A1) Well, this is a public ART site and if people are submitting art that is not actually what they claim it to be, then they are dishonest. This will annoy some people and not others. If your passionate about your work then the chances are you'll find it insulting to the artistic community as a whole. Additionally, a lot of admins of groups HAVE to deal with fakes as a daily occurence, so they have every right to question someone if they submit fake work to a traditional group. The final reason that I can think of is how many young people there are on this site - young in age and young in their art journey.  If you want to achieve realism and your goal is an unachievable fake, dreams are quashed.  

(Q2) How dare you insult my friend, he/she would never do that?
(A2) Really? Are you absolutely sure? There are some terrible people in the world who use the internet to groom victims. By comparison, do you really think that someone you liked via text chat, couldn't fool you just a little bit if they wanted to? Ask again and be very certain before attacking others who have a different opinion than you.

(Q3) It is definitely not a fake, no way, I can tell! He/she just wouldn't do that! Your just jealous!  
(A3) Again, really? Are you absolutely sure? 100% positive? Are the people accusing really really jealous? If not, why on earth would they do it?

(Q4) You did this because you are jealous!
(A4) Maybe they did, but make a proper assessment and consider all the options first!

So, it all comes down to perception and personal opinion, but before attacking/defending, why not go and really really look at what you have believed in the past. Maybe motives and the way things have been carried out haven't been done as you would like, but go and see if there is truth in it! How? Here's a few things if it's something useful to you.

Really look at the art in question and consider these:

* Are there inconsistencies in drawing style in the drawing? For example, is the base beautifully smooth and drawn with skill and technically ability and then the top layer scribbled? Yes? No artist who put hours into blending a perfect base would do that!! That should raise alarm bells.
* Is the gallery of the person in question erratic in ability? Yes? It could just be that they have a random selection of abilities, but if the skill level varies dramatically or improves very very quickly, it's worth questioning.
* Does the person in question make defensive statements in their artists comments before anyone has even looked at their art? Yes? Maybe they have something to hide and anticipate retaliation. Or, maybe they think using a little bit of reverse psychology will throw you off the scent  
*Does the person respond with snide, derogatory or abusive comments if you question them and then immediately block you?  Could be the fear of being caught out.  Genuine people are more than likely to defend their art, not try and put you down to cover something up.

Some other things to do:

*Go find the original reference in tineye and overlay it in photoshop/gimp. If its matching hair for hair ... chances are very very high it is fake. No one .... don't care how good you are .... no one can get every single line and hair in place .... no one!
*Can you really see the submission? Is it a tiny low res upload? Are there any WIPs? Does the artists ever show any WIPs?
*Look for pixels, quite often fake works display this and you can see it clearly ... if you really look.
*Look for ink print patterns. There are a number of people on dA who print images in a lowered opacity and scribble over the top in a haphazard and unrefined manner (the beautiful base and scribble statement above is an example of this).
*Read the materials lists, people who fake usually don't have half a clue about what they're talking about but somehow produce beautiful images. To do that takes damn hard work and you will obviously learn techniques along the way. But it's worth noting, they can just copy and paste a real artists materials list for 'authenticity'

This is just what us group admins look for initially. We have to, the integrity of our groups are in question if we don't. But the same rules are applicable to everything.
So use it or don't, make up your own mind :love:

Simone made this journal with a more technically minded view, it's really helpful too -
Deceptive Deviants.If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
This is a journal I've been meaning to write for a while but I don't know where to begin.
I'm going to list some scenarios that have bothered me and afterwards give a short comment.
Just to be clear:
- This concerns traditional art only.
- I don't disapprove or dislike all of these examples but I want all media and alterations be listed in the artist's notes.
- This is just my pet peeves.
- there are many deviants that I like that use effects.
- I'm not an art-nazi, this is for those who pretend to be something they're not.
ONE LAST UPDATE:
- This does not include correcting scanning and photography quality loss - I have no problem with that.

1. Sepia color overlay.
There are many deviants that change the color of their graphite drawings from black & white to a faded brown in Photoshop.  Fundamentally I don't have a problem with that but it should be listed in the media since


Stock images & brushes courtesy of ChristasVengel-stock, RiNymph-Stock, dazzle-textures, DadiLights, iMouritsa, frozenstocks, PilgrimSoul, joannastar-stock, Atenaispd, bittbox & kuschelirmel-stock.
Design & coding by kuschelirmel-stock.
Journal Credits
© 2012 - 2024 pbird12
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s-p-r-i-n-k-l-e-z's avatar
My art looks very fake :( I feel guilty...