Board Thread:Off-Topic Discussion/@comment-30602727-20140419162730/@comment-4042934-20140420025929

I'll have to admit I once was an art thief. I passed the phase of constantly tracing existing artwork during high school because, sad truth to be told, art thievery can give you a lot of supporters in Deviantart. I still traced a few images a while back and I can only say I am very ashamed of myself.

What pisses me off the most is when people get recognised despite being art theives. Like that italian guy from whom Toei Animation commissioned artwork for the new Sailor Moon merchandise. Most of his "artwork" was traced from Ikuko itoh's illustrations with many manipulations, yet it was still used on the merchandise covers. What kind message is this supposed to give to amateur artists? To trace all they want because they'll get jobs by the original creators?