Inktober Book Plagerism Accusations

frankiiij

@Lee-White I’ve gained a tremendous amount of respect from you lee. It originated from the podcast discussing fan-art. In that podcast, you lay down some values that challenge us as artists to rise above and create with authenticity and genuineness.

I am in the center of print artists working on the next fan-based art. So when I heard you on that podcast, I was inspired. Why don’t I spend the next ten years building the archives of my authentic art? So thank you.

In that podcast, I call back on this reference when creating art ...Jed Henry. After looking at his art, you can say that what makes it fan art is a secondary attraction. Everything else is forefront and so powerful. What would be in question, under the idea of plagiarism, would not even be a question with Jed Henry’s pieces.

I haven’t looked at either of the books, but if I were to with the expectation of giving my opinion, then the “Jed Henry 3 point perspective” example would be my reference.

As for the feud, communication will be the key.
If either one stands on the belief that their stance is superior, then peace will not be obtained.

Ultimately they and all of us should practice minimizing that hatred to build a stronger sense of relationship and connectedness.

Everywhere you go, there will be times where people lack conscience. When that happens, they will lie to themselves and others. One true thing is that hate breeds hate. To drive it out requires love.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, jr.

If we all practice this, I think this situation would be resolved to the point of peace.

So my question would be, “are these two books on the jed henry tier of plagiarism?” The way one answers should reveal a lot about their motives, values, and agenda.

I hope this helps lead to peace. I intend to make peace here in this chat and inspire others to do the same.

NessIllustration

@dafoota Well the thing is, the question doesn't really apply because neither book is Jed Henry level. Neither Jake nor Alphonso are reinventing inking. They are teaching the fundamentals presented in the most clear and logical manner, and there's been countless books like them published already. From my understanding Alphonso's book goes more in depth on the technical aspect, while Jake's book has a focus on Inktober and how to complete the challenge. Neither man reinvents the wheel, but Alphonso is trying to claim graded palettes and texture cubes as his own copyrighted material... When they can be found in countless other books that predate his.

djlambson

@pixel-dsp yes. When I initially saw this I thought he would take it down in the morning after he slept on it. But he did not. I'm betting before this is over he will wish he had. Never ever does it work in the end when you lash out in anger. And speaking to that, I'm very impressed with how Jake has handled this vitrol. Hopefully by stepping away. Just such a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Who is the winner. No one.

TessaW

I was impressed with this guy's presentation of the situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNsHVDHfnk&t=2s

frankiiij

@NessIllustration Thank you for your response—much respect.
I find it kind of weird that this is even a thing then. Maybe there is more to this situation that we do not know. Thank you for catching me up with your insight.

I believe what I said still holds merit. While it may not be reinventing the wheel, I think there is always a possibility of plagiarizing.

What I was trying to communicate with the Jed Henry analogy was the feeling one gets when they take in a piece or project. When we look at Jen Henry, his work, as far as we know, is beyond reproach. At least that is what I learned from @Lee-White in the podcast. If I were to go and examine both of these artist’s books, I would use what I learned from svs and lee. I would ask myself, “What tier would this be?” I would also ask myself, “Are they drawing inspiration, or are they taking what is proprietary from the other artist?” I do not plan to go and do this. I am merely offering a possibility, for whoever reads this, in handling this situation.

On another aspect, if both of them did the same thing, then theoretically based on the values a person holds, they should treat both people the same. For example, If one doesn’t think it is a big deal for one artist, then it should be the same for the artist. If a person thinks this is an outrage and acts accordingly towards one artist, then it should hold to the other. I would hope whatever the response is that it is a gentle and uplifting one. However, we can see how ruthless the internet is.

My initial post was to point out that it looks silly to blast one artist and to favor another over the same thing. My primary goal was to diffuse any of that hatred towards either artist because I believe that there is a appropriate way to handle this. Even as an outside party, I could still do my job in helping to solve a problem. I do recognize that my words are a mere drop in an ocean of a situation, but I believe every good attempt is worth it no matter how small.

Thank you for your time and Patience. Much love!

frankiiij

@StudioLooong Great job communicating this. I should have just upvoted this instead of trying to explain the same thing, but longer haha

frankiiij

@CaseyKinseyArt This could be a possibility. Speculation is a useful techinique in our problem solving process. The same skeptism could be used about jake. It is just a very sticky situation that I believe could have been avoid. I wish they would have handled it behind the scenes. Skeptism: They could have tried and in the process one of them got frustrated and that is why this is a public matter now. Either way I hope the svs community could help work this to a peacful situation for both artist.

Julia

@TessaW that's the most comprehensive and best articulated opinion that I have read / watched so far. Well done to this young artist!

(And thanks for sharing!)

gavpartridge

@Lee-White i would just like to say i think you personally deserve a lot of credit in your handling of this matter, ive seen a couple of your Youtube comments on the video, and despite conversing with seemily very unreasonable irrational people, you always conduct yourself with the utmost decorum. Not easily done given the circumstances, so fair play to you, as they say round here!

Kevin Longueil

@TessaW this is a very well done video...thank you for sharing it!

i'm so surprised Alphonso's video is still up ....I had a student years ago that would always forget where he left things.... he came to me twice in his 2 years in the program and told me who he believed had stolen his item.... he would have a litany of evidence of intent and reasoning behind why he thought this person or that had stolen his gear...he would get so worked up...even when i would find his lost item which had not been stolen at all he would still hang on to his resentment and anger.... it felt like having been "wronged" activated a part of the brain that could not be rational - so good to see this video of someone calmly talking about this...though i don't understand and did not enjoy the negative inktober/Jake stuff from the past that he mentioned...but i think it maybe gave him some credibility with the haters...anyways...i've never been interested in Inktober other than enjoying seeing what fellow SVSr's are up to with it but i did just preorder Jake's book - a small way to show support...this whole thing is such a bummer on so many levels..

MirkaH

I am so sorry that he has to deal with this. If anyone has been following you guys as long as I have, they'd know that Jake has more integrity than plagiarizing some one else's work. Wish I could snap my fingers and make it go away. Praying for strength for you!

pixel.dsp

@TessaW said in Inktober Book Plagerism Accusations:

I was impressed with this guy's presentation of the situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNsHVDHfnk&t=2s
This is an excellent video.. thanks for sharing!!

annegreenstreet

This is so upsetting. I saw this on Twitter the other day and it kept me up all night. I was too scared to watch the YouTube video. After reading Lee's post, I started watching Alphonso's video. I became more and more incredulous... these are all fundamentals of art that we all learn in our art classes. Nothing is new, there are just new teachers and modes of condensing. I had to stop at "Contour, form, local value, shading, and textures... Now where have I seen that before?!"

I'll tell you where you saw that before, Alphonso. In every. single. art class. ever.

I had never heard of Alphonso, but this video he has lead me to believe he is some kind of huge egomaniac. What kind of person thinks they invented variation in pen stroke? I'm so, so sorry and devastated and sorry that you are going through this, Jake. I hope you know that the angry crowd clearly have not had much art instruction.

Anne

George Broussard

The video Lee linked above should be watched and spread by everyone as a balance to Dunn's accusations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNsHVDHfnk&t=2s

The video is pretty spot on in pointing out the lack of case Dunn has and the potential exposure he's opened himself to.

I realize people are broken into "sides" and most people on the other side wouldn't give this video a watch with an open mind but it doesn't change facts. And the fact is that most of Dunn's video is an emotional response, incorrect as to what's plagiarism, using incomplete info as Jake's book isn't out, all the while flat out condemning Jake for plagiarism and causing irreparable monetary and reputation harm.

I look for a pretty strong response back from Chronicle in the next couple weeks.

Coreyartus

Just so I understand (because I don't know for sure but suspect)--how many eyes are typically on a project like this? I would have thought Chronicle would have an editor and an art director and any number of promotional eyes on this during the process of its creation... It was my understanding that part of the job of a publishing house is to know the market of what's out there already. I think Dunn's book is self-published, and I know expecting anyone to know that market is impossible, but a simple Google search or Amazon search renders a list of Pen and Ink-oriented contemporary publications that are available.

I don't know the ins-and-outs of the publishing process to know enough about consistent and similar steps from project to project, and I know they vary depending on the people involved and the nature of calendars and such. But to get this far and not have someone raise a flag somewhere seems... odd. Even industry peer professionals and those who had pre-screening copies of the book at this point (who would be familiar with Dunn's work) didn't say anything? This doesn't seem normal.

I know I'm probably speaking out of ignorance and don't know how these things work, but could someone who has been published and experienced this process before speak to my unawareness so I can learn?

NessIllustration

@Coreyartus Both Jake and the publishing team seem to have been aware of the book, because Jake promoted it to his Instagram not too long ago as a great tool for Inktober, and Dunn's book is also listed on Jake's book's Amazon page as a related book (a section called "would go well on the shelf with"). My guess is they know they are familiar with Dunn's book and no one saw a problem they're not that similar except from concepts that are fundamentals taught in every art school in the world. The video linked above (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDNsHVDHfnk&t=2s) does a really great job of breaking down the actual page layout to show how different the book design is done.

Coley

@TessaW that video is solid. Thanks for sharing!

Coreyartus

Thanks so much, @NessIllustration. Thank-you for sharing your insight. You've always been very generous with your experience and it's really helpful. Now I know.

Coley

@Coreyartus yes, this video Ness linked is excellent. I wonder if anyone gonna change their minds on immediate cancelling..ie I'm still unimpressed with Lightbox 🥴

George Broussard

@Coley said in Inktober Book Plagerism Accusations:

@Coreyartus yes, this video Ness linked is excellent. I wonder if anyone gonna change their minds on immediate cancelling..ie I'm still unimpressed with Lightbox 🥴

No, they won't. It's not how online discourse works. I expect average people to polarize into tribes. I'm fairly disgusted with Lightbox or Deviant Art who immediately distance from an artist who has a great reputation, really, to just protect their own brands and deflect any incoming criticism. They did so before Jake even issued a response. Instant verdict of guilty to protect their brands. Very disappointed in a guy like Bobby Chiu who should know better.

Cases like this really show you who your friends are? On that note I also notice a huge lack of friends and peers of Jake saying anything about this. Near everyone is being quiet. Nobody wants to be the next victim of the mob, but it's a real shame. People are fairly spineless here. Simple responses like "I'll wait until the book is out or more info appears to make a judgment" would be nice. Only seen a couple so far from art peers.