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I think this was very big of you to step up and say something though, and that you handled the situation in a mature way, instead of merely pointing fingers. I know plenty of people who wouldn’t say say anything.

Thank you! I didn’t want to say anything myself at first but after posting about it here I got the advice of several people that supported saying something, so seeing what other people thought really helped, it’s like a massive weight off of my shoulders now! 

So today, with the help of a couple of friends who are a lot more forward than I am I managed to tell my tutor about the plagiarism situation, he was incredibly good with the whole conversation and I didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable speaking about it with him. He told us to leave open the art book on our table with the pieces of work that have been copied so that he could see, and immediately recognised it. I suppose it wasn’t the most sporting thing of me to do to a classmate, but I think it was necessary, and nobody respects someone who steals another persons art.

As well as that we let our student teacher know, who’s more like one of us and we showed her several things. She was even pointing out things in the books to us and telling us what she’d seen in their work. I feel a hell of a lot better now that it’s out in the open and these people only have their selves to blame.

Roll on Tuesday for our work collection to see who gets the unconditional university place. I’m fully aware that there’s a 75% chance out of the people applying that I won’t get it so I’m ready for the disappointment, however it feels a lot more fair now that I’m not up against the work of professional illustrators.

Do they trace or use as references?

Trace, then use the same colours etc.

I didn’t get the chance to speak to my tutor privately today about the whole plagiarism scenario so hopefully I’ll be able to get a moment tomorrow. Today, believe it or not, flicking through an art book I found out another girl in my group is copying off an artist too! Now, how ridiculous is it going to look if I say that there’s two people doing it? Ironically the two are out of three other people that want this same place on the illustration course that I do.

Really though, I don’t understand how these girls don’t think they’re going to be found out, especially when they’re both copying the works of A) Local illustrators B) Successful illustrators! One of the images one of the girls copied was actually within about 5 pages in to the book as well! I can’t believe they have the audacity to even attempt to pull off something like this. I’m half hoping that the tutors already actually know, and they’re just playing the fool to see if they’ll admit that it isn’t actually their work when they receive compliments.

At least I know that my work is legitimate and creative, and that I’m going to be able to learn from my mistakes. I’m going to be able to come up with my ideas and present them with confidence. These girls aren’t. There’s no way in the world they’re going to be able to become successful sponging off the fame of other people who are actually genuine.

It was really upsetting me at first, but now I see how they’re going to struggle when they attempt to get work, and although I’ll struggle, I’ll at least have my own style and ounce of originality.