I'm embarrassed to post this now that I see the paintings side by side, but I copied this painting from a painter named, Kurt Moyer, who is my favorite painter these days. The top one is mine. I think it's ok to copy as long as you give the other artist credit. It's a little like playing someone else's song. You have to learn the other's chords and techniques as you go. It is easier than trying to paint the subject in the outdoors, but it's still very difficult. It's amazing how the slightest variation completely changes the tone/feeling/meaning of the painting. Copying it really makes me appreciate what a master Kurt Moyer is, especially to be able to paint this from life. What surprised me most is the importance of the design of the branches and the composition. Even if the color and value were spot on, which they definitely are not, balance of design is the greatest factor separating these paintings, in my opinion. To my credit, the camera DID do a terrible job of capturing my painting... 😃
