Need better avatar. Help, please!

[Raptorcat]

This avatar of mine is just a provisional thing that needs to be upgraded.
I've thought of trying to draw a raptorcat myself, but I really have no idea of what such a thing would look like. I'd love to have an artist draw it, but I'm new to the fandom and don't know any artists.

Now I notice a lot of folks here have avatars taken from artworks I have seen online. Me being the ignoramous, I have to ask the touchy question:
1. Did you get the artist's permission first or just use them?

On a related question, all my websearches for cheetah photos, have turned out rather unattractive results, while some people have quite interesting animal pic avatars, so:
2. Know of any good sites to get animal pics?

Any help here would be great.

[Rrruff]

Moved to BBS help --

As for answering your questions:

Most do not require "permission" unless you have to pay to obtain their art -- don't distribute those.

As for getting an artist: several furs have offered free drawings in the "Looking for Art" Or "Sharing Art" section -- post something there and see if you can't find someone to help you out.

Best bet is to email some artists and become friends with them -- but make sure it's not for the soul reason of getting your picture done.


Good luck!

[Mazz]

I know pleanty of artists on LJ and such charge like $5 for 100by100 avatars of someone's fursona and allow them to use said icons anywhere.

[Morgan]

I'll draw ya one!

[Rrruff]

Uh oh.

[Raptorcat]

I don't think I wanna know...

[Mestopho]

No, you don't. Look at my avi...

: cries :

[Raptorcat]

I thought you were just being cute and silly... guess I was wrong.

[ewaf]

I have a similar question and instead of making a new thread, I'll post here.

Are there any restrictions on what content can be in an avatar?

[Mestopho]

Basically, no human/bestiality/zoo porn.
Don't steal art, not a rule, but as common courtesy.

Oh, and no animations. Keep it 100x100

[ewaf]

Thanks, now I can work on finding one.