Can you paint a celebrity and sell the painting with out getting into trouble?

fasterpussykats: Can you paint a celebrity and sell the painting with out getting into trouble?
I am looking to paint celebrities and put my creations in a book and sell it. So I want to know if the law allows me to do so. I mean people place pictures of celebrities in a magazine and sell it so I should be able to sell my art in a book right? I am looking for law facts not personal opinion on this matter. Thank you for all your help in advance.

Answers and Views:

Answer by sparky
You could try it and find out later before you sell it.

Answer by Randy S
Hello there
You can you paint a celebrity and sell the painting since there is no copyright infringement on a painted picture. If it was a photograph, that’s a different story but never on a work of art.
Actually, you could have a picture of someone and paint the exact same picture and it still is not a copyright infringement.
All the best with your art!
iamjustrandy

Answer by Solly
Art belongs to the creator, not the subject.

If you paint a picture of Michael Jackson, for example, you are infringing on the copyright of his plastic surgeon.

See how it works?

Answer by colourshift
trouble is…the reference material. you would probably be using other photographers photos, and there’s where you can get into trouble. Unless it’s copyright free, you legally can’t use it.
You can, however, contact the photographer who took the photo, explain what you’re doing, and maybe get permission…in writing (you’ll want to protect yourself if you do actually publish)
Steve Driscoll (wow, there are several…but I pasted the address of the one I mean), Deborah Mahan (not so many for Deb), and Kreuger (more caricature) all do celeb work…perhaps contact Steve and see what he says.

Answer by Br
sure! there are many painters who did it!