Character art?

I took mine from a game (fire emblem series). I can typically sort of kind of make sense of my character in a certain image originating from some sort of animated, gaming or TV series. And while that might not be my perfect description, it can get close on a cursory glance. 

I saw yours and thought of Quistis right away, for example. 

So do I just use a picture of a character from a show or game or do I have to ask for permission etc.?

Unless you're using say an artist from DeviantArt etc. that explicitly states you can't use the work, you're free to use the art so long as you don't claim it as your own.

PLAYBYS AND YOU!

So, generally speaking, we're taking art off of locations such as Deviant Art for your characters. I personally, do my own art, (Which people will see shortly with Chiastel.) But for your sake, you have three options.

1. You can pick one from your favorite game.
2. You can pick one off of Deviant Art
3. You can use a playby and have them represent your character, such as a famous actor.

The rule of thumbs with picking a character to represent you is the following:

1. Make sure who you are taking it from is okay with it.
2. It actually matches the character (otherwise it doesn't make sense)
3. CITE YOUR SOURCES! Artists need their name out there.
4. If you're going to use a Play-By, try to stick with famous actors. Smaller scale models may find it uncomfortable and will request you take it down.
5. Keep it appropriate.

Generally speaking, most video game companies don't really care and expect it. So using art packs from say, Baldur's Gate, Diablo, NeverWinter Nights are generally okay, but again, don't claim credit that isn't yours, and don't steal the art. Make sure people are aware that you are just using it. And if an artist blatantly says : "Do not use this art, as it is my OC or Original Character." then don't use it.

I pulled some art from a few video games that expect people to turn them into characters. Let me know what you think of these: I got more if you need em

Chaistel basically summed it up.

I too have used Fire Emblem for a playby source dump. Ehren is modeled by Lucina from Awakening. Cascadia is an stock photo of someone on deviantart, Amaya is played by Laura Vandervoort. Sooo... I take from everywhere! Art itself is done with either private permission from the artist OR I make sure they'v publicly stated it's okay.

A good site to look on is pinterest or deviant art. For more anime ish, I've used zerochan. (since I use all forms of art and models)

Okay! Thanks everyone for your help I will be searching for a better interpretation of Calanthia soon!

So I've seen this picture on Pinterest as well as reblogged on a couple of tumblr sites but I'm not entirely sure who the original artist is, with the only clue being the RNGRN at the bottom. If its on pinterest is it kind of like fair game?

As stated Callie, just make sure you credit. He signed off as RNGRN then makes sure hte world knows that!

Sounds good to me! where is the best place to credit them? Somewhere in my profile?