Back in May, a section from the old BBC Doctor Who 'FAQ' page turned up online, with fans concerned at the policy on fan fiction and artwork. The policy read as follows:
Can I create Doctor Who fan fiction?
You are welcome to write Doctor Who fiction for your own enjoyment, but we should remind you that it is not permitted for you to publish this work either in print or online.
Following a growing number of worried tweets from fans wanting to know if this was still current policy, DWO got in touch with the BBC Brand Protection Team for clarification on the matter. Yesterday we received their official reply:
Hi Sebastian,
Thank you for your email.
In answer to your question, while we do not have objections to fans creating and publishing their own Doctor Who inspired fiction, artwork or other content, we request that these do not copy a substantial part of the Doctor Who TV programmes or other official Doctor Who content such as scripts, books, magazines, artwork or photography.
Also, we request to avoid use of official Doctor Who or BBC logos and would appreciate if the fan art is not presented in a way as to suggest or confuse viewers into believing that the fan creations are ‘official’ Doctor Who content, or are endorsed by or associated with the BBC. In this regard, we ask fans to add a clear and visible disclaimer stating that the content is fan-made and un-official.
As for the old BBC FAQ section you have attached in your correspondence, we confirm this is no longer available.
We trust this is helpful for you.
Kind regards
Content & Brand Protection Team
The response definitely shows a shift in policy, and whilst there are some important requests from the BBC in way of the use of logos and existing text, they appear to be embracing the creativity of fandom more. This is a truly positive step from the BBC, and one that many fans will appreciate.
[Sources: DWO, BBC Content & Brand Protection Team]
Back in November we reported on the fantastic news that Who Dares Publishing - the legendary 1980's Doctor Who publishing company, was back and kicking things off with a fantastic calendar, featuring the artwork of acclaimed Doctor Whoa artist, Andrew Skilleter. Now in February of 2017, we are thrilled to be among the first to reveal that Who Dares Publishing are releasing a new series of exclusive, limited edition, Doctor Who collectable art portfolios.
The first portfolio features the artwork of Colin Howard, and comprises of six prints featuring the artwork from The Key To Time Doctor Who VHS covers. There will be just 50 of these limited edition portfolios, all signed and numbered, and costing just £59.95!
DWO were lucky enough to get our hands on one of the portfolios, and they are of an incredibly high quality. If you're anything like us, you'll remember seeing the videos in your local W.H. Smith's, Blockbuster Video or MVC, and the artwork really popped out.
So what do you get in the portfolio? Well, it's a white hardback folio, that opens up to reveal a compartment holding all 6 of the prints. There's also an accompanying booklet with information on Colin Howard, as well as a certificate of authenticity, and, last but not least, some 'Who Dares' printed gloves to handle the artwork - a nice little touch!
These prints are screaming out to be framed, and, if this portfolio is anything to be judged by, the future looks incredibly bright for Who Dares Publishing!
+ BUY 'The Key To Time Art By Colin Howard' Portfolio from Who Dares for £59.95.
[Source: Who Dares Publishing]
After a successful Kickstater campaign last April that raised over $10,000 in funds (82% over their original goal) and had 300+ backers from 22 different countries; PixelWho is going strong and already looking ahead to new pieces that are in the works.
The newest news is that PixelWho is looking to do another Kickstarter campaign to help fund their 9th Doctor poster creation. The image of the poster will be revealed when they launch the campaign, but for now there are plenty of 9th Doctor poster previews on their Facebook page.
The art project continues to grow in its third year. The PixelWho project is focused on recreating Doctor Who characters in 8-bit art style. The goal of the project is to be the most complete visual catalog and character dictionary for all 50 years (and counting) of Doctor Who in order to celebrate the creativity and dedication of the all the artists who have worked on the program.
The project seeks to document every character, both significant and incidental, from every Doctor's respective move/series runs. The artist, Nathan Skreslet, freeze frames DVDs and scours episode screen captures and publicity photos in order to recreate each character accurately and roughly to scale in pixel form. Every pixel is individually laid by hand; no computer conversion program is used. His art is a true labor of love which requires dedication and time.
Thanks to the successful Kickstarter campaign their newest 4th Doctor poster set was printed and is now available. It covers all of Tom Baker's epic 7 seasons run represented over two posters with over 700 characters in total. The 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and 1st Doctor (William Hartnell) poster prints are also available as well. All the Doctor posters are limited edition and individually hand-numbered, only 500 of each Doctor's posters have been made.
PixelWho has expanded to include smaller prints as well. A print featuring 11 Doctors set against a Gallifreyan symbol print was created, along with collectible character cards, and weatherproof vinyl TARDIS sticker. There's also a Tom Baker face print for 4th Doctor fans. Also don't forget the popular Every Dalek poster which chronicles the changes to the Dalek design from 1963 up to the "Asylum of the Daleks" episode, as well as the various incarnations of Davros. There's also an Every Doctor Bookmark to help keep those book pages in line.
PixelWho has also recreated the Van Gogh Exploding TARDIS image in 8-bit style. As with every art piece they do, each and every pixel is individually placed for this re-creation. Creating a swirly and flowing Van Gogh inspired artwork is not easy when limited to only using pixel squares and half pixel triangles, but it's carried off beautifully. There's even a miniature Vincent Van Gogh in the corner painting the image as a well placed Easter egg.
Interested in owning the latest artworks by PixelWho? Visit their Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PixelWho and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PixelWho to get updates on their art projects. Nathan is now sharing preview images of the 9th Doctor poster on their Facebook page.
If you'd like to meet the artist in real life, he goes to several conventions a year and a convention schedule is listed on PixelWho's Facebook page. Both he and his wife, PixelWho's manager, love going to science fiction and comics conventions where they get to meet fans in real life, and frequently attend in cosplay themselves. Please help support this independent artist as he strives to be pixel perfect in providing a complete visual character dictionary and illustrated episode guide for Doctor Who fans.
[Source: PixelWho]
After a successful Kickstater campaign earlier this year that raised over $10,000 in funds (82% over their original goal) and had 300+ backers from 22 different countries; PixelWho is back with lots of new art to share.
The art project continues to grow as it enters its third year. The PixelWho project is focused on recreating Doctor Who characters in 8-bit art style. The aspiration of the project is to be the most complete visual catalog and character dictionary for all 50 years (and counting) of Doctor Who in order to celebrate the creativity and dedication of the all the artists who have worked on the program.
The overall goal is to document every character, both significant and incidental, from every Doctor's respective move/series runs. The artist, Nathan Skreslet, freeze frames DVDs and scours episode screen captures and publicity photos in order to recreate each character accurately and roughly to scale. Every pixel is individually laid by hand; no computer conversion program is used. His art is a true labor of love which requires dedication and time.
Thanks to the successful Kickstarter campaign their newest 4th Doctor poster set was printed and is now available. It covers all of Tom Baker's epic 7 season run represented over two posters with over 700 characters in total. The 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and 1st Doctor (William Hartnell) poster prints are also available as well. All the Doctor posters are limited edition and individually hand-numbered, only 500 of each Doctor's posters have been made.
PixelWho has expanded to include smaller prints as well. A print featuring 11 Doctors set against a Gallifreyan symbol print was created, along with collectible character cards, and weatherproof vinyl TARDIS sticker. There's also a Tom Baker face print for 4th Doctor fans. Also don't forget the popular Every Dalek poster which chronicles the changes to the Dalek design from 1963 up to the "Asylum of the Daleks" episode, as well as the various incarnations of Davros. There's also an Every Doctor Bookmark to help keep those book pages in line.
The latest news though is the reveal of a secret art print that had been hinted at but hasn't been shown until now. PixelWho has recreated the Van Gogh Exploding TARDIS image in 8-bit style. As with every art piece they do, each and every pixel is individually placed for this re-creation. Creating a swirly and flowing Van Gogh inspired artwork is not easy when limited to only using pixel squares and half pixel triangles, but it's carried off beautifully. There's even a miniature Vincent Van Gogh in the corner painting the image as a well placed Easter egg.
Interested in owning the latest artworks by PixelWho? Visit their Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PixelWho and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PixelWho to get updates on their art projects. Nathan is now working on the 9th Doctor poster and is sharing preview images on their Facebook page.
If you'd like to meet the artist in real life, he goes to several conventions a year and a convention schedule is listed on PixelWho's Facebook page. Both he and his wife, PixelWho's manager, love going to science fiction and comics conventions where they get to meet fans in real life, and frequently attend in cosplay themselves. Please help support this independent artist as he strives to be pixel perfect in providing a complete visual character dictionary and illustrated episode guide for Doctor Who fans.
[Source: PixelWho]
Well, of course he didn't! :) Doctor Who is a fictional (albeit awesome) television show - however, a recent discovery of a previously lost Van Gogh painting does provide a striking image of what looks like the TARDIS!
The Van Gogh Museum identified a long-lost Vincent Van Gogh painting (pictured-right) that spent years in a Norwegian attic because it was thought not to be authentic. It is the first full-size canvas by the Dutch master discovered since 1928.
"Sunset at Montmajour" depicts a dry landscape of oak trees, bushes and sky, painted with Van Gogh's familiar thick brush strokes. It can be dated to the exact day it was painted because Vincent described it in a letter to his brother, Theo, and said he painted it the previous day - 4th July 1888. He said the painting was done "on a stony heath where small twisted oaks grow."
A brief glance to the upper-left side of the painting shows what appears to be a blue box complete with light box, but on closer inspection is actually a house with a chimney.
The great thing about art, however, is that it is down to the individual to decipher its meaning - and we see a TARDIS! :)
[Source: The Van Gogh Museum]
The Collectable Art Company has been officially licensed by BBC Worldwide to publish a series of Limited Edition Fine Art prints of Original Doctor Who Costume Designs.
Pat Godfrey’s final design drawing for The Sixth Doctor's distinctive, multi-coloured outfit will launch the series. In 1984 Doctor Who Producer John Nathan-Turner took the bold decision to make The Doctor’s Sixth incarnation’s dress sense ‘Totally tasteless’. The resulting costume was loved and hated by the fans of the series in equal measure!
Limited to 1500 high quality prints, each A2 size reproduction is individually numbered and will be autographed by costume designer Pat Godfrey and The Sixth Doctor himself, Colin Baker.
It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a special 28-page 'Script to Screen' booklet, which describes the making of The Sixth Doctor's iconic costume and includes an introduction by Colin Baker and an interview with Pat Godfrey.
Grahame Flynn, Managing Director of The Collectable Art Company said:
“We are delighted to have secured the rights to reproduce costume designs from this flagship BBC series. We are committed to bringing world-class, museum quality reproductions of the production designs to collectors. The range will expand to include the images from the classic and new series.”
+ The Sixth Doctor print is available for Preorder now from www.thecollectableartcompany.com, and will be formally on sale from 1st March.
[Source: The Collectable Art Company Ltd]
