That is not a copy of their photo. Several things were changed. The cobalt blue curtains in the photo background, gone in his painting. The alizarin red dress, gone in painting, replaced with a yellow ocher, orange under painting, topped and textured with carmine red. The face is turned into a caricature due to the harsh and heavy rendering.
Let’s put it this way, even if Zim does have to pay for using that photo, in the end, it will become worth it. Now, the painting has been advertised for free around the world. Good for Zim. I do wonder, what are his relatives doing for income, can they now show their faces in public again? Shellie is likely shopping for a Victoria Secrets dress to wear when she tries to win Zim’s ‘love’ (I.e. income from paintings) back. Those don’t ususally come in her size though.
Yeah, but Shepard Fairey took the AP photo of Obama and removed the background, made it surreal with red and blue coloration, gave it obvious political meaning with the word “HOPE” — yet was still nailed for copyright infringement.
“...cobalt blue curtains... The alizarin red dress...”
Tell the truth, you’re a Bob Ross fan, aren’t you? But seriously, Lee, no cadmium yellow? :o)