I am ashamed that Google/YouTube would allow such an obvious theft of an artist's work. I have been watching Paul's videos for the past year and was shocked to discover their removal from YouTube. If common sense doesn't prevail in this situation, then Google's legal team needs to re-write their guidelines for copyright so that other artists can share their talents without fear of thievery. Really! Someone in TURKEY can claim a Scotsman's art videos?!!

You make a very good point Susan - as things stand at this moment in time Google/YouTube's copyright m.o. actively discriminates against the legal copyright owner and as a consequence protects the criminals/criminal gangs.

Furthermore, in allowing channels to exist on which material is illegally re-uploaded they are earning from the criminals ill-gotten gains. One of the channels that was illegally uploading our videos continues to exist and has not been removed by Google/YouTube.

It is not simply that we cannot ever again trust Google/YouTube - it is what this means for other original content creators and how this continues to impact on those who may not be aware of this continuing trend.

We have had to completely rework our entire set of plans for on-line tutoring.

Meanwhile the matter is in the hands of the appropriate authorities who handle cyber-crimes of this ilk and some steps have already been taken.

Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

PS - thankyou for your kindest of messages, which we have replied to separately and we have sent you our latest newsletter which tells of the extraordinary support we continue to receive as we start our new journey on Vimeo.

 http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

 

Hi Paul and Eileen sorry to hear about all that's been going on. I'm an aspiring oil painter myself so I'm definitely missing your excellent videos. As far as your on going issue with Google/YouTube goes it's such a mess it's hard to know where to begin. All I can say is I'll happily rent or buy any oil painting videos that you make available. Thank you both for helping me in my feeble efforts in learning to paint and for what it's worth you have my full support. With kind regards. Seamus C

Hi Seamus - how very kind of you to take the time and trouble to pop into our website to post your support and, please believe us, is truly appreciated and of much value in sustaining our belief in human nature.

There is no such thing as a 'feeble effort' Seamus - every effort put into painting is of worth - so please, don't put yourself down - we certainly would never do that :)

We guess you have received our latest newsletter because you mention our rent/buy videos.

So presumably you know that we have created a boxed-set of oil painting videos, 'Learn to Enjoy Painting in Oils [Series 1]' and 'Masterclass in Oils'.

We have just released the first or our newest idea of new films for 'Learn to Enjoy Painting [Series 2]' which will include a build-up course in oils.

Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

All best, from Eileen and Paul

http://wwwvimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_paages

Paul Taggart is brilliant, I have seen many artists on youtube and Paul is miles ahead of any artist. Youtube have really made a mess of the relationship that was between Paul and Youtube - shame on youtube. Paul, please keep up the good work. I am truly an avid fan. Peter from Australia.

Greetings Peter and thankyou for your message that warmed our hearts :)

Sadly the relationship between us and Google/YouTube is permanently mired in a 'mess'.

But life has to go on and we have been rather busy over the past few months on getting the repairs in motion.

Hopefully you received our latest newsletter in which we express our deep gratitude to everyone for the amazing goodwill that has been extended to us - we had absolutely no idea there was so much support out there for our work.

Thankyou, thankyou for your thoughtfulness in getting in touch here on our website.

Best wishes, from Eileen and Paul

PS Currently we have eight boxed-sets on our Vimeo site and have just launched a new idea for regular build-up courses which feature Painting Topical Techniques, Problem Solvers, Exercises and a Start-to-Finish Painting - the first for watercolours; with more to follow for oils, acrylics and soft pastels.

Mind you we have also had request for other media as well, so that's going to keep us out of mischief for some while LOl

If there is anything we can do to help you, please let us know.

 http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

 

has the world gone mad! i as a fellow artist have hugely enjoyed your tutorials. nothing compares with them on the web.here's strngth to your brush!

Oh Eric - you did have us giggling here - especially as we have found ourselves asking this very question since the first day of our criminal cyber attack.

Whenever we are asked about our experience, the question is usually framed in much the same character.

The situation defies any logic - but there you go, that's what happens when a behemoth is of the belief that it is untouchable.

But you know what, life is way too short to waste energy on the negative side of things - we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and in this case have started all over again on Vimeo - who thus far have shown us respect and care (long may it continue) - http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

Thankyou for your kind message - it has added more strength to our brush and 'elbow'.

Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

I considere an absolute lack of honorability from youtube and Google, because Paul has been, during years painting and teaching through magnifique tutorials I could see in Youtube. I was suscriber of Paul's account. Please considere any help, from my side. And many thanks for your efforts.

Greetings Juan and many thanks for taking the time and trouble to come into our site to post your supportive message.

We are truly grateful for the kindness you have shown and hope we can continue to be of help. We do hope you have received our latest newsletter about how we have started again and are filming new tutorials.

People have asked to publish some of the tutorials that they have missed most - which we have done as boxed-sets in our Vimeo account - http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

We have received requests for oils and Masterclass, soft pastels and acrylics - so these have been done.

Now we are starting on some new tutorials, with new filming.

But as we have also received requests for Watercolours Pencils and Colour Mixing, we will be doing those too.

If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.

Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

I was stunned to learn of your treatment by youtube,The only reason I visit that site is for learning opportunities provided by wonderul,generous people like you.This is appalling in every aspect.I wish you all the best in your courageous battle and thank you for all the time and effort you have given to share your love and knowledge of art. I am grateful to have learned from you.

How kind of you Patrizia to seek out our website to post your caring comment - much appreciated, believe us.

Sadly, this appalling state of affairs is unique to Google/YouTube - which leaves us vulnerable to further cyber crime attack.

Our enforced move away from YouTube has been amazingly supported and we are truly thankful to everyone who has followed us to our new home in Vimeo - http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

Moving positively forward has been made all the smoother by the tremendous goodwill shown us by so many from around the world.

Best wishes and warm regards, from Eileen and Paul

Although I am sorry to see that YouTubes behaviour was total pants in a small way I am pleased about it as I think together we have forged a better relationship with each other and hopefully it will just carry on from strength to strength , well done to you both..

How very kind of you Steve - firstly for taking the time and trouble to post your thoughts and secondly, for such lovely thoughts. We are working on our new beginnings and do appreciate the support received.

 All best from us both and best wishes for your painting,

from Eileen and Paul

Paul, I can not believe what has happened to you, and all for the sake of money I would think. You have been so kind to allow us to have these lessons without having to pay. I only found your UTube site this year, and I was really enjoying your method of teaching. Obviously someone, or a group out there decided we are no longer to have your free lessons. I do hope that you are able to resolve this problem in your favour. I really feel for you both.

Welcome Pam and thank you for making contact. Resolving this problem is not likely to happen anytime soon as Google/YouTube have not removed the illegal copyright infringement notices served against us for our wholly-owned videos – so it is with regret that we cannot do anything about our free-to-view tutorials.

Meanwhile, we are working up new plans for our on-line tutorials and have continued to produce boxed-sets for our Vimeo PRO account where we are gradually building an index of Video on Demand downloadable videos for purchase or rent.

Best wishes for your painting,

from Eileen and Paul

artworkshopwithpaul - downloadable on-line tutorials available (click here) on http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

You are one of the few artists worth watching who convey classical techniques and can explain what is happening. I miss your videos on You Tube. Probably the only way to get their attention is to bring suit against You Tube, but that is probably futile as they will hang you up in court for ever. It would be nice if there was another venue where you could post your videos. Is your own website impractical for this purpose? I wish you well and hope this can be resolved as I really enjoy learning from your videos. THANKS, Gary V.

Greetings Gary and thankyou for taking the time and trouble to comment on the on-going criminal activities we have experienced via Google/YouTube.

We share your frustrations, but as you have quite succinctly put it, we could find ourselves hung up on court proceedings for years if we were not careful in our handling of the situation.

As you will know, we have resolved to continue for the time-being on the work that we had started in response to requests for DVDs to purchase - our solution to keep these costs down for viewers being to go down the downloadable route for purchase or rent - via our Video on Demand account in Vimeo.

The future for our on-line tutorials is uppermost in our minds; as is our desire to keep anything we do at an affordable level for viewers - so it isn't something we can rush into, on the rebound from our divorce from Google/YouTube :)

Your kindness in wishing us well is much appreciated.

Best wishes for your painting,

from Eileen and Paul

 

Hello Paul. Many thanks for all the great teaching videos. Hope the youtube business is soon sorted out and you can carry on as before. Best Wishes, David

Hello David and thank you for taking the time and trouble to watch our videos and post your throughtful comment.

Sadly it doesn't look as if Google/YouTube will be sorting this out anytime soon; they have merely answered our letters with an anonymous/automated response - which effectively upholds the illegal copyright infringement notices served against our wholly-owned videos.

Meanwhile, we are making alternative plans - and are continuing to prepare boxed-sets of our videos in response to demand for downloadable videos (which came in long before this debacle) and even more demand from folk since this situation kicked off at the end of June.

Currently we have uploaded three boxed-sets to our Vimeo PRO channel and are in the process of making a Soft Pastels Series 1.

Please click on this link to be taken to our Video on Demand page where you can check things out -

http://vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul/vod_pages

 Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

YouTube is disgraceful, acting like the megacorporation it is - such actions in a real person would be punishable by jail time and the label sociopath.

Well Stefan - your observation is spot on. Although we are realistic enough to understand that in Google/YouTube's 'megacorporate' world, we are but mere mall fry - nay even smaller than that, little midges - we had hoped for something better than the responses received to our legally-binding letter sent to four of the most senior executives in Google and YouTube.

What our letter and subsequent responses have proved is that Google/YouTube believe they are above the law. Rather than remove the offending and illegal Copyright Infringement Notices raised again six of our wholly-owned videos, thereby restoring our channel to its original state (which was required of them in our letter) - we received an automated/anonymous email in response to our letter to Google's Chief Legal Officer and another of the identical email in response to the copy of our letter that we sent to the Senior Vice President of YouTube.

This email started as follows:-  "YouTube removes content when we receive complete and valid removal requests." - given that these were not valid removal requests; it proves completely that they do not care one jot for the legal ownership.

Thus we find ourselves with a damaged channel and Paul is obstensibly a 'copyright thief'; for as long as Google/YouTube uphold those illegal Copyright Infringement Notices and have deleted our six videos, then that is what he is considered to be by YouTube.

We hold Google/YouTube totally responsible for providing 'safe harbour' for these criminals and malicious trolls and for putting in place a flawed copyright system; one that is unique to them.

Thank you for your continued support and interest - we do appreciate it.

Best wishes from Eileen and Paul

PS Meanwhile we are doing some special Problem Solver videos which are free-to-view exclusively to our Art Workshop With Paul Taggart Painting Companions group in FaceBook - a  'closed' group - which you are welcome to join if you feel able.

I dont understand what is happening you give such help to all of us (still I am not good at painting)not your fault I am very slow at learning I hope it has not stopped you in any way regards Bell

Hi Isabella,

          Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

 

Dear Mr. Taggart-- I have watched many of your videos in the last couple of years while I have been bedridden due to illness. You have inspired me to actually start a few paintings of my own. I am so sorry you are having troubles with piracy of your content, and the lack of proper help by YouTube is shocking. One thing puzzles me greatly. The people who stole your videos must have uploaded them to YouTube after you uploaded your originals. Chances are yours are also available in higher resolutions. Can YouTube actually not see the digital trace that the thieves left after downloading your videos and uploading them as their own? YouTube should be responsible enough to put some kind of digital tag on original videos that prevents them from being falsely claimed by thieves as their own, or even from being downloaded by anyone should that be preferred by the real owner of the content. If you decide to have your own website where I could subscribe to view your content, even independently of YouTube, I would be interested in joining. You are a wonderful teacher, with informative and inspiring content that I have not found elsewhere. Not to mention a very soothing voice :). I hope your troubles with piracy of your content are resolved quickly and in your favor. 

Greetings Ruchika, 

Paul, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It is completely wrong and unfair. I have been so grateful for all your videos on painting and have watched them all over that past year. Some more than once. I have learned so much from you. You have been the best teacher i have had. Whatever happens in this, know that there is a girl in Texas praying for you

Welcome Jill and thankyou so much for your warm support and lovely message - which is much appreciated.

Google/YouTube have shown absolutely no interest in our situation and as such, we cannot possibly trust them to protect our work.

So, as you will read in our replies to others who have shown their support here, we are re-evaluating our way forward for on-line tutorials.

The hard work we had put into building up a free-to-view channel on YouTube have been wiped out, by not only the criminal/s; but more disturbingly by Google/YouTube.

We will keep in touch to let you know what our plans are as they unfold.

Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

I want Paul Taggart back! What is your problem? You are thieves, liars and cheats, you have taken Capitalism too far, some day you will answer for all the evil you have done! The Sister said you were Wicked, and I agree!

Hey Sandra - how about joining us in our wonderful group in Facebook - there you will find supportive, encouraging, inspiring and like-minded people from around the world who share a passion for creativity. No Google/YouTube to wreck our enjoyment of art.

Use the link on our Home Page and when you arrive at any of our FB pages, or Paul's profile, drop us a comment and we will send you an invite to join us - for security and privacy reasons, this is a 'closed' group.

Hope to see you there - we are doing some free-to-view Problem Solvers exclusively for Art Workshop With Paul Taggart Painting Companions.

All best and thank you so so much for your continued interest and support.

Best wishes for your painting, from Eileen and Paul

It is unfortunate that these thoughtless few - have to ruin the enjoyment that the rest of us so appreciate in the videos that you painstakingly provide. It is imperative that utube developes better policies and procedures to protect the intillectual property of those that legitamently upload videos rather than penalizing and freezing channels. I do hope that u receive a favorable response from utube. Deterring those that pirate videos should be the goal here...as this is likely to get worse before it gets better...best of luck....keep us posted. Thank you.

Thankyou so much Lin for taking the time and trouble to seek us out and for posting your comment on our website - we really do appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Sadly we are not getting very far with Google/YouTube thus far, in spite of our 'legal' letter to four of the most senior executives in Google and YouTube.

Notwithstanding the fact that we have reported the multi-layered criminal acts that have been perpetrated against us to the relevant Fraud/Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau. 

You hit the nail on the head in all of your observations and statements.

So far Google/YouTube have re-instated three of our nine illegally contested videos (although they are once again vulnerable to attack); retained two that had been illegally downloaded and re-uploaded and our channel is still 'blacklisted' and inaccessible to us.

That, coupled with absolutely no sign of protection for any creative uploading wholly original content makes it an impossible situation for the likes of us.

So we remain vulnerable to the criminals.

We will be pleased to keep you posted,

Meanwhile if you are on FB - we will be pleased to welcome you to our special 'closed' group Art Workshop With Paul Taggart Painting Companions - click on this link to be taken there - https://www.facebook.com/groups/paultaggartpaintingcompanions/

Thankyou once again for your kind interest, from Eileen and Paul 

 

 

 

 

So sorry about your troubles. It sounds like utube has a totally unrealistic and unfair policy regarding your problems. I hope they get smarter in the future.

Welcome Gail and thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to comment - your support is much appreciated. Sadly,we have discovered that Google/YouTube have a totally unrealistic and unfair policy to everyone. And there we were, trusting their term 'partner'. We all live and learn in life! Best wishes, from Eileen and Paul

Hi Paul, I lost my videos on youtube of your classes. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE the dry on wet video of the sailboat one color and the videos of the beach scene with grass in front with the hills on the side for sale. From what I see they cut your videos on youtube from everyone. I'm a beginner and the way you teach is fantastic. You don't leave nothing out. I think your a great teacher. I thank you. Hope youtube comes around. Bob S

Greetings Bob and thankyou so much for taking the time and trouble to get in touch re our current difficulties with the criminal activity that is being harboured by Google on our YouTube channels. You ask specifically about the Wet on Dry in Watercolours and the 'Learn to Enjoy Painting' series from Lesson 1 to Lesson 9 in Watercolours. Many months prior to our YouTube difficulties, we had been receiving requests for downloadable versions of our tutorials and had started work on producing boxed-sets of specifically requested videos for VOD (download or rental) through our Vimeo PRO account. To date we have completed the boxed-set of the Oil Painting series in 'Learn to Enjoy Painting' and the 'Learn to Enjoy Colour Mixing' series covering Painting Metals. Given your interest in the Watercolour series featuring the beach scene we will make arrangements to produce the boxed-set of that - which you will be able to either download or rent (no obligation on your part at all, by the way). The URL address for our Vimeo channel is - http://www/vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul Hope this helps - with best wishes, from Eileen and Paul

Paul -you had an old site on http://blip.tv/artworkshopwithpaul/learn-to-enjoy-painting-portraits-and-figures-with-paul-taggart-figure-study-workshop-6210687 Could you not use the above to replace youtube?

Hi Neil - we quit Blip.tv some while ago, because of all the changes and goings-on there. Some technical, others financial and many other such things; all of which left us feeling distinctly uneasy. It became patently obvious that those who had founded Blip were being side-lined and their original concept was being overturned by the new owners. Now Blip is in suspension, it is part of Maker Studios who have just been bought out by Disney - so it will be interesting where that is possibly going - maybe a rival to YouTube (because folk are crying out for someone to challenge YouTube). So we are slowly removing all of our videos there - most series were left unfinished because of the technical changes. Since our debacle kicked off with YouTube, we have uncovered some very interesting developments; mostly around organized crime and criminal trolls being provided 'safe harbour' by such as Google/YouTube, not to mention the current nightmare facing copyright holders. The way things are going; it looks likely that free-to-view will be a thing of the past - not just for us, but for everyone. Thankyou for your concern and support - much appreciated, believe us. Best wishes, from Eileen and Paul

I am sorry to hear about your problem with you tube. Another case where you are guilty before being proved innocent.You have my support.Your videos have been an inspiration to me as I am sure countless others.If there is anything that I can do to help please let me know. My question: I love to paint and draw but painting is my passion.My problem is I am color blind,red green defientcy what would you suggest to me? best regards. Glenn

Hello Glenn and thankyou for your wonderful comment and offer of help. As you will have discovered in Episode 3 of the on-going cyber-attack via YouTube - we are truly thankful to everyone who has pitched in and supported this debacle; enabled by the fatally flawed Copyright system that YouTube have in place. If it were not for the offers of help, love and support shown, we would have not got through this taxing time. You ask about Colour Blindness - we're happy to tell you that this is a question answered on a previous occasion and can be found in our Art Clinic - use the URL below to be taken straight to it. http://www.artworkshopwithpaul.com/clinicdetail.asp?ClinicID=75 Best wishes, from Eileen and Paul

I was saddened to see that videos I have watched in the last several months are no longer accessible on You Tube. I have just watched your two 7 minute clips explaining your situation. I am sorry for your pain. I am appalled at the way in which You Tube handles these issues. I wish there was something I could do to help you and show my appreciation for your gift of learning. I am 63 years old and preparing for the time I won't be working full time. I have been an avid photographer for the last several years and thought I should learn something about art to improve my photos. In the process I came across your video library. In a sentence, YOU ARE GREAT! I have cut back on the use of my camera and tried my hand at drawing, pastels, colored pencils and acrylics--all motivated by your excellent presentations and practical techniques. You gave me confidence to try a new skill later in life. Thank you so much. I don't expect a reply, but if there is any thing that your followers are doing to support your efforts to resolve this injustice, please let me know how I may help. You deserve at least that much in return for your generous gift of learning. I wish you the best. Sincerely, Bruce S

Oh Bruce - how very very kind of you to get in touch with us. Your thoughtfulness and offer is much appreciated; but most of all we so loved reading about your passion for photography and your new-found passion for painting - long may they both continue! Our saga with Google/YouTube continues - but as our Episode 3 video will attest, we have never been cowed by bullies and do not intend to start now; whether they be criminal, corporate or malicious. Sadly however, there is nothing we can do about our current crop of 269 free-to-view painting and drawing tutorials; for to give in to YouTube would be sheer folly on our part, as their current Copyright system actively protects those wishing to do damage, criminal or otherwise. Folk have been sharing and resharing our explanatory videos and the story, as well as blogging and getting in contact with their local media. Some have taken to writing, emailing and faxing Google/YouTube. And there is the YouTube Forum; which features some very interesting observations and information, quite apart from those demanding a response from YouTube. Some heated discussions too ............. Every little helps and will continue to help. Thankyou again for your generous enquiry and comment. All best, from Eileen and Paul URL for YouTube Forum https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/youtube/playing-and-watching-videos/discuss-and-give-feedback/uWRfgL1cxtc[1-25-false]

MASTERCLASS in Oils Session 8 [Series 2] with Paul Taggart Hi Paul I really enjoy watching videos and having watched your Masterclass series 2 was disappointed the end seems to be missing from youtube,could you please pass me on to a link for session 8

Greetings Dave and thank you for your enquiry regarding the continuation of Masterclass Series 2. As with all of our free-to-view painting tutorials on YouTube - they were filmed in real-time and uploaded as Paul completed the next segment/layer/process. This was the case with Masterclass Series 2. We were on the point of returning to that Masterclass - having scheduled it to continue during week commencing June 23 2014 - when we were struck by the cyber-attack on our main YouTube channel. Sadly therefore, we are not in a position to continue with Masterclass as a free-to-view series via YouTube; for as you will have heard through our various explanatory videos; our channel is in effect a 'hung' channel and Google/YouTube do not protect uploaders from criminal activity by a third party/parties. Having been asked towards the end of last year for downloadable versions of our tutorials; we had started to produce boxed-sets of requested tutorials for download or rental through our Vimeo PRO account. Thus far we had uploaded the Oil painting set in 'Learn to Enjoy Painting' and the Metallic Colours set in 'Learn to Enjoy Colour mixing'. We will soon have the Watercolours set in 'Learn to Enjoy Painting'. In the light of what has befallen us in YouTube, we are open to requests for other boxed-sets. You can find more details on our Vimeo channel - URL http://www.vimeo.com/artworkshopwithpaul Best wishes, from Eileen and Paul