Copyright and a 2D historical person

[SchreiberBike]

I want to have a picture of a not-long deceased real person in a model.

Would it be legal/appropriate to use a number of photos and other pictures I remember for "inspiration" - then use new textures and lines and make a new image which doesn't have any of the original material to make a 2D person?

[remus]

i suppose it depends how close the similarity is, if its basically a copy, your probably stepping onto dodgy ground, if theres a bit of artistic license thrown in, you'll be fine.

[Daniel]

I think it also depends on what it is used for. If you are creating an image for your own enjoyment and posting on forums such as this (i.e. non-commercial work), you probably wouldn't have any problems. If you are creating commercial work for which you are paid, and used someone's likeness without their knowledge/consent, you will probably run into a problem. The exception is images of historical figures over a certain age (100 years I believe).