Creating a website - do I need original designs?

What I mean is, do the photos I display on my website have to be my own designs? I would like to start creating a website and turning this into a profession but most of my photos are of designs I've copied from ones found online (although they're never as good so look different anyway) For example:[img][/img]
I believe I copied this hulk from one done by Mark Reid though I daresay it looks totally different (and I have no idea if that upload just worked)
Basically, am I allowed to do that? Hopefully as I gain more experience and get better I'll be able to create more of my own designs and post them on there.

NUTS! The upload didn't work......I'll try again.....

nope! guess it may take some time for me to put together a website!!!!!!

I would say that if YOU painted that particular design on a child, it's fine... don't put pictures of what someone else painted. It doesn't matter if you came up with the original idea, but be sure that it is what YOU painted. Your paint coverage, your line work... it's all different. And THEIR photos are copyright protected.

It has to be your own work, but not necessarily original designs. Your own style will come with time and practice.

Just as long as YOU painted it and photographed it (or have the rights to use the photos) go ahead.

Lack of originality is not a problem!! as long as you did it yourself. The rest comes with time and experience!

Thanks - that anwers my question - they are all my own work i.e. I painted them - just not my original ideas....couldn't figure out how to upload a photo here but managed to put a few on my gallery...hey-ho, I'll get there.