I was threatened with legal action on Facebook

[quincy]

... I just wanted to stay on the safe side, since laws tend to have little specifications that the person may have overlooked or misinterpreted ...

Staying on the safe side is always a good (and safe ) thing to do.

Trying to support oneself as an artist can be difficult enough without contrary individuals in your life taking exception to what you create. I hope you can survive the family's criticisms and complaints unscathed, Draco77.

Good luck.

 

[Draco77]

If the character in the second drawing is not even him, & only has relatively vague attributes that are intended to commemorate him, despite any misinterpretation & lack of understanding on their part, do they still have no legal recourse?

 

[quincy]

If the character in the second drawing is not even him, & only has relatively vague attributes that are intended to commemorate him, despite any misinterpretation & lack of understanding on their part, do they still have no legal recourse?

I don't know.

Whether a statement (made orally, in writing, or in pictures) can be judged defamatory is based on several factors. If a statement has two possible meanings - one innocent and the other damaging - it will generally be left to the jury to decide in what sense the statement was understood by the "audience."

You could have your artwork looked at personally by an attorney in your area to see if there is anything that can support a lawsuit.

 

[Draco77]

Thanks, I will look into that.

 

[quincy]

Thanks, I will look into that.

Good.

Good luck with your artwork.