I've wanted to draw other peoples' OCs for awhile now. I should always ask if I can draw someone else's OCs— I know I know, but this becomes rather problematic for a few people on FurAffinity (and by extension other art sites) where I cannot get into contact with the creator since they check their accounts infrequently. Someone in mind hasn't posted anything in months (and before that, YEARS) and there's no way to tell the last time they logged in (if there is, I would love to know).

In the case above... should I still do it? It feels kind of wrong. I promise I won't draw anything NSFW. I can't even do that for my own characters, much less for someone else's. The reason why I want to do this is because well... there are some characters I REALLY wanna see new art for, but the creators are doing something else now or don't post new art as frequently as they once used to. Would I be offending anyone this way? That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want to offend anyone.

For example,  MANLYSHARK has in his profile it is totally okay to draw SFW material. He has essentially given permission right away. Most others don't do this.

Why don't I just tell the people who are frequently around? Because, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore! Half the fun is gone when someone knows their OC is getting free art and they know it! Also, it is my way of saying thanks, because some of these people have not only inspired me, but I aspire to keep creating art as they do (or once used to). I envy a lot of them, too. That envy puts me down as much as it pushes me forward.

Let me know what you think! Please.