Remember it was a news letter from envato that kicked off the copyright controversy over Graphic River and the use of unlicensed photographers work? http://www.microstockgroup.com/photodune/envato-and-copyright/

Well seems they haven't learnt very much when it come to which artists to feature. Today's offering has a specialty of tracing photos without permission it seems.
"http://vector.tutsplus.com/articles/interviews/interview-kevin-blanchard/

"Other times I find a picture of someone with a look I want to capture. I don�t try to limit myself when it comes to inspiration."
"It�s tough to track down some of the sources for these images, they get scattered over the web so easily."

Could I suggest he tries a little harder to limit himself; at least by duplicating the work of photographers and artists who have given him permission? What kind of excuse is it's tough to track down the sources?
As an artist he shouldn't be using the work if he doesn't know who the original creator is.
Have a little respect for other artists work and copyright- and Envato,, again, act like you give a cr*p about artists work if you want any respect from them.

I think it's pretty simple to set the standard, and on this issue, IMO iStock has it right. You have to own the copyright to any reference image you use in creating an illustration. IOW you need to have taken the photo if you use one as a reference. If you draw from scratch you need screen captures of the work in progress at varying stages to show you drew it. These get uploaded (along with a model release if necessary) with your illustration.

I don't understand if this interview is with someone who sells the tutorials on Envato, but I think the same standard should apply to any work used in a tutorial too.

Saying "it's hard" doesn't excuse using other people's copyrighted work in material you sell.

But he pretty much says to the interviewer that he finds his sources by just grabbing them off the web without a care for who created them or getting permission (I am paraphrasing but only just), and a lot of his mesh traces are clearly of celebrities or famous fashion shots, why did it have to be..........oh never mind.
Good to hear you guys at Envato are (still) "tak[ing] copyright very seriously" keep up the good work.

Ask him also if he has model releases from Salma Hayek and Eva Green

http://www.sexywallpapersgirls.com/images/wallpapers/salma_bikini_B-182600p.jpeg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NLAhvzoYCM/TlvSxp6UlCI/AAAAAAAAAFs/RDXpKyifnWM/s1600/Eva+Green-0307.jpg

You know that those releases aren't available to him, so another simple rule would be to reject celebrity images in any context on any Envato marketplace. There's no reason to include celebrities in any of these if the tutorial is about design or illustration - any shot of a person would do.

From Envato Newsletter: "Using Photos of People and Celebrities in Items...."
http://notes.envato.com/general/using-photos-of-people-and-celebrities-in-items/?utm_source=ENVATO+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1dfc2bf3a6-Envato_Mail_48&utm_medium=email

At least it's good to see Envato finally understands the meaning of "commercial usage."  Took 'em long enough.