Can I use AI to enhance my own original artwork?

[JWZagst]

UPDATE: This is no longer an issue because I purchased a Kamvas 16 on a Prime Day sale, it arrived yesterday, and I just began using it this morning. The difference is like night and day! It's so much easier to draw on a screen tablet than a screenless one XD.

Original Post:

So, I know fully AI generated content is not allowed on Tapas, but what if I draw it and color the images myself and then use AI to make it higher quality? Saving up for a pen display drawing tablet, but in the mean time, this seems like it might be a good way to start my webcomic prior to getting the tablet. I'll post the before and after below for reference.

This is my original drawn artwork, where I did pencils, ink, and then colored pencils. But as you can see, it just doesn't feel webcomic worthy without that digital art feel:

So I decided to try uploading it to ChatGPT and used a prompt similar to "even out the colors and enhance the quality of the image" or something like that. And this is the best result after a few tries:

So, what do you guys think? Would this violate Tapas' TOS? Any feedback anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[Oriflamme]

My hatred of Abominable Intelligence aside, I would call the second image improved. You used A.i. to make it look more webcomic, but the enhanced image looks even more amateurish. The tool you used made the same mistake beginner artists make when they start making digital art. Mostly abuse the airbrush tool.

You would get better results if you used a digital drawing software.

P.s. even if it was allowed by the T.O.S. I would do it since it would affect your credibility within the community.

[kyupol]

If you didn't mention it, I won't be able to tell that your 2nd image is AI.
It will only be found out if it's like...
- elite level art skills
- inconsistency in details like having 6 fingers, 3 arms, etc.

Even if you get an AI detector website or app, it returns false negatives or positives so it's hard to tell if something is AI or not.

That's why I post wips or sketches either here or on discord servers (many users here are in the same discord servers) so they know I'm not using AI art in my comics.

[JWZagst]

Oh, absolutely. I have Clip Studio Paint, but I don't have a pen display yet. Right now, the only way to do the digital art myself is to use my mouse or the screenless pen tablet I have, but I don't like the look of those. I find it very difficult to draw with a mouse or a pen on a tablet without a screen where the surface I'm drawing on is separate from the screen. Here are some examples of my attempts:

My plan is to still do it completely myself once I get the pen display, I was only considering using AI to enhance my drawings in the interim. My main concern was if it would violate TOS. But, putting that aside, I appreciate your feedback and you have a point about credibility.

[wolflu66]

If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have thought the second image wasn't AI-generated.

But as @Oriflamme said , I also don't think this airbrush-like style looks better. I prefer the first one that you drew by hand - it has brushstrokes and personal style.
Even though it's not a mature work, the effort behind the process often moves me.

But I must admit, for most non-creator readers, they don't care whether the image is AI or not. Most people would probably choose the second one.

[Oriflamme]

I suspected you might say that.

I was more suggesting you use drawing software in combination with drawing on paper.

Try drawing it on paper using only ink. Scan and import it into your drawing software of choice. You can then add color with an overlay layer. Color like the Ai did can easily be done with the mouse and the lasso tool, and it is great way to familiarise yourself with the software until you get a proper art tablet.

If you want shadows, try doing it using cross hatching. It’s great practice as an artist.

[Lensing]

Keep on saving for the pen display and in the meantime use the hand drawn art.
The last webcomic that I loved on Tapas was completely hand drawn.

It´s the right thing to do IMO

[JWZagst]

Well, my biggest issue with uploading a hand-drawn image to CSP and then coloring is that I'd still have to trace my drawing to create new layers for color to keep it within the lines, but I find it difficult to draw straight with a mouse or a non-screen pen tablet. I certainly don't want to damage my credibility, so I think the best option is to just wait until I can afford a pen display to start my webcomic. Thank you to everyone who took the time to give me valuable feedback.

[wolflu66]

What model of drawing tablet are you using?
Actually, drawing tablets without screens aren't that difficult to use - you should be able to get the hang of it with more practice. I've been using one for many years, and it allows me to sit further away from the screen

[Oriflamme]

I think you misunderstood what I said. You don’t need to redraw the line to color it. That is why I suggest you use an Overlay layer on top of your drawing.

It is a 2 layer set up, Your original drawing on the bottom, and another layer set in overlay or color mode. There is no need to redraw the lines over it because the second layer will only add color to the white section of your drawing. If set up correctly, It would be possible to use the paint bucket to color your drawing entirely (You’ll need to fiddle with some option, and make some small correction afterward, but still doable and easy).

[JWZagst]

I have the small Wacom Intuos. But it just feels horrible trying to draw with it. I'm saving up to get a Huion Kamvas Pro 16.

[JWZagst]

Here's an image from a test I was doing using JustSketchMe figures to help guide my pen strokes. But I just hate it LOL.

It almost looks worse than the attempt I did with my mouse XD:

[Lensing]

That´s the tablet I started with too and I never got used to it

[wolflu66]

When you're drawing line art in CSP, try using lines without pressure sensitivity. I think CSP's G-pen isn't very useful for line art.
On the contrary, when I'm coloring, CSP's G-pen is quite useful for detailing.
The above is just my personal experience and doesn't represent how other artists feel

[wolflu66]

I also use the Wacom Intuos series myself. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite nice to draw with.

I currently don't work on paper at all - my sketches, line art, and coloring are all done on my Wacom Intuos 4, which is already over 15 years old.

[Oriflamme]

I don’t think a better tablet will provide the improvement in quality you’re hoping for. Non screen tablets can be an imperfect drawing method, but not as much as people think. A huge part of digital art is knowing your tool and finding the right way to do things. If the pen does not feel right, fiddling with the option might help.

Experience will also help. If you want a low stake method of practicing try coloring within the line of a drawing.

And don’t forget ctrl-z is your best friend.

[JWZagst]

Well, by better tablet I mean one with a screen. On the Wacom Intuos, I am having difficult drawing properly because I have to look up at my monitor while drawing on a screenless pad on my desk. The issue I am having is drawing on one surface and having my work appear on a completely different surface. The Kamvas would eliminate that issue because then I can draw directly on the screen. XD

[Humbug]

I've been using variations of the small Wacom for 20 odd years. It's my tool of choice. I've always stuck to it because of limited desk space. XD

[Oriflamme]

When using a computer do you also feel the need to look at your mouse? Or are you so used to it that you can move the mouse while still looking at the screen?

If you can draw, and you can use a mouse, then you can use a drawing tablet. The only difference is one of them, you don’t have a lifetime of experience behind you. Your brain just needs to apply some of the skills you use with a mouse in a different context.

Once you get used to it, you can rely on a lot of the same muscle memory of drawing.

I might be annoyed with emphasizing practice, but I do so because I think it will be the thing that will help you legitimately the most. That is also why I suggested you start practicing with only coloring, it would be just a small step outside your comfort zone but it will make you work the fundamentals.

[Lensing]

I tried it for one year, every day for hours, it just didn´t work for me.
I didn´t need any time to get used to drawing on a screen. I just
had to accept that there will always be a difference between
drawing on a screen and drawing on paper with a pencil.