Can I use AI to enhance my own original artwork?

[JWZagst]

Well, those drawings were originally done with the intention to use colored pencil, and also before I had inked them and then used the eraser over it more. And as you can see from the colored pencil version in my original post, the original pencil lines have been sufficiently erased and then colored over XD. But I see your point.

[jwabeasley]

Well I hope you find the method that works for you. Good luck.

[JWZagst]

Thank you! I really do appreciate everyone providing feedback and insight beyond the scope of my original question. It warms my heart to see so many artists lending a helping hand XD.

[wolflu66]

Perhaps for artists from the generation who started learning digital art when screen tablets weren't available (or weren't common) in the market, using a screenless graphics tablet isn't difficult at all XD.

While the generation who already had screen tablets available when they began learning digital art would be less accustomed to screenless tablets?

I'm thinking, in some ways it's like manual transmission cars versus automatic transmission cars?

[wolflu66]

I think what everyone means is not to deny that "screen tablets are easier to use," but rather that "screenless tablets" aren't really that difficult. They're indeed not as intuitive and simple as screen tablets, but this doesn't mean they're difficult to use.

Personally, I use a Wacom Intuos and iPad for drawing, and sometimes I have to switch between screen and screenless tablets several times within a day. I'm already very used to it XD

[JWZagst]

In my case, it's just that all my drawing experience is on paper and using the screenless tablet feels odd because I'm used to drawing on the same surface that I see my artwork on. I'm used to looking at my pencil as I draw on the paper. As for the two generations you mentioned, I think predate both because I developed as an artist in the late 1980s and most of the 1990s and very early 2000s. I switched my focus to writing around like 2002 or something and only recently started getting back into art seriously, so prior to this year, I never really dabbled in digital art at all other than occasional drawings with a mouse.

[Humbug]

Sure, a display tablet is technically "easier", but I don't see the point in transitioning for a couple of reasons; tiny Wacoms are dirt cheap these days, and probably last longer. I've found the more complex the device is the sooner it breaks down.

At my age, my back does not like me hunching over for long periods of time, and it's impossible to set up a display tablet at eye level when I need to keep my back straight. But these are issues that don't effect you young-uns, so do what feels best for you.

[JWZagst]

I think the first character I ever drew was Michelangelo when I was like 6 or 7, so that would have been in either 1988 or 1989, I forget exactly when I became obsessed with Ninja Turtles lol (I was born in August 1982). In 5th grade when I was somewhere around 10, I used to draw Sonic a lot from the SatAM cartoon:

By that point, my artistic skill had earned me a special kids summer program at an art museum. My elementary school paid for it like a summer scholarship thing and presented the certificate to me at my class's 5th grade graduation. By the time I got into high school and my late teens, I could draw anime characters like Goku with great accuracy. But then I discovered Harry Potter, and it ignited a desire to write fantasy novels, and so I mostly abandoned my childhood dream of becoming a cartoonist and embraced my new adult dream of becoming an author. Only very recently started taking my art seriously again.

[wolflu66]

Well, it seems like you were born earlier than me XD. When you have time, please share more of your artwork so we can exchange ideas with each other.

[Humbug]

Born is 84, not middle age yet, but I'll get there. I can share more art, I just haven't thought of the right thread.

[JWZagst]

Here are some random things I drew very recently. Obviously these were just for fun, so I didn't really worry about how good they looked:

I don't have any drawings left from when I was at my peak, but here are a few from over the years where I just drew stuff randomly without any intention of taking it seriously:

[Kelheor]

I am sorry, I am almost 35 and I broke my back and set my eyesight on the path of going down with comics for the first two times while being in comic competitions with my two screenless tablets 🤷‍♀️ I then repeated it with Cintiq, but that's a different story. Slouching for 10 hours in front of the monitor will weaken your health one way or another.

[Kelheor]

And what I mean to say is that people are different, and if someone decided that a screenless tab is not for them, well, maybe it's just not I also have a friend who just cannot use the pen tablet at all, I suppose it heavily depends on an individual brain processing hand to head information.
Does it mean that OP will most definitely get used to the screen tablet quickly? Maybe not. Maybe they will be just as unsatisfied with it. But I suppose they tried what they have for a few times before deciding it's just not great for them and not just throwing money away

[JWZagst]

I'm pretty sure I'll be quite happy with the screen tablet XD. I messed around with a drawing app on my smartphone and using the touchscreen to draw is waaaay easier for me than using a screenless pen tablet.

[IndigoShirtProd]

Well at that point, just don't draw digitally? Wouldn't it be more comfortable to draw traditionally only and wait until you can get the screen tablet? Sure, there can be a learning curve in switching from paper to screen, but how big it is really depends on the person. Also, I don't think there's any benefit in using AI at any point in the drawing process.

[JWZagst]

I just want to say thank you again to everyone who gave advice, I appreciate you. Once my comic is ready to be uploaded, I'll post a Promotion thread here in the forums. Assuming there are no further financial setbacks, I'm hoping I can get the Kamvas 16 Pro in a few weeks. And I'll leave you with another drawing using the app on my phone. This is mostly just me practicing drawing on a touchscreen, obviously not going to look the same as using a pen since this was done with my fat finger XD.

[JWZagst]

Nice! I was able to purchase a Huion Kamvas 16 on a Prime Day sale! It will be here next week, and then I'm going to get to work right away on the comic. Will post a Promotion thread once I am ready to go live with it. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply and leave their feedback, I really appreciate it!

[JWZagst]

Also, just to leave you with another piece of my art, here's a three-minute pen sketch of an evil little bunny I scribbled at work while I was waiting for my relief.

[lynrogg]

Can you? Sure.

Should you? In my opinion, no.

There's a lot of ethical problems around AI and you should really research it's impact enviromental etc (Spoiler: it is very bad). Even if you wouldn't be paying anyone cuz you couldn't afford it and therefore not taking potential money away from a working artist, it's still kinda sketchy ethically. The more people use generative AI even for little things, the more big corporations will continue to invest in it on all levels and take away creative jobs that they think they can fill with AI to "save money."

Also, generative AI/AI art is extremely taboo with a lot of people right now, because of above reasons. I'm not saying that you won't find people that won't care if you use AI, whether generative or just to enhance it, but there are going to be a lot of both readers and artists that will either not support you or actively shame you (not saying they should, just saying they will) for using AI in anyway. You could argue you that it's not the same because you're drawing the original image, but idk if people will see it as that big of a difference since you're still supporting/using AI. I've never used AI, so idk if you would be able to shake the stigma of AI artist if you stop using it.

I'm not an expert with it so perhaps you could still get big with it either way, but to me, it seems like an easily avoidable way to turn off a good chunk of potential readers when you could easily just wait until you save enough for a tablet. Seems a bit like shooting yourself in the foot.

Also, there are software programs that let you scan and upload handdrawn line work to it so you can color over it on your computer. Not quite as easy as having a tablet, but still an alternative. I think CSP let you do this, but I'm not sure since I never use it.

Also also, Idk what kind of tablet you are thinking of getting, but I know drawing tablets and ipads are expensive, but they also aren't the only option. I draw on a Samsung Galaxy S7+ and all the drawing apps work just fine on it and it cost me only $250-$300 after shipping. That way cheaper than the drawing tablets that costs anywhere from $500-$1000+. It doesn't have all the fancy shortcuts that the drawing specific tablets have, but honestly didn't mind since going from paper to digital drawing can be a bit of a learning curve and simplier is better. (I will note that the Samsung Galaxy tablets seem to have a dead spot on the right side of the screen I think for right handed people to rest their hand against the screen without the screen registering it as being touched, but it is pretty easily avoidable and there's still plenty of drawing space that I don't notice it really).

I think your better options would be either to 1) post your hand drawn comics and then redo them after you get your tablet or 2) just wait until you get your tablet and start posting them. I mean, what's the rush? It's not like you have to meet a deadline or you get fired lol.

Try switching to markers instead of using colored pencils. Colored pencils are notoriously hard to do well with out getting the grainy look (there's a way to do it, there's just a learning curve) and markers are way easier to fill large areas of color. I believe that's is what they used to use before digital software, but don't quote me on that. I don't mean the crayola markers, those also have a streaky-look unless you overuse them, but if you go to an art store, they have professional grade markers. Copics is the best brand, but also a complete set is pretty expensive even if it is less than a tablet. There are other good brands though that are a bit cheaper. I would just do some research on if water-based vs alcohol-based would be better for what you want, but I think if you try it out, you'll be way happier with the quality of your art.

At the very least, if you do decide to use AI enhancement, make sure you're upfront and label it as AI enhanced. People hate feeling like they've been tricked or lied to, even if they are okay with AI. Best to be honest and just accepted you're going to lose readers/followers for using it than to build up and audience and have them find out cuz they will not respond well to that.

Hope the info helps!

[JWZagst]

Thanks for the info! Luckily, it's 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.