Confession: I just tried to generate AI art related to my OCs and the results are cute/hilarious XD

[2DLenzy]

I know, highly controversial topic. It's generally cool to hate on AI art, and I personally really hate those who would use it and pawn it off as their own work at our expense.

But if I may push some buttons, due to my most recent experience, there may be some cause to reconsider...At least, become more impartial to it.

Maybe it's just me laughing my butt off at the weird interpretations I put in the prompts, but in all honesty, there's is something rather charming about some of these pics. Bit of hilarity as well.

But despite its negative repute, which I had backed up until just now, I can honestly say I can see some potential for use by some artists/creators, especially by those who wish to adapt and learn something new.

Example would be backgrounds. I SUCK at drawing backgrounds. Especially nature. But the generator gave me some interesting backdrops that made me eager to 'break down' into my own forms/shapes/style, not to strictly copy, but learn from. I know we can use photos, but the 'style' of the ones generated really got me interested in, well, stylizing in my own way, including the way I render 2d...

I also have some experience with 3d modeling, not very good, and my style will never look as good as said generated images, not unless I endeavor to learn how the textures and renderings are done. It actually piques my curiosity back into 3d, which I had abandoned years ago due to a stressful assignment. Still got a learning curve to work through, if I even have time, energy or resources to do it. Definitely have the motivation, just need to reverse engineer and experiment, something we artists tend to be good at, no matter our levels of "training".

Guess what I'm trying to ask is, should we really hate on AI art? Exclusively? Or can we make a case to use it as a learning tool?

Have you ever tried to generate something you've never seen before, or had trouble conceptualizing, just so you could interpret it?

Is there a way to embrace it, as unavoidable as it is?

I'm curious on your thoughts and experiences. I now don't feel there's shame in using it, just a little bit.

Just to be clear, I DO NOT condone using AI to do the work FOR you, but only to work as a divisive tool in our learning experience. Though, not everyone would dare touch a digital tablet or use 3D models to "cheat" these days...Or maybe I'm just wrong and a horrible artist (I draw everything by hand, which is my sacrifice for better integrity). But I'm cool with that...

Also, as an aside, no matter your opinions, I would HIGHLY encourage anyone to attempt to generate their OC, as best as they can, because it is flippin HILARIOUS! I used Gencraft, for those wondering.
And I will NEVER use it in my work, except maybe to practice break downs.
I may consider using 3D models in the future, which I build by hand (I'll let you know if I do use 'em).

As for my generations, I will not show them unless asked. Might get flagged, maybe? IDK the rules on that...
And sorry if I do offend, that is not my intention. Just want to share something interesting, yet highly threatening with you all.

[2DLenzy]

Eh, heck with it, this is my MC, Friar Chicken.

And this was what was generated: "A chicken dressed as a friar"

NOTE: Friar does not, and will not, wear clothes! XD

"A bald chicken dressed as a friar standing and preaching on a soapbox"

"A bald chicken as a friar?"

This one was cute!

"Mandarin duck doing Kung Fu moves."

"Chinese duck doing kung fu moves..."

Might try to build the bg in 3d...at some point...

AHAHAHAHAHA! WTF?!

"Cockerel fighting chinese duck" (these are the backgrounds I want to break down, draw and try to render in my own style.)

Yeah, I might be going to art h*ll for this post...

But I'll try the backgrounds on the last two, see what happens?

[KevinReijnders]

The problem here isn't necessarily the AI, it's that the models are built on the theft of other artists work. The style you generated with this AI is created by chopping up existing artists work and frankensteining it together into a homogenous blob.

Like you said, you can use photoreference, but you can also use other artists as reference. When you do that, instead of using AI, you at least don't give clicks (and with it money) to a machine build on plagerism.

So no, I see no reason to use an AI model to generate anything, not even as a tool to learn or study. I see it as a worthless predatory tool, made by people with 0 interest in the creative process, people who are only concerned with churning out bland, easy to consume products to turn over a quick dime. It's a fundamental middle finger to something innate to the human experience.

[feuersichel]

Lol, you got some nice, creepy results xD The one that, for some reason, got Ears...I love it.
I have also played around with some generators and got some hilarious results.

In my opinion, I dont care if an artist uses it to play around or to learn. Although we must be carefull, to not learn the mistakes of the AI ^^' But I also have used AI art to learn some nice lights and color gradients. I only dont like it, when people claim those AI generated Art as their own. Because we know too well, this isn't true.

[2DLenzy]

Oooh, I didn't realize that about the models. Yeah, that is a really strong negative.
I know it's use as a marketing tool, which is something I hate about it too. You're right about it stealing from the human experience, but humans will always find a way to cheat others, unfortunately...

Dang, now I really feel like a cheater. Sorry about that...

[WorldBreakerNovels]

I mean, yeah. AI being used for profit is bad, but you get some goofy and fun stuff out of it sometimes. As long as it's not to make a quick, undeserving dollar, then it's fine to play around with it.

They definitely gave those first few pics some major Disney eyes lol.

[NickRowler]

A lot of the anti-AI is built on big organizations wanting to use AI to avoid paying artists and writers. Meanwhile, the software is taking from people’s work without their permission and without pay. There has also been issues with some AI not being as transformative as it claims. Like it finds a source image and just puts a filter on it, thus sort of making a bootleg copy.

Even if AI is 100% ethical, I would be super concerned about it making art and writing very formulaic. It also has degraded some art styles. I have seen legit artists getting accused of being AI because the programs are mimicking a similar style.

[IndigoShirtProd]

The forth one is just the dad from Chicken Little

[2DLenzy]

That's horrible!

Guess I was coming from a more 'private, non-commercial' stance. Just 'for fun', and learning from it in secret. Perhaps that is my biggest mistake...

[KevinReijnders]

Just because humans will always find a way to cheat each other, doesn't mean we should indulge in it. But that's besides the point and if I continue down that train of thought I'd likely wind up going on a massive anti-capitalism rant haha

Point is, these tools aren't as innocent as they make themselves appear and even using them as a little joke is, in my opinion, contributing to their rise. And as a creative professional and someone who loves the creative process, I would hate for them to find any kind of mainstream footing.

[AmysGames]

In the early days of A.I. art, I enjoyed using it as inspiration, since it would generate some really abstract stuff that humans wouldn't normally create. It was fun trying to interpret what the A.I. was generating through human eyes.

Nowadays I've noticed that the results are a lot more same-y, and somehow less accurate to what I asked for. So that, on top of the ethical issues with A.I.-generated content, has made me a lot less interested in it, lol.

[KevinReijnders]

I disagree, using shows the techbros behind them that their tool is being used, which they can then use to convince investors. Or you know, just get ad money from you clicking on their site.

[KevinReijnders]

Yeah that's what it eventually comes down to. Even if you manage to solve the ethics of it, what you're left with is a machine that just regurgitates the same old stuff that's been done a thousand times before. Eventually, it'll start feeding on its own shit and become some twisted ourobourus.

People think Hollywood is getting stale and repetitive now? Wait until they actually start using AI to write and create their media, it'll be a thousand times worse. Thank God for the writers and actors strike.

[2DLenzy]

For that, I apologize. I am not a professional. Not in anything, unfortunately...
It's true, I've learned so much in art since I've interacted with others here, where I was previously isolated.

Fact is, I love to learn, but that can have dark/unethical consequences if I'm not careful.
And what dark things we could learn from something incapable of human feeling...

Thanks for showing me.

Now, I have this ugly feeling and topic on my record that I don't know what to do with...
Hopefully, this thread will die out quickly...

[KevinReijnders]

No need to feel bad, I apologize if I came on too strong. It was not my intention to make you feel like shit in any way.

The whole AI topic just kinda infuriates me, and frankly exhausts me. And again, I apologize for being too harsh towards you.

---

This on the other hand, this brings joy to my heart. That's what it's all about in my opinion. People sharing a common passion, learning from each other and by doing improving each other's craft.

I've learned so much in art since I've interacted with others here, where I was previously isolated.

If there's anyhting you should take away from this thread it's this! Keep sharing your craft with others, keep learning from and with others! Foster that cooperative creative spark, I truly believe it's one of the things that brings meaning to our short human lives.

[2DLenzy]

It's okay. I'm just sensitive.

On here, I'm like a little chihuahua in a dog park. Running amok and getting all excited, trying to have some fun. But if I sniff the wrong butt I'm gonna get chomped! XD

[llobucervallince]

I think AI is a cool tool you can apply as a concept art generator.

[GodbreakerComic]

Some of those beaks are absolute nightmare fuel.

[abigaillmartin]

Me:

Literally got the colors of my characters from AI art: (The Evans Twins and Elsie) and Memojis (Ernest and Jane)

[EncryptedWriting]

How to describe AI ... it's scary. How it creates these images and with a little bit of editing can easily out pace something someone spent hours or even days on.

It's bittersweet because it could be useful, but how it does this generation is something we turn a blind eye to. For referencing and inspiration, I can understand. Yet, I see people charging others MONEY to generate random artwork that they spend three minutes on.

It is baffling to me.