Why I Keep AI Out of My Illustration and Painting Process
The Beginning of My Art Journey
I began illustrating and drawing digitally in 2019, starting with my very first device — a humble Wacom tablet connected to my laptop. It wasn’t much, but it marked the start of something meaningful. In 2020, I decided to invest in my first iPad as I began my university science degree. That same year, the pandemic hit, leading to widespread school and university closures, with most learning moving online during the first two semesters.
During that unexpected downtime, I found myself with more space to explore and experiment with digital drawing. Despite that, I still felt more at home painting with acrylics or sketching in my sketchbook. My digital art skills were still in their infancy, so I decided to purchase Procreate — hoping a more professional tool might give me the structure and motivation I needed.
That marked the beginning of a long and often frustrating journey. Progress was slow, and for the first year, I struggled to see any real improvement. But even with all the setbacks, those early days laid the foundation for everything that would come next.
The Rise of AI Image Creation
Despite my lack of technical skill in those early days — and more than a few rough, primitive paintings — I felt an undeniable creative energy and a deep desire to improve, to create more beautiful, meaningful art. So I kept going, day after day.
Fast forward to when AI-generated images really started to enter my radar: I was still practicing daily, slowly improving, when a wave of panic began to ripple through my little corner of the internet. AI tools were now generating artwork that mimicked traditional painting styles, and people were asking them to recreate images in the likeness of specific artists. The fear in the artist community was real — many aspiring creatives were understandably anxious about what this meant for the future of art-related careers. And for a while, that fear took hold of me too.
But at the time, I was still two years away from finishing my four-year science degree. I hadn’t even considered art as a serious career path yet. I had just over 1,000 Instagram followers, and aside from the occasional commission on Fiverr, I hadn’t made any consistent income from my work. A future in art felt distant — maybe even impossible.
After a few weeks of spiraling over the uncertainty, I made a decision: to stop worrying about the future and focus on what I could control. I committed to practicing my craft and doing well at university. Not long after, I opened my Etsy shop, full of hope and excitement, dreaming of orders flooding in. :) That first year turned out to be a decent start — and for the first time, I began to believe that maybe, just maybe, art could become my vocation.
Back then, AI hadn’t yet impacted the art world quite as heavily as it does now. The panic was there — and still is — but I’ve come to accept that I can’t let it hold me back. I have to keep creating, learning, and moving forward.
How AI Is Being Used in Art
On social media, I’ve had to unfollow several artists who began using AI in their work. I’ve seen people generate images that mimic traditional brushwork and distinct art styles, only to pass them off as hand-painted pieces. Others simply type in prompts and label themselves “AI artists” — something many of my peers and I view as misleading and disingenuous.
To me, it’s not just about using a tool — it’s about integrity. It feels similar to someone falsely claiming to be a war veteran; while the stakes are different, the deception carries a similar weight. It's disheartening to see how many choose shortcuts over growth, never giving themselves the chance to discover their own potential or experience the satisfaction of creating something real.
Even more troubling is seeing skilled artists, who can draw and paint, turn to AI to “fix” their work — or worse, to complete entire pieces based on a sketch. Since stepping into the world of book illustration and working with authors, I've felt my heart sink every time I see AI-generated art being passed off as handmade work. Many authors unknowingly commission artists who are using AI behind the scenes — a trend that undermines trust and devalues authentic creativity.
Why I Don’t Use AI in My Creative Work
The simplest answer? I'm far too proud of my own hard work to rely on AI.
Throughout my life, I’ve always given my best — whether it was working night shifts at McDonald’s, taking on my first accounting job, or pushing through university. I’ve never been afraid of effort, and I believe deeply in working hard to earn what I achieve.
As a teenager during my manga-loving era, I was inspired by characters who embodied traits I admired: from Fruits Basket, my favorite series, my favourite characters were hard-working, passionate, excitable about life, felt all the emotions and above all, they were kind and respectful to every person or animal they encountered. Ever since I have aspired to these characteristics, and to do my very best in every situation. It sounds cliche perhaps, and I have never been perfect of course, but I try my best regardless.
That’s why using AI in my artistic process feels wrong to me. It goes against everything I believe in — perseverance, self-reliance, authenticity, and respect for both the craft and the people who engage with it. I take pride in every moment I spend painting, drawing, and developing my skills. And there’s truly no better feeling than creating something entirely my own — something I love and am genuinely proud of. :)