- The article suggests that the backlash against AI-generated images is leading many digital artists to be suspected of using AI simply because their work looks too perfect.
- Polished, hyper-detailed, and virtually flawless images were once the goal of many digital artists before AI became common.
- Today, many artists are returning to features once discarded, such as visible brushstrokes, uneven outlines, paper textures, grain, and less-than-perfect color palettes.
- According to the article, this is both a reaction to AI development and an opportunity to explore new creative styles.
- Drawing software is also adding more tools to simulate traditional painting, such as brushes that mimic real bristles, pigments, and paint bleed.
- Rebelle 8.3 is cited as an example, with the ability to simulate individual brush hairs and create variations in color and texture.
- Procreate also offers numerous brush sets featuring grunge styles, street art, and raw materials.
- The article encourages artists to create their own texture libraries by scanning watercolor paper, photographing old canvases, or recording pencil and ink marks for use in their workflow.
- Another tip is to reduce stroke stabilization to retain shaky and less-than-perfect lines.
- The author also suggests printing the work on paper, drawing or coloring over it by hand, and then scanning it back into the computer to create unique physical traces.
- With Procreate, users can use their fingers to smudge colors just like using charcoal or chalk on paper.
- The article concludes that traces of the creative process and even small “flaws” are the elements that help a work carry a more human touch.
📌 A new trend in digital art as AI image generation becomes more prevalent. Instead of pursuing absolute perfection, many artists are proactively reintroducing random elements, manual textures, and traces of the creative process to assert human identity. This trend is not about abandoning digital technology but about combining modern tools with characteristics that inherently create emotion and personality in traditional art.
