Drawing vs. AI
Once looking on Pinterest, Google, or Instagram
designs, projects, are popping up massively. It is not hard to be overwhelmed with the volume of images and information. But let’s separate the wheat from the chaff.
Having a design is one thing, but being able to turn it into a tattoo is another completely different stuff. Please keep in mind that I don’t underestimate the importance of the project. Having a good one that really fits to the body and will act beautifully as a tattoo is something that You learn along the way, not everything that looks good on paper, screen will work good on skin. Not to mention the creative process that stands behind designs. It is covered in some other blogs.
Tattooing, like every profession, needs years of training and commitment.
Everybody can get notes from each song in the world, but does it mean that all people can play it? Without practice and talent it won’t be of much use. Learning from the best people in any given profession is wonderful, it is usually the path that all artists, as well as other professionals follow. We all need to learn from someone, or somewhere and then do it our own way, ideally improving it. However, when You perform a song from another artist, or make a cover of it, there is a legal obligation to pay credits and royalties to the author, for around 75 years of the first publishing of for example a song.
Is it the same in the tattoo industry?
Are people honest in saying whether the design was their original? How about AI generated projects? Should they be priced differently? This is an open question. I believe that the market will decide. People will tell how much they are willing to pay for a tattoo based 100% on a stolen project, or AI generated and how much about something personal and tailored for them. The awareness of customers is increasing, they often search for artists who have their own, characteristic style of tattooing.
It is not anymore to have JUST, for example, a rose tattoo.
For having a tattoo sake. It is more and more that people want to have a ROSE tattoo, but from a specific artist, because something about their work speaks to them. The amount of flowers even in nature is limited, so it is not about banning making the same type of plant, ornament or animal as others, but to always add something from You and make it with love. Obviously to draw a flower and prepare the design by hand – much more time, effort and what’s even more important – SKILLS are needed, than to generate a flower in an AI tool.
In our very specific industry which certainly tattooing is, I believe that AI won’t affect the true artist so much.
Maybe it can help in time management, bookings or communication with clients. Nowadays it is wonderful that while using free translators, we can talk with everyone and discuss the project easily. The language itself is not a barrier to getting in contact, at least while writing emails, but then pictures speak louder than words and there was never a problem, even if we haven’t shared the same language with the customer.
On the other hand we are far away from robots that will replace tattooers. The other question is whether or not humans would like to go and get a tattoo by a robot?
What are Your thoughts?
Much love!
Simon
“Tattoos that matter – for people who care”
Once looking on Pinterest, Google, or Instagram
designs, projects, are popping up massively. It is not hard to be overwhelmed with the volume of images and information. But let’s separate the wheat from the chaff.
Having a design is one thing, but being able to turn it into a tattoo is another completely different stuff. Please keep in mind that I don’t underestimate the importance of the project. Having a good one that really fits to the body and will act beautifully as a tattoo is something that You learn along the way, not everything that looks good on paper, screen will work good on skin. Not to mention the creative process that stands behind designs. It is covered in some other blogs.
Tattooing, like every profession, needs years of training and commitment.
Everybody can get notes from each song in the world, but does it mean that all people can play it? Without practice and talent it won’t be of much use. Learning from the best people in any given profession is wonderful, it is usually the path that all artists, as well as other professionals follow. We all need to learn from someone, or somewhere and then do it our own way, ideally improving it. However, when You perform a song from another artist, or make a cover of it, there is a legal obligation to pay credits and royalties to the author, for around 75 years of the first publishing of for example a song.
Is it the same in the tattoo industry?
Are people honest in saying whether the design was their original? How about AI generated projects? Should they be priced differently? This is an open question. I believe that the market will decide. People will tell how much they are willing to pay for a tattoo based 100% on a stolen project, or AI generated and how much about something personal and tailored for them. The awareness of customers is increasing, they often search for artists who have their own, characteristic style of tattooing.
It is not anymore to have JUST, for example, a rose tattoo.
For having a tattoo sake. It is more and more that people want to have a ROSE tattoo, but from a specific artist, because something about their work speaks to them. The amount of flowers even in nature is limited, so it is not about banning making the same type of plant, ornament or animal as others, but to always add something from You and make it with love. Obviously to draw a flower and prepare the design by hand – much more time, effort and what’s even more important – SKILLS are needed, than to generate a flower in an AI tool.
In our very specific industry which certainly tattooing is, I believe that AI won’t affect the true artist so much.
Maybe it can help in time management, bookings or communication with clients. Nowadays it is wonderful that while using free translators, we can talk with everyone and discuss the project easily. The language itself is not a barrier to getting in contact, at least while writing emails, but then pictures speak louder than words and there was never a problem, even if we haven’t shared the same language with the customer.
On the other hand we are far away from robots that will replace tattooers. The other question is whether or not humans would like to go and get a tattoo by a robot?
What are Your thoughts?
Much love!
Simon
“Tattoos that matter – for people who care”
