Draw is Life: Teach a person to fish.
AI art and valuing the learning of art.
“Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself.” — Octavia Butler
What is this column? I’m going to do that classic “answer by saying what it’s not” thing. First, it’s not going to be the definitive answer on anything. It’s not going to be “the way”, I’m not going to preach from on high on how things should be done.
I draw for a living and in an age when folks are trying to crack the code to making art, but I want to share the human experience behind the images you all see. This business is wonderful and treacherous, I’ll share stories here about how I get by.
If that’s instructive, then cool. But none of this is gospel.
My name is Mike Hawthorne, and welcome to Draw is Life
I had the above AI prompt for a column in my queue for some time but after the events of this week it jumped out at me to be considered. You see, a famous football player set up a new AI for creating comics and this news has my little corner of the world seething.
I’ve avoided the subject of AI because frankly it feels like a new version of an old story I’ve heard too many times before. Since before I began my career in comics the industry has been cycling through one apocalypse after another. And, yes, there’s always been some true pain in each one of these problems. This one is no different. AI is gobbling up artist’s work so it can do what we do...sorta. Some AI users relish the idea of supplanting artists. Other artists are using it to gain an “unfair advantage” over other artists. And others have convinced themselves that AI will “democratize” a thing that has already been democratized.
I’m sure writing this will trigger some folks to yell at me in the comments, but I’m not going to argue with anyone about it here. Sorry.
However, I will say something that I think is a simple truth often lost in the AI argument; The finished artwork is not the point. The act of making the art is the point.
I draw genuine joy in the act of making the art. I don’t see any point in skipping that step. For me that idea is tantamount to just having a full stomach not having actually tasted the food.
The experience is the magic.
Of course getting “good” at art, whatever that means to you, can be a tedious process. But for me experiencing that growth, really feeling it as I work on a drawing, is a zap to the brain that I can’t get from an AI.
I just love drawing. I love the act of it, it makes me what I am. An artist.
I am an artist because I make art. I make that art for folks that value it.
Simple as that.
I know I have to compete with many folks using AI and that’s fine. There’s no stopping it, I know that. But, if I’m honest, I’m not competing with them. They’re going to beat me every time at making an image for the folks that value that kind of thing.
Those are not my people, so there’s no winning them over. They want what they want, even if that’s a fast-food version of what I make. Let someone else make them that. I’m not cooking in that kitchen.
I’ve been lucky enough to have a career making the work I want to make for people that appreciate it, despite all the challenges.
So, if you’re drawing and worried about AI art, take solace* in the fact that you’re serving your muse in a loving, caring way. You’re in service to your craft, following a process that leads to growth and self improvement. You’re making your art.
In a world of people microwaving fish sticks, you’re learning to fish.
I salute you.
* That, and the fact that AI art can’t be copyrighted.
Hey, my kid wrote a long piece on a guy named Godard. Evidently he made movies or something?…
Anyway, she’s crazy smart and you oughta be reading her newsletter!
Speaking of drawing, here’s July’s process video!
If you enjoy that, check out my Patreon where I post tons of art content like this.
Thanks!
Mike
Enjoying your newsletter Mike