AI is taking over the world, but not in the manner we’re seeing in the movies. AI tools and generators are now used in the various spheres of our lives. Even the tattoo industry is undergoing a transformative revolution. Tattooing is a deeply personal and artistic endeavor where emotions, stories, and individual preferences play a vital role. So many wonder what the background AI tattoo generator vs tattoo artist is. Can AI-generated tattoo designs match or even beat the human impact of tattoo artists?
Let’s find out the pros and cons of both worlds.
Credit to @luigimansi_ on IG
Artificial Intelligence And Artwork
In the last few years, AI has been widely used to generate unique content such as blogs, images, videos, or artwork. Artificial Intelligence uses advanced algorithms and self-learning computer models to create unique and stunning images. All users have to do is write instructions, and AI artwork is generated based on the data you enter as a simple text prompt. So, with the help of AI, anyone could create, fine-tune, or style images within seconds, which made it widely popular.
Soon enough, people got the idea to use AI to generate tattoo designs. Tattoo artists say that many clients have started coming up with tattoo designs generated by AI. Even though many agree that clients coming with pre-drawn graphics is not a new thing in the tattoo industry, seeing that it comes from AI raises a question: can an AI tattoo generator create unique tattoos and replace tattoo artists?
Practice tattooing with a tattoo gun. Credit to @Eternaety
AI-Generated Tattoo Designs
Instead of using a brush and paint, an AI image generator creates a digital version of a desired image based on its learned library of different images, AI algorithm, and pattern recognition. A computer model generates tattoo ideas and custom tattoo designs based on the text-to-image model. So, using AI in the tattoo industry can be highly convenient and easy.
AI is reshaping the way both artists and clients experience this ancient form of self-expression. As a result, we are seeing an increase in the use of AI tattoo generators among tattoo artists and clients. This practice concerns many experienced and famous tattoo artists. Although AI generates tattoo designs that can be pretty stunning, many consider that AI tattoo creations lack a human touch. Additionally, seasoned tattoo artists believe new artists can easily fall into the trap of using AI. While it can be helpful, solely relying on an AI tattoo style can miss out on a completely different perspective only an artist can have.
Credit to @jacksonkeirmclean on TikTok
Where Do Tattoo Artists Shine?
Each tattoo is a unique piece of art with deep meaning, and it is up to artists to inject creativity, personality, and emotion. Many consider that AI cannot match the human touch, intuition, and creativity that tattoo artists bring to the table. Authenticity simply cannot be replicated by AI tattoo design algorithms.
Even though AI can generate stunning tattoo designs and out-of-the-box content, it is up to the artist to determine if the AI tattoo design is actually tattooable. Simply put, the computer doesn’t consider the human body’s contours, other tattoos, or even a life story that a tattoo can represent. Therefore, AI-generated art is not a creative tool that can directly replace the design expertise of tattoo artists.
Some people will tattoo their pets on their bodies because they love them so much.
Credit to @fattie_tao
Adding Individuality To A Design
The process of turning an existing image into a tattoo is also highly individual and up to the artist to do it right. In that process, copying one tattoo multiple times can lead to highly unpredictable results. As a result, tracing a picture of a tattoo directly without considering the design curving over the body can lead to distortion. It’s up to artistic skills to understand how to ideally inject life into a tattoo, not an algorithm.
Early AI art generators had some issues with plagiarism. As multiple AI models replicate patterns and styles learned from existing artwork, many authors found their copyrighted work in the process of tattoo generation. Although many artists consider that tattoos shouldn’t be copyrighted, tattoo lovers who look for a unique tattoo can be disappointed.
1st place in the Colorful Category at the Tattoo Week Rio 2023
Credit to Marlon @marlontattoo32 on IG. Source: World Tattoo Events
How Can AI Tattoo Generator Be Helpful?
Due to the popularity of AI tools and models, we are seeing substantial technological improvements and large investments in the AI world, including tattoo generators. AI has more time and a better ability to learn, analyze, and create, so we see highly sophisticated programs. Today’s best AI tattoo generator can create unique tattoo designs that even come close to human-made ones.
An AI generates tattoo designs based on databases and information on the internet. Today’s tattoo industry is far from taboo, so we see billions of tattoo ideas on social networks, Google, Pinterest, and more. Leading image AI algorithms analyze these images to generate unique tattoo designs. As a result, the AI tattoo generator, such as Dall-E 2, caters to a wide range of tattoo styles, including black ink tattoos and vibrant, colorful designs.
Tattoo designs generated with AI tattoo generator Dall-E 2
Credit to @AltaPowderDog on Reddit
Time-Saving
While experienced tattoo artists can do the same, the crucial part is the time. Extensive work can take more than 6 hours for an artist to reach the desired tattoo design. Meanwhile, AI generators take less than a minute for the same amount of work. Even though generating sketches to images can take some reworking, the overall time is still significantly lower compared to manual tattoo artist work.
Beginner-Friendly
Additionally, an AI Tattoo generator can be beneficial to new tattoo artists who are still developing skills. Image generation can yield some breathtaking ideas, and beginners fine-tune it and develop fresh concepts in their own artwork. As long as it is not a hard copy, tattoo designs generated by AI can be highly useful.
New AI generators also involve using neural style transfer. This technique can help users generate an image with the same “content” as a base image but with the “style” of our chosen picture. As a result, artists can generate tattoos their clients want them to do, but in a new style image. Therefore, AI-generated tattoos can combine ideas from an existing image but with the famous style.
Neural Style Transfer Application — Image by Marco Sanguineti
Source: https://towardsdatascience.com/images-generation-with-neural-style-transfer-and-tensorflow-a823b0353b06
Combining The Best Out of Both Worlds
While most seasoned artists are against using AI-generated tattoo designs, some consider that they can be helpful as long as you don’t solely rely on AI content. Even though most old-school tattoo shops won’t accept pre-drawn designs, in specific cases, they can use existing AI-generated images to get an idea of what the client wants. Like talking to an artist, clients in the design process explain everything to an AI Generator and get some ideas.
Introducing Human Toch To AI-Generated Design
AI can aid in design suggestions and streamline processes. However, the genuine connection between artist and client, along with the ability to adapt to unique requests and navigate the complexities of human skin, remains an art form that is distinctly human. So, it’s up to artists to determine if the existing design can fit the client. In the process of pre-tattoo consultation, artists need to go through some questions such as:
- Does the size of the tattoo fit the body part the client wants to get the tattoo on? Small tattoos can usually be fitted anywhere, but detailed ones will require more space.
- Can small tweaks to the initial design improve how the tattoo looks? Some examples include text placement, font size, and color choice.
- How painful can a desired tattoo be? All tattoos hurt, but some body parts hurt more than others. If the client is particularly concerned about pain, the artist can recommend another location. But it might take some tweaking and rework.
Source: Healthline
Sometimes, the artist will recommend or rework the piece entirely and inject the human touch, style, and meaning into a generated tattoo work. In other cases, the initial design can take only minor tweaks, and AI can give artists some unique ideas that they didn’t come up with. That way, both clients and artists can benefit from both AI tattoo generators and tattoo artists’ expertise.
Can AI Tattoo Generators Replace Tattoo Artists?
Even though AI Tattoo generators are improving at producing stunning tattoo designs, there are no shortcuts to a good tattoo. At this point, generators still cannot determine what a tattooable design is and how it would work on the body and with other tattoos. Therefore, in most cases, you cannot use some free credits to create unique tattoo designs that artists can trace and tattoo.
The entire process, from initial design through redrawing and detailing to implementing a tattoo, will take time and patience. Even though an art generator can give an artist an idea of what you expect from your tattoo, it might take lots of detailing, sketching, and redrawing to make it work. So, AI-generated art will still take time to completely replace the expertise and judgment of skilled artists.
Credit to @Taís Brenzink on Pinterest
It takes a hefty amount of creativity to earn a living as a tattoo artist. Each tattoo artist develops a unique style visible in every tattoo they ink. True artists need time and hard work to grow their style. Even though we are seeing increased numbers of new artists that copy-paste the piece, including AI-generated content, the true art of tattoo design and implementation is something you cannot leave to a machine.
Conclusion
While AI generators have certainly shown remarkable potential in assisting and inspiring tattoo artists, they are unlikely to replace the irreplaceable human touch and creativity that artists bring to their craft. AI can aid in design suggestions and streamline processes.
Still, the genuine connection between artist and client, along with the ability to adapt to unique requests and navigate the complexities of human skin, remains an art form that is distinctly human. AI is a powerful tool, but the heart and soul of tattooing will continue to be driven by skilled and passionate artists.
In the end, if you want to get a tattoo, we also provide some tattoo shop guides and unique tattoo designs for your reference.
