- IDOCIA
How AI Will Make You a Better Artist
- By Miguel
The essence of being an artist has always been about observation and creation: absorbing vast amounts of visual, emotional, and conceptual stimuli to craft something uniquely your own. In the age of artificial intelligence, this process is not just enhanced—it’s transformed.
But how exactly does AI help you become a better artist? Let’s break it down.
Seeing More Art, Faster
Artists have always learned by consuming art, whether through museum visits, digital galleries, or their surroundings. AI takes this time-tested practice and supercharges it. By generating hundreds or even thousands of images in a single day, artists expose their creative eye to an endless stream of compositions, styles, and ideas.
Why does this matter?
- Accelerated visual training: Each AI-generated image serves as a reference point, offering new possibilities to analyse and critique.
- Refining personal style: By navigating such a vast array of visual options, artists develop a sharper sense of what works and what doesn’t for their vision.
Practical example:
An artist using generative tools can create multiple variations of the same concept, compare them, and select the strongest elements. This process not only strengthens their creative instincts but also hones their ability to identify quality in art.
The Art of Refinement
Great art isn’t just created—it’s refined. Here’s where “repainting” or the process of tweaking AI-generated images plays a vital role. This approach forces artists to focus on details like lighting, proportions, textures, and narrative coherence.
Why it’s transformative:
- Sharpening focus: Adjusting details mimics the precision of traditional painting, where every brushstroke demands careful attention. This sharpens the artist’s ability to zoom in on what matters.
- Mastering micro-adjustments: Spotting and correcting flaws teaches artists to go beyond the obvious, identifying subtle imperfections and opportunities for improvement.
Practical example:
A designer might use AI tools like inpainting or ControlNet to fine-tune specific elements in an image, perfecting balance and harmony across the composition.
Creativity Through Feedback
The iterative process of working with AI doesn’t just enhance technical skills—it reshapes how you approach creativity itself. By constantly interacting with a model, you’re engaging in a feedback loop: you input an idea, the AI produces a result, and then you evaluate and refine it. This back-and-forth not only improves the output but also helps you think more critically about your initial ideas.
Why this matters:
- Expanding your comfort zone: The AI can suggest possibilities that may feel counterintuitive or unusual, encouraging you to explore new creative territories.
- Improved problem-solving: By breaking down a vision into steps, you refine your ability to make artistic decisions more deliberately.
- Deep collaboration: Working with AI is like having a creative partner who constantly challenges and inspires you.
In essence, AI teaches you to think like a creative director of your own work, guiding the process from initial concept to polished masterpiece.
Finding Flow in the Process
Art has always been an invitation to enter a state of flow—that deep sense of focus and immersion where time seems to disappear. Working with AI, especially in the refinement stages, often triggers this state. When you’re fully engaged in correcting small details, testing variations, or exploring new prompts, the experience can feel meditative. The repetitive yet thoughtful nature of these tasks aligns perfectly with what psychologists describe as “flow”: a balance between challenge and skill.
How AI enhances this:
- Constant engagement: The fast pace of iteration with AI keeps your brain actively engaged, reducing distractions and fostering deeper focus.
- Progressive challenges: As you refine and perfect an image, each new stage presents its own set of problems to solve, keeping you motivated and in the zone.
- Personal growth: The act of creating in flow not only improves your output but also deepens your connection to the creative process itself.
Working in flow isn’t just about productivity—it’s about finding joy and fulfilment in the act of creating. And AI, with its ability to respond instantly and adapt to your ideas, makes entering this state more accessible than ever.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence doesn’t replace the artist’s vision—it enhances it. By exposing you to an unprecedented volume of references, challenging you to refine every detail, and inviting you into a state of flow, AI acts as both teacher and tool. It pushes you to see more, think deeper, and create with greater intention. With an open mind and a willingness to explore, AI won’t just make you more efficient—it’ll make you a better artist.
