About My Art
Hi Everyone,
I love making art and covers for my books, and I take pride in every hour I spend crafting them. Recently, my work has come under scrutiny as being Ai generated. I’d like to take a moment to formally address these queries and questions, and create an open dialogue about my art.
Firstly, I’d like to address whether I use generative Ai in my art.
Back when Ai image generation first came out, I trialled using different Ai platforms to create some character art. I’ve never denied this. I, like many artists, dabbled with it.
When I learned of the impact on human creators and the industry, I stopped using these platforms in my work. My current published works are the result of my hand, my eye, and my hours. I return again and again to my development of my own style which I’ve been crafting since the 1990s, one that blends brushes, textures, stock, and digital drawing.
However, as my art continues to evolve, the posts that I did referencing Ai are following me. I’ve previously shown examples of how I create my covers to refute these accusations in my current work. For example, this one which I did 12 months ago.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4MJvL5Sbmz/
To settle questions and create transparency and clarity, I would like to address what I do now as a graphic designer and artist.
My Process
Normally, I start with inspiration pictures, which are taken from places like Pinterest, stock image sites, and photos I’ve taken.
I then use photoshop, photo and pose references, as well as hand drawing, to block out the silhouettes and carve out the positive and negative space. I do this for each layer, creating backgrounds, characters, objects, etc. Then I’ll paint in more details on a separate layer.
From there, I add in the light and shadow values, continuing to add more layers and details until I’m satisfied with the end result. I then merge these layers due to file size constraints which would cause my computer to wig out and crash. Many layers equals a GIANT file! I then do it again, adding more layers and more detail to create a robust picture for my covers.
For the Bride Hunt Box, the covers included rain, to reference the rain in each of our books at the start of the Hunt. This was included, and a more misty feel was added to reference the storm in the book. An example of the final layers for the Maiden are below.
I use a Mac, Wacom, Cintiq and iPad, and use illustrator, photoshop, procreate dreams, and procreate. I use stock images, 3D rendering, and even (despite my protests!) learned Blender which is a 3D imaging platform. I also use Poser which is a 3D posing tool.
The end result
Book covers can take me anywhere from 50 to 100+ hours. For example, each book in the Bride Hunt series took me around 100 hours per illustrated cover. The box took about the same.
I understand that people are passionate about fighting Ai, but I’d encourage you to speak to the artist and author to seek clarification.
I know people online love to point out things, “that raindrop looks like a nipple!” or “that arm looks weird!” But here’s the thing, art isn’t perfect. It never has been.
When we tear artists down with accusations without talking to them first, it does more than stifle creativity. It prevents exploration and curiosity in learning new styles, and experimenting with new mediums.
On a personal note, it also hurts. It sucks to have your integrity and art questioned. I’d ask people to do their due diligence prior to speaking publicly, and be curious before assuming.
We’re all human. We try new things, we learn, we grow, and when we know better we do better. We need more art in the world, not less.
I hope this clarifies any questions or concerns.
Lana
xx