A Note on My Creative Process & Use of AI Tools
Welcome! I believe in transparency regarding my creative process. My work is born from a deep passion and daily dedication to traditional and digital craftsmanship.
My Core Skills & Commitment:
My foundation lies in the human touch. I spend significant portions of each day (the whole day, let’s be honest) engaged in:
Hand Illustration: Sketching, drawing, and bringing visuals to life with traditional techniques and digital tools wielded by hand. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and you can find Hand-drawn illustration, calligraphy and more in my published work and online.
Original Music Composition: Crafting melodies, harmonies, and soundscapes from scratch, developing unique musical ideas. I have played piano since the age of 15 and been using production software since 15. I am not an amateur.
Writing: Weaving narratives, developing characters, and composing prose through dedicated writing sessions. Since quitting full-time work in 2021, I have spent most of my spare time writing, composing lyrics, poems and more. This is a luxury I don’t take for granted.
Other Creative Work: I graphic design everything myself, including this website, each book cover, each book manuscript, custom Rune fonts, and more. I do use AI images occasionally, but prefer to stick to hand-drawn if possible. I edit all my own videos, reels and social media posts.
These are the pillars of my creativity, requiring hours (10+ per day) of focused effort, skill development, and personal vision.
Incorporating AI as a Tool:
Like many creators adapting to new technologies, I sometimes utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in my workflow. It's important to understand that I view and use AI as one tool among many, similar to how a writer uses a word processor or spellchecker, a musician uses synthesizers or editing software, or an artist uses digital painting programs (though, my drawings are mostly hand drawn)
AI might assist in:
Brainstorming initial concepts or variations.
Refining and editing text for clarity or grammar.
Exploring different compositional elements in music.
Assisting with technical aspects of digital art production.
The integration of AI is increasingly common across creative fields. For instance, it's reported that a significant percentage of professionals in the music industry leverage AI, and many authors now use AI-powered tools for tasks like editing assistance and research, much like grammar checkers have become standard.
However, AI does not replace my core creativity, original ideas, artistic direction, or the final execution. The soul, vision, and effort behind the work remain fundamentally human – mine.
legal Policy Regarding AI Use and Online Conduct:
Creativity involves embracing new methods and tools. My choice to ethically incorporate AI into my workflow is just that – a choice based on the tools available today. Therefore, please note the following:
Defamation: Baseless accusations claiming my work is entirely "fake" or solely AI-generated due to the partial use of AI tools are inaccurate, harmful, and potentially defamatory. My work is original, leveraging tools to enhance a human-driven process.
Discrimination: Assertions that creators "shouldn't use AI" represent a discriminatory viewpoint against the adoption and exploration of new technologies within the creative arts. Such prescriptive gatekeeping stifles innovation and disrespects artistic autonomy.
Harassment: Any individual or group engaging in targeted harassment, online abuse, threats, or campaigns of negativity directed at me or my work specifically concerning my use of AI tools will be taken seriously. Such actions will be documented and reported to relevant online platforms, service providers, and, where appropriate, law enforcement or other authorities.
I am committed to creating unique and engaging work, leveraging the best of both human skill and technological assistance. Thank you for your understanding and support of my creative journey.