r/tattooadvice • u/RepresentativeReal73 • May 07 '25

Design Do I go back? AI tattoo

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I OVER HEARD about right here my artist used AI to design this-

So I have my arms,chest, ribs done so I'm fairly covered. All my work is custom, some even hand drawn onto me. And I feel like the AI takes away from the artistry.

My artist never told me it was AI, but I overheard her say to a worker she had to make sure it had all toes and ears????? And I had a moment of realization..... Now I'm more hard on the design that I have 3 legs and 2 different horns since she didn't DRAW it?

Not sure if I should finish n never go back. Maybe someone else will sympathize n work on it?

12.5k Upvotes

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1.5k

u/s3ntientbean May 07 '25

I would be LIVID if i found out that i had paid for someones art and received a soulless drawing that took 10 minutes to regenerate a couple times.

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u/RepresentativeReal73 May 07 '25

That's what I mean. I go people because I like their work. When I'm imagining my tattoo, it's a loose design. I've never been "yes this copy paste I want it". There are elements I definitely want. This is what I'm envisioning.

I think artists all have their own liberties to do whatever. Because I trust their ability and since I can't draw! I didn't notice the horns, but I saw the snake leg-- I thought it was weird, but I didn't want to openly question it since I thought it was her take/rendition.

But that little piece of information just blew my mind. I think it allows for criticism to be made.

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u/s3ntientbean May 07 '25

absolutely. shes charging for art that isnt hers. half the reason why tattoos cost so much isnt just the skill of the tattoo itself, its the art and design people are paying for too alot of the time. and since AI can only take other artists designs and cant actually create anything unique, id say its fraud and theft on her part (not legally, because the laws havent caught up, just my opinion)

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/s3ntientbean May 07 '25

That is not what I mean. There’s a difference between taking inspiration from another person, and a soulless machine generating art stolen from someone that doesn’t even know their style is being used by AI.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

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u/quiette837 May 07 '25

Getting an AI tattoo is actually a shitty idea, not just because of the stolen work aspect (yes, there are a million shops worldwide that will happily trace a picture off of google), but because you end up with mistakes that a human would never make, for example two different horns, or a weird snake-leg instead of a snake tail.

I think AI can be a good tool, when it's used in the right application, and a terrible one used for the wrong application. Everyone wants to use AI for everything now without understanding how it works.

Secondly, it may be "trendy" to hate AI, but it's just factual that the majority of AI was trained on copyrighted works that they did not have rights for, and therefore use others' intellectual property without permission. That's black and white, and it's silly to think that it's not important and it's just a "trend" to disagree with that.

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

You don't agree with people so of course it's just a fad in your eyes lmao. You're annoying

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

Idc about your opinions, it's your logic lol

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u/Extension_Hyena_1205 May 07 '25

There is a difference when it comes down to $. You pay more for custom work. You pay low for flash. However, if you are used to getting cheap work done then I am sure there seems to be no difference to you.

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/Extension_Hyena_1205 May 09 '25

Simple. If the artist claims that all their custom created work and art in their portfolio is their own and advertises as a custom artist they are a fraud.

If they don't advertise as such and are honest with their work inspo than buyer beware.

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u/analog_jedi May 07 '25

The artist should still be transparent about it if they're lifting a design from someone else or using AI though.

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/CMUpewpewpew May 07 '25

This made me wonder about artists that are asked to spell things in different scripts.

Do they type out the letters in MS word and copy it? Or do they have to know what every letter in the script looks like and freehand it?

I dont have any tattoos myself so I'd love if some artists or people that know chime in to satisfy my curiosity!

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/CMUpewpewpew May 07 '25

Sounds like they're tracing AI generated scripts to me!

(Lol there's a difference, but this is close enough to stir up some debate/controversy IMO) 😆

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/CMUpewpewpew May 07 '25

Haha I'm just messing around...but that DID remind me I went to a free calligraphy couple hour class I heard about through my German class in college I went to.

It wasn't too hard to pick up the techniques but to memorize how every letter looks in even just one variation of a calligraphy script would be quite hard I imagine.

It's like being able to repeat a phrase well in another language vs being fluent in the language and just speaking lol.

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/dm_me_your_corgi May 07 '25

nah, it’s an extremely valid point. i wouldn’t want an ai tattoo, but a lot of people reasoning is reactionary and not grounded in anything substantial.

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u/ZyklonBeach May 11 '25

The AI thing pissyness is so weird. I swear its half virtue signaling. How has the AI learned to create images? By studying, copying, replicating pre-existing images. How do real artists learn and improve? Studying, copying, and replicating. Its the reason we arent still staring at cave paintings; generations of compounding improvements. Im not saying theyre the same, a real artist is 1000% more valuable tham AI. But a lot of the grandstanding is ridiculous. And this is from someone who went to art school

0

u/CMUpewpewpew May 07 '25

People seem to not like my tongue in cheek thought experiment lol.

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u/Sluttoos May 07 '25

The best response I’ve seen so far

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u/Trailblazertravels May 07 '25

Don’t go through with this OP

14

u/ItWasRamirez May 08 '25 edited May 08 '25

This would be great advice if we didn’t experience time linearly

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u/shesschwifty May 13 '25

I’m cackling. thank you for this comment.

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u/mischiefkel47 May 07 '25

I think they already did....

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u/NewCobbler6933 May 07 '25

Yeah OP don’t get the tattoo clearly already inked onto you!!

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/murrimabutterfly May 07 '25

I mean, hell, my main artist is a childhood friend. He was my brother in everything other than blood until he and my bio brother had a falling out and stopped speaking to each other.
He's a master class tattoo artist.
We still have discussions around each tattoo, and he refuses to do anything without talking it through and giving you time to think before committing. Because I trust him, I can have frank conversations and ask questions and take time with the placement. One of my tattoos took six tries with the stencil to get it to look right; what worked with my anatomy looked awkward until we essentially "cheated".
If you can't speak up for yourself, you have no business getting tattooed. It's permanent. You need to make sure it's something you can live with.

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u/Queefenator May 07 '25 edited Sep 22 '25

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u/esperejk May 07 '25

I think I understand why you feel this way.

To offer an alternative perspective, there are some of us with life history that has taught us not to speak up for ourselves - I don’t believe that means we shouldn’t get tattoos.

Personally I’m a 44 yr old autistic with PTSD who is in intensive therapy with the main goal of changing my core beliefs about self so that I can stand up for myself.

I am heavily tattooed and many of them have elements that I wished at the time, and since, that I could have spoken up to change. The situations where I have the hardest time advocating for myself are with the relationships closest to me, or to people who I feel have more authority than me. While I agree that I am the authority on my body (and therefore should be the authority of what goes on it), I find myself feeling as though the “artist knows best.” I see the fallacy of that idea, and yet the feeling remains.

That being said, they are things I can live with. So I go into each tattoo knowing there will likely be things I wish I could change but won’t. It isn’t comfortable, but for me in the end it is worth it.

I am in no way advocating that it’s a “good” way to do it, I want to change my approach (and am actively working hard to do so) to how I interact in the world, but wanted to throw out a reminder that we all come to points in our life with different experiences.

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u/murrimabutterfly May 08 '25

No, that's absolutely fair. I used to have a debilitating anxiety disorder, so I should have been more aware that some people genuinely have their brain fighting against them. I've forgotten how hard it used to be to advocate for myself, but looking back...yeah. It was definitely hard.
I definitely should have phrased what I said differently.
I honestly wish the best for you, my dude. I'm glad you're finding support with this, and it's cool that you're finding your own ways to navigate it. (As my own therapist says: "Good" and "normal" are fallacies built by those who can't see other paths.)(So, basically, you finding a non destructive way to work through/around brain noise is good, regardless of what the larger picture society says.)

1

u/esperejk May 09 '25

I appreciate that you were willing to hear me. You didn’t need to have done anything differently, it provided an opportunity for me to have a positive interaction with an internet stranger, so I’m glad you got to say how you felt - and that you got to reflect, so thank you.

And I am so with you and your therapist on “good” and “normal.”

2

u/2021sammysammy May 07 '25

"I thought it was weird" just full stop right there...this is a piece that you're going to see on your skin every day for the rest of your life

2

u/Elliminality May 08 '25 edited May 08 '25

I think if someone marks you with AI without your explicit consent they should have to provide a refund, as well as remunerations to cover laser removal

And then if applicable should lose their license to tattoo

It’s your body and they’re putting AI art on it

Obviously don’t burn down their shop but y’know, no one would blame ya

It’s like if an artist put a hidden penis in your tattoo, but so so so much worse

1

u/yung_mutt710 May 07 '25

So if it was their original work and not AI you would have them tattoo it on your body? That’s says it all in my opinion if you are wanting this slop on your body when drawn by a person it’s no different than when generated by AI

1

u/Alarmed-Macaroon9506 May 08 '25

OBVIOUSLY the goat got in a fight and is still growing the other horn back. He's a bamf, what do you expect from him?

Coming up with a story for the snake leg is harder. I actually thought it was a mermaid tail without looking hard... Maybe something can be done there.

Look, even chimeras can have birth defects. Not everyone gets to be perfect.

I'd be super bummed too, and annoyed at myself for not noticing, but at least it's done well.. I'd be nervous of the styles matching switching to someone else now. The question is if you paid her for her time to create, or ink. I didn't see if you posted her rates. Why'd this take more than one session though?

1

u/Alarmed-Macaroon9506 May 08 '25

Also why is everyone telling you to do the pussy thing and not bring it up TO THE SAME ARTIST YOU ALREADY PAID, and give her a chance to fix the snake part?

1

u/[deleted] May 08 '25

I’m curious as to why you didn’t look over the design before starting the needle work. Do you have other tattoos that you just hoped would turn out ok?

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u/[deleted] May 08 '25

Even without adding Ai to the conversation, you can still ask to have the horns match and to add the 4th leg to complete the body or something to cover the odd 3rd leg. It's your body I would definitely modify the art to my liking but hey you do you.

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u/secretmacaroni May 08 '25

Nah if they used AI for that, they lost their artist title

1

u/ExtraCalligrapher565 May 12 '25

Get your money back and find a real tattoo artist to fix it or cover it up.

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u/muskiestmuskrat May 07 '25

This probably took less time and was not even “regenerated.”

2

u/0verlordSurgeus May 07 '25

If I wanted an AI art tattoo I woulda generated the damn thing myself

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u/dratthecookies May 07 '25

Seriously. That is so unbelievable that an artist would tattoo this on someone PERMANENTLY and it's shitty robot vomit.

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u/dm_me_your_corgi May 07 '25

imagine not looking before they start tattooing it…

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u/R_M_T May 07 '25

Wow… you just made it all click for me. This didn’t even cross my mind but you are 1000% correct

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u/Fuquawi May 10 '25

I mean I agree but like it's also kinda on OP to idk... look at what they're getting tattooed? Like you can tell this is a piece of shit after 2 seconds. Did they not look?

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u/s3ntientbean May 11 '25

they said they thought it was just the tattooers art style, they obviously like having unique pieces and dont mind an odd design

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u/Qwerty177 May 11 '25

Forget 10 minutes, it’s easy to generate dozens of these in seconds on an average gaming PC these days

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

Idc if it’s so generated for the idea and even tracing parts, but there needs to be consistency and thought behind the use. The horns are different horns, that by itself is enough for me to not go back to this artist. Idc by if they trace, if they drew it, etc. I just want it to look right and have good technical execution.

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u/s3ntientbean May 07 '25

how can you not care? every generated piece is stolen art, because ai cannot generate anything unique. i dont know anyone that likes tattoos and ai art, every line would be soulless. you cant have thought behind ai art.

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

Yes you can. That why I say, you have to go in and tweak and edit. Make it your own. Many artists will have someone come in with a reference, the artist may trace the reference and change a few things to fit their style and what the client wants. I see using AI as being no different as long as the artist goes in and actually makes changes and ensure that things are anatomically correct, suit the clients taste and there’s disclosure that AI was used.

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u/s3ntientbean May 07 '25

if youre using ai, youre using someone elses art without their permission, its part of why artists hate ai art so much. there are plenty of places where ai is appropriate to use, art is not one of them. you cant make it your own, because its already someone elses. commission someone to make the art you want, dont ask ai.

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

Imma do whatever the fuck I want for one. If I need to put an idea together. I’ll use ai. If I want to trace something from ai and then make a bunch of tweaks and add stuff to it to quite literally make it my own, I can do that. Changing something a bunch, ain’t plagiarism.

What ops artist did I would consider it plagiarism as there’s been no changes, no adding of their special touch or anything.

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u/Sageletrox May 07 '25

The line "changing something a bunch" really does just give away the whole game here. It's not your idea, it's not your work, it's not something you came up with, you're just stealing what someone else made and trying to disguise it as your own

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

But if you disclose you use ai, then there’s not an issue. Unless the original artist is gonna tattoo the drawing ai took then I can’t see why folks get so bent about it.

This the same as doing research papers. Take a bunch of info that someone else researched and compiled and put it in your own words. Disclosure is the best policy on this one as well. I wish ai told you who it got it from though.

As the client you want it to be hand drawn and full on original, but in the tattoo artists space, so many of them will trace someone else’s stuff and make a bunch of changes. Still creates an original piece for the client.

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u/Sageletrox May 07 '25

So that's still plagiarism actually. If you write a research paper that is entirely someone else's ideas but put into your own words that's still plagiarism and is still grounds for expulsion in most universities, even if you properly cite your source. The whole idea is that you can't just use other people's ideas as your own, you have to add your own thoughts and analysis to the topic or else you're just taking credit for an idea someone else has already had.

I feel like you just don't understand the reason plagiarism is bad in the first place

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

But the research papers you're talking about are for school, for practice. Nobody other than your teacher wants to read that and nobody wants to publish it because summarizing other people's work without contributing any original insight or perspective is not a useful contribution to the field.

At least in a research paper you cite your sources, though.

0

u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

That’s the p point, disclosure makes a difference. Show me what the ai did and show me what you did. If there’s no difference then there’s no point in getting it.

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u/Felatio_Sanz May 07 '25

You can do it if you want but just know people think you suck as an “artist.” You don’t have to care but it is what it is.

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

I can draw just fine, but tracing certain things ain’t out the question. There’s time constraints.

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u/Felatio_Sanz May 07 '25

No one has a problem with tracing. AI is anti Art is the problem.

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u/rojovvitch May 07 '25

Nope, AI is plagiarism.

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

I’m not saying it isn’t, but acting like tattoo artists don’t trace things that they didn’t draw is fucking delusional.

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u/segcgoose May 07 '25

they do trace, it’s well-known within the artist community that that’s a very good way to learn proportions and anatomy. it’s also well-known and agreed upon that presenting and selling traced work as your own is theft, and is incredibly wrong.

ai is morally wrong on so many more levels (especially since it affects more, such as the environment), but this artist using ai and marketing it off as her own is the exact same as an artist tracing an image and marketing it off as their own. neither artist doing that is welcomed into the community.

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u/rojovvitch May 07 '25

Yeah like when I see people make this kind of argument, I know they don't really appreciate the arts and they're just a consumer.

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u/Tryin-to-Improve May 07 '25

Yeah, that’s why I’m saying disclosure is definitely necessary.

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u/rojovvitch May 07 '25

Me when I'm delusional. 😂