#I'm not gonna let the fact that I'm a traditional artist stop me from making 'trendy' videos

[arttsuka]

I made something....

The drawings:

[duskvortex]

I do not believe AI generated images can be considered art and here is why

(Images have ALT text.)

On top of this, lemme also tell you another reason why AI generated images cannot be considered art, and for that I'll have to explain what creativity is in my eyes.

My definition of creativity is "The ability to solve abstract problems." Machines aren't capable of abstract thinking, but human beings are. A machine doesn't put any thought into what it's doing, it has no understanding of intent. But human beings do.

It's really telling that a lot of people arguing against artists aren't artists themselves and thus don't get the nuances of art. For them it doesn't matter. A picture is a picture, what's the deal? But there's so much behind art, so many nuances, so many creative decisions and intents, there's so much underneath the journey. It's not about the final piece itself but the journey. There's no journey behind an AI generated image. Nothing. It's soulless. It's mass produced and incredibly cheaply so. You can see the seams where the molds met, the lacking quality of the materials, the badly applied paint, every single hallmark of a cheaply mass produced item.

"But photography killed painting/digital art killed traditional art/3D animation killed 2D animation" I have a box full of alcohol markers and other traditional art supplies, and I also own a camera as I'm an amateur photographer, AND I OWN A BUNCH OF SKETCHBOOKS AND PENCILS WHICH I USE REGULARLY DESPITE BEING A PREDOMINANTLY DIGITAL ARTIST. And guess what? Blender, a 3D modelling package, also has tools that lets you create 2D animations and blend them with 3D. And on top of that, did you forget how big the anime industry is? Y'know, the industry that produces 2D animations?

You have NO idea what you're talking about. Actually, stop speaking over artists if you're not one. Please. We provide you all this art for you to enjoy and what do we get in return? We get trampled on for seemingly no reason when we beg people to have basic respect for us. Why do you do this? Did we ever do anything to hurt you personally? Are you jealous bc we were born with some kind of a superpower and are special when we actually aren't?

No amount of inability to draw will change the fact that AI generated images aren't art. This isn't gatekeeping. I'm not physically restraining you from picking up a pencil to draw. This is fact. What you perceive as gatekeeping is artists simply defending their rights and integrity.

No, artists aren't gatekeepers. Never have been. A lot of us are more than happy when someone expresses interest in getting into art. We put out tutorials, timelapses, tips and other resources to make the learning progress less of a bumpy road. We love sharing art with each other.

The reality is, one of the biggest gatekeepers in art is nothing else but YOUR OWN mindset to approaching it. This belief that only people born with the talent can do it. You think we came out of the womb drawing the way we do? We didn't. It's a skill we're constantly practicing and improving. All of us have produced bad stuff but we kept going. We got up over and over again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. Tell me, of the skills you have learned, have you ever gotten anything perfect on your first try? Was your first attempt at cooking perfect? When you learned to ride the bike did you skip the training wheels and get it perfectly? Did you get perfect grades in school? Did you skip driving classes to get a driver's license immediately? (And if you immediately counter this with "duh you need driving classes so you aren't dangerous in traffic" you missed the point, hell I'm gonna assume you missed it on PURPOSE.)

Art isn't talent. It's a skill. Artists aren't special. We're just people who kept persevering, who kept believing in ourselves, that we could one day be great, and perhaps even greater. Kill the idea it's an inherent talent. Kill it for once and for all. It has dealt an unimaginable amount of damage to society and culture.

One more thing. If visual art isn't your thing or is completely inaccessible for you but you develop a knack for writing, you can just do that. Writing is a form of art. People have written vividly beautiful descriptions of things. And if prose isn't your thing, you can simply do scriptwriting instead. It's still art. You're still telling a story. One that is deeply personal to you.

To finish this post off, here's Guillermo Del Toro's stance on AI "art". (Source.)

[transrevolutions]

I take an issue with your new AI post (this is not an attack just the other perspective to that argument)

1. The "people who have copyright" are not lording it over others, people aren't mad at acts against Disney, but small artists who already have a difficult entry being targeted by AI that scraped their work without payment, permission, or even telling the artist

2. Generative AI isn't ethical, it takes so much water to even run, it scraped information and art without crediting the human labour put into those things, also it is terrible for the global south, where workers are often taken from refuge camps for little to no pay to sift through and process the data

3. The innovations target artists, we do not need to digitize, synthesize, and cheapen the basis of our culture. Art, writing, painting have long been ties to humanity, and resistance (there is a reason that in many genocides like Stalin's genocide of the Ukrainian People first target art and artists)

sorry this post isn't the most elegant or complete, I am a very tired student who has done so much research into AI (also if you are a visual artist you can destroy AI from within if they illegally use your work, look up nightshading your artwork, writers can use tools like Ellipsus that won't let AI have your writing,)

Hi! Thank you for being respectful in this ask. I'm gonna address a few points here.

1) The issue, in my view, isn't really with the specific people filing the suits so much as it is the precedent it can set legally. Oftentimes, approaching these legal issues from the copyright law perspective can result in making copyright law stricter, which harms all artists and causes more problems than it fixes.

2) The water use of generative AI is a problem, but it's not a problem unique to generative AI. A lot of new technology is very inefficient when it comes to energy/water use/etc. That's a problem with capitalism, specifically how products get pushed out before they can be actually optimized.

Also, I can't find any sources claiming that refugees are being made to manually process the generative AI data- in fact, everything I'm seeing points to a process that is mostly done automatically through algorithms. The way that's worded plus the lack of documentation makes me wonder if perhaps you've stumbled across a conspiracy theory. If anyone has any proof that this is a thing feel free to let me know, otherwise that specific claim feels rather improbable.

3) This is the point I take the most issue with. Art is not some sort of sacred revolutionary act. Art is a tool and a mode of expression. Art can be used to further revolutionary and humanitarian causes, but it can also be used to promote fascism, capitalism, racism, misogyny, etc. There is no morality inherently associated with doing art or being an artist. Art is what we make it. And it's very dangerous to get it into your head that because someone's an artist they'll also be a political ally.

And from what I've heard, AI models have generally adapted to compensate for programs like Glaze and Nightshade. If you don't want models being trained on your art, unfortunately your best bet to reduce that likelihood is not to post on sites that AIs generally scrape (in some cases there are also toggle settings you can turn off on your account).

Again, I believe the greatest issue with generative AI is that it's harming working artists when companies, eager to cut costs, begin to use it in place of hiring artists who already struggle to get by in many cases. This issue will remain even as generative AI likely grows more optimized and might stop causing as much water waste. Fundamentally, this is a problem with capitalism, not with AI specifically. It's with corporations and bosses being greedy, not with the fact that a technology exists.

As an artist (who creates and distributes art outside of online spaces! I'm not going into the details of my personal life on here but I do a lot of traditional art as well), I am far, far more concerned about the labor rights implications of generative AI than I am about my "art style being stolen" or "the sacredness of art being destroyed" or what-have-you.

[maggieisalarrie]

What I'm reading next...

Damn the Dark, Damn the Light by hrrytomlinson (21k)

“Why is this face of beauty ringing so true?” The genuine confusion in Harry’s voice causes Louis’ chest to painfully twinge. “You’re a complete stranger in my eyes, William Shakespeare, but not in my heart. How is that possible?”

Louis wants to live out every romance plot he has ever written in his own life. He wants to be the protagonist of his own narrative, the hero who finds true love and gets his happy ending. Instead, Louis is stuck with only dreaming of such wild fantasies and writing them down. He can create entire romances in his dreams, yet he can never live one.

Just Hear This and Then I'll Go by allwaswell16 (45k)

Former boy band member Louis Tomlinson can’t stand pompous indie artist Harry Styles, but with a new record label to launch he is going to have to endure his pretensions to snag up and coming new artist Liam Payne, who happens to be Harry’s oldest friend. Luckily, Liam seems to be very interested in 78 Records and maybe a little more than interested in Louis’ best friend. Too bad Harry won’t be making this easy on any of them.

Or a modern day Pride and Prejudice--Louis is Elizabeth, Harry is Mr. Darcy, Zayn is Jane, and Liam is Mr. Bingley. Oh, and Niall is Mrs. Bennett. Obviously.

Won't Say I'm In Love by rosegoldhl (MoonlitLarrie) (21k)

Reason #5 - Revenge

Of course Harry had to bring his hands together in front of his chest, and pout while pleading for a chance. Louis wasn’t falling for his charm, although he had to give it to him, he had upgraded his game. Good for him. That was the part where Louis should not-so-politely decline and move on with his life. That’s what any normal person would do. Not Louis, though.

“Alright, Styles. One date.”

Harry is Mr. Super Athlete, Louis hates him, and somehow they fall in love.

Members Only by kikikryslee (14k)

“Well, I’m gonna go work out now, so…” Harry said, his voice trailing off. Louis nodded. “Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Go get, uh, you know, strong and buff.” What? Louis wanted to die. “Um, thanks?” Harry said. “Um…” Without another word, Harry walked away from the desk. Louis pinched his thigh – hard – hoping that was some terrible, awkward nightmare that he might soon wake up from. --- Or, the one where Louis works at Harry's new gym and neither one of them knows how to hold a coherent conversation with the other.

Counting The Steps Between Us by zarah5 (25k)

AU. So, yeah. That year abroad helped Harry establish that he is in love with his best friend. Now, if Louis would stop treating him like a little brother, that would be awesome. (Additional ingredients: a collapsing tree house, a lot of pining, the other three boys as Louis' new best mates from university, and a camping trip. Serve hot.)

Feel My Love by styleandsin (10k)

Reason #29: To avoid cleaning, studying, or doing work of any kind.

Louis always gets things done on time, he just takes a detour along the way. The detour? Having sex with Harry. Harry never brings it up. Until he does.

Don't Want Shelter by FullOnLarrie (77k)

Louis and Harry have known each other all their lives. Friends as children, they danced around each other as teenagers, and have spent the last twenty-five years either screaming at each other or not speaking at all. Except for that one time ten years ago…

When Hurricane Nicole threatens the coast, they end up stuck together in their families' old vacation home that they begrudgingly co-own.

During the storm, and in the months after, they’re both forced to reevaluate their history and what they mean to each other.

Paint The Sky With Stars by kiwikero (63k)

On 10 April 1912, Harry Styles boards the finest ship the world has ever seen. Still grieving the death of their mother, he and his sister are being sent to America to live with a callous uncle who cares more about his business connections than family. Harry prepares himself for a long, disappointing voyage alone in his stateroom.

Louis Tomlinson has borrowed and saved, and finally has enough to purchase a Third Class ticket to America. With all of his belongings in a single ruck sack, he boards the Titanic filled with hope for a brighter future. Never one to sit still, he can’t resist exploring the massive ship, and soon goes sneaking into First Class in a stolen steward’s uniform.

By a twist of fate, Louis finds himself in Harry’s stateroom, entranced by the most attractive man he’s ever laid eyes on. He keeps returning day after day, even if he doesn’t understand what it is about Harry that continues pulling him in. That’s all right; Louis has a week to figure it out, and Harry is plenty willing to help.

Except they don’t have a week. They have four days. Because on 15 April, their entire world will be turned upside down.

Or, the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending.

What do you mean he's coming? by MediaWhore (15k)

When Harry accepted to be his sister’s Maid of Honour, despite how non-traditional of a choice he was, he didn’t think writing a speech for the wedding reception would be this hard. Now, not only does he have less than two weeks left to find something moving and inspirational to say, but Gemma just confided in him that her old childhood best friend is going to be in attendance. The one who moved to LA and they haven’t seen in fifteen years because he was too busy becoming an Academy Awards winner. But hey, no pressure. It’s just Louis Fucking Tomlinson.

Harry is screwed.

Such Good Luck by casuallyhl (66k)

Louis smiles at Harry’s words, leaning into his touch. “Tell me again.”

Smiling, Harry takes Louis into his arms. Pressing gentle kisses to his face, Harry murmurs, “In six months’ time, I will have my twenty-fifth birthday. On that day, my portion of the inheritance will become legally mine. And I plan that very day to announce to my family that I have found love.” Harry chuckles as he runs his lips lightly along Louis’ cheekbone. “That, in fact, I found love when I was twenty-one years old, and that I have loved and been loved every day since.”

Or, an Edwardian AU where Harry is a young aristocratic lord and Louis is a working class dairy farmer. Secrets are a necessary part of their relationship, but Louis has one that could topple their whole world.

Gentle Autumn Rain by alex4968 (58k)

Louis Tomlinson moved to London with a big heart and a big dream. Harry Styles moved to London, fresh out of the police academy, with the hopes of helping as many people as he could in his eyes. When a deranged alpha forces their paths to cross, their ideas of what is meant to be will never be the same.

I'll Fly Away by juliusschmidt (123k)

Harry and Louis grew up together in Lake County, Harry with his mom and stepdad in a tiny cottage on Edward’s Lake and Louis in his family’s farmhouse a few minutes down the road. But after high school, Louis stuck around and Harry did not; Harry went to Chicago where he found a boyfriend and couple of college degrees. Six years later, Harry ends up back in Edwardsville for the summer and he and Louis fall into old patterns and discover new ones.

ft. One Direction, the local boyband; Horan’s Bar and Grill; families, most especially children and babies; Officer Liam Payne; many local festivals and fireworks displays; and Anne Cox, PFLAG President.

Frankincense-ational by LadyLondonderry (32k)

Harry Styles works at the Hillsyde Library with his friend Zayn and best mate Niall. It’s December, which means Christmas, which should be the happiest month of the year…

Except Niall just broke up with his boyfriend, Zayn needs to let up on the rules a little, and the library is getting their fire alarm system replaced, which means that for the next few weeks there are going to be firemen patrolling the library ‘looking for fires’ while the system is down.

Harry almost hits one of them with his car right off the bat - and of course he’s the hot one.

Happy Christmas, here’s to many more.

A 2017 Advent Fic

California Sold by isthatyoularry (124k)

Notoriously closeted boyband member Harry Styles is famous on a global scale, meanwhile Louis, as his best friend, is back home in Manchester, living the typical life of a 24 year old. When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever.

A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

Collision by itjustkindahappened (172k)

Mythology/Fairytale!AU in which Louis is a dainty fairy with a temper who wants to be intimidating and Harry hurts people. Naturally, they hate each other.

(Featuring Liam, the big and not-so-bad wolf who’s got a thing for humans, Zayn, a human with supernaturally good looks, and Niall, the cupid who just wants his job to be easier.)

another hazy may by deLILAh (41k)

louis is a terrible poet and harry lives in the now and they have six weeks to fall in love but, really, it only takes six seconds. bookshop meets military meets summer romance au ft. marlboros, the backstreet boys, and underrated literary devices.

Amazing Sin by thecheshirepussycat (56k)

Gears started turning in Louis’ head. Purely mischievous gears that had Louis formulating a revenge plan against Taylor. He’d had enough of sitting around and taking it. If she was going to call him a whore, then fine, he’ll act like one for real. “I’m going to say something, and as my friends you are obligated to love me anyway.”

“This can’t be good,” Niall said, Zayn just groaned.

“So I know we have this strict ‘no lashing back at Taylor’ rule with me, but what if I can get press revenge a different way?” Louis asked. He wasn’t expecting an answer, because they knew by now to just go with it. “What if I stole her boyfriend?”

Or, the story of Louis ‘Steal Your Man’ Tomlinson.

Run and I’ll Give Chase by Madalynn_Bohemia (25k)

“You go out every night and maybe you’re able to drink without hurting anyone, but you’re still thirsty, aren’t you? Still have an itch you can’t scratch. A need you can’t put a name to. You desire a companion.”

“You mean a keeper?” Harry corrects with venom in his voice. “Someone to put a leash on me.”

“Wouldn’t need a leash, love.” Louis whispers sensually, and he is suddenly behind Harry, too fast for his eyes to keep track of. “You’re practically pliant just by being in my presence. Of course, if you’re into that sort of thing, I could always get you a lovely collar with a matching leash once you decide to take me up on my offer.”

Or, Harry is a fledgling vampire without a maker. Louis is graciously offering to fill that role.

Wild And Unruly by 100percentsassy & gloria_andrews (124k)

Harry is a cowboy sitting on the biggest oil reservoir in Wyoming, and Louis is the paralegal assigned to pressure him into selling his land.

Fool’s Gold by tvshows_addict (52k)

Leaflet for Over Again Inc.

“In relationships, there are three types of people: those who are happy, those who are unhappy but accept it and deal, those who are unhappy and in denial.

Handling this last category is our job: we are professional couple breakers.

To reach our goal, we use all means necessary.”

Or the Arnacoeur AU in which Harry is scheduled to be married to Liam in 10 days and Harry’s mother hires Louis and his team to break them up.

Paint Me In A Million Dreams by green_feelings (110k)

Harry’s one of Hollywood’s biggest actors, has made a name for himself in prestigious films and lives the life of a superstar. There’s just one thing missing to make it picture-perfect, but the one Harry’s in love with is completely out of reach for him. Enter Louis, one of Hollywood’s biggest actors himself, who just came out of the closet and taps new genres in the industry. When Louis sacks the role Harry auditioned for in Scorsese’s next big film, their irrational feud starts. Who could have guessed it would get even worse when for promo season, their teams decide to present them as a couple for publicity?

In short, Harry’s in love with someone and doesn’t care about dating anyone else, Louis never felt home in L.A., Liam writes love songs for someone he shouldn’t write love songs to, and Niall makes everything better with good food.

bittersweet & delicate (tomorrow may not come again) by tolvsmol (55k)

“I – “ He tries to speak, but his breath gets stuck in his throat. He wipes his hands at his wet face. Then everything just tumbles out of him, like some dam broke inside and everything flooded. “I fuckin’ hate him, Liam. I hate him. I hate that I love him so much. I fucking hate him. All this time later and he can still make my heart beat just for him. It’s not fair. It isn’t fucking fair. He moved on, he built himself a new fucking life in a new fucking city and I’m still the pathetic little Harry wrapped around his tiny little finger. I just – he can’t – I can’t fucking deal with him now. Liam, I just, I can’t. He left. I can’t even think about him without wanting to fucking die, without feeling my heart break all over again.” Harry can’t see. Everything is hazy and he thinks he’s on his knees now and it doesn’t matter. “He’s going to kill me. This time, when he leaves again, he’s going to kill me.”

or the au where louis gives up on harry and harry wants to give up on everything

Swim In The Smoke by whoknows (102k)

“What about this, Captain?” Liam asks, nudging the boy kneeling between their feet with the toe of his boot. The boy hisses and swipes at him, slurring out something unintelligible around the makeshift gag Niall had to stuff in his mouth. He misses by a mile and tries again, just as ineffectively.

Harry looks down at him, at the way the sun streams over his face and shoulders, at the way the gag stretches his mouth, lips pink and chapped. He’s lithe and pretty, smudged all over with dirt. They had found him tied up below deck, mostly unconscious, next to a barrel full of gold. He’s clearly a prisoner, but there’s something familiar about him, something that niggles at Harry’s brain. Something he can’t quite put his finger on.

“Put him in my cabin,” Harry decides, turning back to deal with the rest of the loot. The boys screams out jumbled curse words at Harry’s back, muffled by the gag, and Harry can’t understand any of it.

Hearts Don’t Break Around Here by sincewewereeighteen (26k)

"Another car has stopped at the beginning of the carpet. People are going to collapse any time soon, and Louis knows why.

Harry Styles has just arrived. And Louis. Well. Louis is a grown man. He curses himself a hundred times for even letting his heart race in his chest. He knew they were bound to meet tonight.

What the hell is wrong with him?"

Or: the one in which Harry's having his big movie debut and Louis sings on its soundtrack.

It’s A Long Way Down by veegirl (53k)

It’s June 2013, and the legalization of gay marriage is the most discussed political issue in the country. As a member of parliament Louis Tomlinson has decided to do everything under his power to keep marriage between a man and a woman. Little does he know a boy with green eyes and pink lips from his past is on a mission to change his mind.

Mistletoes & Wrackspurts series by perfectdagger (sincerelyste), star_k (220k)

above your head by deadspy (58k)

What happens when an unstoppable object meets an immovable force?

[Space AU. Louis is an astronaut. Harry works for Mission Control. They don't get along.]

A Red-Dusted Planet by onewasturning (38k)

Harry finally makes it to the edge of the pool where Louis is almost curled up in on himself laughing in the shallow water. He wants to feel annoyed, his competitive side rankled at the unfair and unjust tactics used by his opponent, but it’s like—

The light refracts off the water and moves across Louis’ skin, darkening the ink of his tattoos, and he looks beautiful, dazzling, still that god laughing down on all the destruction he's caused. And Harry’s heart is caught somewhere in his breathless chest, like it’s become tangled amidst the veins and arteries whilst trying to make room for wet boys on warm, summery days.

Or, a one-night stand in a small town in Australia turns into a weekend that Harry could've never predicted with a boy he may never forget.

It’s A Better Place (Since You Came Along) by phdmama (52k)

When Harry Styles, a mid-level talent, Finder, and small business owner, sets off on the vacation of a lifetime with his best friend, Niall Horan, he has no idea the changes his life will undergo over the next nine days. He's got it all planned - there's going to be shore excursions, lounging by the pool on the deck of the luxurious cruise ship, not to mention margaritas. What he does not plan for are the new friends, new bonds, or the mystery from his past that comes back to haunt him, and he certainly hasn't planned for Louis.

Let Me Touch You Where Your Heart Aches by rosegoldhl (MoonlitLarrie) (47k)

Alcohol was all he could taste. Alcohol and Harry, and he didn’t mind one bit. Harry kissed him back with just as much fervent heat. He pushed Louis against the taxi door and pulled his head back, breathing hot and heavy against his lips. “Let’s go, yes?”

Or a Friends with Benefits AU, in which Louis falls in love and Harry is jealous. There is some Karaoke singing somewhere in there, because how do you write a romantic comedy without a Karaoke scene?

No Place Without You by fackinglouis (19k)

Harry's in love with life and he's in love with the world.

Louis' in love with Harry and he doesn't think there's any way he can possibly compete.

A Wanderlust AU in which Harry doesn't have a permanent home and stays with Louis when he visits NYC.

My To Read Tag 

Reading Again

Love Is A Rebellious Bird by 100percentsassy & gloria_andrews (135k)

AU in which the boys still make music. Louis is the concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, Harry is the New! and Exciting! interim conductor/ex-cello prodigy who “has made Mozart cool again” according to Esquire Magazine (Louis hates him immediately, which is definitely why he internet stalked him in his dark bedroom late at night that one time), and Niall is the best. Zayn and Liam are around too.

Don’t hum Bolero.

we'll play hide and seek to turn this around (give me love like never before) by Wankerville (20k)

“So here's the thing,” he starts. “I didn't mean what I said a few weeks ago to like, hurt your feelings or anything. If you like painting your nails, then you should do that, and not like, care if anyone else doesn't like it because their opinions shouldn't matter, you know?” Louis takes a breath, finally glancing over to see the boy wide-eyed and pink-cheeked. On a whim, he adds, “And like, I noticed you scraping it off and you haven't been wearing any and I think you should because that's what you like.”

or an au where harry paints his nails and drinks strawberry milk and is too nervous for it to be nothing and louis' just trying to figure out whats wrong with him

Part 1 of the strawberry milk fic series

Young & Beautiful by Velvetoscar (227k)

Louis, to his horror, attends an elitist university in which the name Zayn Malik means something, Niall Horan doesn’t stop talking, there are pianos everywhere, and Harry Styles, only son of a drug-addled, clinically insane ex-rocker, has a perfect smile and empty eyes.

You You You by isthatyoularry (138k)

“Infamous boybander leaves club together with unknown,” read the headline. Underneath were pictures of a boy with dark curls, green eyes and very tight pants. They both studied the article for a moment, reading it through quickly. “Is that…?” Louis frowned. That guy almost looked exactly like… “HOLY FUCKING SHIT!” “Louis,” Niall said, looking absolutely fucked over. “You just fucked the most wanted guy on earth. You just fucked Harry Styles of One Direction.”

Or, the one where Harry and Louis meet at a club and Louis takes Harry home, only for him to realize that the boy who just made him breakfast half naked is Harry Styles from One Direction.

Last edited: February 28, 2018