22 March 2025

Ethical AI-Assisted Art: A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Stunning Visuals

For those who have never practised hand drawing or feel their drawing skills are weak but have a deep love for art, I have an easy and ethical solution: an AI-driven approach combined with a structured prompt-writing formula.

Understanding Art Before Creating It

Before diving into AI-generated artwork, you must first develop an eye for art. Spend time studying as many artworks as possible, from both old masters and modern artists. At first, you might not understand why certain pieces appeal to you while others do not. You might also wonder why some artworks receive widespread appreciation, while others, despite being technically impressive, are overlooked. Do not get discouraged by social media trends where some posts gain massive likes while others do not. True art is not about popularity; it is about personal connection and creative expression.

Start by identifying the subjects, themes, and elements that resonate with you. Are you drawn to landscapes, trees, animals, or cityscapes? Do you love sci-fi elements such as spaceships, war machines, or futuristic city skylines? Or perhaps you prefer character-driven art knights in armour, mystical creatures, or fantasy warriors? Defining your artistic interests will help guide your creative journey.

Essential Tools for AI-Assisted Art

To bring your vision to life, you will need:

A Device for Capturing References – A digital camera or smartphone will help you gather real-world textures, compositions, and references.
Image Editing Software – Photoshop is my preferred choice, but you can use any software that allows image manipulation.
An AI Image Generator – I strongly recommend Tensor Art AI, but you may use any tool that aligns with your needs. If you ever run into difficulties using Tensor Art AI, I will be happy to guide you through the process.

Now that you have the essential tools, let’s move on to the method of combining AI with traditional image editing.

Step-by-Step AI and Image Editing Workflow

This Photo was taken by Gigi, who I love very much

When I was creating using Gigi's photo, she was witnessing the whole process

Step 1: Generating AI Art with an Effective Prompt

To generate the best possible AI images, crafting a strong prompt is key. If you struggle with writing prompts, you can use ChatGPT for assistance. Simply describe your vision and ask for a structured AI prompt, ensuring it includes all necessary elements like lighting, textures, colours, and composition.

Once you have a refined prompt, enter it into your AI generator and set the desired frame size landscape, portrait, or square. Let the AI create multiple variations of your concept. Keep refining and generating images until you achieve results that align with your imagination. From the 10 to 15 images you produce, select three that best capture your vision.

Step 2: Refining the AI Art Using Image Editing

Now, open your image editor and import the three selected AI-generated images. The goal here is to mix and refine elements. You can:

Combine different aspects from each image to create a more compelling composition.
Use layer masks to blend textures, shapes, or lighting.
Adjust colours, contrast, and detailing to enhance the final output.

This stage gives you control over your creation, ensuring that AI serves as an assistant rather than the primary creator.

Step 3: Enhancing the Image with AI Features

First image generated

Adding another part to the generated image

The final inage

Once you have refined the composition, you can use AI’s image-to-image feature to enhance your work. This allows you to maintain the essence of your edit while benefiting from AI-driven improvements in texture, depth, and lighting. Experiment with different models and fine-tune the image until you are satisfied with the outcome.

Step 4: A Hands-On Approach with Photography

One of my favourite methods is using real-world objects to create reference compositions. This is an incredibly creative and interactive way to generate unique art. Here is how:

Take small objects like boxes, matchboxes, or toy cars and stack them into an interesting arrangement.
Experiment with different camera angles to create a visually compelling composition.
Capture the scene with your digital camera or smartphone.
Import the image into your editing software and resize it to fit the AI frame ratio.
Load the edited image into your AI generator and use the image-to-image feature to transform your setup into a fully developed concept.

By blending photography with AI, you can create highly unique and personalized artwork that remains ethically grounded in your own creativity.

This photo was taken by my very sweet friend Gigi

Removed the wire using Photoshop

Using Tensor Art AI with Sci-Fi Lora to add details

Added the sky and removed what I didn't want using Photoshop

Add more details using Tensor Art AI

The final concept is ready after the colour and lighting are done.

Ethical AI Use: You Control the Art, Not the AI

AI should be seen as a powerful tool, not the creator. By following this workflow, you are ensuring that AI is assisting your artistic vision rather than replacing it. The goal is to enhance creativity, not automate it. When you mix real-world references, manual editing, and AI-generated elements, you stay in control of the process, ensuring that the final artwork remains a product of your personal artistic choices.

By thinking outside the box, experimenting with different workflows, and combining AI with traditional techniques, you can push the boundaries of digital art while maintaining creative integrity. Now, go out there and create something incredible!

21 March 2025

Creating Concept Art

My Process for Creating Concept Art

Introduction

My name is Felix Clement. I was born in Cochin, a city in South India, where drawing and painting weren’t just hobbies they were passions that fueled my imagination. As a child, I would draw whenever I had the chance, even during school lessons, often daydreaming about my next subject.

Academically, I was an average student. Memorizing textbooks never interested me; instead, I preferred to see, feel, and understand concepts visually. My mother’s mentorship played a huge role in shaping my confidence as an artist. As a teenager, I began dreaming of a career in art, which led me to explore animation, concept painting, storyboarding, and character design.

I started my artistic journey in 2000, training myself to draw like a professional. Over the years, as digital tools evolved, I transitioned to tablets and software like Photoshop, which helped me bring my visions to life. By 2015, I had expanded into game design and concept art, eventually working as a game designer and concept artist.

With 25 years of experience, I have explored various artistic styles and mediums, mentored students, and even led teams in animation and concept art training. As the academic head of an animation institute, I guided countless artists on their creative journeys.

So why am I sharing my knowledge with you?

Whether you’re a beginner, a professional, or someone exploring art as a hobby, I hope my process helps you improve your craft. With modern tools including AI, the possibilities for artists are greater than ever. Let’s dive into my step-by-step process.

Step 1: Gathering Inspiration

Where do ideas come from?

Inspiration can come from anywhere movies, books, real-life experiences, and even dreams. For me, films have been a huge influence, especially fantasy, historical, and classic cinema. Observing real-life events and doing study sketches have also played a significant role in shaping my artistic vision.

Although I wasn’t much of a reader in my early years, I later started reading about art history and the lives of the great masters. Learning about their journeys motivated me to deepen my understanding of art and refine my foundations.

Do you use references?

Absolutely! References are essential for creating believable artwork. Observing the real world helps ground your work in reality. For example, I often use my own hand as a reference taking pictures and sketching different poses to help improve anatomy and realism.

Now that I have my inspiration and references, it’s time to put ideas on paper.

Step 2: Sketching and Thumbnails

How do you begin rough sketches or silhouettes?

I always start with rough sketches. It doesn’t matter whether on a scrap of paper, a notebook, or even a napkin the goal is to capture ideas quickly. I carry a small "scribble book" everywhere, so whenever an idea strikes, I can jot it down. Even while waiting for food at a restaurant, I take out my scribble book and sketch concepts.

How many variations do you create before settling on one?

I typically create four to five rough sketches, each showcasing different forms, compositions, and unique features. Instead of settling on one immediately, I take the best elements from multiple sketches and merge them into a stronger concept.

Traditional or digital at this stage?

I start traditionally with pencil sketches. Once I have a rough concept, I take a photo with my smartphone and bring it into Photoshop. At this stage, I use photo bashing and digital sketching to refine the idea before moving on to detailed rendering.

Now that we have a solid sketch, it’s time to develop the details.

Step 3: Refining the Design

How do you develop details and forms?

With a smartphone always at hand, I have a convenient tool for capturing references. I take photos of textures, lighting, and forms around me and integrate them into my digital work.

What do you focus on first anatomy, perspective, or composition?

My primary focus is always the subject. The composition should guide the viewer’s eyes to the most important part of the artwork. Anatomy, pose, and storytelling elements all contribute to how engaging and believable the final piece will be.

What tools/software do you use?

I primarily use:

✅ Corel Painter

✅ Photoshop

✅ ZBrush

✅ AI tools (Tensor Art AI) for enhancement

With the design refined, it’s time to bring it to life with color and lighting.

Step 4: Color and Lighting

How do you choose colours for mood and atmosphere?

The colour palette depends on the story behind the artwork. Is it set in a medieval world? A futuristic city? An apocalyptic wasteland? The colours must reflect the time, mood, and atmosphere of the concept.

Do you use references or predefined palettes?

Yes! References are crucial. Studying real-life lighting and colours helps create convincing environments. The mood whether eerie, romantic, or dramatic determines the choice of colours and lighting.

How do you establish lighting for depth and drama?

Lighting is one of the most important elements in storytelling. A strong light source enhances depth and focus, making the subject more dynamic. The way light interacts with the scene can completely change its emotional impact.

With colour and lighting in place, the final step is adding textures and final touches.

Step 5: Adding Textures and Final Touches

Do you use custom brushes, photobashing, or hand-painting?

Previously, I hand-painted everything in Photoshop, using custom brushes for specific textures. Now, I incorporate AI tools like Tensor Art, which significantly speed up the process. What used to take 9-10 hours can now be done in minutes.

How do you ensure the artwork feels polished?

Once I generate three to four AI variations, I use Photoshop’s masking techniques to refine the final piece, blending different elements together. Finally, I upscale the image and manually adjust the finer details.

Any last checks before calling it done?

Yes! Even with AI assistance, the human touch is essential. AI should be used as a tool, not a replacement. I always fine-tune details myself because the final vision should be mine, not the AI’s.

A Note on AI Ethics in Art

AI can be a powerful assistant, but it should never replace the creativity and decision-making of an artist. While AI speeds up production, it’s still the artist’s vision, storytelling, and refinement that make an artwork unique.

It’s important to use AI responsibly ensuring that it serves as a supportive tool rather than an automated solution. Artists must maintain originality, using AI-generated elements as enhancements rather than the foundation of their work. True artistry isn’t about automation it’s about the creative choices that make a piece unique.

Conclusion

For those new to art, don’t be afraid to start! Even if you’ve never drawn before, simply sketching basic shapes can help develop creativity. Improvement comes with time, practice, and patience it’s a journey, not a race.

Early in my career, a director once tore apart my carefully illustrated storyboard. I was emotionally affected, but he taught me a valuable lesson: Art is not about personal attachment it’s about storytelling. Since then, I’ve always seen my work as a work in progress, constantly pushing myself to improve.

So, keep experimenting, seek feedback, and most importantly enjoy the process. That’s where true artistry lies.

🚀 Now, go create! 🎨✨