Generative AI makes almost anything possible. You just need to know the tools and be clear about what you want to say.*
[*In addition to it, you’ll of course need motivation, agency, and taste, but let’s save this discussion for next time.]
For better or worse, art/culture is about to change, and I’m changing with it.
For the context: Among other things, I’m also a “real artist”, aka an artist who has been creating without AI – for quite some time. Luckily, I’m very pro-tech (grew up with computers thanks to my dad), and have no unresolved conflicts pertaining to creativity, which is why I’ve experienced a pretty smooth conversion from “real art” to AI content.
I’m mentioning this because a huge chunk of “real artists” continues to be outraged about AI. But that’s something for a future blog.
In the past few months I’ve been using AI to create a lot of stuff (see “Projects”). Since I’m very active on Twitter/X (by the way, let’s connect), I tend to learn about new tools very early, and in many cases I head straight to the tool to try it out.
General Observations
Experimenting, or as some call it “tinkering”, is essential. We are entering a new terrain of artistic expression, with a lot (most?) of it still unexplored.
Imagine what it must have felt like when photography was invented. As cameras became more accessible and photography moved from early adoption into the mainstream, people began to test its boundaries.
They didn’t just replicate paintings. They played with light, blur, composition, even accidents. That’s how entirely new aesthetics emerged.
The same applies to AI tools today. The real breakthroughs don’t come from following tutorials step by step, but rather from misusing tools, playing with prompts, layering outputs, remixing styles, and exploring the “wrong” ways of doing things.
Tinkering isn’t aimlessness, it’s a tool of discovery.
It’s how genres are born, how formats mutate, and how we can stretch the limits of what feels possible.
What I’ve Learned
Things are changing fast, but for the foreseeable future these insights will probably hold true.
Assuming you want to enter the space and try creating something,
Many platforms offer free daily credits, and you should make use of those.
Have a structured collection of AI tools. In my case it’s a bookmarks folder.
Definitely also structure your computer folders. You might end up with a lot of images and videos. Don’t get lost in the jungle.
Spend time away from your computer and write down your ideas on paper. In my case being in the nature really helps to not get lost in the detail.
Recognize the difference between “gimmick” and “substance”. I see people post AI videos on X, and most of them are gimmicks (= they don’t have any message, and/or are just tropes). Now you don’t have to have ambitions to create anything of substance. But some discernment really helps here either way.
Spend some time thinking about taste and what it implies.
Have ChatGPT write your image / video prompt. Your job is to tell it your idea, intent, message. This middle step adds a big layer of detail.
Get familiar with JSON. Prompts in JSON format are the ideal language when talking to AI.
What a prompt in JSON format looks like. This one is for a video.
I will surely dedicate another post to the insights I’ve had while using all the different AI tools. For now let’s keep it concise.
Finally, below is a list of some of the AI tools I’m using. Give them a try; they all have a free tier.
AI Tools I Use
Voice & Script Generation: I use Google’s NotebookLM, a free tool that transforms PDFs, websites, or text into audio summaries. This makes scripting and voice generation easy, even for complex topics. For cases when I need a custom voice (and for all things text-to-speech), Elevenlabs is my go-to.
Music Creation: Tools like Suno and Udio enable me to generate background music for any mood, or entire songs, if I happen to have any song idea. You can use lyrics or create instrumental tracks.
Video Generation: Platforms such as Runway, Luma, and Kling AI allow video creation and animation, offering a variety of capabilities depending on the project. These days I also increasingly use Dreamina by ByteDance/CapCut.
Image Generation: I prefer Ideogram, Flux, Reve, and Leonardo.ai for diverse artistic styles. ChatGPT image generation is great for Ghibli-style illustrations or comics. Unlike Midjourney, which tends to create polished, predictable images, these tools yield more unexpected and raw visuals, perfect for experimental art.
That’s it for now! If you want to *listen* to me talk about my creative process, here’s a video I made some time ago:
I’m observing people doing stuff with gen AI. Some of them are artists, some of them are probably “tech people” (without any art background).
[*not gonna name anyone specific to not accidentally discredit them.]
People’s AI output that I’ve seen is always (without exceptions) either:
a) boring and unoriginal (e.g. Star Wars tropes, short scenes without context), or
b) too “crazy” (intriguing, but lacking something)
Today I’d like to unpack what’s going on there, and why we’re not even scratching the surface of what’s possible in terms of AI video (and filmmaking).
So… What’s lacking?
Obviously, I asked ChatGPT to provide structure and thought clarity into this gigantic ball of thoughts. Here we go:
Creating “True Art” with Gen AI
Creating “true art” with generative AI, art that resonates deeply with people, requires balancing several elements: originality, emotional depth, relatability, and perhaps a touch of unpredictability.
Let’s unpack why some AI-generated content feels empty and why others, while unique, may fail to connect.
The Pitfalls of AI Art
Empty Tropes: When creators rely heavily on popular or well-worn themes (like Star Wars-like scenes), they often produce work that lacks innovation. These pieces may be visually impressive but fail to evoke deeper emotions or provoke thought. They’re predictable and don’t challenge the viewer’s expectations.
Excessive Novelty: On the other hand, work that’s too avant-garde can alienate viewers. It may be technically or conceptually interesting, but if it doesn’t provide an entry point for emotional or intellectual engagement, it can leave the audience feeling disconnected.
The Missing Element: Emotional Connection
The key to creating art that resonates is often emotional depth. Art that touches people tends to:
Evoke Emotion: It could be joy, sadness, nostalgia, or awe. The emotional response is what makes art memorable and impactful.
Tell a Story: Even abstract or experimental art can hint at a narrative or evoke a world that feels coherent, giving viewers something to latch onto.
Foster Relatability: While the art should be original, it should also connect to universal themes or emotions that people can recognize and relate to.
Formula for True Art with Generative AI
Start with a Core Emotion: Decide what feeling you want to evoke. Is it wonder, melancholy, curiosity? Anchor your creation process around this emotion.
Blend Familiar with Unfamiliar: Incorporate elements that are recognizable but present them in a new or unexpected way. This balance keeps the audience grounded while piquing their curiosity.
Narrative Layering: Even abstract pieces can suggest a story. Use generative AI to create layers of meaning that viewers can interpret, making the piece richer and more engaging on repeated viewings.
Engage Multiple Senses: Consider how to engage not just visually but also aurally (through music or sound design) and conceptually (through intriguing ideas or themes). Multi-sensory engagement deepens the emotional impact.
Iterate and Reflect: Use AI’s capability to generate variations to experiment. Reflect on which versions resonate more and why. This iterative process helps refine the emotional and conceptual punch of the work.
Seek Feedback: Share your work with a small audience and gauge their reactions. Understanding how others perceive your art can help you fine-tune its impact.
Breaking the Cycle
To break the cycle of underwhelming AI art, focus on authenticity and intention. Instead of merely pushing boundaries for the sake of novelty or adhering to familiar templates, aim to create work that speaks to deeper truths or experiences. Authenticity in art, even when generated by AI, shines through when there’s a clear intention and emotional resonance behind it.
In essence, “true art” with AI isn’t just about what the AI can produce; it’s about what you, as the creator, bring to the table—your vision, your emotional insights, and your ability to craft a narrative or experience that feels meaningful. The genius lies in using AI as a tool to amplify and realize that vision, rather than relying on it to do all the heavy lifting.
Spectrums of “True Art”
To measure the elements that contribute to creating “true art” with generative AI, you can think of them along several spectrums. These spectrums allow you to evaluate and balance different aspects of the creative process:
1. Originality vs. Familiarity
Originality: The degree to which the art introduces new, unconventional, or surprising elements.
Familiarity: The degree to which the art draws on recognizable themes, motifs, or emotions that the audience can easily relate to.
Goal: Find a sweet spot where the art is innovative but still accessible, engaging viewers through a mix of the new and the familiar.
2. Emotional Depth vs. Intellectual Complexity
Emotional Depth: The extent to which the art evokes strong emotional responses, making it memorable and impactful.
Intellectual Complexity: The degree to which the art engages the viewer’s intellect through intricate concepts, symbolism, or narratives.
Goal: Balance emotional engagement with intellectual stimulation to create art that resonates on multiple levels.
3. Relatability vs. Mystery
Relatability: How easily the audience can connect with the themes, emotions, or experiences depicted in the art.
Mystery: The extent to which the art leaves room for interpretation, inviting curiosity and exploration.
Goal: Create art that is relatable enough to draw viewers in but mysterious enough to sustain their interest and provoke thought.
4. Predictability vs. Unpredictability
Predictability: The use of familiar structures, tropes, or elements that make the art feel safe and understandable.
Unpredictability: The introduction of unexpected twists, innovations, or deviations from norms that surprise and intrigue the audience.
Goal: Strike a balance where the audience feels comfortable but also experiences moments of surprise or wonder.
5. Narrative Clarity vs. Ambiguity
Narrative Clarity: How clearly the story or message of the art is conveyed, making it easy to follow and understand.
Ambiguity: The level of openness in the narrative, allowing for multiple interpretations and deeper engagement over time.
Goal: Allow for clarity in key themes while maintaining enough ambiguity to invite personal interpretation and ongoing discovery.
6. Aesthetic Coherence vs. Eclecticism
Aesthetic Coherence: The consistency in style, color palette, form, or theme that gives the art a unified feel.
Eclecticism: The use of diverse styles, elements, or influences to create a more varied and dynamic piece.
Goal: Ensure the art has a cohesive identity while allowing for diverse influences that enrich its appeal.
7. Intentionality vs. Spontaneity
Intentionality: The extent to which the art is planned, deliberate, and aligned with a specific vision or message.
Spontaneity: The incorporation of random, unplanned elements that can add vitality and freshness to the art.
Goal: Combine a clear artistic vision with spontaneous, unexpected elements that keep the work alive and engaging.
By using these spectrums as guides, you can critically assess and refine your generative AI art, ensuring it has the depth, balance, and resonance needed to connect with an audience.
As opposed to musicians, who seem to be chill with AI, visual artists tend to be very emotional about this topic. Their emotions are largely negative. Hence I wrote a book, to help them understand why they feel the way they feel, and what to do about it.
My book is called “Learning to Cope With AI: Anti-AI Artist’s Guide”.
It’s made for anti-AI artists who could consider making peace with AI, by looking at the reasons why this topic makes them so emotional.
Here’s one example of artists being emotional:
Here’s another one:
Why so much intensity?
Well, traditional artists like to imagine themselves as singular geniuses in a world that needs their exclusive touch, but AI challenges this by producing creations that look like they could have come from any one of us.
Why do you fear me, I’m just a machine (one of my AI music videos / Robot’s Lament by Swetlana AI)
I guess my book might touch some nerves here and there, because it just needs to be said:
AI might be pushing us into a more honest era of creativity, one that values not just skill or style but ideas and concepts that machines can’t replicate.
Inside the book, you’ll discover:
Why your fear of AI is really about your identity (spoiler: it’s not about the tech)
How to transform your artistic anxiety into creative fuel
Why your “unique artistic voice” might actually be unique after all
Practical exercises for embracing AI without selling your creative soul
A surprisingly effective method for giving your AI doppelgänger a metaphorical hug
I’ve also had NotebookLM generate a podcast about the book. Here it is:
And here is the transcript of the podcast:
AI Reviews Swetlana AI’s Book “Learning to Cope with AI” [NotebookLM Podcast Transcript]
All right. So, uh, anyone else just a little freaked out by all this AI art stuff, or is it just me?
I mean, it’s definitely, uh, shaking things up a bit.
Shaking things up. It’s like the whole art world is having a collective existential meltdown.
Yeah. Well, I think that’s kind of the point.
Okay. So, maybe that’s why we’re diving into this, uh, this book today, Learning to Cope by Swetlana AI.
Oh, yeah. The irony is not lost on me. An AI writing a self-help book for artists freaking out about AI.
Right. It’s like the ultimate meta gag. But uh let’s back up a sec for our listeners. Who is this Swetlana AI anyway?
So Swetlana AI is actually pretty fascinating. She’s a computational linguist, which means she understands like the nuts and bolts of language.
Okay, so she’s not just some random algorithm spitting out platitudes.
Nope, she’s also a writer. And get this, she’s got an art background, too.
So she’s like a triple threat. The AI renaissance woman,
pretty much. And in this book, she tackles six major anxieties that artists are supposedly facing thanks to AI.
Okay, so less Skynet takes over the art world and more. Dear diary, my algorithm is making me question my existence.
Exactly. It’s like a therapy session for the collective artistic ego.
All right. I mean, let’s dissect this thing. So, anxiety number one, fear of ego dissolution.
Yeah. That feeling that AI is your artistic doppelganger, churning out work in your style faster than you can say imposttor syndrome.
It’s like looking in a mirror and seeing, I don’t know, a robot version of yourself, but with better brush strokes,
right? And that can be pretty unsettling. So what Lana suggests that we try to reframe this anxiety?
Reframe it. How do you reframe the feeling that your entire artistic identity is being ripped off by a computer?
Well, she suggests thinking of AI as an extension of your creative potential. Like your shadow artist.
Your shadow artist. Okay, that sounds a little creepy.
Think of it as your evil twin but with better rendering skills.
So creepy. So instead of seeing AI as competition, we’re supposed to invite it to our next gallery opening.
She actually suggests collaborating with it. Imagine using AI to handle the technical stuff like the grunt work.
And that frees us up to focus on like the conceptual stuff, the emotions, the things that actually make art meaningful.
That’s the idea. AI becomes a tool to expand your artistic ego, not dissolve it.
I mean, I get that in theory, but a lot of artists have spent years honing their craft, mastering their technique, years of blood, sweat, and tears.
Exactly. And now they see AI spitting out photorealistic masterpieces in seconds. And it’s going to feel like a slap in the face, right? Like what’s the point of all that hard work if a computer can do it better and faster?
That’s the second anxiety Swetlana tackles. Loss of symbolic mastery.
Yeah. The feeling that you’ve spent years learning the secret handshake of your art form only to find out the robots have already hacked the system.
It’s like suddenly the robots are fluent in, I don’t know, ancient Samrian or something, and you’re still struggling with basic French.
Exactly. Swetlana argues that AI mastering technique is like a kid learning all the chess moves without understanding strategy.
So, they can move the pieces, but they can’t actually play the game, right? True mastery comes from the meaning you infuse through those techniques, the story you tell, the emotions you evoke.
It’s not just about technical prowess. It’s about something deeper.
Yeah. And that’s something AI can’t replicate.
At least not yet. But what about the fact that AI can, you know, dig up all those artistic insecurities we try to hide?
Oh, yeah. That’s a good one. Switana calls this one embracing the shadow.
So, it’s like AI is this giant fun house mirror reflecting back all our anxieties and self-doubt
pretty much. It’s like confronting your artistic demons but in pixelated form.
So, we’re talking full-blown young and nightmare fuel. I’m not sure I signed up for this.
But here’s where Swetlana flips the script. She sees AI as a tool for self-awareness.
Self-awareness. How does staring into the abyss of my artistic insecurities help me become more self-aware?
By confronting those insecurities that AI triggers, you’re forced to look at those shadow selves, those darker aspects of your creative process.
And that’s supposed to be a good thing.
According to Swetlana, yes, facing those fears helps you clarify what really matters in your art. What makes it uniquely yours?
Okay, so my AI induced existential crisis is actually a sign of artistic growth. This is starting to sound a little too newagy for me.
Well, Swetlana delves into Young’s shadow concept. The idea that integrating those hidden parts of ourselves is essential for personal growth.
Okay, but before we go fullon Yian, on our listeners. Can we at least take a break to make fun of some bad AI art? Uh,
sure, why not?
All right, let’s find some of the most hilariously bad AI art the internet has to offer.
Okay, so before we get lost in the AI art hall of shame, Swetlana has another anxiety for us to unpack. The healthy kind of narcissism.
Wait, narcissism? Isn’t that like a bad thing? You know, like I’m an artist, therefore I’m better than you kind of vibe,
right? But Swetlana is talking about the healthy kind of narcissism. The belief in your own vision, the confidence to express it. It’s what drives creativity.
Okay. How does that fit in with all this AI stuff? It feels like AI is triggering the opposite of healthy narcissism.
It’s true. AI can make artists feel threatened, like their turf is being invaded.
It’s like everyone’s suddenly building a wall around real art and demanding that AI pay for it.
Exactly. It’s that defensive kind of narcissism. But Swetlana’s point is we need to reclaim the healthy kind, the kind that celebrates our uniqueness and uses AI as a foil to refine in our own voice.
So instead of crying to our paint pallets, we should be thanking the robots for showing us how awesome we are.
It’s more about recognizing that AI challenges us to go deeper, to move beyond just mimicking a style and figure out what truly makes our art meaningful.
Okay, but can we address the elephant in the room? This whole AI thing feels like a preview of our dystopian future.
Robots taking over the world.
Exactly. They’ll steal our jobs, our art, and eventually our souls.
Islana going to give us tips on building underground art bunkers? Not quite. She dedicates a whole chapter to making peace with the future, but no bunker blueprints, unfortunately.
So, what does she say? Should we just accept our robot overlords and start painting portraits of them?
She encourages us to separate our fears about societal change from AI itself. AI is a tool just like any other. It’s how we use it that matters. Okay, but who’s doing the choosing? Maybe we should be more worried about the humans behind the AI, you know, the ones programming these things.
That’s an interesting point, and it leads to the final anxiety. Swat Lana tackles redefining creative authority.
Oh, here we go. Time to stage an art world coup and reclaim our rightful place as the masters of creativity.
Not so fast. Swetlana uses an interesting analogy here. The parent child relationship.
Okay, I’m intrigued. How does that apply to AI and art?
She says some artists see AI as this all- knowing parent figure, this authority that stifles creativity. But instead of rebelling, she argues that we should focus on differentiating ourselves. So, it’s like kids figuring out their own path, developing their own sense of self, even if their parents are like super geniuses or something.
Exactly. It’s about embracing what makes us us, even if it’s messy and unpredictable. Those are the things AI can’t replicate.
Okay. I’m starting to see a pattern here. So, what Lana seems to be saying that instead of freaking out about AI, we should be using it as a tool for self-discovery.
Yeah. It’s like, thanks robots for holding up this giant mirror to my artistic soul.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some deep thinking to do.
Exactly. So, it’s not about fighting the robots. It’s about figuring out how to dance with them.
And maybe even teach them a few new moves along the way. Who knows? Maybe AI will help us unlock some hidden creative potential we didn’t even know we had.
Hold on. Are you saying the robots are going to make us better artists?
It’s possible. Think of it as a forced evolution. AI is shaking things up, forcing us to confront some hard questions about what it means to be creative in a world where the lines between human and machine are blurring.
Okay, this is a lot to process. this
maybe we should give our listeners a moment to digest all of this before we you know drop the mic and blow their minds with the final takeaway.
Okay, so back to the big question. What does art even mean in this brave new world of AI generated masterpieces?
Right? Is it still art if a robot made it? Does it have the same soul? Do we even care?
It’s like what if we found out that the Mona Lisa was actually painted by a Roomba? Would it still be a masterpiece?
I mean it would definitely be a more impressive feat of engineering, but yeah, the whole concept of artistic genius kind of goes out the window. So, are we like doomed to become irrelevant, churning out fingerpaintings in a world where robots are the new Picassos?
Well, Sweat Lana doesn’t think so. She actually believes that AI can enhance human creativity. It’s like this weird alien force pushing us to evolve.
To evolve. Do we need to like merge with the machines to unlock some higher level of artistic consciousness? Yeah.
Become cyborgs or something?
Not exactly. It’s more about embracing the possibilities that AI opens up. using it as a tool to expand our creative horizons.
Okay. But how do we do that? Do we start by like teaching robots to appreciate the finer points of abstract expressionism?
Think of it as a collaboration, a partnership between human and machine where each brings their unique strengths to the table.
So instead of fearing the robots, we should be learning how to dance with them, maybe even teach them a few new moves along the way.
Exactly. It’s about exploring new forms of expression, experimenting with the boundaries of what art can be.
I mean, it’s a pretty big shift, right? We’ve been taught to value the human touch, the originality, the authenticity, and now we’re supposed to welcome these machine-made creations into the fold.
It’s definitely a challenge to our traditional notions of art. But Swat Lana argues that this is a necessary evolution.
So, like a growing pain for the art world.
Yeah. But one that could ultimately lead to something more dynamic, more diverse, more exciting.
Okay. So, we’re basically stumbling into this uncharted artistic territory. And the robots are helping us draw the map.
That’s one way to look at it. It’s a pretty wild time to be an artist.
Wild is one word for it. Terrifying is another. But maybe, just maybe, the robots are exactly what the art world needed.
Kick in the pants.
A wakeup call. A reminder that art is always evolving. They’re always pushing boundaries
and that our job as artists is to adapt and, you know, keep making cool s***.
And said it better myself. So that’s it for this deep dive into Swetlana AI’s learning code. We hope you’ve enjoyed this wild ride through the AI art revolution.
Thanks for listening and remember, don’t be a afraid to experiment, to collaborate, and to push the boundaries of what art can be. Until next time, stay curious, stay creative, and don’t let the robot steal your thunder.
Swetlana AI 