Tattoo Designs: Organic over AI... all day.

Brian Brenner, owner & Artist at Truth & Triumph Tattoo in Dayton, OH, busting out authentic hand-drawn tattoo designs for his clients.

In recent times, AI has taken the world by storm. It is replacing most everyday tasks that were once orchestrated by humans. Easier? Yes. Faster? Often. Better? Sometimes, sometimes not. Opinions vary.  

After creating tattoo designs at Truth & Triumph Tattoo organically for over 30 years, I have to say that one of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been experimenting with the process of creating imagery (by hand) that makes people think about things a little differently. I believe that the ability to create with a clever and truly unique approach, is ultimately achieved by one’s ability to make something beautiful out of human error. “Happy Accidents” is a term Bob Ross used to define this inexplicable truth. When one relentlessly practices their craft and learns to embrace and build upon every error, that’s when mistakes become magical. That’s where the heart of innovation begins beating.  

For me, that’s where the spirit of possibility resides. In watching AI generate images based on what it believes you want to see, I have to say that, in my opinion, the subtraction of the human condition screams loudly here. I believe any discerning eye can look at an image, no matter how polished it may seem, and tell if it was created by a human or by Artificial Intelligence. I’m not saying that I believe beautiful tattoos cannot be made using AI. I believe that everyone should do the tattoos that they want to do and get the tattoos that they want to get. I’m not the tattoo Sheriff.  

 But, you see, currently I draw nearly every tattoo that I do by hand. Every tattoo stencil is handmade. Every stroke of the pencil or pen not only makes me operate more efficiently but makes me better with every tattoo that I do. If this process makes me only a fraction of a percentage better, then bet your ass I want to do it!  

So, just thinking for myself, I never want to see the day that my creation process, that has ultimately given me a voice, becomes minimized into a sped-up replication process of computer-generated imagery. 

While I respect AI and use it for everyday tasks like so many people are beginning to do – I choose to keep it out of my artistic scene. And I will continue to train up & coming artists in the most humble and unique way that I know how. What each artist chooses to do with their direction & style throughout their career, is completely up to them – and respected. For me, I’m sticking with what I know best – authenticity and old-school rules.