AI vs Hand-drawn illustration: My thoughts

AI is making a massive impact on the world right now. Everywhere you look, it is shifting industries, reshaping workflows, and changing the way we interact. Let's be completely honest here: the creative industry and the world we know today will not look the same a year from now, or even in a few days.

I get it. AI is fast, efficient, and definitely helps with brainstorming, research, or even generating visuals in seconds. I use AI as a tool too. There is no denying the convenience it brings, but here's the thing: speed is not everything.

For me, there is something irreplaceable about the human touch. Humans connect to humans. When you look at a hand-drawn illustration, you're not just seeing lines and colours. You're seeing time, emotion, experiences, and a unique perspective poured into an artwork. That kind of authenticity cannot be replicated by a machine, no matter what that machine is taught to do.

AI images can be striking, but in my opinion, they often feel like something is missing. A hand-drawn illustration, on the other hand, carries the heart of the artist behind it. It is imperfect in all the right ways, and those imperfections are often what make it so memorable.

Humans carry stories, connections, and a piece of humanity that no algorithm can replace. In a world where AI can generate endless images in seconds, a hand-drawn artwork carries the kind of connection you cannot replace. It feels personal and rooted in perspective.

That's why I believe illustration still has a place in the creative industry. It reminds us that it's not just about speed, it's about the quality, the story, and the connection behind it. In a time where everything is moving so fast, that human connection might just be exactly what makes hand-drawn illustrations stand out.

Want to see my work in action? Come explore my portfolio for examples of my hand-drawn artwork.

Kirsten hand-drawing a pet portrait