How AI is Shaping Creativity: A Conversation With Tim Fielder
On this week’s “The Silicon Synapse Show” , Dr Shama and I had the absolute pleasure of hosting Tim Fielder, a man whose career is nothing short of fascinating. Let me introduce you, he’s the man who took decapitated chickens, Afro-futurism, and pulp fiction and somehow turned them into a legitimate career. Hailing from the bustling art capital of—wait for it—Mississippi, he’s been at it for over 30 years. Yes, that apparently qualifies him for a career retrospective because, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon looking at headless poultry and space-age superheroes?
You might know Tim from his graphic novel Matty’s Rocket, which clearly outpaces NASA’s space program. And if that’s not enough, he and his twin brother invented glogging—because just drawing wasn’t enough for them.
A Brief Recap
We kicked off the episode amidst some technical hiccups (story of my life), but once we got rolling, it was all about creative transformation through AI. Shama and I were thrilled to announce that our last episode hit over 2,000 views (if you missed it, catch up here), which made this episode with Tim feel even more special.
Tim Fielder is a legend in the world of graphic novels, blending Afro-futurism with comics in ground-breaking ways. In our chat, Tim dove into how he’s been integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into his artistic process, and how that’s shaking up the entire creative industry. Let’s dig in.
AI’s Role In Art: Disruptive But Inevitable
One of the most striking parts of our conversation was Tim’s honesty about AI’s impact on the creative world. When generative AI first became capable of producing usable art, Tim admitted that he felt a real sense of dread. The tech was close enough to human output to feel threatening. But instead of being paralyzed by that fear, Tim adapted.
He framed AI as a tool for artists, not a replacement. Instead of fearing the technology, he chose to figure out how it could complement his work—speeding up the most labour-intensive parts of his process while leaving the creative decisions firmly in his hands. For Tim, AI can handle the heavy lifting of rendering and textures, but it’s the human touch that defines the art.
Maintaining Artistic Integrity In The AI Era
Tim has three golden rules when it comes to using AI, and these are worth paying attention to if you’re an artist concerned about maintaining your creative voice.
- Never use another artist’s name in your AI prompts. For Tim, this is an ethical line he won’t cross. His goal is to ensure that AI enhances his voice, not mimics someone else’s style. He believes in the importance of keeping his work original and distinct, using AI as a tool rather than a shortcut to someone else’s brilliance.
- Always start with an image prompt. Tim doesn’t just throw random text into an AI generator and hope for the best. He begins with his own sketches, ensuring that the AI is building upon his creative foundation rather than replacing it. This process maintains the integrity of his work and keeps him in control of the creative direction.
- You still have to paint. Tim stressed this point repeatedly—AI can do a lot, but it’s not going to finish the work for you. He uses AI as part of the process, but it’s still his hand that refines, paints, and adds the final touches to make the art truly his own.
By following these rules, Tim ensures that AI never overshadows his artistry but instead acts as a powerful tool to push his work to new heights.
AI's Impact On Creative Fields
During our conversation, Tim also addressed a broader issue—AI’s potential to perpetuate bias, particularly when it comes to representation in art. This is something that needs close monitoring, especially within marginalized communities. Tim’s focus on Afro-futurism means he’s always thinking critically about how technology intersects with culture, race, and identity.
His approach to AI isn’t just about making art easier—it’s about making sure that his voice, and voices like his, remain strong and unfiltered, even in an AI-driven future.
Takeaways From The Episode:
- AI Isn’t the Enemy: For Tim, AI is a tool that can augment an artist’s skills. The key is learning how to use it properly—by starting with your own creativity and letting AI do the grunt work.
- Ethics in AI: Tim emphasizes the importance of keeping your artistic integrity intact. Don’t use AI to copy someone else’s style; use it to enhance your own.
- AI is Here to Stay: Whether we like it or not, AI is not going anywhere. Instead of resisting it, creatives need to figure out how they can work alongside AI to improve their process and expand their creative output.
- Creativity Still Requires a Human Touch: No matter how advanced AI becomes, it can’t replicate the human brain’s creativity, intuition, and judgment. Tim makes sure that AI is just one step in his process—not the entire process.
Final Thoughts:
This episode was a masterclass in how traditional artists can harness AI without losing their artistic identity. Tim Fielder is proof that you don’t have to choose between technology and creativity—you can have both. He’s not just adapting to the future of art; he’s actively shaping it.
If you’re a creative struggling to reconcile your craft with the rise of AI, this episode is a must-listen. Tim’s journey shows that it’s possible to use AI responsibly and creatively while keeping your unique voice at the forefront.
Until next time, stay creative!
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The Technology
Wacom Tablets and Cintiq: Tim uses a 32-inch Cintiq tablet for his digital art. He started with older Wacom tablets and continues to use Wacom tools for creating detailed illustrations and designs. These tablets provide the precision needed for professional-level digital drawing.
Photoshop: Tim frequently uses Adobe Photoshop as part of his digital art process. He incorporates 3D rendering, photo-bashing, and manual painting techniques in Photoshop to refine his AI-generated work and add final touches to his illustrations.
Clip Studio Paint: This software is another primary tool in Tim’s workflow. He praised its functionality for drawing, especially for comic book artists, using it for line art, coloring, and refining AI-generated components.
MidJourney: Early in his exploration of AI art, Tim mentioned how MidJourney helped artists explore generative AI art, though he noted its early versions were abstract and not yet usable for professional work.
Viscom.ai: A core tool in Tim’s AI workflow, Viscom.ai is designed for industrial designers. Tim uses this software to generate rendered images based on his hand-drawn sketches. Viscom.ai offers different render modes (such as cyber cell and general) that help create 3D-like environments and textures in his drawings.
Doodle AI: Before switching to Viscom, Tim used Doodle AI to refine his sketches and get AI-generated renderings. This tool worked by detecting the edges of his drawings and generating a more detailed image, which he would then refine manually.
3D Tools in Photoshop: Tim mentioned how Photoshop’s 3D tools allow him to incorporate 3D objects into his artwork. He uses 3D renders as part of his background and environmental design process, painting over them to match the aesthetic of his work.
iPad: Tim uses the iPad for mobile work, highlighting its portability and usefulness in creating art on the go.
These tools, combined with AI-generated elements, are central to how Tim incorporates technology into his creative process. He uses AI for efficiency while maintaining the artistic integrity of his work through manual refinements.
