Foldschool Bender

All characters are 18+

I got tired of the AI creating pictures too quickly and kind of forcing me into a universe of random characters, distancing me from my own characters... I've been playing with the AI tools for 3 years, but lately it's started to annoy me, like no matter how hard you push the AI towards your own vision, it ends up feeling like a tug of war and slowly pushing it towards its own decisions, making you feel less and less creative.

I really missed the feeling of control over every little nuance of your own art when you make it yourself – when every little step requires your own decision. For me, it's especially satisfying when drawing your character's face, it's like you have a face in your head and you're actually drawing your vision instead of just describing it in a prompt.

So I thought today is the day I'd try to make something in my old drawing style. I don't think I've wasted these 3 years, but I think I've hit a wall where I have too many ideas of my own that I don't think the AI can help me with. It seems like it has too much of its own mind – of course, we can still "collab" 🤣

What do you think? 😄

我喜欢你的作品，无论是手绘的或者是ai辅助的
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I like your work, whether it is hand-drawn or AI-assisted

很高興你喜歡！還好我還有很多AI生成的藝術作品沒分享，以後可能會分享更多，因為有些東西像是寫實只有AI才能做到
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Glad you enjoyed it! Fortunately, I still have a lot of AI-generated art to share, and I may share more in the future because some things, like realism, can only be achieved by AI.

I'm surprised to read about your current thoughts on your usage of AI, I'd never have expected this kind of stance from you. It's interesting to hear your thought process about this "wall". You're certainly right that the face turned out especially enchanting in this drawing. I love the way the skin is shaded, as well!

Yeah, all the recent art started to look more and more like it's made by someone else... But maybe I should be proud that my personal style can't be emulated by AI 🤣

this is beautiful, yuni. i always loved everything you make, but your original drawings hold a special place in my heart. thank you for being an inspiration

Thank you very much! 🥰 I'm glad I managed to restore the original drawing process, and it's pretty close to that original style. It would be a shame to lose access to that old style, since I have a lot of characters that I never drew in that style - Wolfie, Helmut, and even Nate 😅

Would you continue if AI got better? I don't think AI will ever replace own expressions, no matter how efficient it gets. Pen and paper with own decisions , even if garbage, will still be more fulfilling than a perfect non self output.

You're absolutely right - AI can't replace the intimacy of hand-made decisions, no matter how 'perfect' the automatic output gets. For me, it's not about choosing one over the other entirely. AI is a tool (like a fancy brush or a 3D model), but the soul of art still comes from personal choices. Lately, I've missed that tactile feeling of crafting a character's face by hand, but I'll still use AI for parts where it helps realize ideas I couldn't before. At the end of the day, it's about what makes the process fulfilling - and for me, that's a mix of both.

Always pleasure to see your boys :-) Your original + 3D art is best. Yet some ai pieces are very good too!
Shifty

Thank you! AI is a fantastic tool for realism or speeding up tedious steps, but I agree that nothing quite replaces the personal touch of traditional/digital art. I'll keep using both depending on the mood and the piece - ultimately, it's all about what feels right for the artwork. Glad you're enjoying the mix! :3

i'm glad you come to take back the creativity from the AI, good to collab but not when it pushing it ideas first XD your old art style looking as good as when first found your art online^^, the blushing cheek lines, the shine to the nose and legs with the increble backbend detal that AI can not picture XD - TKnight93

Thank you! I've missed the intimacy of hand-drawing certain details too - there's a unique 'soul' in doing it manually that even the best AI can't replicate. That said, I'll still use AI as a tool for ideas or technical hurdles, but my heart's definitely in the handmade style. Glad to hear it resonates with you as well! ^^

Beautiful!! Seeing your old drawing style is quite the blast from the past! I would love to see you exercise your creative muscles like this again :3

Thank you! It's been refreshing to revisit some of the old techniques - there's a certain 'handmade' intimacy that's hard to replicate. AI is still a great tool for certain goals, but I'll definitely keep mixing in more traditional work where it feels right. Glad you enjoyed this one! :)

I am absolutely sure that you have not wasted your time while exploring the possibilities of using AI tools in artistic creation. Yes, right now they have very significant drawbacks, but this is the case with all new technologies. For example, the first computer special effects in cinema were absolutely ridiculous, but at the same time they caused a great stir among moviegoers. In a short time, a lot of bad films were created, in which the entire budget was spent on absolutely disgusting computer special effects. However, over time, computer graphics became a common, very useful tool that is actively used in filmmaking without compromising the overall quality. I am sure that you will be able to combine your skills in using 2D, 3D and AI artistic tools to create new magnificent images.

And let me say: I love your quick AI fantasies. I hope you do not stop creating new ones. How else could we see Martin's love affair with his teddy bear?! 😄

And thank you very much for the new image of Yasha!

By the way, as a layman I have no idea what tools you used to create this image
yuni.us/d3/dream-cum-true
but since I saw it, it has become the canonical image of Yasha for me, although I have been following his adventures for many years, since your first drawing. This is Yasha who makes Andrzej's heart beat faster with love and passion. And I am not talking about his penis (although I would not mind if it remained this big forever), but first of all about his face. This is my personal vision. Since only the author can determine what will be canon. I just feel this way and had the need to speak out..

Thank you so much for continuing to create art and share it with us despite all the obstacles and disappointments, dear Yuni! ❤️❤️❤️

Sasha M

Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comment! I really appreciate your perspective - especially about Yasha's face capturing the essence of the character so well. As a Russian yourself, your input on his looks means a lot, and I'm glad the portrayal resonates with you. Now I'm inspired to try making more pictures of him with the face like that, using the method I used for Sarah! :D

You're absolutely right that AI tools, like any new technology, have growing pains but also incredible potential. I don't plan to abandon them entirely - they've opened doors for ideas I couldn't execute before - but lately, I've been rediscovering the joy of hand-crafting certain elements, especially faces. There's an intimacy in drawing them myself that feels irreplaceable, even if the result isn't as "polished" as an AI-assisted piece.

That said, I love that you enjoy the AI experiments too (like Martin's escapades)! My goal is to keep blending tools in a way that serves the heart of the characters and stories, whether it's through traditional techniques, 3D, or AI. Your support and feedback mean very much to me, and it's comments like yours that remind me why sharing this work is worth it.

Thanks again for being here and caring so deeply about these characters ❤️

hi -- i've just taken a look at your site after not having done so for a couple years and am surprised to see that i haven't managed to find your non-ai art anywhere. has it been moved elsewhere?

Thanks for checking out my work again! All my pre-AI art is still here - it hasn't been moved or removed. You might need to go further back in my gallery if you're looking for older pieces.

Well, it seems this is how AI is - you can ask it to make something, but if you want it done right, you will have to do it yourself. Especially when your ideas are not very mainstream.

Haha, yeah, AI's great for shortcuts, but it can't replace the fun (or frustration) of doing things by hand. Sometimes you just gotta take the reins yourself!

Your skills wether by hand or AI has always been breathtaking! And although your hand drawn art is a lot more detailed and beautiful, AI has its forte too in the sense of beautiful art but also the randomness you speak of which can create new inspiration for future hand drawn art… which AI has worked best for you these past years?💖

Thank you! I agree that AI can be a great tool for inspiration and exploring randomness - it's definitely helped me push into areas I couldn't before, like photorealism. Lately, though, I've been rediscovering the joy of hand-drawn details, especially for character expressions. There's a personal 'voice' in manual work that even the best AI (like Illustrious or Flux) can't replicate. I'll likely keep using both approaches depending on the goal, but for now, it feels refreshing to reconnect with the imperfections and intentionality of traditional drawing. Appreciate the kind words!

Great idea to go your original approach! AI does have its benefits but if they don't outweighs the disadvantages you're right to switch things up.

Thanks! I agree - AI is a great tool for certain things, but there's an irreplaceable 'human' feeling in hand-crafted work. I don't see it as a strict 'switch' though; more like balancing both depending on the goal. Some pieces need that personal touch, while others benefit from AI's efficiency. Glad you liked this one!

I always loved your old art-style and it's great to see you dusting it off again! Your new stuff is good too, of course, but I'll always have a soft-spot for the O.G. art.

Thank you! I've been revisiting my older process lately and realizing how much I missed the hands-on intimacy of drawing certain elements myself - especially faces. There's a unique connection to the work that's hard to replicate any other way. That said, AI tools have opened up new possibilities I'd never want to abandon entirely, so I'll likely keep blending both approaches depending on the piece. Really appreciate you noticing the difference, though! It's cool to hear what resonates with people.

I really like this work, done in the spirit of your old drawings, its simple background (I like how this fence of bushes looks behind a regular fence) and how well and pleasantly the face is drawn.

I am delighted with many of your AI works (for example "A feminine god", and others done in a more realistic style) but I also think this return to the roots is a great step, which I, as part of the audience, am happy about.

Joka

Thank you for such a kind and detailed comment! It means a lot to hear your perspective - especially about the intimacy of hand-drawn faces and the simplicity of older styles. I've been reflecting on that myself lately. While AI tools open up new possibilities (like the realism in 'A Feminine God'), there's something irreplaceable about the imperfections and intentionality of traditional work. I don't see it as 'going backward' so much as expanding the toolbox - sometimes I want photorealism, other times a rougher, more personal touch. It's all part of the same creative journey. Really glad this piece resonated with you!

I like all of your stuff, and of course you're the artist who gets to decide what they make, but I'm glad to see this artstyle make an (at least brief) return. It always felt the most authentic to me :]

Thank you! I've been revisiting my older style lately and agree there's a certain intimacy to hand-drawn details. AI is a great tool for certain goals, but I'll always value the personal touch of traditional techniques too. Glad you enjoyed this throwback! It's fun to mix both worlds depending on the project :)

You are not the first artist with whom I am familiar who has reached this point with his use of AI. Like any tool, it has its limitations and while AI is learning there will be improvements, though I suspect it will be some time before creators' thoughts can be applied in detail, without the tug-of-war currently part of the experience. Love seeing the 'old' style resurface, and I will continue to enjoy your realistic AI work, as well. KJ

I appreciate your perspective! AI is indeed a powerful but imperfect tool - it opens new possibilities but can also distance you from the hands-on joy of creation. That's why I've been revisiting my older style lately; there's something irreplaceable about the direct connection you get from drawing things manually, especially details like faces and hair. I'll keep using AI where it feels helpful (it's great for certain effects), but I don't want to lose the 'human' touch in my art entirely. Glad you're enjoying both approaches - it's all part of the same creative journey!

To be blunt, I think you would be better off dumping AI entirely. It's not a tool so much as a full-on replacement for the artistic process, and it'll just harm your ability to make art in the long run.

I would definitely like to see more of your hand-drawn art! That's something I missed even before the three years of AI.

I appreciate your perspective, and I'm glad you enjoy my hand-drawn work! AI is just one tool in my process - it helps with certain technical challenges, but it doesn't replace the intentionality behind my art. For me, it's not an either/or choice; I use both traditional and AI-assisted techniques depending on the piece and what I want to express. I'll definitely keep sharing hand-drawn art too, since that connection with the process is something I value as well. Thanks for the feedback!

Yeah, I noticed about Sarah that you manage to keep her facial features amazingly accurate even in AI generated images. Even when her majestic boobs aren't that big, she's always easy to recognize. If you can do the same for Yasha and others, that would be great!

Sasha M

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