Why I’m Using AI Art in My TTRPG Projects (For Now.)

Let’s rip off the bandage: Yes, I’m now using AI-generated art in some of my projects. And yes, I know that might surprise or even disappoint some of you who’ve followed me for a while.

The truth? I’ve changed. The world has changed. And AI has changed too.

The Honest Reality of Small Creators

I run a small (but mighty!) TTRPG blog, YouTube channel, and publishing brand. I wear a lot of hats—writer, editor, designer, marketer, community builder, and Game Master. And like many indie creators, I do it all on a tight budget, fueled mostly by coffee, late nights, and passion.

The simple truth is: if we don’t make money, we can’t hire artists.

So far, I’ve never hired an artist. It’s been a one-man show from the beginning. Any art I’ve used until now has either been public domain or free to use. I only recently started working digitally—before that, it was all good old analog pencil and paper. MS Paint is fun, but I mostly use it for touch-ups or tweaks.

Why I’m Turning to AI (For Now)

Here’s the raw, unfiltered reason: AI helps me create things I could never make on my own. I often have a vision, but it’s difficult to get it from my imagination onto paper.

I’m not a visual artist. I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’ve doodled until my soul wept.

I also deal with frequent brain fog thanks to health challenges, stress, and good ol’ middle age, and AI has become a vital ally. It helps me visualize ideas, fill layout gaps, brainstorm creatively, and keep moving forward when I’d otherwise get stuck.

And let’s be honest… some of this AI stuff is just plain cool. I talk to ChatGPT almost daily.  She (it) has been acting as my editor and silent creative partner for a few months now.

People Evolve. So Do Tools.

I used to be strongly against AI-generated art in commercial TTRPGs. And I still deeply respect the concerns of artists and advocates in that space. I haven’t forgotten those conversations, and I still believe artist compensation, transparency, and ethics matter.

But I’ve evolved. Technology has evolved. And I now believe AI can be used ethically, responsibly, and transparently especially by small creators like me who want to do right, but also need to survive.

If You’re Gonna Hate, Feel Free to Donate

If this decision makes you upset, I hear you. I understand. Please understand I’m not doing it out of spite or malice toward the TTRPG art community.

But if you want me to be able to commission living, breathing artists for my next project? Support this one. If not, find another creator to support.

Every dollar I make brings me one step closer to hiring human  illustrators. I’d love to create a future where I can pay someone else to make stunning aot while I focus on writing the best adventures, monsters, and stories I can.

Let’s face facts. Free stock art only goes so far. I’ll use what I can. (Yay Pexels!) But sometimes fantasy requires more than generic art.

AI art is a tool, not a replacement for people. And in my case, it’s the bridge between ‘barely scraping by’ and ‘building something sustainable or maybe even awesome.’

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about betrayal or hypocrisy. It’s about growth. It’s about being honest with myself and you. This was a tough decision, and one that I didn’t take lightly.

So yeah. I’m using AI art now. For paid projects.

But I’m doing it transparently and respectfully. And with the full intention of reinvesting into the creative community as soon as I can. AI has become a major part of my process—not just as an art assistant, but as a writing tool too.

I hope you’ll stick with me on this journey, even if we disagree, because I’ve got some exciting, heartfelt, and weirdly wonderful stuff coming your way.

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.