When someone says it’s AI
Accused of AI Art? 5 Steps to Answer With One Link
Updated October 19, 2026
If someone says your art is AI, don’t delete anything and don’t argue in ten different threads. Gather the working files you already have, reply once, and send one link that shows how the piece was made.
It’s a bad feeling. You made the thing.
You spent hours on it. Then a comment, an email or a disqualification notice says it looks like AI.
Most people react in the first ten minutes: they over-explain, post twenty screenshots, or take the piece down. None of that helps. A calm, short reply and one clear link usually does more.
Here are five steps.
Step 1: Stay calm and don’t delete anything
Do not delete the post, the file or your replies. Do not rename or re-export things “to tidy up”. Dates and original files matter, and you may need them in an hour.
Take a screenshot of the accusation with the date visible. Then step away for a bit. You do not owe anyone an answer in the next five minutes.
Step 2: Gather what you already have
Most artists have more than they think. Look for:
- Layered source files. A PSD, a Procreate file, a Clip Studio file. Layers, hidden layers and old versions are useful.
- Sketches and thumbnails. Even rough ones, with the dates they were saved.
- A time-lapse export. If you work in Procreate, the time-lapse video is already on your device. See Procreate time-lapse as a receipt.
- Dated work-in-progress posts. Stories, Discord messages, a Bluesky thread, anything with a timestamp from before the finished piece.
- References. Mood boards, photos, pose sheets.
Put copies in one folder. Leave the originals alone. Our guide to layered PSDs covers what to keep.
We do not recommend running your art through AI detector tools to settle this. Their answers are not something to build a reply on, and DrawDog is not one.
Step 3: Reply once, publicly and briefly
One calm comment. No insults, no long thread. Say you made it, say you can show how, and move on.
You do not have to convince the whole internet. You need the people who matter to see that you answered politely and have something to show. Templates are below.
Step 4: Send one link instead of a pile of files
Twenty screenshots are hard to read and easy to doubt. A single link is easier for a busy client or a contest judge to open.
This is where DrawDog fits. It is a desktop app for Mac and Windows that records how a piece was made and gives you one link, a process receipt, that someone else can open and verify. It never reads your file contents, file names, keystrokes or screens, so your art stays yours.
Open the sample receipt to see what the other person would see. Read how it works if you want the details.
DrawDog has to be running while you work, so it helps with future pieces. It cannot create a record for something you finished last month. For that, use Step 2.
There is a free tier with 3 certificates a month. Pro is $19/mo. See pricing.
Step 5: For contests and clients, check their policy
Rules differ. Some contests ban any AI use. Some allow it with disclosure. Some clients just want to know you did the work.
Read the rules, then ask a direct question: “What would you like to see?” If they name layers, send layers. If they are happy with a link, send the link. Don’t guess. See also what to do when a client thinks your art is AI. For contest rules, see the contest policy table.
Two public examples
This happens to working artists, including well-known ones.
An illustrator banned from r/Art. In December 2022, digital artist Ben Moran said moderators of Reddit’s r/Art community removed an illustration and banned them under the subreddit’s rule against AI art, as VICE reported. Moran offered to share the process or the PSD file, and a moderator replied that they did not believe it was hand-made. Moran said the piece was a commission finished over about a month. The story spread widely, and the subreddit was locked for a time, according to Reclaim The Net.
A manga illustrator and a Comiket zine. In August 2023, Rui Araizumi, known as the illustrator of the manga Slayers, posted the cover of a new zine for Comiket in a more modern style than people knew. Some social media users said it was AI-made, AUTOMATON WEST reported. Araizumi did not argue directly. They posted sketches, screenshots and a video of the layered working file. Some users apologized afterwards and others deleted their posts.
Both artists answered with their working files and process. That is the same idea as Step 2.
Three reply templates to copy
Social comment
Thanks for asking. I drew this myself. I'm happy to share my sketches and process. I'll send them over by message. I'd rather keep this thread friendly.
Client email
Hi [Name], I understand the concern. I made this piece myself, start to finish. Here is a link showing how it was made: [link]. If you'd like something different, such as the layered file or sketches, tell me what you need and I'll send it today.
Contest organizer
Hello, I received a notice about my entry [title]. I created it myself. Could you tell me which materials your rules accept to confirm that? I can provide [layered files / sketches / a process receipt link] right away.
What each option shows, and where it falls short
| What you have | What it shows | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|
| Layered file (PSD, Procreate) | Separate parts, adjustments and the structure of the piece | Someone can ask whether the layers were built after the fact. Hard to read for non-artists. |
| Time-lapse video | The picture appearing over time | Easy to doubt if it is short or edited. Big files to send. Only exists if you turned it on. |
| Dated WIP posts | Stages shared publicly before the finish | Only as good as your posting habit. Many pieces have none. |
| DrawDog receipt | One link that records how the piece was made, without reading your files | Covers only work done while DrawDog was running. It describes the process, not the look of the picture. |
Free options work. Many accusations end after a PSD and a few sketches. A receipt just puts it in one place.
Questions people ask
What should I do first if someone says my art is AI?
Keep everything as it is, save a dated screenshot of the accusation, and wait before you reply. Then follow the steps above.
How do I show my art isn't AI?
Share the material that shows the work happening: layered files, sketches, a time-lapse, dated WIP posts, or a process receipt link. Offer the one the other person asked for.
Is DrawDog an AI detector?
No. DrawDog does not look at your picture and decide who made it. It records how work was made on your computer and gives you a link.
Does DrawDog read my files?
No. It never reads file contents, file names, keystrokes or screens.
How much does DrawDog cost?
The free tier includes 3 certificates a month. Pro is $19/mo. Details are on the pricing page.