I remember a long time ago when I wanted to learn to draw vector illustrations using software like Illustrator. Part of the reason was that vector illustrations can be resized indefinitely without sacrificing image quality. This made them more versatile compared to raster files (.png, .jpg, etc). (Check out this article by Adobe if you want to find out more.)
Vector Drawings as an Affront to Art. (IMO)
As time go by and vector images became increasingly common though, I started to dislike the way they look eerily similar to one another, despite the fact that they were used on different websites & thus had to be created by different designers. What I particularly despised (sorry) was an app/website I saw that allowed the easy creation of flat vector characters whose hair and clothes could be swiped out easily to become different characters, much like Lego.
Isn't the purpose of drawing to reflect the personality and taste of the artist? What is the point of sacrificing that for convenience? That was (still is) my very strong opinion back then.
As a result, even though I barely tried vector drawing, I shifted course and began hand drawing instead (even though I wasn't very good at it). As someone whose favorite painting is Van Gogh's Starry Nights, I instinctively knew that the quality of a drawing is less valuable than the personality it reflects. One of my most respected manga artists, Araki Hirohiko, is another great example: he may not be perfect at drawing everything (to be honest, his child characters aren't very convincing), but one glance at his drawings, and you know it's drawn by him, and you are drawn to its charms.
The Battle(?) Against AI.
With the rise of generative AI lately, I'm glad I stuck with that decision. In my opinion, hand drawn illustrations reflect the personality and circumstance of its artist way more than vector illustrations do, and I think are much less likely to be copied by AI.
First, the pen/pencil/marker/tool of choice of an artist sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Next, the quality of the paper (or whatever physical material is used), the type of paper, the surface of the table (floor?), even the environment (e.g. humidity) on which the drawing is drawn and stored adds another differentiating factor.
Add to all those the personal strength of the artist at that particular moment of time, the peculiarity of his touch, the angle at which he applies his strokes, his body condition, his mood, and you have a drawing that's 100% unique. As intelligent as AI is, this is something that cannot be replicated.
So-so But Unique.
Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know that I hand drew most of the illustrations on my works. Most will have no problem agreeing to the fact that I'm no great artist too. But one thing I am proud to say is that every drawing that I put out is unique to myself and even I can’t draw the exact same thing a second time. Isn't that the very definition of living, i.e. making the best of every unique living moment we are granted? Isn't that what art is about?
Finally, I would like to share the first and only vector illustration I created years ago using Sketch. You may see that even then, I had intentionally made sure that some of my strokes weren't smooth and looked hand drawn: