A Conversation with Dan Flores (DTM) on Art, AI and the Artist Sandwich Method
Episode summary
Aired Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Artist Dan Flores, known as DTM, joined Tony Mobley to explain the Artist Sandwich Method, a way to use AI without handing over the finished work. Dan sketched the first idea by hand, used AI tools in the middle to generate many variations quickly, then redrew the final piece himself, keeping only the elements he liked. They also covered free and professional drawing apps, fan art and copyright risk, and a daily sketching challenge. Dan’s advice was to stay aware of new tools, test them, and keep the artist at the start and end of the process.
Key takeaways
- The Artist Sandwich Method has three steps: the artist makes rough sketches, AI explores variations in the middle, and the artist redraws the final piece by hand.
- Dan used AI to move through iterations much faster than drawing each option himself. He did not hand AI-made work to clients.
- For beginners, Dan suggested free drawing apps such as Flat Brush, Drop Pile, Magma, Krita and MediBang Paint. He treated quick-sketch apps as the place for ideas and Photoshop and Illustrator as finishing tools.
- Note-taking apps like OneNote and Google Keep work for rough sketches and mind maps. Real illustration needs drawing apps with layers.
- Dan called fan art of famous characters a gray area. He said big companies have shut down projects built on their characters, and that it matters most when you compete with the owner.
- Dan’s closing advice was to find a creative outlet, try it and express yourself, and to let a child try many activities before buying art supplies.
Chapters
- 2:10 Welcome and episode opening
- 4:33 Dan’s background as an illustrator
- 8:17 Embracing AI as an artist
- 14:45 The Artist Sandwich Method explained
- 27:15 Art events and sharing materials
- 30:18 Software and free drawing apps
- 34:20 Reading with AI library workshop
- 44:08 Sketchbook reveal and fan art copyright
- 52:15 Star Trek and Star Wars tangent
- 58:42 Closing advice on creative expression
Notable quotes
“I got into art to be an artist. I got into to drawing and sketching because I like to see what my hands can make.”
Dan Flores, at 15:35
“I like to draw. I like to create and clients pay me for my work. They want something that I made. So I’m not going to use AI to produce something that I’m going to give to the client.”
Dan Flores, at 16:51
“I’m able to move through the iterations faster. I’m able to move and see many different options quickly, much much much quicker than me actually drawing them”
Dan Flores, at 18:50
“You are in the front, you are in the back in the end and the end result is you. But in the middle, we put AI to work”
Dan Flores, at 20:22
Questions this conversation answered
What is the Artist Sandwich Method?
It is Dan Flores’s approach to working with AI. The artist makes rough sketches first, AI explores variations in the middle, and the artist then redraws the final piece, adding their own touch.
Why use AI in the middle of the creative process?
Dan said AI lets him see many different options much faster than drawing each one by hand. It condenses the long back and forth of a design process while the artist stays at the start and the end.
What free drawing apps are good for beginners?
Dan named Flat Brush, Drop Pile and Magma for Windows, Krita and MediBang for Mac, and Sketchbook and MediBang Paint for iPad. He used quick-sketch apps for ideas and Photoshop and Illustrator to finish.
Can a note-taking app replace a drawing app?
Only for rough sketches and mind maps. Dan said apps like OneNote and Google Keep work for that, but illustration needs drawing apps with tools such as layers.
Is it risky to draw fan art of famous characters?
Dan said it is worth thinking about. Artists often make homage fan art, but he described a Kickstarter that vanished after Disney or Marvel lawyers reached out, and he treated his own project as a personal one.
About the guest
Dan Flores. Dan Flores, known as DTM, is a 2D illustrator who focuses on character art for comics, animation and games. He started in traditional art and tattooing, moved into digital art, and was a returning guest on the show.
Conversations with Tony Mobley is live every Wednesday from 8:00 to 9:00 PM ET. Browse every episode, or send Tony a question for a future show.