Tickle artists #151: interview with Ticklethentopple

Contents

1 1) Do you want to tell us something about yourself and your art?
2 2) What techniques do you use to draw? Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?
3 3) How much was the passion for drawing born in you? And the one for the tickle?
4 4) What are the tickling scenarios that you prefer to draw?
5 5) What are the aspects of tickling that you intend to represent with your art? Example: the laughing, the wriggling, the relationship between tickler and ticklee?
6 6) Online there are countless photos and videos of tickling sessions. In your opinion, what do illustrations offer more than images of real life?
7 7) In your opinion, what makes tickling so interesting for fans of this phenomenon?
8 8) What are your works of which you are most proud?
9 9) Do you have any particular artistic goals for the future?
10 10) Do you think AIs will end up enriching or impoverishing the art of tickling representations?
11 Informazioni sull'autore
- - 11.0.1 admin

1) Do you want to tell us something about yourself and your art?

Hey, I’m Ticklethentopple. I usually go by Sammy online. I am a german artist and I have been drawing tickle art for a few years. I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to tickle art, but I really enjoy creating content.

2) What techniques do you use to draw? Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?

I mostly draw digitally using procreate, sometimes I still sketch traditionally, but most of the time I use my ipad to draw. As for favourite artists, it’s honestly too many to write down. I really enjoy tickle art that breaks the norm, unique scenarios or poses really speak to me so I usually follow artists that draw those ^^

3) How much was the passion for drawing born in you? And the one for the tickle?

I started really getting into art way back in 5th grade, I collected a lot of Diddl art and had my own character/story I drew comics with here and there. In 7th grade I really started pursuing art after I read my first manga (Bleach) and really wanted to have my own character for that universe. For tickling it has been a thing for as long as I can think, it’s just always been a thing I was interested in watching in cartoons when I was a kid, and then it just kinda grew with me.

4) What are the tickling scenarios that you prefer to draw?

I draw a lot of cnc/nc scenarios, I like to push ticklish torment to its limits. I really enjoy drawing self insert and my favourite characters being tickled. I also really enjoy drawing ear tickling! 5. I focus a lot on facial expressions, trying to convey the desperation and intense ticklish feelings using the face is my favorite. I have been focusing more on body language too, I really love trying to portray how intense the ticklish feeling is that the lee experiences.

5) What are the aspects of tickling that you intend to represent with your art? Example: the laughing, the wriggling, the relationship between tickler and ticklee?

I focus a lot on facial expressions, trying to convey the desperation and intense ticklish feelings using the face is my favorite. I have been focusing more on body language too, I really love trying to portray how intense the ticklish feeling is that the lee experiences.

6) Online there are countless photos and videos of tickling sessions. In your opinion, what do illustrations offer more than images of real life?

The option to explore scenarios that aren’t really possible in real life. Both due to logistics (Bondage, Machines, etc), things like magic or just straight up scenarios especially regarding cnc/nc. I like that in art I have the freedom to explore any ticklish scenario, no matter if it is possible or not. And the fact that I can push it to extremes without anyone being harmed.

7) In your opinion, what makes tickling so interesting for fans of this phenomenon?

Hmm I think personally it’s the fact that tickling is so such a specific sensation/feeling and that experiencing it just makes you release a lot of the „happy hormones“. Tickling is such a sweet form of affect, while at the same time also such a delicous form of torture. You can have the cutest and sweetes cuddly session, or torture a lee to tears with it. I love how versatile it is.

8) What are your works of which you are most proud?

Honestly the entire tickletober challenge from 2025, I am so glad I pushed myself to do it. I learned a lot art wise and about how I enjoy tickling. I have so many pieces in that challenge I enjoy.

9) Do you have any particular artistic goals for the future?

Not really, I realized a while ago that putting goals up for myself just results in me pressuring myself. I just want to continue making art and create things I love!

10) Do you think AIs will end up enriching or impoverishing the art of tickling representations?

I know opinions are divided on AI. Personally I don’t think AI will ever replace human artists, at most it might mimic or copy them. I don’t think AI is able to convey the feelings tickle artists do in their pieces. It feels soulless and often just clogs up the tickle tags on popular art sites. I much rather see and support human art than AI.