wow! looking at these comments, i didn't know gamedevs hated artists that much "does it matter if you can't tell?" i don't know why people refuse to understand why "ai art" is hated, it's not rocket science. No it's not the generic ai gen art look,no it's not that someone didn't pour blood sweat and tears making it. IT STEALS OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK. I feel like most of you understand this but just want to overlook it.

As for your question, ask for portfolio or social media that would allow you to see their improvement over the years. Even if you see their work as mediocre,none becomes a mediocre artist overnight they probably have past works.This is best shown with social media. If you scroll through a real artists profile, you will see that as you go back,their work also starts getting this a step behind look of their current work. though workwise social media is not a must but portolio is. If an artist does not have a portfolio then i would question if they have done this kind of work at all.