The Coolest Thing I've Learned Creating AI Art

 

"Adrift" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

I've been creating AI art for about four years now. I remember one of the very first free AI creation generators: ThisPersonDoesNotExist.com. 

It doesn't exist anymore, but it was very cool. It only created human faces at first, and was anything but perfect. A lot of the images were fairly good, but every once in a while, you'd get an image that would be a little wonky. I got one that showed a teenager in the foreground who looked perfectly normal. The person sitting just off to the side of him, however, had an eyeball in her mouth. Yeah, very creepy.

AI image creation has come a long way since those days, and I'm so glad it has. I enjoy creating the artwork, but then a funny thing happened. I started trying to make...real art. Not just a bunch of images, but I started to look into actual art forms. The image at the top of the page is an "Abstract Oil Painting" made with AI. I'm falling in love with this.

I always wanted to be an artist. The reason I became a writer was that it was the closest thing I could create that "looked pretty". I can't draw, I can't paint, I can't do sculpture, so I write. And now I create AI art.

Here's the strangest part. I've actually learned more about actual art styles since doing this than I ever had. I always thought most "art" was stuffy and boring. I knew I liked some art styles, but I didn't think they were popular. I was wrong.

In the past few years, I've learned how to create AI art prompts that produce some beautiful works of art. Not just cute little pictures or fantasy stuff, but art. And I have come to love it. Let me show you.

As I said, the image above is an abstract oil painting. I love the look and feel of an oil painting, but I really like abstract art. I didn't think I would, but I think it's beautiful. I was shocked at just how broad the "abstract" field is. 

I created a prompt that combined the terms "abstract, fine-lined, shades of charcoal and ghost yellow," and this is what I got:

"Moonlight Vase" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

I would absolutely hang either one of those images on my wall. I just love this charcoal and yellow piece. I think it's just gorgeous. I never would have believed you if you had told me I'd love abstract art at some point in my life.

I've also started learning about some of the masters. No, I haven't tried to copy any of their work. They were called Masters for a reason. I have been working on some images, though, that are of a similar style. I really like some of the pieces from the Renaissance. Anyway, I think they're from the Renaissance. Don't quote me on that. 

"The Archangel Gabriel" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

Now, mind you, this isn't my favorite style, but I still feel a bit nostalgic about it. I remember seeing images like this in a lot of my friends' houses growing up. Like I was being protected while not at home. They still make me feel safe.

My all-time favorite artistic style is Art Deco. I grew up with my grandparents, and that was Grandma's style. That flashy, jazzy feel with the sharp edges and raw beauty. I still get goosebumps from this art style.

"Art Deco Scented" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

That design just screams "High Class". 

I've learned a lot more styles, such as Surrealism, Minimalism, Rococo, and more. I really like Art Nouveau as well. So elegant and stylistic. A beautiful gateway between the 19th and 20th centuries.

As I go along, I'll be working on trying other types of artistic styles. I just heard of one tonight called "Mannerism". Not sure I'll like it, but it's worth trying. I'll let you know how it works out. 

What's your favorite artistic style? If you'd like to see an image in that style, let me know. Of, if you make your own, let me know. I'd love to come and check it out.

Have fun in your process and always find a way to be creative.

Until next time,
Mom Graves!!!

It's All About the Details

"Thinking in Color" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

I've been creating AI images for several years now. I remember when it was still a novelty thing and you'd get some freaky images. It's so much more sophisticated now. I've tried several AI image platforms, and NightCafe Studios and Leonardo AI are my favorites.

When I first started out, I had no idea how to form an AI image prompt. Now, that being said, I've been doing writing prompts for more than 20 years. I didn't see much difference as I managed to come up with some pretty cool images. It took me some time to figure out that there was more to putting a prompt together than just throwing out a few words. (I still do this, but will do a post on that later).

Over the past three years, I've learned several things. It is possible to get some semblance of the image in your mind if you use enough details. That being said, it is possible to add too many details. It comes down to finding that perfect balance. The problem is that the perfect balance changes from session to session.

First, have a clear grasp of what you want your subject to be. Then, decide on details. This includes colors, surrounding visuals, and secondary objects. But here's where it gets tricky: Think about ALL the details.

I have to admit, I got this information from an AI chatbot, Gemini. Here are a few more things you need to consider. Type of lighting, background theme, time of day/night, era, styles, genre, and artistic mediums. The list goes on and on. 

Let's do a little experiment. All of the following images will be made using NightCafe Studio. I will be using different models, but won't be using any preset style. I'll create my own. Also, I won't be posting the first thing that comes up. I will go through a few models and see which one I like best.

A strange image popped into my head as I was writing this, so we're going with a neon purple Volkswagen Bug. No, I don't know why; it was just the first thing that hit me.

The Prompt: Neon Purple Volkswagen

"Purple Bug" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio
Model: Flux--Preset: None

Though this is a very cool image, we can jazz it up a bit. Let's add some details. 

Let's add a background: a cosmic vision with distant stars and barely visible celestial images.

The Prompt: neon purple Volkswagen Beetle, a cosmic vision with distant stars and barely visible celestial images in the background

"Twilight Bug" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio
Model: Ideagram 2a Turbo--Preset: None

This isn't exactly what I had in my head, but I think I like it better. It reminds me of an old 1970s magazine ad. And I really love that shade of purple. This is why I enjoy doing this so much.

Let's add another detail. Now, I won't lie. I've already played with a few details that did NOT work out. I wasn't happy with anything I tried. However, when I threw in the term "vintage illustration", I was blown away.

The Prompt: neon purple Volkswagen Beetle, a cosmic vision with distant stars and barely visible celestial images in the background, vintage illustration

"Volkswagen Illustration" by Christine Graves via NightCafe Studio

Model: Ideagram 2a Turbo--Preset: None

Maybe it's the old broad in me, but I absolutely love this image. It reminds me of my childhood. This was the artwork of the day. Very cool.

I've tried a few other details, but haven't been impressed with anything I've gotten. So, I think I'll leave it at that. This has been a fun little experiment and has sparked a few other ideas for future posts. 

I challenge you to sit down and create your own image prompts. Use just enough details to create a work of art, but not so many that the image no longer makes sense. Most of all, have fun creating something that's never been seen before.

Until next time,
Miss Chris!!!

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Christine Graves has been writing for more than 30 years. She runs several blogs including Priestess of Words, Collected Keepsakes, and Mystic Realms, all of which are part of her company, Graves Publications. She also writes for a platform called Medium.com, in which she runs a few publications.

How an AI Image Created Several New Ideas

 

"Paper Diorama" by Christine Graves via Leonardo AI

As I sat here trying to think of what I wanted my next post to be about, I had an idea. Though there will be a lot of prompts for both creative writing and AI image creation, I also wanted to come up with some ideas for anyone with a creative side. So, because I do a lot of paper crafting, I decided to go with that.

I use two different AI generation platforms: NightCafe Studio and Leonardo AI. When I was working on this post, I decided to use Leonardo AI as I can usually get some pretty cool images from them. Tonight was no different. I simply typed in "paper craft, paper diorama, beautiful paper crafts". I didn't know what would come up, but I was excited to see.

When the above image appeared, I was awestruck. I stared at this picture for quite some time as the first thing to go through my mind was, "I can make that." Truth be known, I probably have everything I'd need to put one of those together.

Next, I thought about the image itself and how I could have changed it up a bit. What would I enjoy making as a diorama myself? A mountain scene? A camping scene? The possibilities are endless. I decided to change up my prompt to say, "paper crafts, diorama, alchemist's lair, apothecary, laboratory". From there, I ended up with this.

"The Alchemist's Lab" by Christine Graves via Leonardo AI

No, it's not simply made of paper, but this is a diorama I could actually make. I've made a few dioramas over the years from old bits and baubles I had around the house. This is doable for me.

Once I'd seen this image, a story began to form in my mind. A story about an alchemist who's found the trick to making gold, or maybe accidentally setting off a plague. I could write a story and give it three or four different endings. That's the beauty of a cool image.

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Okay, it's your turn. Create an image on whichever AI image site you prefer. Don't get too over-complicated with the prompt. Use as few words as possible, while still creating the image you somewhat see in your head. Use a "craft" as your starting point. "A doll out of clay" or "A spray-painted Christmas card". Let your imagination run wild.

Once you've created an image that pulls you in, create a backstory for it. Who made the doll? Where did the Christmas card come from? Make the image your starting point, but don't let it hold you back. You can make it the focal point or simply a sidenote. The choice is yours.

Finally, attempt to make your art piece. Is it a medium you've ever worked with? Is it something you've done in the past? Can you mix and match your mediums and come up with something better than the AI image? That would be cool.

Embrace your creativity. Though others may work with similar mediums, only you can make the ideas that come out of your imagination. 

I wish you luck.

Until next time,
Miss Chris!!!

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Christine Graves has been writing for more than 30 years. She runs several blogs including Priestess of Words, Collected Keepsakes, and Mystic Realms, all of which are part of her company, Graves Publications. She also writes for a platform called Medium.com, in which she runs a few publications.