needs more monsters.
In our previous article, we looked at using artificial intelligence (specifically, Deep Dream Generator) to create concept art for potential miniatures using photos as reference.
This time, let's reverse the premise – can we generate art based on our painted minis?
Back in 2021, the Screeching Terrors were showcased. Above, you can see an original photograph from the article. We submitted that article to Deep Dream as a base photo, gave it a basic prompt ("monster with wings"), and tried a variety of settings and filter strengths:
PhotoReal AI mode, lowest filter setting – note that Deep Dream automatically enlarges the photo (we're using the default 1MP size), with a side effect of making the photo blurry at low filter strength.
Slightly higher filter setting, only small differences in the background pattern.
This is using the Fantasy AI mode, which usually generates anime-type art.
Same settings except higher filter strength, which allows the AI to make more changes to the original photo.
Higher again – now, it is inventing background.
A test using the Cyberspace AI model, which is usually used for sci-fi images. Our monster has lost an arm, but one of the original wings has been reinterpreted as a flying beastie.
Same settings, but higher filter strength – now, that's some serious wackiness!
"In the style of Warhammer 40K" – now it's a three-armed mutant on some kind of landing platform.
Another attempt.
Artistic AI mode. "In the style of Warhammer Fantasy" – interesting that the AI now knows the bottom is a wargaming base.
Same settings, higher filter strength.
Higher filter again.
At the highest filter settings, the AI can even change the viewpoint.
Note that we did experiment with telling the AI to ignore the base, but that didn't work. The AI was also resistant to changing the background, unless such a high filter setting was used that the result looked quite different from the original photo.
For this final version, I cropped the original photo to remove the base. The prompt was "winged monster in enchanted mountains, in the style of Keith Parkinson, no logo, no lettering, no signature" I had to push the filter setting to 80% (almost the maximum) to get any background to appear. Very little resemblance to the Screeching Terror at this point.