When first venturing into AI painting, selecting the right tool is akin to choosing a partner; it must be a good fit. There are numerous options available on the market, such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, each with its own unique features. Midjourney is renowned for its exquisite image generation, with exceptional attention to detail, much like a master craftsman creating art. On the other hand, Stable Diffusion offers an incredibly high degree of freedom, allowing you to adjust various parameters as you wish, akin to being given a set of building blocks to construct as you see fit.
A friend of mine, when starting to learn AI painting, followed the trend and chose a popular tool, only to find it too complex to handle. Thus, it’s essential to select a tool based on one’s needs. If you’re someone who pursues perfect imagery, Midjourney might be more suitable for you; if you enjoy exploration and tinkering, Stable Diffusion is definitely a great choice. Using a tool that feels comfortable in your own space is what makes painting enjoyable, isn’t it? Just like in the cold winters of Northeast China, you need to wear a thick cotton jacket to feel comfortable. Which type of tool do you lean towards?Technique Two: Mastering Keywords is Crucial. Keywords are like instructions for AI painting; you must be clear in your communication for it to create what you desire. For instance, if you want a seascape of a sunset, you can’t simply say ‘seaside sunset’ as it’s too vague. You need to describe it as ‘golden sunlight casting on the shimmering sea, with a fiery red sunset on the horizon, seagulls in flight, and shells on the beach,’ so the AI can understand your intention.
In a previous AI painting competition with the theme ‘Enchanted Forest,’ I initially wrote ‘enchanted forest,’ resulting in a chaotic image. After careful consideration and adding keywords like ‘towering trees blocking out the sky, trunks covered with glowing moss, deer running through the forest, and mist filling the air,’ the outcome was immediately different. Therefore, the more detailed your description, the better, including colors, shapes, and atmosphere. Have you ever created strange images due to poorly chosen keywords?Technique Three: Draw Inspiration from Outstanding Works. When starting to learn painting, it’s common to be unsure of what to paint, which is when examining other people’s excellent works becomes important. There are many online platforms, such as ArtStation and Pinterest, which showcase a variety of AI painting creations.
You can examine the composition, color matching, and creativity of others to learn and draw inspiration. I recall an instance when I wanted to paint an ancient-style character but was at a loss. I searched for ancient-style characters on ArtStation, and wow, those works truly broadened my horizons. I found a character with an especially appealing hairstyle in one painting, which I referenced, and also learned from the color matching in the artwork, using many soft and elegant shades.
Although the final piece I painted couldn’t compare to those of masters, it had its own charm. Just like bees collecting nectar, we draw nutrients from others’ works and transform them into our own. Where do you usually find inspiration for your paintings? Tip Four: Experiment with Different Styles The allure of AI painting lies in its ability to achieve various styles, so don’t just stick to one. Try a realistic style today, play with a cartoon style tomorrow, and challenge an abstract style the day after. This not only hones your painting skills but also helps you discover which style you prefer. Initially, I only painted in a realistic style, which became monotonous over time. Later, I tried a cartoon style and found it particularly interesting, with the resulting images being cute and endearing. Eventually, I was introduced to abstract style, which I didn’t quite understand at first, but gradually came to appreciate its beauty. Just like eating, consuming the same dish every day will become boring; variety is the spice of life. Is there a particular painting style you’re eager to try? AI painting is not achieved overnight; sometimes you need to patiently adjust parameters to achieve satisfactory results. For example, if you feel the brightness of the image is insufficient, you can adjust the brightness parameter; if the colors are too vivid, tweak the saturation. It’s akin to cooking, adding water if it’s too salty, and salt if it’s too bland, gradually adjusting to create a delicious meal. I once spent a long time adjusting parameters for a night scene painting. Initially, the sky color was off, so I kept adjusting the hue parameters, making dozens of adjustments before achieving that profound blue. Then, I felt the stars weren’t bright enough, so I adjusted their brightness and size. Although the process was a bit tedious, seeing the final product made it all worthwhile. Have you ever felt overwhelmed while adjusting parameters? AI painting is a field full of fun and challenges for beginners. By mastering these techniques and practicing regularly, you can create your own wonderful works. Who knows, maybe one day you could become an AI painting master! Now, pick up your tools and start painting!
