The AI Epic series

This is a series that I wasn't planning to do, but it happened organically when I started experimenting with Leonardo.Ai's Universal Upscaler, which upscales (embiggens) but also adds in more than just interpolated detail. It really does very well working at a vast scale, although it sometimes gets carried away with itself, adding bizarre details (plus the usual extra limbs and the like), so I have to edit it from time to time. Below is a selection, you can see them all at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/billayton/albums/72177720318233270

The themes covered include the usuals: life, death, heaven, hell, good, bad, the past, the future, mythology, reality, and of course, our place in the universe.

A New Utopia, 2024, AI generated image

Final War, 2024, AI generated image

The Age of Enlightenment, 2024, AI generated image

Exodus, 2024, AI generated image

In Hell, 2024, AI generated image

Life, the Universe, and Everything, 2024, AI generated image

 

Sun God AI

 Today's output has been a little dark (Bosch, etc.), so here is a more uplifting image:

Sun God AI

Another AI Bosch Apocalypse

With this one, I used Leonardo.Ai's Alchemy Upscaler to improve image quality & upsize it. I'm not sure it made a huge difference, as all the little figures are quite small, so fixing hands & heads, etc. is not a major issue here.

Bosch AI Apocalypse v.2

The End of the World by AI Bosch

I've found repeatedly that Leonardo.Ai does a pretty convincing & effective impersonation of Hieronymus Bosch, and its tendency to mess up anatomy (too many legs, etc.) only helps. Here's the Apocalypse:

AI Bosch Apocalypse

The Song of the Siren / Drawing

 Another recent ink drawing:

The Song of the Siren, 2024, brush & ink on paper, 14" x 11"

Lost Among the Spheres / Drawing

In case anyone's wondering if I still make non-AI artwork, the answer is a definite "yes". Here's one from today:

Lost Among the Spheres, ink drawing 14" x 11", 2024

Sun Angel I & II

 This was done in Blender using a winged head I sculpted a short while ago. I added a partial body & gave it a metallic gold texture, then lit it with an HDRI (high dynamic range image) as well as a sun light. By experimenting with the lighting, HDRI placement, composition, etc., I came up with the following images. The only difference between I & II is the rendering engine used (Eevee in the first, Cycles in the second). The results were suitably ethereal & heavenly, I think.

Sun Angel II, Blender digital image (Cycles renderer)

Sun Angel I, Blender digital image (Eevee renderer)

Ezekiel's Wheels

This is one I've been meaning to paint for a long time. A few years (about 6) ago, I did a drawing that proved somewhat unsuccessful...I think this version is better. From the Revelation series (forthcoming).

Ezekiel's Wheels, 2019, acrylic on panel, 20" x 16".

The Eye of Truth

Eyes are a recurring theme in my work...this new one seems to be a portal to everything...

The Eye of Truth, 2017, acrylic on plywood, 11" x 14"

The Radiant One

This one I was working on for several days, as you can maybe see from the texture of the paint in the photo & the visible layers. The eyes are not quite to my satisfaction, but I think the piece works. I either hit a wall on this one, or went through a door...

The Radiant One, 2016, acrylic on MDF, 9" diameter.

In situ with leaf

(Everybody Likes to Visit) Dreamland

This is a painting of a mystical nature on one of the new plywood painting surfaces that I & my pal Jim Stevenson have recently been constructing...Jim built them in his workshop & I sanded & primed them, etc. They're nice to paint on...I may add another layer of gesso to make them less absorbent...or not...

(Everybody Likes to Visit) Dreamland, 2014, acrylic on plywood, 24" x 18".

Watching The Stars

This is a small acrylic painting of a head which appears to be made out of stars:

Watching The Stars, 2014, acrylic on board, 12" x 9".

Beyond the Dreams of Angels

Well, for the past week or two, I've been recovering from minor surgery, & all I have to say on that is that if minor surgery is so painful, I don't want anything to do with major surgery, if I can help it...

Here is a new pen drawing to try & help with the healing process:

Beyond the Dreams of Angels, 2014, pen on paper, 16.5" x 14".

The Magician

I like to think of this as magical unrealism...

The Magician, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

At the Core of Existence

Another new monocrhome painting on cardboard which tries to get to the heart of human existence...

At the Core of Existence, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Crossing the Sea of Stars

A new large-ish painting on cardboard with a visionary theme.

Crossing the Sea of Stars, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

In the Land Beyond the Mountains

My monochrome paintings are becoming more complex, moving away from single heads and figures in shallow spaces and expanding to multiple figures and more detailed scenes.

In the Land Beyond the Mountains, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

Keeper of the Flame

Another angelic/mystical monochrome painting.

Keeper of the Flame, 2013, acrylic on cardboard, 48" x 36".

The Day of the Prophet

This ink drawing took longer than expected, but then it came out quite well...

The Day of the Prophet, 2013, brush & ink on paper, 16.5" x 14".

Caught in a Dream

This is a new brush & ink drawing that went beyond its original intention.

Caught in a Dream, 2013, brush & ink on paper, 16.5" x 14".