Painting Mexico

My studio photo modified into AI

August 20, 2025 Michele B. Naquaiya

I’m having more fun experimenting with taking a real photo and transforming it into an AI image or two. Here is a real photo of my worktable as I’m creating a painting that I did in 2019. As you can see, I love using the crowquill pen, especially with Sepia Drawing Ink. The watercolor in front of me is a reference for possible colors I might use in the new WIP drawing. I love this watercolor. Sometime in the future I’d like to make it into repeatable fabric design.

The following three AI creations are variations from my original real photo. I am fascinated as to how the AI engine can create almost instantly as many versions as I want. If you study closely, you will figure out that my completed background watercolor painting has been transformed to 3 variations….all different versions but with the same color palette. It took me a minute or two to figure out how AI made the transition of the original watercolor to the 3 reference flower art in the background. Each one is different and I just love that. They have similar shapes and themes. The last one on the bottom looks like a blue butterfly. All three also have different types of bottles of ink.

Also notice how the 3 AI creations focused on the new originals being drawn with a sharp and clear focus–in contrast to the background which is in soft focus on all the 3 new offerings. Once you choose one or two of your favorites, you can download them to your harddrive and use as you like.

For this little exercise I wanted to show that if you can understand what AI looks for to create your image, you can have better control of the outcome. The other thing to remember is that I have not touched or modified the prompt or style choice from the original prompt. That could generate many, many more options and practical uses.
Every time I do one of these, I realize the choices are vast, but once you get the hang of it, a fast computer and good AI engine will yield tons of material. It can make life easier and I’m all for that. Good luck trying it. I would love to see what you come up with.

AI Art

Fish Like Corral

August 19, 2025 Michele B. Naquaiya

The original sketch for this post was whacy crazy and butt ugly. I used acrylic markers on watercolor spiral pad. One big orange fish swimming around with bubbles and orange corral. I wanted to see how this would come out.

I wanted to see what a silly sketch of a fish would look like in corral environment. It turns out my prompt was pretty right on and I couldn’t describe the sketch better. The reason we love AI is to see what fun options we get in lots of different ways, styles, & dynamics. I think if I can come up with about 6 or 7 variations on the first 2 fish, I’d have enough for a cute video. Here are 2 so far.

There is also a library of bubbles I want to try. Wish me luck.

AI art, fantasy illustration, flora and fauna, tropical fish, whimsy

Under The Sea

August 18, 2025 Michele B. Naquaiya

I’ve been playing with fish for a while now. Here is a shot that was made by blending several of my drawings together into an under sea world. I like a lot because I think it asks some questions, which gives the concept a storybook quality. I’m having some trouble generating a video but hopefully that will come soon.

AI art, Illustrations, Nature, Pen and Ink Drawing, Tablet Drawing, watercolor, whimsy

Make a tree, why not

August 17, 2025 Michele B. Naquaiya

Here are some trees I drew. Just doodles actually. Nothing serious here but once in a while it’s just fun to play.

It’s interesting to find out how what you draw is a reflection of whatever mood you’re in. The next thing to play with is to learn how to animate the trees. Let’s see, I could animate some fruit falling from trees, or animals in the trees: dancing, falling down, playing hide and seek.