Michu

The Artist Spotlight is your inside look into the influences, collaborations and prompts that drive the NightCafe community.

We catch up with some of our most original creators to find what inspires them, who their favorite creators are, and how they use image generator algorithms as part of their work.

NC: WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR WORK?

This may be funny to say, but the biggest influence on me, the one that has led to the best of my artworks so far, is boredom.

The surprise of what AI creates - it's really enchanting sometimes! At the same time, some things are still a struggle for me. For example, I haven't yet managed to get exactly the image I want when I have something very specific in mind. I've accepted it is more fruitful to not have too fixed ideas and to really let myself be surprised. 

Curiosity is undoubtedly the next important influence. Nothing spurs me on more than asking myself: "What actually happens when I combine this set with these prompt pieces?" (either collected from other great artists, presets, or just spontaneously invented by myself).

NC: MOST UNDERRATED ARTIST ON NIGHTCAFE?

I'm always happy when I meet others on NightCafe, who just like me, maybe like a little child, are happy to create all the images in the art styles that one has always admired.

These people aren't normally the ones who get the most likes. I would like to choose three at random:

In Kristjaan Panneman I see a very kindred spirit and admire the diversity of his works. 

I also admire the remarkable creativity with which Ume Hermana pursues her artworks. 

I consider Huginn a very inspired and talented AI artist.

NC: PROMPT THAT MOST SURPRISED YOU?

I wanted an epic flying city in a desert landscape in origami style, and I got a photorealistic paper model in the desert sand with a really nice focus. I was blown away!

NC: ANY TIPS FOR PROMPT WRITING?

Take a simple phrase and add your favorite artist or art style.

Then, depending on what comes out, add more words.

Don't necessarily just add them at the end, maybe add them at the beginning or in between. Or then change the order.

It is important, if you like a motif, to keep the seed number the same!

NC: WHAT LED YOU TO USING NIGHTCAFE?

I needed an illustration for an article I could publish in a magazine.

So I thought, instead of drawing something bad, let's try AI. That's how I came to NightCafe and was intrigued.

While the illustration didn't come out at all as I originally intended, it was quite good enough!

What was amazing (and unintended) to me was that the illustrations started to remind me of beautiful, graphic wine bottle labels that I admired as a child.

This graphic style went quite well with the article. I would not have thought at all of that reference myself. And since then, I've been a NightCafe addict...