SAMIR

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?

I'd say a lot of it is derived from mythology, history, movies, paintings, videogames, and books.

The stories we tell time and time again are just a reflection of our own lives in one shape or another, but the characters from them have always inspired me. 

I've also occasionally tapped into certain points of my life with strong emotion, whether positive or negative. That's typically a lot more of my abstract work. 

I have also been doing graphic design in Adobe since I was about 12, and recently picked up painting as well, a few years ago. These are two more strong influences on my work that I constantly keep in my mind while creating AI art. 

NC: MOST UNDERRATED ARTIST ON NIGHTCAFE?

I'd have to say u/Lady Hysteria.

Though admittedly I am a little biased. She is one of the first members of the NightCafe community to welcome me in, inspire me with her work, and is just such a gem of the community in my eyes.

She's constantly putting out good work that I don't think gets anywhere near the attention and love it deserves. I'm a big fan!

NC: PROMPT THAT MOST SURPRISED YOU?

What an exciting question! I'd have to say two of my favorite prompt modifiers that I've found are: 

• "illuminati" which gets you some very unique and epic symbolism or compositions, and 
• "splatter" which can tend to add a bit of chaos, and I'm all about chaos. 

Overall though I would say the prompt that has surprised me most was "a beautiful 3d render design" and letting the AI do the work.

You'd be amazed at what you can get just using a few simple modifiers. 

NC: ANY TIPS FOR PROMPT WRITING?

Keep it simple!

I feel that so many of us, myself included (totally guilty), tend to make our prompts soo lengthy! I used to mix in 7 different artists and as many modifiers as it'd allow.

But sometimes, less is more. Let the AI have some freedom to be creative. It's totally okay if your prompt is just as simple as "a painting of a haunted house, sinister, volumetric lighting, dark". Put it in! 

It's exciting to see what you get out the other end when you're not trying too hard to achieve something exactly the way you envision.

NC: WHAT LED YOU TO USING NIGHTCAFE?

Honestly? Google. I just looked up AI art.

I had kept seeing these amazing pieces on Instagram, finally decided to google AI art and NightCafe was the first to pop up. 

But really, since then, I've explored others, and it's the community that keeps me coming back to NightCafe.

It's got some of the greatest folks and I've made some lasting friendships, all while enjoying the art we create together.