Tag: ChatGPT

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AI Assisted Artwork #6: Rose and Skull Fabric

Roses and skulls fabric from Maake - Kay Vincent - LaserSister 20240403

As mentioned earlier , I’ve declared that one of my creative goals for 2024 is to create at least 52 AI assisted/inspired artworks this year, where I’ll use AI-generated images as a prompt for actual physical creative pieces. This latest project is a real departure from my usual work. Instead of featuring lasercutting or polymer clay, this one involves creating a rose-and-skull fabric design. I didn’t think it would be horribly difficult. I was wrong.

For this project I had a very clear image in my mind of the end result that I wanted. I was aiming for a design made up of large white roses (specifically Yorkshire roses, if possible) and small white skulls. However, my first problem (learned from experience) was that most AIs didn’t seem to know what a Yorkshire rose was. (Have a look on the Wikipedia page for more info, but basically it’s a symbol with particular historical and geographical links.) Yorkshire is a region in the North of England, and its heraldic symbol is a white rose like this:

I’m from Yorkshire so that’s why I wanted a white rose. As for the skull; that was firstly because I often like to have memento mori reminders of mortality around me, to remind me to enjoy (or at least appreciate) life while I can. Secondly it was because my sister used to have a cool scarf that looked like a flowery design from a distance, but up close it was full of skulls. So I wanted to play with that surprise-skull idea.

This was my first attempt at a design, using Adobe Firefly and the prompt of: “Seamless repeating pattern of large Tudor Roses and small human skulls”:

(I used the phrase “Tudor rose” rather than “Yorkshire Rose” because I thought the AI might be more familiar with the term, but obviously it wasn’t.) Some parts of this design were amazing, such as the repeating pattern, and the overall look of the skulls and the roses). Some parts were disappointing, though – e.g. instead of big roses and little skulls it had big skulls and litte roses. Not bad for a first effort, though.

But when I tried to refine the image to get it closer to what I wanted, Firefly stopped cooperating. I went through about 40 iterations of attempting to get it to produce an image with large roses and small skulls, where it was continually ignoring the part about skulls. Example below shows that I even gave it a reference image in addition to the prompt, “Seamless repeating pattern of large Yorkshire Roses and human skulls, on a sage-coloured background. (A Yorkshire Rose is a traditional emblem of the county of Yorkshire in the UK. It typically features five petals, with small, green leaves visible between each petal. It is similar to a Tudor Rose, but all of its petals are white)”:

This is yet another example of when AIs go rogue. Firefly was simply refusing to create any skulls. So I had to give up with Firefly and try Kittl instead.

Kittl created some pretty good roses and skulls, but couldn’t create seamless repeating patterns:

…so I tried ChatGPT/DALL-E. That image generator produced tons of fantastic roses and skulls, but again was completely incapable of producing a seamless repeating design:

By this time I’d spent several hours trying to force the various AIs to come up with a seamless repeating design of large white roses and small white skulls. The different image generators could EITHER create a repeating pattern OR create a pattern of roses and skulls. So in the end I had to give up bashing my head against a brick wall and come to a compromise. I had to take my favourite image and ‘manually’ manipulate the size of the roses and skulls so that they were the right proportions. Then I had to manually adjust the elements of the image so that they formed a seamless repeating pattern.

One day I may create another post showing in detail how to create a repeating pattern, but briefly I used Linearity Curve to create ‘masks’ of the individual elements of the design, so that I could later change their sizes and positions:

Original image (bottom left), then I isolated each element (top left) and removed their backgrounds (top right).

I felt like this manual alteration was cheating, because the AIs hadn’t been able to do exactly what I wanted. But as with so many of my other projects there came a time when I had to recognise how much time I’d already spent trying to get the perfect image, and to just relax and tell myself that the technology wasn’t quite ready for me yet. It was so frustrating, though! I knew that AIs could create seamless repeating patterns, because Firefly had been creating loads of them for me. And I knew that AIs could create roses and skulls together. So why couldn’t they just do what I asked?!

Anyway, I had to just suck it up and do some final bits of image manipulation myself, to get the image I’d been hoping for. This was what I ended up with:

Creating the physical object

Having finally created my repeating pattern of large roses and small skulls, I could move onto the next stage of the project. That was to create a physical object from the design.

I thought I might try to use Redbubble to create an actual physical object. Here is their mockup of what my design would look like if it was turned into a backpack:

I’m still tempted to do that, actually. Maybe when my current backpack dies.

…but eventually I chose to have it printed on plain cotton fabric. I used Maake.com. I was so excited when the fabric arrived:

Here’s more of a close-up view:

The roses and skulls are exactly how I wanted them: you just notice the roses from a distance, but then from closer up you can see the little skulls. The only disappointing thing was that there wasn’t enough difference between the shades of blue. Never mind though – I’m sure I can find a use for this fabric. Maybe that will be another whole project. In the meantime – mission accomplished! An AI assisted physical object of rose-and-skull fabric.

How well did the AI(s) follow my prompts?

As explained above, the three AIs all managed some great individual designs but either couldn’t (in the case of creating repeating patterns) or wouldn’t (in the case of creating skulls) do what I asked. At the time of writing this post (April 2024) Kittl and DALL-E still can’t do repeating patterns. And Firefly still won’t mix roses with skulls. I’d score them all about 6/10 in their attempts to follow the prompts. Some of the images produced along the way were great, but just didn’t fully fit the brief.

Lessons learned

  1. As usual, the technology isn’t quite ready for me yet. I thought my requirements were fairly straightforward, and yet none of the AIs were capable of doing what I wanted.
  2. How to create repeating patterns. That was a real bonus, actually. I think it’s a skill I can use in future projects.
  3. There are some great companies around (e.g. Redbubble, Maake) who can turn digital images into physical objects.

Things I still need to learn or improve

  1. It would be good if I could come up with a way to tell when I’m wasting time versus spending time on the projects. Failing that, maybe I should just set a timer for working on the AI design phase of the project. ChatGPT/DALL-E helps with that, because after a while it stops and says I need to come back in X hours. Kittl and Firefly have ‘token’ systems instead, where you can only ask for a certain number of images.
  2. Apart from that, in general I just need to keep my eyes and ears open for updates in the AI text-to-image generators, to know when I’ll finally be able to ask the AI to create a seamless repeating pattern of large white roses and small human skulls on a green or blue background.

Homework:

  1. Now I need to make something out of the fabric!

Summary:

This unexpectedly turned out to be a monster of a project. I had to fight the AIs all the way to try to get them to create repeating rose-and-skull patterns. In the end I just had to compromise by doing some of the design work myself. However I was really pleased with the end result of the rose and skull fabric.

Thanks for reading this post. If you’ve got any suggestions of what I can actually make with the fabric – or if you’ve been experimenting yourself with AI-generated images – I’d love to hear about them. You can either comment below or send me a message via the Contact form.

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AI Assisted Artwork: When AI Goes Rogue

During my continued project to create at least 52 AI assisted/inspired artworks in 2024, (using AI-generated images as the basis for actual physical creative pieces) I have had quite a few successes so far – but have also encountered a lot of frustration and annoyance as well. Below is a typical conversation between me and ChatGPT’s DALL-E image generator. As you will see, I was trying to create a four-name family tree design. I thought DALL-E would actually be good at this (based on my wedding woodcuts experience) but I was wrong. So this is what happens when AI goes rogue. It’s like the AI is deliberately ignoring my requests:

Conversation with ChatGPT’s DALL-E Image Generator:

ME: Please create a family tree design. It should feature a tree with branches and leaves, and should incorporate the names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen” and “Paul”. The design should resemble a scrollsaw or fretsaw woodcut.

ChatGPT: Here is the family tree design you requested, resembling a scrollsaw or fretsaw woodcut, with the names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul” artistically integrated into the branches. The design features intricate branches and leaves, crafted to mimic a vintage wooden cutout.

ME: I asked for the names “Janet, Tim, Helen, Paul”, but your design says “Janet, Helen, Heelen, Paul”! Please try again, with the correct names.

ChatGPT: Here is the revised family tree design with the correct names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul” integrated into the branches. The design maintains the scrollsaw or fretsaw woodcut style with intricate details.

ME:

No, that is ridiculous. The name “Tim” has been missed out again. Please try again. This time try the names in large leaves

ChatGPT: Here is the updated family tree design featuring the names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul” clearly inscribed on large leaves, in line with a scrollsaw or fretsaw woodcut style. Each name is distinctly placed to ensure clarity.

ME: You did not follow my instructions, but I quite like the names within little banner shapes. This time you only spelled one of the names correctly, still did not include the name “Tim”, and you added two extra names. Please create a family tree design which looks like a scrollsaw woodcut design, which includes the following names on banner shapes which are incorporated into the tree’s design: Janet, Tim, Helen, Paul.

ChatGPT: Here is the updated family tree design, following the scrollsaw woodcut style. The names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul” are each inscribed on individual banner shapes that are intricately incorporated into the tree’s branches. The design ensures each name is spelled correctly and prominently displayed.

ME:

OK, this time you finally managed to include the name “Tim”. Well done. However you also invented and included three extra names. This is a stupid thing to do, because family trees are very important to people. It is imperative that only the four requested names should be included. Please try again. The design should look like a photo-realistic wood shape which has been cut with a fretsaw or scrollsaw.

ChatGPT: Here is the corrected family tree design, resembling a photo-realistic wood shape cut with a fretsaw or scrollsaw. This design includes only the four requested names: “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul”, each displayed on individual banner shapes integrated into the branches. The craftsmanship aims to reflect the traditional aesthetic of scrollwork in wood.

ME: Hmmm. Do you have a problem with displaying the name “Tim”?

ChatGPT: It seems that there was an oversight again with the name “Tim”. I apologize for this recurring issue. Let’s try once more to ensure all specified names, including “Tim”, are correctly and clearly displayed in the design. I’ll initiate another attempt to create the family tree design with exact adherence to your specifications.

Here is another attempt at the family tree design, this time ensuring that the names “Janet”, “Tim”, “Helen”, and “Paul” are correctly displayed on individual banner shapes within the tree’s branches. The design mimics a photo-realistic wood shape cut with a fretsaw or scrollsaw, aiming for a traditional handcrafted look.

Please review the image to confirm that all names are presented correctly and the design meets your expectations.

ME:

Thanks, you managed Tim this time, but put in two Janets, two Helens, three Pauls, and one Aneth. Let’s try something slightly different: Please create a family tree design which incorporates exactly four blank banner shapes (so I can insert text in them later). The design should be photo-realistic and should look like it is cut from a sheet of wood using a fretsaw.

ChatGPT: Here is the family tree design with exactly four blank banner shapes integrated among the branches, designed to be photo-realistic and resembling a piece cut from a sheet of wood using a fretsaw. These banners are well-defined and empty, ready for you to insert text later.

Please review the image to ensure it meets your requirements for your family tree project.

ME: That design incorporated exactly seven banner shapes.

ChatGPT: I apologize for the continued discrepancies. Let’s make another attempt, ensuring the design includes exactly four blank banner shapes. I appreciate your patience as we refine the details to meet your specifications.

Here is another attempt at the family tree design, this time ensuring it includes exactly four blank banner shapes integrated among the branches, designed to be photo-realistic and resembling a piece cut with a fretsaw. These banners are clearly defined and spaced for easy text insertion. Please review the image to confirm it aligns with your needs.

ME: This time you included six, so we’re getting somewhere. Try again please.

ChatGPT: Here is the revised family tree design, featuring exactly four blank banner shapes integrated among the branches. The design aims to mimic a photo-realistic piece cut with a fretsaw or scrollsaw, emphasizing precision and traditional craftsmanship.

Please review the image to ensure it fully meets your specifications for the family tree project.

ME:

Nope, that was six banners again. Can you tell me if there is a better way for me to express this design request, so that the GPT creates the image that I want (i.e. a tree cut from wood, containing four blank banner shapes)?

ChatGPT: I understand the frustration with the repeated inaccuracies. It seems that the complexity of the design specifications might be causing the inconsistency in outputs. To improve the chances of achieving the desired outcome, we can refine the description to be as explicit and detailed as possible, emphasizing the critical elements. Here’s how you might frame your request more effectively:

  1. Specify the Number Clearly: Start by explicitly stating the exact number of banners and their importance in the design. Reiterate this number in a different way to underscore its importance.
  2. Detail the Placement and Appearance: Describe precisely where the banners should be placed (e.g., on the branches), and suggest the spatial arrangement (e.g., evenly spaced along the central trunk).
  3. Emphasize the Exclusion of Additional Elements: Clearly state that no other names or banners should be included aside from the four specified.
  4. Use Simple and Direct Language: Reduce the complexity of the language to minimize misunderstandings in the translation from description to visual representation.
  5. Visual Description of the Tree: Describe the tree as looking like a realistic wooden cutout, emphasizing that it should look like it’s made from a single piece of wood.

Here’s a revised request based on these tips:

Prompt:

“Create a family tree design that looks like it’s cut from a single piece of wood using a scrollsaw. The tree should have a realistic wood texture and feature exactly four blank banners. These banners should be shaped like ribbons and placed symmetrically along the central trunk, clearly separated from each other. There should be no additional banners or names included—only these four distinct ribbon banners.”

By structuring your request in this manner, you help ensure that all critical details are highlighted, potentially reducing the chance of errors in the generated image. If this method still doesn’t yield the correct results, it might be a limitation in the image generation process itself, which can occasionally struggle with precise numerical specifications and symmetrical arrangements.

ME: OK, please try your suggested prompt.

ChatGPT: Here are two versions of the family tree design, each featuring exactly four blank banner shapes shaped like ribbons and symmetrically placed along the central trunk. These designs are crafted to look like they’re cut from a single piece of wood using a scrollsaw, capturing the essence of traditional handcrafted woodcuts.

Please review the images to see if either aligns perfectly with your specifications.

ME: Nope. One had seven banners and the other had three. If you were a person I would have fired you by now.

ChatGPT: I apologize for the continued inaccuracies and the frustration it has caused. I appreciate your patience and understand how critical it is for the design to meet your exact specifications. Let’s give this another try, focusing strictly on creating a design with exactly four banners. Here’s the refined prompt for clarity and precision:

Prompt:

“Create a family tree design that looks like it’s meticulously cut from a single piece of wood using a scrollsaw. The design should feature a realistic wood texture with a central trunk and spreading branches. Exactly four blank banners, shaped like traditional ribbons, should be symmetrically integrated into this structure—two on each side of the trunk. No additional elements or banners should be included, ensuring a clean and precise depiction of a handcrafted woodcut.”

I will generate this design now, aiming to meet your requirements precisely.

Here is the latest attempt at the family tree design, created to look like it’s meticulously cut from a single piece of wood using a scrollsaw. This design features a realistic wood texture with a central trunk and spreading branches, and includes exactly four blank banners shaped like traditional ribbons, symmetrically integrated into the structure.

Please review the image to confirm if it finally meets your expectations.

ME:

Wow. That was TEN banners.

ChatGPT: I sincerely apologize for the repeated errors and the frustration it has caused. It seems there are challenges with generating the image precisely as specified, particularly with the exact number of banners. At this point, it might be beneficial to explore alternative solutions:

  1. Manual Creation: If you have access to image editing software like Adobe Illustrator or a similar program, manually creating the design might yield better control over the specifics such as the exact number of banners.
  2. Professional Design Services: Considering a professional graphic designer or a service that specializes in custom woodcut designs could also be a viable option, ensuring that all your specifications are met accurately.
  3. Alternative Tools: Exploring other AI-driven design tools that might offer more precise control over the design elements could be another avenue.

If you’re open to it, I can assist you with guidelines on how to create this design manually using graphic design software, or help locate services that could undertake this task. Let me know how you would like to proceed!

[Review of this experience]

Did you see that? The cheeky b****** told me to go away and design it myself!

The idea of AI as a magical time-saving device is not completely accurate (as demonstrated above). In the five-ish months of using it I’ve rarely been presented with a design that 100% fits my prompt. I really was grinding my teeth over this experience. ChatGPT repeatedly ignored my prompt of including just four banners, and seemed to have a real dislike of one particular name. For me the strangest thing was that when I asked DALL-E to create a better prompt, it actually produced worse images. They looked like really lame clipart images.

Having said that though, it did produce some great designs along the way, therefore I may be able to use parts of them in future projects. Fortunately, this was also only a test project, so I was able to just give up and walk away instead of having to keep bashing away at it.

How well did ChatGPT / DALL-E follow my prompts?

  • List of four names: DALL-E keeps getting names wrong or leaving them out – especially “Tim”. There were also loads of mis-spellings and even completely invented names. So I think this AI is currently (April 2024) still very poor at including specific text or names within designs. I will score it 3/10 for following this prompt, because at least it did seem to understand the concept, and at least I could use some other drawing software to replace the wrong names with corrected versions.
  • Incorporating the names within leaf shapes: Scored 0/10 because there were no names within leaf shapes. However, the AI came up with something that was maybe even better than my request, so I give it some credit.
  • Four banner shapes: DALL-E repeatedly ignored this request! In fact, it was so consistently ignored that I felt like the AI was deliberately rejecting my request. Weird. However, I’ll give it 3/10 because again it did at least understand the concept of banners.
  • Fretsaw or scrollsaw design: Not bad, actually. 6/10. One or two designs were more like lino cuts than sawn designs, and several had elements that were either ‘floating’ or would be too fragile to cut by hand. However, many others looked like they could be suitable for converting to scrollsaw (or lasercutting) designs.
  • Family tree: Right from the start the AI seemed to understand this idea. 8/10.
  • Photo-realistic image: 4/10. To me, most of the designs look quite two-dimensional, and maybe more like screenprints.

Lessons learned

  1. ChatGPT / DALL-E is still rubbish at incorporating text within designs, because it’s happy to generate incorrect text.
  2. Rather than shouting at the machine, maybe I should just accept that the technology isn’t ready for me, yet, and should wait for it to catch up. I suspect that in less than a year from now DALL-E will have fixed this glitch – so for now I’ll just take a deep, calming breath, and move onto another project.

Homework:

  1. Create a reusable four-name family tree design.

Summary

OK, this example is only me trying to create a piece of artwork, but it gives me chills when I think that people are using AI for increasing numbers of applications in the real world, (including medical science). Therefore for obvious reasons I really do hope that AI continues to improve.

Thanks for reading this post. If you’ve got your own examples of when AI has gone rogue I’d love to hear about them! To contact me you can either comment below or send me a message via the Contact form.