How to make what you cannot imagine?
You have a vision in your head, but you just can’t make it a reality so how do you make a vision come true?
Today isn’t a lesson about the physical art of painting or the digital art, today is about mental training and about how you go about finding something.
I want to use an analogy for this…
AI Art
What is this? Do you know?
I don’t…. and I asked for it.
Sometimes when people ask for things they don’t know what they are getting…
This is AI art and I was trying to have fun with a friend and pull up a
”a redacted mood board”
That’s what I asked for because they are creating a mood board for their not so PG ship The slippery sailed pha- John… Son of John. Johnson. You can figure it out but, the point of the story is if you have no idea where you are going you have no idea how to get where you want to be.
Collect references.
You have a rough idea of what it is you want, you want X but it has to be Y…
Here is the thing, I think AI art is the perfect analogy because if you don’t type in the right things… you're going to get something… slightly munted like this…
At first blush it looks correct so… what do you do?
Collect references. I like that but, like this… You start combining things until something starts coming together…
Some things will be steps forward and you are getting your vision closer to what you want…
Sometimes it will seem close but so far away, that fundmental thing is wrong (it might be the hands I think its the hands) but then…
Then once you have that one thing right… Then you move on the the next bit.
Then you sharpen your vision rather than try and imagine something you cannot…
Practical…
Creating something that you cannot imagine may seem like a daunting task, but it can be achieved by following a few key steps.
Start by identifying your goal. What is it that you want to create? It may be helpful to write down a few specific ideas or concepts that you would like to incorporate into your project.
Research and gather inspiration. Look for examples of similar projects or ideas that have been executed before. This will give you a better understanding of the possibilities and limitations of your project.
Break down the process into smaller tasks. Instead of trying to tackle the entire project at once, divide it into manageable chunks. This will make it easier to focus on one aspect at a time and will help you stay organized.
Experiment and try new things. Don't be afraid to try new techniques or materials. This is a great way to add unique elements to your project and to discover new ways of creating.
Be open to feedback and critiques. It's important to be open to feedback and critiques, as they can help you improve your project and make it even better.
Keep an open mind and be willing to make changes. Your project may evolve as you work on it, and you may need to make changes along the way. Be flexible and willing to make adjustments as needed.
By following these steps, you will be able to create something that you cannot imagine.
Let me give you an example
When you start a project and you are not 100% on what you want you still have an idea.
I want to have an Ultramarine but grimdark? You almost always have a concept at the start so rather than focusing on a vision you cannot realise, break it into its component parts.
Grim Dark Tau by Grimdark Compendium
So you found Grimdark, then you find a comparable concept, in this case Tau which are usually bright and shiny. Now you see them in a ‘Grimdark’ style. So next you mix that with what you currently have.
You like what you have but it’s not quite right, let’s say for you in this example it’s too shiny so you go back to the drawing board.
You dull him down and make him more repeatable.
Now your vision is realised.
Honestly, it may sound like I am really simplifying it, but that is all that you need to do to make your visions come true, you break them down into their component parts and decipher what it is your brain has already told you.
If you want to try a brute-force way of doing this here is what I was talking about at the start.
That is a link to the AI company that created those images… but it didn’t do it out of thin air… I had to feed it prompts…
As well as some of my own art…
However, it could be a good new tool for you to help you understand how to make your vision come true.
Visions come true by tweaking, twisting and pulling them into reality.
So long as it remains in your head it will forever be perfect and unattainable… a glass planet never to be touched… lest it shatters
For me, it’s better something real, something strived for, than the imagined perfect.
Til next time my friends…
Keep those brushes wet