Experiment - Infantry vs Super Predators

Before we go on to the subject matter of the image, let me take you through the creative processes that is Orcland Mindset! I do a fair amount of computer work throughout the day. I'm pretty good at multitasking, so while I'm working I've also got a tab with this website open. I'll occasionally write up prompts for action/combat poses, usually with the "simple background" tag, as it really helps draw attention to the figure and its action(s). Using low cost models and batch generation, you can get 4 poses for 200-600 credits a pop. Do a few batch generations and try to get a variety of stances/actions/etc. There will be some funky/hallucinated images. That's fine. Don't be afraid to play around with model choices, as long as the models are cheap. I tend to go with Bespoke model from the marketplace. At a later time, return to those images and think about how you want to go from there. If you find an image that looks ~70% of what you want, but something is off, try the variations option on the lower left side of the image. With Bespoke, I can do a batch of variations for less than 500 credits, which is a good deal and maybe you'll find what you're looking for, or better yet, what if the model surprises you and shows you something you didn't know you wanted? It's happened to me enough to endorse this method. You can also add LoRAs to your next step generations, giving you more options. In this image, I started off using a character design from a Japanese computer game I've never heard of, but the armor design looked cool, so why not? Ok, so now that you have an image that is/is close to what you want, you can do some expensive but fun/creative touch-ups using the editing models (PixAI Edit/Reference Pro/PixAI Edit Pro). Now, I'm a bit of a thrifty person, so I tend to use PixAI Edit v.3 for very minor changes (remove extra limb, change a color, etc.) and PixAI Edit v.4 for adding detailed objects/people/etc. to an image (specific common firearms, branded consumer goods, etc.) but there might be some irregularities. I tend to use Reference Pro when making comic pages, when I want to have more directorial control over a still image, when I want to add objects/beings with a greater amount of detail. (I tend to avoid EditPro because it's expensive and it puts in too many distracting details into an image. I'm just not a fan of it) -- Ok, so now that I'm done going on about the creative process, let's get back to the image. So, this started off as a fun and cool action pose I had made using a LoRA from a japanese computer game I've never heard of, but I thought the character design looks interesting. Now, what would this character be doing? Shooting a cool gun, probably! Ok, now let's try to think up a scenario...Ah, in the ongoing Outlaw Country series, there are giant insects/lizards, called the Super Predators. Ok, so the Outlaw Country universe is a semi-modern era world, so let's add on to the space armor character and make them a contemporary soldier. As you can see, the prompt gave her German Flecktarn camoflauge and the Austrian Steyr AUGA1 assault rifle. I also changed the color of the visor to more the yellow tint that is used in competition shooting eyewear. So, now that we have the look down, let's add more and do a small bit of storytelling. What is the soldier shooting at? A Super Predator that is out of frame. Ok, the target is out of frame, but maybe there something we can add in frame that better lends to the illusion of what's out of frame. In this instance, I added a man and woman who are both scared and distressed (One thing I've learned here is that the tag "distressed" is more a physical indicator rather than an emotion indicator). The whole look of this image is very cool. You have a soldier design that can best be put as "Austro-Germanic Warhammer 40,000 Imperial Guard" which, hey, it wasn't my intent going into this image, but I'm pleasantly surprised by it and decided to lean into the idea. This soldier exudes bravery in the face of danger! 🔥💪🔥 So yeah, thank you all for attending my TEDTalk seminar 🤣