Top 10 AI Image Generators: A Modern Artist’s Guide to Using and Enhancing AI-Generated Images

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of art and technology, artificial intelligence has emerged as a groundbreaking tool, revolutionizing how artists create, conceive, and execute their ideas. AI-generated images, once a fringe experiment, are now at the forefront of artistic innovation, offering artists an unprecedented range of possibilities. This article explores the top 10 AI image generators and how modern artists can use them as a source of inspiration and a starting point, as well as how to retouch these images to create original, captivating artworks.

Understanding AI-Generated Images

AI-generated image or art is created using text-to-image models that can analyze thousands of images, learn styles, and reproduce them in unique ways. These algorithms, often based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) or Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), can generate images from textual descriptions, merge styles from different artworks, or even create entirely new visuals from scratch. Text-to-image models generally combine a language model, which transforms the input text into a latent representation, and a generative image model, which produces an image conditioned on that representation. The most effective models have generally been trained on massive amounts of image and text data scraped from the web.

Why Use AI-Generated Images?

• Find infinite inspiration
  AI can produce an endless stream of images, providing diverse and constant inspiration.
• Increase speed and productivity
  Artists can quickly generate concepts and visuals, speeding up the initial phases of the creative process.
• Do experimentations
  AI tools allow artists to experiment with styles and ideas that might be beyond their manual skills or habitual creative boundaries.

Top 10 AI Image Generators for Modern Artists

To start harnessing the power of AI, here are some of the top tools that content creators and artists can use:

1. DALL-E
Developed by OpenAI, DALL-E is a powerful AI program capable of generating high-quality images from textual descriptions. This tool is excellent for artists looking to explore abstract concepts or who need inspiration for elements within a composition.

2. Midjourney
Midjourney is a generative artificial intelligence program and service created and hosted by the San Francisco–based independent research lab Midjourney, Inc. Midjourney generates images from natural language descriptions, called prompts, similar to OpenAI’s DALL-E and Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion. It is one of the technologies of the AI boom.

3. Artbreeder
Artbreeder blends images to create new visuals through a simple, user-friendly interface. This platform is ideal for artists interested in exploring character design, landscapes, or abstract art.

4. RunwayML
A more comprehensive AI tool, RunwayML allows artists to use machine learning models directly in their creative workflow, enabling everything from style transfer to object recognition and even video editing.

5. ImageFX
Google’s ImageFX was a dark horse, entering the AI image generator space much later than its competition, over a year after DALL-E 2 launched. However, the generator’s performance seems to have been worth the wait. The image generator can produce high-quality, realistic outputs, even objects that are difficult to render, such as hands.

6. DreamStudio (Stability AI)
Stability AI created the massively popular, open-sourced, text-to-image generator, Stable Diffusion. Users can download the tool and use it at no cost. However, using this tool typically requires technical skill. To make the technology readily accessible to everyone (regardless of skill level), Stability AI created DreamStudio, which incorporates Stable Diffusion in a UI that is easy to understand and use.

7. Adobe Firefly
Adobe has long been at the forefront of creating tools for creative and professional users. Therefore, it’s no surprise that their image generator is quite remarkable. To use the generator, simply go to their website and enter the description of the image you want to create. Additionally, Adobe Firefly was developed using Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content, and public domain material, ensuring that all generated images are safe for commercial use and ethically sound.

8. Craiyon
Craiyon is an AI art generator that creates unique images from text prompts. It uses machine learning to generate new images that don’t exist in the training data. The AI model was trained on millions of text-image pairs to learn associations between words and visual concepts. When you enter a prompt, the model creates a new image matching the text description. The model can combine concepts in new ways to create original images.

9. Dream (WOMBO)
This app took the first-place spot for the best overall app in Google Play’s 2022 awards, and it has five stars on Apple’s App Store with 141.6K ratings. With the app, you can create art and images with the simple input of a quick prompt. An added plus is this AI image generator allows you to pick different design styles such as realistic, expressionist, comic, abstract, fanatical, ink, and more.

10. DeepArt
Utilizing neural networks, DeepArt transforms photos into artworks based on the styles of famous artists like Van Gogh or Picasso. It’s a fantastic tool for artists wishing to merge classical styles with modern subjects.

Techniques for Enhancing AI-Generated Images

While AI can start the creative process, human intervention is crucial to refine and personalize AI-generated art. Here are some strategies to enhance AI-generated images:

1. Manual Retouching
Use digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter to manually edit AI-generated images. Artists can repaint the image, adjust colors, add or remove details, or merge elements from different AI outputs to enhance depth and complexity. Increasing the image size, resolution and quality can be a good choice too.

2. Mixed Media Approaches
Incorporating traditional media into AI art can enrich the texture and uniqueness of the work. Consider printing out AI-generated images and applying acrylic, oil paints, or even collage elements.

3. Layering Techniques
Employ software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to layer multiple AI-generated images, playing with transparency and blending modes to create complex compositions that offer a more dynamic visual experience.

4. Style Transfer Iteration
Using tools like RunwayML, artists can iteratively apply different artistic styles to a base image, subtly shifting its aesthetic until it aligns perfectly with the artist’s vision.

Ethical Considerations and Originality

When using AI tools, artists must navigate the ethical implications, including the originality of AI-generated content and copyright issues. It’s vital to use AI responsibly, ensuring that the output is significantly transformed and personalized, thereby making the artwork truly one’s own.

Conclusion

AI-generated images are not just tools for replication but are stepping stones towards innovative artistic expression. By leveraging AI, artists are not replacing their creativity but augmenting it, opening up new pathways for exploration and creation in the digital age. As technology progresses, the integration of AI in art will only deepen, making it essential for modern artists to engage with these tools, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in art.