Alfred Denes's interview

Stunning female androids, giant friendly robots, surreal elegant moons, and kinetic digital warriors immediately come to mind when you think of Alfred Denes (@Alfred_Denes on X), another amazing AI artist I've been eager to interview from day one. Rarely straying from these captivating categories (albeit always experimenting further via multiple sub-variations such as Mechanical Renaissance, Time Effect, or Nature’s Embrace, among others), Alfred has perfected his distinctive style through stunning AI generations. As he so aptly states in his bio, he offers his audience the perfect blend of creative synergy between algorithms and aesthetics. I am honored and grateful to have him join us for this interview.

Let’s discover Alfred Denes together.

Blossom Beats

Without getting too personal, can you tell us a bit about yourself?:

I am a man nearly 35 years old. I have a little boy who is almost 5 years old. I am an engineer with a passion for visual arts, and I own a small company in this field. After completing my engineering studies, I realized I wanted something different, so I dedicated myself to graphic design, and after starting my own company, I embraced the profession of video editor. I love reading, especially sci-fi literature, but lately, due to lack of time, I haven’t been able to read much, though I really miss it.

Could you please tell us which country you live in?:

Somewhere in Europe.

What led you to begin working with AI imagery?:

In short, the Twitter community. It happened almost a year ago: I created a Twitter account, not with the intention of joining the AI community; at that time, I didn’t even know it existed. However, a few days later, I found some images generated by AI. I became curious, started to research, and in a short time, I was fascinated.

What AI tools do you use?:

The Stable Diffusion models (on various platforms - Clipdrop, Leonardo Diffusion, or even Automatic1111 installed locally) are mainly used, and occasionally Dalle.

What inspires you?:

I am inspired by everyday life and what I observe around me, and I try to give these experiences a sci-fi vibe. Although I have various styles, all can be classified within the science fiction genre. I grew up being influenced by this literary genre.

The Dreamer

(One of @revelinai’s favorite images by Alfred Denes)

In which other medium, if any, do you practice art?:

Currently, I am focusing exclusively on digital art. Sometimes, I use a graphics tablet to sketch ideas, a habit I practiced more often when I was solely involved in graphic design.

Would you consider AI-generated art true art?:

Every time something new emerges, questions arise. Currently, there are debates about whether creations made with the help of artificial intelligence can be considered art or not. I believe that, as time passes, the world will become accustomed to this idea, and ultimately, art generated by artificial intelligence will be fully accepted as a form of art.

I would like to make a clarification: although many call it ‘art generated by artificial intelligence,’ I think it would be more correct to call it ‘art created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.’ Not every image obtained with the help of artificial intelligence is art, just as not every painting, photograph, or drawing is art.

At least for me, artificial intelligence has provided the opportunity to visually translate the ideas that were born in my mind, which I could not otherwise realize due to a lack of artistic skills. I am not a talented painter or illustrator; I do not have the ability to wield a pencil or brush to create traditional art. However, with the help of artificial intelligence, I can create images that I otherwise could not.

Some time ago, someone (unfortunately, I don’t remember who) from the AI community on Twitter said that ‘an artist of the future is one who will know how to train their own generative model to obtain the art they desire.’

Please share one or a few of your favorite images with us.:

I’ll share five.

Garden of the Mind

In Full Bloom

Contemplation

The Kiss of Nature

Roots of the Moon

Alfred Denes’s favorite images

Do you title your AI-generated art? If you do, what inspires you to come up with these titles?:

Yes, I always try to find a title for my images, although it is a challenge to always come up with new titles. Sometimes, inspiration is stronger, other times weaker, depending on my mood at that moment. Generally, I try to make the titles an expression of what the image conveys; however, sometimes, the title is simply descriptive, highlighting an element or an action in the image.

When do you tend to be the most productive, and do you work in long sessions or short bursts?:

Usually, in the morning when I’m rested, I am the most productive and manage to select the best images generated by the text-to-image tool. About a year ago, when I discovered these tools, I could work in long sessions of several hours. Unfortunately, lately, due to a very busy schedule at work, I only manage to have short sessions, which I try to make as intense as possible.

The Little Girls and Her Robot

What type of prompts do you prefer: text or AI-generated descriptions through fed images?:

Text. Always.

When prompting with text, do you write simple text-based prompts or complex ones?:

My creative process typically begins with a simple template prompt, which contains only a few keywords that describe the desired characteristics for the generated image. I gradually add words to this template to refine the outcome. Usually, the prompt is short at the start but becomes longer and more complex as I iterate and refine. I believe this is a fairly universal approach used by many who generate images.

Do you think text-based prompts should be shared within the AI art community?:

To some extent, prompts are still shared within the AI community, in so-called contests or challenges. A user proposes a prompt, and those who wish to participate generate images using various tools, adding their personal touch. However, compared to a year ago when I discovered the community, far fewer prompts are being shared (aside from contests/challenges). This is somewhat understandable, as everyone tries to be unique in their own way, and the prompt is essentially the creation of the one who generates the images.

What is the most unconventional method you have used to create an image?:

I believe my approach to obtaining generated images is quite standard. My process is as follows: I generate the image with AI, and if it contains unwanted elements or I wish to modify a certain section, I use some specific generative functions of the tool. However, regardless of the image generation method, most often I finish the final image using image editing software.

How many images you have generated using AI technology?:

I believe there are between 20k to 30k images; unfortunately, I cannot give you a more precise estimate.

Sunrise Battle

Please share your X (Twitter) handle with us.:

@Alfred_Denes

Tell us a bit about your X handle and X username.:

Alfred is my real name (boring, right?) and Denes is an anagram of ‘Needs’. As a child, in the evenings when we went to bed, I used to play a game with my brothers: ‘Alfred needs…’… until we fell asleep… we had a lot of fun…

How many X followers do you currently have?:

4,706

How many X accounts do you currently follow?:

2,987

How long have you been on X (Twitter)?:

I created my Twitter account in May last year, so it’s been about a year, I think, minus a few days.

Sound Eruption

Is there any other online platform where we can view all of your previous work apart from X?:

No

In this world of cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), are you currently selling your digital art on any platform? If so, which platform are you using?:

Yes, I’ve been doing this for a short time, about a month, and for now, only on objkt.com.

Are you selling tangible AI-generated artwork, such as high-quality prints like Giclée prints?:

No

Could you suggest some AI artists you like that we could follow?:

Oh, this is quite difficult:

Those whom I haven’t mentioned here, it doesn’t mean I love you any less. You are all incredible artists who really deserve to be mentioned… but there are many of you, my dears.

Is there anything else you would like to add or share with the AI community?:

As the one-year mark since I’ve been here is fast approaching, I want to thank the entire community for the warm welcome I received, for the help that was given to me, and without which I would not have reached the level I am at now.

Also, I would like to thank you, Revelinai, for the remarkable effort you have put in through your interviews, for supporting this community. It is a fantastic initiative.