There’s a quiet majesty in the work of D.L. Rand, also known as @DLRand1, whose art seamlessly blends classical beauty with modern digital experimentation. Originally a traditional artist, he now wields AI with the same sensitivity and care—crafting delicate portraits and evocative landscapes that feel both timeless and visionary. His is a world where fabric flows like liquid light, where skin and shadow glow softly under golden rays, and where beauty—real, graceful, and contemplative—is always at the center.

D.L. Rand’s mastery of Leonardo.Ai is evident in every piece. He moves fluidly between expressive close-up portraiture and dramatic, cinematic landscapes, applying painterly techniques that recall the Renaissance and Romanticism, yet always with a modern edge. His figures, often women rendered with reverence and restraint, are lit by soft, ethereal light—wrapped in translucent fabrics, windswept reds, and melancholic shadows. Whether captured in still serenity or caught mid-motion, they radiate a quiet strength, evoking both the emotional richness of classical oil painting and the imaginative potential of AI art.

But portraiture is only one side of his visual language. In his landscapes, trees, storms, and fog-draped paths unfold with a sense of mystery and awe. Using dramatic lighting, rich earth tones, and expert depth, D.L. Rand transports viewers into misty forests, burning horizons, and post-apocalyptic terrains, often led by solitary figures on some unknowable journey. These scenes pulse with narrative energy—romantic, introspective, and cinematic, always composed with an eye for atmosphere and emotional resonance.

His palette remains subdued but powerful—muted browns, greens, and greys, occasionally disrupted by a bold burst of red or gold, always in service of mood. Whether invoking stillness or motion, serenity or drama, D.L. Rand’s art captures that elusive, glowing in-between—where realism gives way to imagination, and form to feeling.

It’s been a pleasure to watch his work grow and evolve. A true lover of beautiful things, D.L. Rand continues to create art that invites viewers into moments of quiet reflection and wonder. It’s an honor to finally share this long-awaited interview with an artist whose voice, like his vision, speaks softly—but leaves a lasting impression.

Let’s discover D.L. Rand together.

One with nature

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

Hello. For all intents and purposes, my name is D.L. Rand and I am currently an artist on X. Or as my bio says, I am an artist at heart.

I am old enough to drink but young enough that I don't qualify for Social Security for a few more decades.

I've always had a love for traditional art and creating things with my hands. I do have some drawings and illustrations that have been published in a few books, but to divulge where they were published would give away my real name and location.

After High school, I went to College for digital art and animation as well as graphic design. It was the technology-driven side of it that appealed to me, just as the tech side of AI art appeals to me now. I've since moved on from graphic design, but I'm still painting, drawing, and creating.

I am also an amateur fiction writer, for what it's worth. I don't have any published fiction yet, but there is still time for all that. As for my writing, I refuse to use AI or anything more than a spell checker. I want my words to be my own.

Could you please tell us which country you live in?

Currently, I am living in and traveling the Southwest part of the United States. I joke in my X bio that I'm at the corner of No and Where. This is only a reference to the old Sci-Fi TV show Firefly, but it does actually feel that way sometimes.

What led you to begin working with AI imagery?

As an artist who still works with actual paints and pencils, I wanted to know how I could add AI to my proverbial toolbox. I must say that I haven't been disappointed.

As corny as it sounds, I also wanted to bridge that gap that exists between traditional art and AI art and artists.

My reasons for joining X are a little different, but I think I would still be using AI even if I wasn't on X.

What AI tools do you use?

Ultimately, My AI generator of choice is Leonardo AI. It has a nifty canvas editor and real-time canvas and generator tools.

I still haven't used Midjourney yet. In a way, I'm worried that my images won't be the same. I'm loyal to a fault, I guess.

It's rare that I have an image come out of the generator, ready to post. So, for those images, I use a few other tools. For example, I have an older (pre-AI) version of Photoshop and Illustrator.

What inspires you?

Just seeing the finished works of other AI and Traditional artists is enough to inspire me.

Humans, in all of their works, inspire me. The is a lot of beauty in the world to find.

The old masters are in a class of there own. If I had a time machine, I would definitely have to make a stop in Vinci Italy around 1500.