God Story CD Music Release - Customized Album Cover

I took the "GOD STORY" promotional art and fed it through a few image prompts to get some ideas, then took the pieces I liked from a few samples, and then merged in a different headshot of Anne into the final Affinity Photo edits. Be sure to grab your copy of her music over at Anne Wilson.

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Superman with Heat Vision Blasting Toward the Viewer

I saw a nice sketch by Jordan Gibson last week, and fed it through some image prompts to get me an homage version of my own to edit on.  Cleaned up image glitches, and then I added some new background villains, heat vision beams, and a clean logo from the early days of Superman, with all my tweaking done within Affinity Photo.

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lilyisthatyou - HALO digital CD release custom cover art

I took the existing CD digital single cover work for "HALO" and made several small enhancements using my Affinity Photo + Designer tools.   Buy your copy of the music over at lilyisthatyou's music/merchandise site.

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Jessie Murph - That Ain’t No Man (That's The Devil)

The stock album cover for "THAT AIN'T NO MAN THAT'S THE DEVIL" was a plain image of Jessie without any text, so I made a few minor adjustments. Be sure to grab your copy over at Jessie Murph's promotional site.

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Dasha - What Happens Now?

The stock album cover for "WHAT HAPPENS NOW? (Deluxe)" was a simple image of Dasha sitting on a horse without any album text, so I made text labeling adjustments, including adding her belt buckle from the back cover to her outfit. Be sure to grab your copy over at Dasha's promotional site.

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Tweaked cover art for Karley Scott Collins' album artwork for 'Write One' (version 2)

I took the "WRITE ONE" CD album cover art and fed it through a few image prompts to get some ideas, then took the pieces I liked from 4 different generations and then spliced them into the minor updates within Affinity Photo. Be sure to grab your copy of her music over at Karley Scott Collins.

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Mule Standing in a Desert Rain Storm

Mule Standing in a Desert Rain Storm is composed together from a few source NightCafe image prompts, and extended with Freepik.   Added some additional layers by hand within Affinity Photo for the final image.

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Batman Kneeling in the Rain on a Rooftop in Gotham City.

I took a single panel from DC Comics Absolute Batman #5 , drawn by Nick Dragotta, and used it as an input source for a NightCafe image prompt to create a version of Batman kneeling on a rooftop.   I then found several images online and merged/masked them into the final picture with Affinity Photo.

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Batman versus Killer Croc

Batman versus Killer Croc

[Workflow: Original art by Jesús Hervás from Suicide Squad - Kill Arkham Asylum #1 (DC Comics 2024) ; minor edits with new words.]

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The Tipsy Trickster: Hallucinations in the Fog

In the heart of London, where the fog clung to the cobblestones like a shroud, John Constantine found himself nursing a pint in a dimly lit pub, the kind where secrets whispered between the walls. The night had started innocently enough, but as the whiskey flowed, so did the shadows, twisting and curling around him like old friends. With each sip, the world around him began to blur, and the familiar faces of patrons morphed into grotesque caricatures, their laughter echoing like a sinister melody. It wasn’t long before a shimmering cloud of magic dust materialized before his bleary eyes, swirling with colors that danced like fireflies. As the line between reality and illusion faded, Constantine realized he was not just tipsy; he was teetering on the edge of a hallucinatory adventure that would drag him deep into the underbelly of the supernatural, where every sip could summon a new danger. Every shadow held a secret waiting to be uncovered.

[Workflow: A few NightCafe image prompts, merged in some magical mischief, and a distorted logo within Affinity Photo, since John is having trouble focusing his eyes.]

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Gaslight: John Constantine's Confrontation with Madness

John Constantine staggered through the haze of The Joker's laughing gas, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of manic laughter and twisted visions. The world around him warped into a surreal carnival of colors and shadows, but amidst the madness, his instincts kicked in. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a flickering sigil, the air crackling with unstable magic. As the laughter echoed in his ears, he channeled the chaos, weaving spells that danced like fireflies, determined to turn the Joker's deadly joke back on itself before he lost his grip on reality entirely.

[Workflow: A few NightCafe image prompts, brought into Affinity Photo and the added pentagram, fiery portal and extra smoke Fx.]

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The Jar of Dragon's Flames, Part 1: "The Thief of Flames"

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This two-part storyline is proposed to be written by Brian Azzarello with interior art by Goran Sudzuka and variant covers by TrUzApalOOza.]

Title: The Jar of Dragon's Flames

Starring: John Constantine (The Trenchcoat Magician)

Publisher: DC Comics

Synopsis: When a mysterious jar containing the flames of a dragon is stolen from a secret society, John Constantine is hired to retrieve it. But as he delves deeper into the world of black magic and ancient curses, he discovers that the jar's true power is not just its ability to unleash fiery destruction, but also its capacity to manipulate the very fabric of reality.

• Part 1: "The Thief of Flames"

John Constantine is hired by a mysterious client to steal a jar containing the flames of a dragon from a secret society. But as he infiltrates the society's headquarters, he realizes that the jar is more than just a simple container - it's a key to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As Constantine navigates the treacherous world of black magic, he must confront his own demons and make a choice between his own morality and the temptation of ultimate power.

• Part 2: "The Blaze of Reality"

Constantine's quest for the jar has awakened a powerful force that threatens to destroy the very fabric of reality. As the flames of the dragon begin to spread, Constantine must use all his magical prowess to contain the blaze and prevent a catastrophic outcome. But as the stakes grow higher, Constantine begins to realize that the jar's true power is not just its ability to unleash destruction, but also its capacity to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Can Constantine find a way to stop the flames and restore balance to the universe, or will he succumb to the temptation of ultimate power?

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Adventure

Target Audience: Mature Readers (16+)

Page Count: 32 pages (2-part storyline)

Format: Full-color, 6.625 x 10.25 inches (standard comic book size)

[Workflow: Starter images of the dragon, John, and background creatures in Tengr AI. Combined images together, added more light reflections, flames, sparks, and demon skulls within Affinity Photo.]

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CGC 9.5 Rated: Darkseid Trading Card (DC Comics Villain Series 1 - 2023)

I took the Darkseid image edit I previously created and updated it to be a CGC-certified trading card for the imagined "DC Comics: Villains Series 1" released as a set of 48 cards in 2023.

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John Enters the Citadel of GazeBrax

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This three-part storyline is proposed to be written by Denise Mina, with interior art by Stefano Landini.]

As John Constantine descended into the lower levels of Hell, the air grew thick with the stench of brimstone and the screams of the damned. The sky above was a deep brackish red, with wispy vapor clouds drifting lazily across the horizon like ghostly apparitions. The moon, a burning crimson orb, hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape.

Before him, a massive, purple bulbous creature emerged from the shadows. Its body was covered in thick, scaly skin, and its eyes - a staggering thirteen total appeared to take in the scene from every angle. The creature's short, horn-like protrusions seemed to quiver with malevolent intent as it regarded Constantine with a cold, calculating gaze.

The air was heavy with the scent of sulfur and smoke, and the ground beneath Constantine's feet seemed to writhe and twist like a living thing. The creature's very presence seemed to draw the life force out of the air, leaving only a dull, oppressive weight that pressed down upon Constantine's shoulders.

"You shouldn't be here, Constantine," the creature hissed while spitting green saliva in a voice that sent shivers down Constantine's spine. "This is not a place for mortals." Constantine snarled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not just any mortal, pal. I'm John Constantine, and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine summoned Randar's Defensive Globe, a powerful spell that would protect him from the creature's attack. The air around him shimmered with a faint verdant illumination as the spell took hold, and Constantine felt an increased surge of confidence.

[Workflow: Starter images of the beast, smaller creatures in the foreground, background town, John Constantine, and Randar's Globe were created in NightCafe. The painting canvas texture, drool, and moon were sourced from the internet. The images were then combined together, with a batch of AI-artifact fixes to the beast made by hand (eyes, claws). Fx layers were used for JC's spellcasting. Heavy use was made of IamRensi custom brushes for masking, clouds, and magic aura on the globe.]

The Devil's Dust: John Constantine's Last Stand

In the depths of Hell, amidst swirling clouds of devilish dust, John Constantine, the renowned occult detective from DC Comics, finds himself looking upward at the towering 20-foot demon known as Malgorthrax. Kneeling down, John's eyes blaze with determination as he channels his mystical powers. With a swift motion, he places his hand on the dusty ground, casting a spell that unleashes vibrant streams of purple and green plasma. The magical energy surges forth, striking Malgorthrax's hooven feet first, then spiraling upward until the demon is fully engulfed by hex fire.

[Workflow: Used Tengr + Nightcafe to generate separate pieces: demon, John, basic background, and some runic symbols.  Masked in additional layers such as the dust storm, pixel layers to create more dust, plasma particles, runic glow, etc.  Assembled everything within Affinity.]

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John Constantine casts a powerful spell outward...

Superman Holds Up a Collapsing Building

I created an homage cover based on Pablo M. Collar's original interior panel artwork.   I began with Tengr to kick things off, sourcing art from My Adventures with Superman #1 (August 2024).  I then expanded the image vertically and added more destructive details by hand, blending in other layers for special effects like dust clouds and falling debris. Finally, I created a variant cover layout to complete the production look and feel of an actual Superman Unchained #6 comic book.

 

Smoke and the Shadows in the Cemetery of Lost Souls (John Constantine)

As the sun began its slow descent towards the horizon, casting a warm, blue-tinged glow over the crumbling headstones within the Abney Park Cemetery, John Constantine stood tall, his eyes fixed on the statued gravestone before him. The angel, its features chiseled from marble, held a bow and arrow in its outstretched hand, its gaze seeming to pierce the soul of the man standing before it.

The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the distant chirping of crickets provided a mournful accompaniment to the silence. A light foggy mist had begun to rise from the ground, shrouding the gravestones in a veil of mystery. The fog was so fine that it seemed to glow with soft, ethereal light as if the very essence of the dead was rising to greet the living.

As Constantine puffed on his cigarette, the flame casting a brief, golden glow on his weathered face, he noticed that the mist was illuminated by shafts of light that seemed to pierce through the fog like rays from the heavens. The light was so intense that it cast eerie shadows on the ground, making it seem as if the dead themselves were rising to claim the living.

"What's the story, angel?" Constantine muttered to himself, his voice low and gravelly.  As he spoke, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and sending a faint whispering through the air. Constantine's eyes never left the angel's face, his mind racing with the possibilities. He knew that in this place, where the veil between the worlds was thin, the whispers of the dead could be heard on the wind. And he had a feeling that this angel was trying to tell him something that would change his life forever.

[Workflow: Used Tengr to generate a variation of a source Llovet image featuring John. Then used Google image searches to find all the other components to use as further elements. Composed these pieces of John, re-used cigarette+smoke+glow from one of my other images, refaced the grave marker behind John, added more trees, applied curves + HSL recoloring effects, fog pixel layers, ray lighting layer, bunches of masking work.  All final edits, and source image clean-ups were done within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final image of John smoking a cigarette in a graveyard
2. Gravestone Halloween image i used
3. Graveyard with trees
4. green rays that I overlaid with foggy/mist layer

Smoke and the Shadows in the Cemetery of Lost Souls 

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(John Constantine) The Wandering Son of England Returns Home

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics which I started after seeing a painting by Behshad Arjomandi.  This one-shot storyline proposed to be written by Paul Jenkins, with interior art by Giuseppe Camuncoli.]

In the heart of London, where shadows dance with secrets and the rain whispers of forgotten sins, there strides a man unlike any other. John Constantine, the enigmatic and troubled occult detective, returns to his homeland with a heavy heart and a burdened soul. As he strolls down the slick cobblestone streets, the iconic silhouette of Big Ben looms in the distance, its clock face a stark reminder of the relentless march of time. Dark clouds gather overhead, crackling with the promise of a storm brewing both in the skies and within Constantine himself.

Lightning flashes, illuminating the grimy alleyways and hidden corners of the city, casting eerie shadows that seem to reach out for him. But John Constantine is no stranger to the darkness; he is its master and its prisoner, a man caught between worlds, forever wandering the thin line between salvation and damnation. As he navigates the treacherous waters of London's supernatural underbelly, Constantine must confront his past, his demons, and the ghosts that haunt him. For in this city of ancient magic and modern malaise, the wandering son of England returns home, ready to face whatever horrors lie in wait. Join us on a journey through the twisted streets of London, where danger lurks in every shadow and salvation is but a fleeting dream. This is the saga of John Constantine, the man who walks with one foot in the light and one foot in the dark, a reluctant hero in a world that has long forgotten the meaning of the word.

[Workflow: A series of Tengr image prompts to get many elements in the same dark-colored painting format.   Composed these pieces of John, the street, trees, and background buildings into base image, then applied recoloring effects, rain layers, lightning with clouds, water splashes, and then the final layers of comic book branding.  All final edits, and source image clean-ups were done within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover 
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution), my original version is too wide for the standard comic book layout so I had to crop out some of the right-hand street scenery
3. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filter
4. reference inspiration painting by Behshad Arjomandi
5. the original background image I worked out within Tengr
6. my base John image to merge into the scene, started within Tengr

Imagined DC Comic book cover

raw painted image before converted to a comic book cover

my basic background London before compositing

image that inspired me by Behshad Arjomandi

John Constantine (isolated image)

Affinity Layers Panel

Legend of the Serpent's Temptation (John Constantine)

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics for a one-shot storyline proposed to be written by Ray Fawkes with interior art by Juan Ferreyra.]

John Constantine's fevered mind conjured up a vision of the Garden of Eden, lush and vibrant, with trees heavy with forbidden fruit. He saw himself standing amidst the verdant paradise, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of a thousand whispers. The sun beat down upon his skin, but he felt no heat, only a creeping sense of unease.

As he wandered deeper into the garden, the trees grew taller and the shadows darker. John's eyes scanned the surroundings, his hand instinctively reaching for the cigarette pack in his pocket, only to remember he'd left it on the nightstand back in his dingy London flat. A faint rustling caught his attention, and he turned to face a massive, serpentine creature coiled at the base of a gnarled tree. Its scales glinted like polished obsidian, and its eyes burned with an otherworldly green fire.

The snake's gaze locked onto John, and he felt an inexplicable pull as if the creature was drawing him closer to the tree. A branch creaked, and a single, glowing apple fell from its bough into John's hand. The snake's forked tongue darted in and out, tasting the air, and John's mind whispered a single, chilling phrase: "Eat the fruit, and all your sins will be forgiven."

[Workflow: Inspired by Yasmine Putri's cover art from Hellblazer #17 (2018).  A series of Tengr image prompts to get many elements in the same dark-colored painting format, found a bunch of snake & vegetation images on the internet. Composed these pieces of John, tree, apple, and vegetation, along with special Fx overlays, and texturing work.]

final variant cover art

raw image without DC Comics branding

inspiration artwork