Bas relief, a timeless art form, has its roots back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. This near ageless technique, characterized by subtle depth and a masterful interplay of light and shadow, was usually employed to immortalize history, celebrate victories, and capture the essence of both divine and human figures - and capture some pretty naughty depictions as well - humans don’t change much! Draped and adorning temple walls, tombs, and monuments, bas relief sculptures - this art form has captivated people for centuries.
In the modern era, as we delve into the realms of digital art and virtual reality without a thought. There’s sense of unease or even guilt when creating detailed bas relief sculptures with a click of a mouse. After all, some of our our ancestors dedicated entire lifetimes to perfecting their craft and carving these intricate works of art with incredible toil. But we can’t resist.
This fusion of old and new challenges us to respect the past while embracing the innovative potential of the present.
ChatGPT spit this one out for me:
bas relief thriving alien ecosystem, complete with unique flora, fauna, and landscapes that showcase the biodiversity of an extraterrestrial world. --v 5 --ar 16:9
Then I let ChatGPT 4.0 loose with a few more descriptors
Create a detailed and intricate bas relief sculpture featuring a harmonious blend of nature and ancient mythology. Depict a serene landscape, with rolling hills, majestic trees, and a tranquil river flowing through. Integrate mythical creatures, like unicorns, dragons, and nymphs, interacting with the natural elements. Add elegant, swirling vines and leaves bordering the scene, emphasizing the connection between the mythological world and nature. --ar 3:2 --v 5 --c 66
Next, I tried something playful of my own making.
bas relief in porcelain profile of Donald trump . --v 5 --ar 2:3 --stylize 1000 --c 33
Moving on 🤣
ChatGPT got really wordy on me but I tried it anyway…
Envision a captivating bas relief sculpture, created from a unique and ethereal medium: wisps of smoke. The smoke weaves an intricate narrative, forming images of ancient myths and legends, with gods and goddesses emerging from the delicate, swirling tendrils. The design is fluid, ever-changing, and ephemeral, capturing the transient nature of the stories and the elusive essence of the material. Illuminate the scene with subtle beams of light, revealing the depth and contrast of the smoke as it carves out the enchanting scene. --ar 3:2 --v 5 --c 66
That upper left image was pretty cool but it still didn’t get what I was trying to convey.
Another fail here but the army scene was spectacular!
bas relief of an engulfing war betweet light and darkness (white and black) but the material is white and black smoke --ar 16:9 --v 5 --c 33
So I simplified it:
bas relief smoke --v 5 --ar 16:9
Well - i’ll keep trying.
This one was delightful
a 3D bas - relief wooden art nouveau carved sculpture of a young Joan of Arc with long hair blowing in the wind, in front of a delicate tracery pattern, intricate and highly detailed, well - lit, ornate, realistic --v 5 --ar 2:3
Confession - my first attempt was a typo failure
Best of:
bass relief in gold coin. Game of Thrones. --v 5 --ar 1:1 --c 33
Wow