#mericcup fanart

[local-dragon-haunt]

hey! i’m an artist and i was wondering what about the httyd crossover art made it obviously AI. i’m trying to get better at recognizing AI versus real art and i totally would have just not clocked that.

Hey! This is TOTALLY okay to not have recognized it, because I DIDN'T AT FIRST, EITHER. Unfortunately there’s no real foolproof way to distinguish real art from the fake stuff. However I have noticed a general rule of thumb while browsing these last few months.

So this is the AI generated image I used as inspiration. I will not be tagging the account that posted it because I do not condone bullying of any type, but it’s important to mention that this was part of a set of images:

This is important because one of the BIGGEST things you can use to your advantage is context clues. This is the thing that clued me in: right off the bat we can see that there is NO consistency between these three images. The art style and outfits change with every generated image. They're vaguely related (I.E. characters that resemble the Big Four are on some sort of adventure?) and that's about it. Going to the account in question proved that all they posted were AI generated images. All of which have many red flags, but for clarity's sake we'll stick with the one that I used.

The first thing that caught my eye was this???? Amorphous Blob in the background. Which is obviously supposed to be knights or a dragon or something.

Again, context clues come into play here. Artists will draw everything With A Purpose. And if what they're drawing is fanart, you are going to recognize most of what you see in the image. Even if there are mistakes.

In the context of this image, it looks like the Four are supposed to be running from these people. The thing that drew my attention to it was the fact that I Didn't Recognize The Villains, and this is because there is nothing to recognize. These shapes aren't Drago, or Grimmel, or Pitch, or any other villain we usually associate with ROTBTD. They're just Amorphous Blobs that are vaguely villain shaped.

Which brings me to my second point:

Do you see the way they're standing? There is no purpose to this. It throws the entire image off. Your eye is drawn to the Amorphous Villain Blobs in the background, and these characters are not reacting to them one bit.

Now I'm not saying that all images have to have a story behind them, but if this were created by a person, it clearly would have had one. Our group here is not telling a story, they are posing.

This is because the AI does not see the image as a whole, but as two separate components: the setting, and the description of the characters that the prompter dictates. I.E. "Merida from Brave, Jack Frost from ROTG, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Hiccup from HTTYD standing next to each other"

Now obviously the most pressing part of this prompt are the characters themselves. So the AI prioritizes that and tries to spit out something that WE recognize as "Merida from Brave, Jack Frost from ROTG, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Hiccup from HTTYD standing next to each other".

This, more times than not, is going to end up with this stagnant posing. Because AI cannot create, it can only emulate. And even then, it still can't do it right. Case in point:

This is not Hiccup. The AI totally thinks this is Eugene Fitzherbert. Look at the pose. The facial structure. The goatee. The smirk. The outfits. He's always next to Raps. Why does he have a quiver? Where's Toothless? His braids? His scar??

HE HAS BOTH OF HIS LEGS.

The AI. Cannot even get the most important part of it's prompt correct.

And that's just the beginning. Here:

More amorphous shapes.

So these are obviously supposed to be utility belts, but I mean. Look at them. The perspective is all off. There are useless straps. I don't even know what that cluster behind Jack's left arm is supposed to be.

This is a prime example of AI emulating without understanding structure.

You can see this particularly in Jack, between his hands, the "tassels" of his tunic, and the odd wrinkles of his boots. There's just not any structure here whatsoever.

Lastly, AI CANNOT CREATE PATTERNS.

Here are the side-by-sides of the shit I had to deal with when redesigning their outfits. Please someone acknowledge this. This killed me inside. THIS is most recognizable to me, and usually what I look for first if I'm wary about an art piece. These clusterfuck bunches of color. I hate them. I hate them so. much.

Anyways here's some other miscellaneous things I've noticed:

Danny Phantom Eyes

???? Thumb? (and random sword sheath)

Collarbone Necklace (corset from hell)

No Staff :( No Bow :(

What is that.

So yeah. Truly the best thing to do is to just. study it. A lot of times you aren't gonna notice anything just looking at the big picture, you need to zoom in and focus on the little details. Obviously I'm not like an expert in AI or anything, but I do have a degree in animation practices and I'm. You know. A human being. So.

In conclusion:

(Y'all should totally reblog my redesign of this btw)

[sibbydoo]

🔆 ROTBTDoodles 2023 — DAY 10: HIJACK

We go where no one goes!

[blubeeztle]

Fanfic to fanart, my depiction.

Arranged by Ravenclaw Writer.

[littlekirpichi]

undercover in the castle of the Dunbroch clan

also lovestruck

not the best combo oit there...

(also i just wanted to draw Hiccup in a kilt and it shows that it's the first time i draw tartan)

[dawn-flake]

I'm back! I really need inspiration for drawing/editing big four stuff. Please send suggestions!!

Also i might make some AMVs, as was my specialty back in the day...

[palluniskillas]

worst experience of my life JSJSJSJJS

[its-me-vivix]

Mericcup I did for a crack ship collab, these two along with the rest of The Big Four literally made my childhood amazing!

[catalnart]

[secretsivekept]

That Mericcup art request ask was shady as heck, but giving them the benefit of the doubt that they're not a troll, they should check out the fanart tag on the Mericcup blog, there's like 50+ pages of reblogs. Surely they can find fanart there that's 'good enough' to not make them sad.

Yeah i was giving the benefit of the doubt lol, but a part of me was also confused cuz i was under the impression mericcup was one of the more popular ships but maybe i was wrong

[lunaqueenblossom]

I decided to post the drawings that I do occasionally.

First of all, I know I'm not good at drawing, but know that it is my first digital drawing. I've been working on this for about a week but I'm more or less proud 💖. Hope you like it!

[loonylein]

What about one of your old ships like Mericcup? c:

[sibbydoo]

🔆 ROTBTDoodles 2023 — DAY13: CONTROL

Y’all remember those Dark!Frost AUs? HAHSHSH

Say hi to Mr. Black btw! He brought his pets :))

[blubeeztle]

Depiction from fanfic, The Light Fury Rider by Shell-Shell4

[littlekirpichi]

"... For the presentation of the suitors!" - exclaimed the royal couple.

Hiccup was too focused on eyeing two men with an oh so familiar brand on their skin to pay attention to the loudly cheering crowd. He was watching those two for a week now and he still couldn't understand what business the Hunters had in this land. Whatever it might have been, it was no good.

He shifted and signed. If they wanted to strike, to do it right now would be most beneficial. But what for?

i don't think i will ever right it down😭 but still

[dawn-flake]

Hey how’s your day/night going?

Who is your fave big four member and why? :))

I'm doing well, although very busy with work and now with school

My favorite often changes and it's really hard for me to pick a favorite because I love everything about each one. They're all so different but work so well.

For the most part I identify most with Merida so she's usually my go to. Although lately I've been seeing myself in Rapunzel the most. I love the boys as well.

My favorite often changes like the seasons.

Jack has a special place in my heart, but I cry every time I hear the theme to httyd.

It's too hard to pick one when they're all so special to me. I can't imagine any without the others.

Who's your favorite and why?

[lilandraws]

Turns out, it was possible to fall in love with a person over and over again.

Christmas exchange gift for @gryffindorkxdraws !! Happy holidays >3< !!