Require: Stable Diffusion / SDXL
LORA: Desolation
https://civitai.com/models/268599/desolation
Model: RealVisXL40
https://civitai.com/models/139562/realvisxl-v40
Desolation, a LORA for generating eerie and striking images.
The style is monochromatic, predominantly using shadows of black, white, and gray to create an atmospheric scene with high contrast. This style is often associated with a mysterious and tangled environment, emphasizing silhouettes and the interaction between light and shadow. Textures and the absence of color draw the viewer’s attention towards composition, design, and emotional content of the image. It can be inspired by chiaroscuro techniques, where strong contrast between light and shadow creates a dramatic and sometimes theatrical effect. It reminds us of noir styles, known for their dark, rough, and cinematic qualities.
To use it, we’ve downloaded the file (see link above) and placed it in Invoke AI‘s autoimport folder. Starting Invoke AI makes it available. Keep in mind that not all models and components, including LORAs, are compatible with each other.
We will use RealVisXL 4.0 (link provided) and activate the LORA on the Concepts tab (right next to the Model tab). We’ll adjust its value to 8.85.
Remember that like any model, it has its biases. Applied to scenes that aren’t explicitly sad or desolate, the results might surprise you.
For instance, “a child’s room” appears dirty and outdated or old-fashioned with this style.
However, in other cases, its application is evident, such as the case of a lone man, more in line with chiaroscuro. The more pathetic the scene, the better. The model emphasizes decay and amplifies emotional load. The absence of color, blurry images, etc., are surprising in the child’s room image. Many models, whether they be LORAs, VAEs, diffusers, etc., are activated by specific phrases or keywords included in the text. If none is present, they do not apply their full style or features.
Let’s look at more examples of images that are affected and affect the model.
The bus is in a post-apocalyptic scene (a word that triggers the model), at night, alone… it gives a bit of fear.
Fish out of water, lying on the cement floor. The dirt… perfectly embodies it despite the touch of color.
The same happens with the abandoned communication tower. The colors add drama with those green-blue tones and the orange of the wild weeds.
Desolation is perfect for illustrating decay, desolation, ruins, desperation, and anguish.
To apply a similar style in other AI, you can use these images as references or define a style based on them.
