creative-illustration

# Creative Illustration Factory

Generate professional illustrations for books, editorial content, children's stories, and creative projects.

## Setup

- Needs env: `OPENAI_API_KEY`

## Quick Start

Generate a simple illustration:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "a cozy cottage in an enchanted forest"
```

Generate with specific style:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "a robot learning to paint" \
  --style "watercolor" \
  --mood "whimsical"
```

Generate a story sequence:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "Alice discovers a tiny door" \
  --subject "Alice shrinks down" \
  --subject "Alice enters Wonderland" \
  --style "whimsical illustration" \
  --mood "magical"
```

## Illustration Types

### Book Illustrations
- `chapter-opener` - Full-page chapter opening scene
- `character-intro` - Character introduction portrait
- `landscape-scene` - Wide landscape establishing shot
- `action-moment` - Dynamic action or pivotal moment
- `emotional-scene` - Emotional or dramatic scene
- `cover-art` - Book cover illustration style

### Editorial / Magazine Art
- `conceptual-art` - Abstract conceptual illustration
- `info-graphic` - Informational illustration style
- `portrait-editorial` - Editorial portrait
- `spot-illustration` - Small spot illustration
- `full-page-spread` - Magazine full-page spread

### Children's Book Art
- `picture-book` - Classic picture book illustration
- `whimsical` - Playful and imaginative style
- `educational` - Educational book illustration
- `bedtime-story` - Soft, calming bedtime story art
- `adventure-map` - Adventure map or treasure map

### Concept Art
- `environment-concept` - Environmental concept art
- `character-concept` - Character design concept
- `prop-concept` - Object or prop design
- `storyboard` - Storyboard panel style
- `mood-board` - Mood board aesthetic

## Styles

### Traditional Media
- `watercolor` - Watercolor painting with soft edges
- `oil-painting` - Rich oil painting texture
- `charcoal-sketch` - Charcoal drawing style
- `ink-wash` - Ink wash / sumi-e style
- `pastel` - Soft pastel drawing
- `colored-pencil` - Colored pencil illustration
- `gouache` - Gouache opaque watercolor
- `acrylic` - Acrylic painting style
- `lino-cut` - Linocut printmaking style
- `woodcut` - Woodcut print aesthetic

### Digital Styles
- `digital-painting` - Digital painting
- `vector-illustration` - Clean vector art
- `flat-design` - Flat design aesthetic
- `isometric` - Isometric perspective
- `pixel-art` - Retro pixel art
- `concept-art` - Game/film concept art style
- `cel-shaded` - Cel shaded animation style
- `low-poly` - Low poly 3D aesthetic

### Book & Print Styles
- `picture-book` - Classic picture book
- `storybook-illustration` - Vintage storybook art
- `editorial-illustration` - Magazine editorial
- `newspaper-engraving` - Newspaper engraving style
- `poster-art` - Vintage poster design
- `woodblock-print` - Japanese woodblock print
- `screen-print` - Screen print aesthetic

## Mood

- `whimsical` - Playful and imaginative
- `magical` - Magical and enchanting
- `mysterious` - Mysterious and intriguing
- `peaceful` - Calm and serene
- `dramatic` - Dramatic and intense
- `nostalgic` - Warm and nostalgic
- `gloomy` - Dark and atmospheric
- `vibrant` - Bright and energetic
- `romantic` - Soft and romantic
- `quirky` - Quirky and eccentric

## Parameters

- `--subject` - Illustration subject/description (repeatable for batch)
- `--type` - Illustration type (default: illustration)
- `--style` - Artistic style (default: watercolor)
- `--mood` - Mood/atmosphere (default: peaceful)
- `--palette` - Color palette suggestion
- `--composition` - Composition guidance (e.g., "wide shot", "close-up")
- `--count` - Number of variants per subject (default: 1)
- `--out-dir` - Output directory (default: ~/Projects/tmp/creative-illustration-*)
- `--size` - Image size: 1024x1024, 1792x1024, 1024x1792 (default: 1024x1024)
- `--quality` - high/standard (default: high)
- `--model` - OpenAI image model (default: gpt-image-1.5)
- `--api-key` - OpenAI API key (or use OPENAI_API_KEY env)

## Advanced Examples

Children's book page:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "a curious rabbit with a pocket watch" \
  --type "picture-book" \
  --style "watercolor" \
  --mood "whimsical" \
  --palette "pastel"
```

Editorial concept art:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "AI and humanity working together" \
  --type "conceptual-art" \
  --style "vector-illustration" \
  --mood "optimistic" \
  --composition "symbolic"
```

Story sequence:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "Hero finds an ancient map" \
  --subject "Hero deciphers mysterious symbols" \
  --subject "Hero discovers a hidden passage" \
  --subject "Hero enters the forgotten temple" \
  --style "storybook-illustration" \
  --mood "mysterious" \
  --palette "earth tones"
```

Full custom prompt:

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --prompt "A magical treehouse library nestled among ancient redwoods, spiral staircase winding up the trunk, lanterns hanging from branches, books floating in mid-air, warm golden light streaming through leaves, detailed watercolor illustration style, whimsical and enchanting"
```

## Color Palettes

- `pastel` - Soft pastel colors
- `earth tones` - Natural browns, greens, golds
- `vibrant` - Bright saturated colors
- `muted` - Desaturated, subtle colors
- `monochrome` - Single color variations
- `jewel tones` - Rich ruby, emerald, sapphire
- `autumn` - Orange, red, yellow, brown
- `winter` - Blue, white, silver, purple
- `tropical` - Bright greens, teals, pinks
- `vintage` - Warm sepia, faded tones

## Composition

- `wide shot` - Wide establishing scene
- `close-up` - Intimate close-up
- `panoramic` - Panoramic landscape
- `rule-of-thirds` - Balanced rule of thirds
- `centered` - Centered subject
- `diagonal` - Dynamic diagonal composition
- `triangular` - Triangular composition
- `circular` - Circular / spiral composition
- `symmetrical` - Perfectly symmetrical
- `asymmetrical` - Asymmetrical balance

## Output

- `*.png` - Illustration images
- `prompts.json` - All prompts used
- `index.html` - Illustration gallery

## Project Templates

### Children's Book (4-6 images)

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "Girl finds a magical seed" \
  --subject "Seed grows into a glowing plant" \
  --subject "Plant reveals a tiny fairy" \
  --subject "Fairy shows girl a secret garden" \
  --subject "Girl shares garden with friends" \
  --type "picture-book" \
  --style "watercolor" \
  --mood "whimsical"
```

### Magazine Editorial (1-2 images)

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "The future of sustainable cities" \
  --type "conceptual-art" \
  --style "vector-illustration" \
  --mood "optimistic" \
  --count 2
```

### Fantasy Story Chapter Opener (1 image)

```bash
python3 ~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/creative-illustration/scripts/illustrate.py \
  --subject "The dragon's treasure hoard under ancient runes" \
  --type "chapter-opener" \
  --style "oil-painting" \
  --mood "dramatic" \
  --palette "jewel tones"
```