Merman by hongd542

 Mythical mermen are a natural subject for AI art creators. This fantasy by hongd542 shows one haunting an ancient city that has sunk into the sea. He has a magnificent physique, a beautiful swirling body line and, it would seem, a taste for adorning himself with precious artifacts salvaged from the ruins. 

I normally ponder the secrets of merman reproduction in these images, but this one gives no clues in the below stairs department. That deflected my thoughts to wondering about those upper body muscles. Perfect for luring unwary sailors onto the rocks, but how did he develop them without access to an underwater gym or even legs with which to brace himself for heavy lifts?

Actually, as is the way with AI, the origins of his lower body are betrayed by the bend in his tail at about knee height and the suggestion of a flexed foot between his tail fins. That suggests he's actually a human who has been condemned by some sorcery to roam the seas, with his legs (and everything else, I suppose) trapped inside a fish's tail, like a sheath. Is there a hint of frustration in his facial expression?

 

This powerful image by the same artist seems to play on that predicament, with the merman seeming to be torn between his old life on dry land, and life in the sea, which is now the only place in which he can survive. A demonic glow lights his eyes, reflecting his state of enchantment and, perhaps, his anger and frustration, which he is doomed to inflict on innocent matelots (if there is such a thing!) from now on.

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hongd542's art has been featured at mitchmen blog 

AI Art by - AI Art!

 

 

This splendid, relaxed male image comes from on Art shop I stumbled across on-line. As usual with AI Art, you can't tell what is fortuitous invention and what is really the product of a human mind that's been abstracted by the software. The blotchy paint effect does something for the feel of this image, which is quite mysterious and sensual in an odd sort of way. It covers a multitude of sins as well, but nevertheless I really like this depiction of masculinity that hasn't resorted to baring acres of flesh. I must admit I have a thing about shorts too and that theme also runs through the images below.

 

 

 

 

Talking of blotchy paint effects! The treatment here is suggestive of explosive power in the poser. It's not particularly subtle and doesn't have the moody depth of other images here but would hang on a wall most happily. The use of colour is quite cleverly balanced, it and reminds me of the work of Richard Taddei, but his humanity trumps this showiness.

Moody ought to be the name of this image! A generously applied, dripping paint effect gives the superficial impression of a muscle hunk caught in a rainstorm. However, there's an underlying sense of him being caught in a situation, be it rain or something more serious, where that lovingly-crafted physique is of no help to him. Quite a powerful effect, but rather depressing as a picture on your wall.

 

That's unless you get off on the idea of vain men being put in their place. (Moi? As if!)

 

 

 

This is a variation on the same theme, but there's a spark of resentment or rebellious defiance in this man's face that suggests his spirit has not been quenched just yet. It's reminiscent of the 1950's photographs of men like John Barrington who charmed likely lads into his apartment to pose for pictures - and sometimes (well, quite often, apparently) charmed them into bed as well. It looks like this one is thinking about it, conscious that some of his defences have already been stripped away.

 

 

This might have been a picture taken earlier in such a session, it's a very natural, manly pose. His thumbs are hooked in his pockets, as if he needs to give them something to do, and although he's gazing into the distance, it feels like he's looking at the artist or photographer for guidance and reassurance rather than striking an arty pose. He's crafted his physique with obvious dedication but doesn't quite know what to do with it, it seems, and the result is charmingly modest.

 

 

This variant is quite the opposite, self-consciously relaxed. The distant gaze here sets him apart from his audience, creating that god-like aloofness that has more to do with the on-lookers perceptions than his innate qualities. Impressive shoulders though.

There are lots of fleshier images on this site which wander into sensual waters that are not appropriate for this blog. This innocent one indulges my fascination for shorts, particularly when paired with belts. That clothing combination under pins my interest in the old Royale Studios. Compared with the preceding images, this pair, in matching white outfits, seem to have an arrogant self-awareness that is both alluring and repulsive. I know which I prefer.

(Yes I know, it's just AI messing around!)

 

The 'mind' behind this image has also linked in to the related idea of belted swimming trunks, a fashion phenomenon that had a vogue in the 1960s and still comes and goes occasionally, but usually quite briefly (so to speak!). That may be because it's too showy and incongruous for the average man, who is still desperately conservative in his dress. 

 

In a typical piece of AI confusion, the software has combined a two designs in one, skimpy briefs on the left side, and a more shorts-like leg line on the right side. Artificial, yes, but whoever called it intelligence?

 

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I don't have the web original location, but for more, explore at Etsy, 

try bart print gallery  first

AI Experimentation

cyberlad - anthropoplasti - 449

 This remarkable image is one of many fantasies by cyberlad that explores the possibilities of the distinctive, traditional genre of art used for medical, anatomical studies. It's not for everyone who has an interest in the male body, but has an invasive quality that is hard to ignore. 

In this example, the artist has clad the subject in jeans which immediately suggests the condition of his body is real, not an abstract visualisation for educational purposes. He's doubled down on the scientific element by enclosing him in a glass chamber. A chamber which is also occupied by an ivy-like plant, it is vigorously entwining itself around his body.

Curiously disturbing. 

cyberlad posts at DeviantArt

Just Blown In

 March winds and all that!

Looks like a typical UK beach

The model looks like he'd prefer a different sort of blowing

 

Underwear model by Modus Vivendi

Mermen with Spunk

Matelot Beguiled

Sailors Orders

 

 I've posted quite a lot of mermen images at this blog, and many of them are preoccupied with what mermen look like. In folklore, though, mermen are more than just biological oddities. They are, by necessity, the sirens of the gay persuasion (since women have always been verboten in ships). They existed to lure sailors onto their rocks with powers of persuasion which are left largely to the imagination to this very day. 

 Hats off to AI then for coming up with this contrasting pair, although they are largely viewed through the (mainly, straight) prism of AI.  It's produced a disconcerting combination of muscularity and boyish/classical faces with a slightly feminine cast that's not dispelled by their seduction techniques. 

What great men, though, playing the role of sailors.

There's an interesting difference in seduction approaches. No 1 goes for teasing, whilst projecting femininity with flowers in the hair. This is likely to confuse the average sailor who likes his love interest to be one thing or the other, and for whom old-fashioned romance like this is a bit 'niche'. Especially for those men in 'reserved' (i.e. butch) occupations, like mariners.

I'm not sure many gay men would fall for the Marlene Dietrich technique of No 2 either. Although they usually appreciate a good Dom's sternness, they expect to be compensated with a bash at the very thing these creatures haven't got. Fishiness doesn't really help in this department either.

 The lack of historical documentation of merman seduction may be because gay men don't have the same barriers to intercourse as straight men. If the first port of call is proving difficult, they just go back to their shipmates, the ones who lack the same powers of attraction, or these days they can go on Grindr (or whatever the principal on-line knocking-shop is when you read this). That applies doubly for sailors who have the benefit of shipmates all too willing to live up to the promiscuous stereotype and go foraging, en-masse, in foreign climes. You didn't thing 'a girl in every port' was a literal, uni-gender truth, did you? 

 Images by RomanAI

Chilly Start in the Trossachs

 There's something about a man in a kilt that fires the imagination - and curiousity about what he's got on underneath. Matt Zumwalt stokes the tease here by flashing a chunky thigh. 

Cavorting in the snow is certainly in keeping with the tough, he-man image of Scots,
epitomised by the tossing events of the Highland Games.

You do wonder how such a minimal garment became standard wear in a country 
that has more than it's fair share of perishing cold weather. 

Photo of Matt Zumwalt by Eric Battershell

A Box of Boys

 

 

This image by Alga has an intriguing subject and delicious colouring

The restrictive boxing and loose lasso suggest bad behaviour being punished

The winged trainer perhaps signifies wings being clipped.

The young pair look suitably resentful.

Haven't a clue what the umbrella means, but it's just a great image.

 

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There's an 'Alga' on twitter/X but it's not obviously the same artist