Can we save classic Games Workshop art using AI?

At least when our jobs are automated we'll have something nice to look at.
Goonhammer article here:
www.goonhammer.com/codex-revi...
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[@gregchiasson3711]

Hi, I actually wrote the Goonhammer article, and took the photo, that the Angels of Death coaster seems to be based on. Ordered a set of the coasters to get a closer look but if that's actually where they sourced the image it's absolutely hilarious to me. Since these are officially licensed products, it means that I, or at least my shadow, are Warhammer Canon now.

[@robertjones4867]

Frankly I'm going to be upset if the coasters don't feature Shadow Greg

[@robertjones4867]

They say immortality is impossible but one day you will be dust in the ground and your name forgotten by your children's children's children and the Goonhammer servers will have burned to ash but somewhere some dork will have a coaster with your shadow on it, preserving the proof you existed for all time

[@gregchiasson3711]

@@robertjones4867 doing Plato's Cave to the entire warhammer coaster community

[@robertjones4867]

@@gregchiasson3711 people hooting and hollering "CHAD! CHAD!" when they see your shadow projected onto a coaster, never understanding the Form of the Chad

[@OldenDemon]

Well played, that’s something to add to the front page of Goonhammer now.

[@mrwri]

The concept of lost media is so sad to me. The sheer scale of it. But above all, the loss of warhammer art is our modern library of alexandria.

[@iandoddsblah]

This might just be the best new Warhammer channel out there. Every vid so far has been unique, well written , interesting and had me wanting more!

[@OldenDemon]

I look forward to letting my standard drop and just posting pictures of hot women in low cut tops while drunkenly reading a old issue of white dwarf out loud.

[@n00b1n8R]

That Eldar artwork at 6:56 is incredible

[@RSBurgener]

I read of an anectdotal account of a GW customer who was a regular at the central(?) Nottingham store. The head office was once upstairs. Right after control of GW shifted in the 2000's, the manager of this store found the contents of their illustration archives in the dustbin out back. This customer said there were recognizable classics in this pile. They pulled out what they could salvage, kept some, and tried to send others back to the artists. Still others were simply ruined being in thw trash. Whoever unceremoniously dumped it like it was junk after moving day just couldn't be bothered preserving what they could never equal and apparently never appreciate. Luckily, a few people actually did. So if this is how old art was treated at this sociopathic corporation, you can bet your ass that a great deal of this art is simply "lost".

[@OldenDemon]

Having worked for them around this time I would cautiously suggest that this was might have been due to a lone operative promoted to a position beyond their capability rather than the board voting to destroy tens of thousands of pounds of their art assets.

[@shaggybaggums]

I remember I used to practically live in the Friar Lane store, especially after they moved away from D&D and closed the Broadmarsh one. I think I still have a couple of hundred issues of White Dwarf from around that time bundled up somewhere. You couldn't walk into the place without someone trying to drag you into a game of 2nd edition 40K. Happy days.

[@nrais76]

Yeah, throughout the years they've med a few questionable decisions, but going back that far they seemed to be mostly all right. Later on, when they started docking people tournament points for not taking maximum size units or not painting their miniatures with Citadel Paints... that's probably when the decline (in the sanity of corporate GW) began. Right around 3rd edition, I think.

[@sturmhalo]

A few ex-GW employees over the years have mentioned similar things happening especially with gaming tables and scenery that people would have been familiar with from White Dwarf or Games Day. It seems that when GW have needed to make space they have opted for the dump it in a skip option rather than giving things away to staff.

[@OldenDemon]

@@sturmhalo Those old Games Day displays are an interesting one. One part of me would be interested to see things like the Ultramarine chapter or the Siege of Antioch and another part tells it would look terrible with modern eyes

[@gonk0190]

Would love a google drive or something similar to be able to see all these restored pieces! Great work and a really interesting video as always

[@OldenDemon]

This might be the way to go

[@Sorain1]

@@OldenDemon Second the OP's request. If it's not put out there (potentially as an ongoing archive project) it'll vanish before the AI Overlords erase it, and that'd be sad indeed.

[@OldenDemon]

@@Sorain1 I’m leaning towards a dedicated gallery at the moment, but more research is needed

[@ciscornBIG]

That second edition wargear book for 40k is my absolute top favorite. Such power and ferocity, I swear I can feel the heat. God I love it

[@MetzoPaino]

The Goonhammer part of this story is WILD

[@ImrahilToChaos]

Definitely had this on my mind a lot for some of the older pieces - even 6e pieces have this issue which is a crying shame due to the peak quality of art from that period.

[@goblinry]

I was incredulous after reading the title but I clicked because I love this era of fantasy art. But damn did you put together a smart thoughtful and informative well researched video.

[@OldenDemon]

You are welcome

[@darnokx9277]

Quite honestly: amazing work, and we need more of this. Call me a weirdo, but there might be demand AT GAMES WORKSHOP for this done properly.

[@bigbloke2000]

THis is historical presevation work. Might seem trite right now, but over time such endevours gain value. So a big, "thank you" from 2023 -- and a very early big "thank you" from folks in the future.

[@cinninnimonskoda2017]

I've taken my old box tops, cut them out and sent them away to get "hard mounted". They put it on mdf with a matte varnish on it and they adore my walls. It's great art.

[@OldenDemon]

Nice work.

[@jonroads8281]

I love this channel.... At one time I had found a site that had downloads available of all the old White Dwarfs, and they're really good. Sadly though, I only downloaded a few then and there. When I next went back they'd all disappeared and I've never found them again 😓

[@OldenDemon]

A few of those have popped up in my time. After the first one vanished I resolved to download absolutely everything from the next one that I found

[@jonroads8281]

@@OldenDemon I certainly shall!

[@kellydavis3108]

I think the Dark Millennium cover painting is my favorite 40K art piece.

[@smoss9813]

I love this channel. Keep up the great work!

[@Leman.Russ.6thLegion]

Love oldhammer arts. The 2nd ed space wolves is so good

[@chrisnielsen5110]

Subscribed. Great stuff. Jazz music and GW nostalgia work well together, who would have known.

[@AndersRamm]

This Channel is the one I am currently looking forward the most, when “the new content bell” is chiming 🎉

[@leegarnier9396]

That Dark Angels pic at 7:02 was my fave from way back. Those SM faces lookes so realistic and brutish.

[@CellHeart]

The Brother-Sergeant Pacino picture, the first time the Dark Angels were portrayed wearing dark green

[@OldenDemon]

One was very realistic

[@CellHeart]

@@OldenDemon The main one was apparently based on a picture of Al Pacino firing a machine as Tony Montana at the end of Scarface. I think both of the marines look realistic in that pic

[@leegarnier9396]

@@CellHeart Heh, didn't know that. That's amazing. Got the pose right down to the nose!

[@leegarnier9396]

@@OldenDemon I have the opportunity to see it on a big screen now (was travelling). I kind of remember the armor being textured. In processing I think the AI smoothed some of it, giving it a smudgy look here and there. I might be totally wrong though as I haven't seen the piece in years. Thanks for the vid, brought back memories!

[@letoffboss654]

1:47 Love the World Eater Artwork

[@DoctorMobius]

6:12 Dark Millennium is incredible

[@greyt00th]

Interesting video! This is really unique content presented very well.

[@finn_english]

Sublime hit of nostalgia there, top work

[@SteveKfpv]

Truly doing the God Emperor's work 👍

[@duartemarco]

Amazing. This channel surprises me everyday. If I had the cash, I'd support it instantly. Thank you for this upload!

[@OldenDemon]

Your viewership is support enough

[@walt_man]

This was wonderful! Wayne England, David Gallagher, John Blanche -> then Adrian Smith and Karl Kopinkski are the cornerstones of GW art. /I'm sure I missed a name or three..

[@user-eh2hp7om1h]

Pretty impressive! Especially recovered Dark Millennium artwork. Is this version of artwork posted somewhere to download?

[@OldenDemon]

Not yet, I’m still trying to work out the best way of showing this stuff off

[@drpretzel2086]

There is something charming to old warhammer art

[@wiegraf9009]

Very nice! I've used AI for some restoration work myself and it's always nice to see when it comes together well.

[@Vladislav_Sargas]

I feel a great grieve for 1997 Epic 40k sets box art. Forgotten, therefore lacking HQ quality. Like, Eldar Warhost, Space Marine Battle Group, Imperial Guard detachment, and so on. I had to reverse engineer Epic blast marker image, because scanned images are bad quality despite high resolution.

[@barrelwimp2698]

Lmao great opening, I love your channel keep it up

[@guillermomartinez1752]

fantastic work!

[@Ragdollcatman001]

I have so much of this old 40K art

[@klug5916]

That is both nice and sad, as some are artistic masterpiece. And I'm not only speaking as a GW old aesthetic fan, just, some are wonderful on a purely artistic level. Good idea to put them again on the light.

[@joepaineok]

Utter glory! Please keep making videos :)

[@OldenDemon]

Will do.

[@s2korpionic]

Thanks. Really enjoyed that.

[@jonhozier3418]

I did not know I needed this content in my life, but I do.

[@robertjones4867]

This is the funniest shit I've seen in a long time

[@thejaxter6993]

Are you going to be sharing these? I’d love to use em as mobile wallpapers, but the scans from warhammer art don’t do it for me

[@Demetrius900000]

Beautiful!

[@AlyxAu]

Great video again!

[@WarpstormChronicles]

Is there anywhere we can see these high rez pics? Would be great to get some posters of them.

[@OldenDemon]

It’s on the to do list

[@dmsnotesadventuresofthethi779]

This channel is such a diamond in the rough.

[@jamesderwin]

Well done!

[@flindude2681]

7:24 I think that its good to keep original as a possible alternate scheme which I think looks like pre heresy one. Though updating it, it does look like same retro art but correct scheme.

[@Sorain1]

I think both versions are worth keeping. The original has historical value, and the edited 'update' shows us just how much better the change in scheme was.

[@uncledave466]

More please…I can’t get enough 😅

[@nicholasg8623]

So where can we get these fantastic images for ourselves?

[@OldenDemon]

Still deciding the best way to do this. It might end up on a cloud drive somehow

[@TheSlowGamesMaster]

@@OldenDemon Please, Please do a lil'announcement when you've settled on which method. I've been wanted to get my hands on a better version of the Dakr Millenium artwork for well over a decade & for your work in this field, I cannot thank you enough @Olden Demon.

[@mRhea]

im really glad to see this

[@WK-47]

Great stuff. Is there some sort of permanent archive of upscaled images somewhere online? If not, I'd be tempted to put one out there. For better or worse, it often falls to fanbases to curate these things, and Oldhammer is certainly worth the fuss.

[@OldenDemon]

I’m working on it

[@WK-47]

@@OldenDemon what a champ! Looking forward to it. I'm sure you'll have it all covered but feel free to hit me up for any web tech stuff if need be.

[@PotentElectron]

Would love to be able to view these images !

[@WarpstormChronicles]

Did you get around to making any links for the upgraded images?

[@OldenDemon]

I’d say I’m about halfway through assembling all the 40K artwork plus building a new website for them so hopefully some time in 2024

[@WarpstormChronicles]

@@OldenDemon man that’d be so cool. I love you channel. Your retro art style really brings back happy memories!

[@noodles2459]

awesome video

[@sksteele1235]

Haha, your joke about Chat GPT being called Cat GPT was SO funny! Lol! ...was that good?

[@paulwalker4195]

Ah, this fills me with hope that the inevitable AI revolution will,at least, include arguments about cover modifiers

[@mikevincent8728]

ALL THE DACHSUNDS!

[@akselolsson7576]

So good❤

[@dstanful]

Superb again

[@OldenDemon]

Thank you sir

[@MatthewBester]

I'm that guy! Preserve that art!

[@rosskwolfe]

1:50 - It's preserving historical artwork and records. You don't need to justify that because it is a positive end unto itself.

[@sirloin869]

I have most these...

[@OldenDemon]

Models, white dwarfs magazines or original artworks?

[@Brodraugen]

This video made my day. "Careless custodian". Tee-hee.

[@eatingpancakesrightnow2786]

Nice to see this tech heresy put to the service of the God Emperor

[@kharnifex]

funny as hell

[@wolfie54321]

3:53 Did you find some pills that worked? Erm... asking for an, umm, friend...

[@andrewlaidlaw7975]

Its a shame that a lot of the original artwork has been lost or not have a High quality digital version of the artwork available. Even then if someone were to try and find what remains of the original artwork I wonder how much it would cost to either buy or be allowed to take few high resolutions pictures. Although I'm failing to understand why GW decided to kill of (Old) Warhammer in favour of what can be maybe described as some empire troops trying badly to look like space marines or roman troops with shields. From the looks of some of the boxed new miniatures that I had seen once. But it doesn't help much I suppose when then did a limited run of the books to the point now your paying silly money to get a copy of some of the end times books off ebay/amazon etc due to scalpers pricing them selves out any reasonable sense of proportion in trying to sell the items unless someone was gullible enough to pay that price.

[@OldenDemon]

From what I’ve been told and seen, 5 figures for the codexes / army books and 6 for the big boxed sets

[@andrewlaidlaw7975]

@@OldenDemon ffs just makes me wish now that I had kept hold of the 2nd & 3rd copy's of the rules & codex's. Heck I would have even been willing to lend them out to be digitally scanned if I had known this would had been such a hard to come by things now. But I suppose hindsight and now only finding this out its a shame. As I had some issues of White Dwarf from the late 90's to early 00's and was given various issues of WD issues 1 through to unsure what issue only to end up being sold cheap on ebay (£1 to £2 an issue).

[@OldenDemon]

@@andrewlaidlaw7975 I really need to start snapping everything up before it gets crazy

[@jordcarter2359]

I have always enjoyed the art of Warhammer. I knkw its probably bias as a life lobg fan, but genuinely i think thw art thwy have produced over the decades is the equal of any modern contemporary art out there. That being said ive often thought it was almost amusing how GW treats their artists and art with apparent contempt. It couldn't be summed up any better than the release of rhe 3rd edition 40k rulebook and rhe famous drawing of the Black Templar holding a battle standard.. the said artist didnt even get credited and it wasn't until a later white dwarf publication they apologized and acknowledged it.

[@OldenDemon]

I doubt its contempt. I suspect that was down to do poor editing, 3rd ed still didn't have an index and they were churning codexes out at a extremely fast rate in that era. Blanche and co are still getting articles in White Dwarf magazine

[@fretzil]

it sucks that AI is getting used in such stupid ways. I dont think upscaling had reached its full potential, and since its now getting used for making people money and not preservation. Hope it can change.

[@BladeRunner21577]

I am like 888

[@_A.d.G_]

When did Scarface join the Dark Angels?

[@OldenDemon]

And who is that next to him?

[@_A.d.G_]

@@OldenDemon can't recall.

[@generaldissapointment1191]

This video is discriminatory towards people with a constantly shifting number of fingers and nipples. AI art is finally giving us the representation we deserve, don't take that away from us. That said, I have no choice but to subscribe due to the Jazz music playing in the background. Well played.

[@OldenDemon]

I knew I added it in for a reason

[@DrewCocker]

uh, they look worse. I mean look at 7:02 Please delete them.

[@dcaffran]

I do not support the use of AI, specially when the AI has been fed the works of artists and is being used to forge said artista style. Trying to save Warhammer art is a great thing, but not at any cost.

[@theycallmepiccolo9985]

useing AI to "save" art isn't saving the art work.

[@OldenDemon]

Its the best we're got without hiring an art forger

[@theycallmepiccolo9985]

@@OldenDemon with all do respects. That is exactly what u are doing by restoring these works with AI the only difference is you spend a fiver not £120. I would rather give a human artist that is willing to eaither remake or directly copy (how ever low lt maybe) than pay a IT guy that wrote a load of code that squeeze out a image.

[@OldenDemon]

@@theycallmepiccolo9985 You are more than welcome to do exactly that. Let me know how that works out

[@SHDW-nf2ki]

Discover sick 40k channel that covers cool stuff and talks about the game in a new way >AI bro Better for it all to rot away and turn to dust than be "preserved" by some shit bag machine.

[@guusbremer8435]

it sucks that classic art may be lost in some ways, but AI is going to be the death of art altogether so this sure ain't the answer

[@OldenDemon]

A surprising amount of hate around using AI these days, I blame the Terminator films

[@leovaeg]

AI is the death of art, and should be kept as far away from true creative processes like Art, Music, and D&D.

[@OldenDemon]

Uh oh

[@alexthompson3447]

Hats off! Service to the community. 🫡