Fine marks. Deep shadows.
Create detailed white-on-black art from a prompt or photo, with fine scratched-looking highlights and rich, connected shadows.
Mark direction follows the form
Let the light choose the marks
Describe the subject, pose and light direction. Fur, feathers, hair and leaves offer useful detail; simple silhouettes also work. Add an optional reference photo with or without text, ideally with a clear subject.
Inspect where the pale marks gather. They should reveal lit surfaces while connected dark areas hold the composition together. If every region feels busy, ask for fewer background details and stronger shadows around the subject.
Download the result and check eyes, facial contours and intricate textures at full size. View it as a thumbnail too: the subject should remain clear as fine marks merge into larger tones.
Build tone from marks
Scratchboard traditionally reveals a light layer by removing a dark surface. This preset translates that appearance into fine pale lines, stippled highlights and controlled hatching. Its chosen palette stays monochrome, with the black ground remaining visible between the marks.
Curved marks can describe a lion’s mane, shorter strokes can suggest feathers, and crossed lines can model stone. Give the light a direction so these textures support the volume. Large dark areas provide breathing room and keep the brightest details from competing.
A reference photo can guide the subject and overall pose. Simple backgrounds and clear lighting make the important contours easier to carry into the image. The generator reinterprets details rather than mechanically tracing the photo.
Choose the subject, light and dark areas
The monochrome direction is already set. Describe the forms and lighting; use another style if you want a colored treatment.
An owl on a rough branch, complete face visible, light from the upper left, fine pale feather and bark marks, large quiet black areas behind the bird.
A woman with wavy hair wearing a plain dark blouse, looking toward light from the upper left, pale highlights across her cheek and eyes, deep shadows around the shoulders.
A white lighthouse above dark coastal rocks and a calm sea, low clouds, fine hatching along the stone and water, a clear light source and strong black shadows.
Use contrast to carry the image
Explore fur and feather patterns while keeping the animal’s silhouette clear. Reserve the densest pale detail for the face or another focal feature.
Build a central image for a cover or poster, with a quiet dark area for typography. Add the lettering in another editor.
Reinterpret a familiar face through highlights and deep shadows. Inspect eyes and characteristic markings; fine lines can change the expression or resemblance.
Compare mark density and negative space in a scene. The result is an image study, not a ready-to-cut stencil or engraving machine paths.
This generator uses 8 credits for one 1K image. Membership credits work across YouArt image, video, audio, and workflow tools.
For hobbyists and explorers
For creators and pro users
For power users and teams
For teams and studios
About the look and the output
Keep exploring
The closest looks to this one. Each is a full generator with its own prompt studio and examples.
Build beyond one image
Open YouArt's visual canvas to connect generation, editing, upscaling, animation, and sound in one reusable process.
