Invoke, Nano Headshots and Animated Masterpieces

Hello Friend,

Welcome back to the Generative Path, your weekly infusion of AI-powered creativity curated by ZenRobot to keep you ahead of the curve with the latest tools, trends, and techniques.

This just in: ZenRobot’s online masterclass, Gen AI for Content Creation, is now open for October registrations!

Want the full rundown? Get the info pack here.

Back to regular programming… This week is all about control without compromise. We’re diving into Invoke, a pro-level image studio that brings layer control, inpainting, and seamless edits to your browser. You’ll learn how to generate a flawless LinkedIn headshot with Nano Banana, meet creative strategist Jamie Velasquez, and see how AI is bringing classical art back to life, with a twist. Add in Lowkey Tech beats, a new student showcase, and our latest AI vs. Reality face-off, and you’re all set to create with clarity. Let’s jump in.

Feature of the Week: Invoke

Invoke is redefining the way creatives work, delivering a full-featured AI art studio built for professionals. Need reliability? Its layer-based canvas, inpainting, and masking tools keep your characters, props, and environments consistent across edits. Want iteration? Begin with a prompt, then refine step by step: paint over sections, shift lighting, swap out styles, or expand your scene with seamless outpainting.

For illustrators, storyboarders, and visual designers, Invoke means professional-grade control without constant app-switching. Best of all, it runs in your browser or desktop app, complete with Photoshop exporting for final polishing.

Creative Hack: Headshots in Invoke

Want a polished LinkedIn profile picture without expensive photoshoots? With Nano Banana inside Invoke, you can transform a simple portrait into a professional headshot in minutes. Here’s how:

1. Drop a square portrait of yourself into Invoke

2. Prompt: “Turn this into a perfect LinkedIn profile picture”
   You can add specific details accordingly e.g make her smile and make the background gradient

Pro hack: Use Invoke’s Canvas to fine-tune: adjust background tones, add subtle lighting, or smooth details. Perfect for freelancers, job seekers, or anyone who wants a professional online presence with zero hassle. Try it once and you’ll never stress about headshots again.

Community Spotlight: Jamie Velasquez

Jamie Velasquez is a creative strategist exploring how AI can support personal expression and visual storytelling. Through a blend of branding, concept development, and generative design, she helps creatives and entrepreneurs translate their ideas into bold, emotionally resonant visuals. Her work reflects a growing movement of artists using AI not just as a tool, but as a partner in unlocking new layers of identity and creative direction.

This Week’s Flow State: Lowkey Tech

Plug into the understated pulse of Lowkey Tech this week on Spotify. Blending chill techno, melodic house, and tech-house, this playlist offers smooth, groove‑driven tracks that enhance focus without overwhelming your senses  . Perfect for getting into deep work, coding, or creative flow, it maintains a steady energy that keeps your mind engaged and calm. Press play and let the subtle beats power your productivity.

AI Trend: Classic Paintings, Reimagined

You’ve seen these paintings a million times, but never like this. This weeks trend puts a humorous spin on the classics by bringing traditional paintings to life with AI. Creator Alex Patrascu used AI tools like nano banana and Higgsfield to bring iconic artworks into motion in this week’s feature. The result? A surreal visual remix of timeless masterpieces set against modern backdrops. Proof that even centuries old brushstrokes still have something new to say.

Student Showcase: ZenRobot Masterclass

This week’s feature showcases the kind of creative output that becomes possible after just four weeks in the ZenRobot Masterclass. Created by one of our students, Shaun Cairns, this video is a clear example of how quickly skills can develop with the right guidance and workflow.

Before the course, Shaun had never produced a video like this. Now, after just a month of focused learning, he built a cohesive, AI-driven piece that blends visuals, motion, and sound into a compelling concept. Watch Here

The Masterclass is designed to teach in four weeks what took Ross Symons over three years to learn. Starting from the basics of AI image generation, moving into style and character consistency, and finishing with full video production. This feature is proof of just how far that journey can take you.

AI vs. Reality: Can You Tell the Difference?

This week, we’ve got a brand-new pair of images to test your perception again. Think you can tell which is AI-made and which is the real deal? Take your guess and we’ll reveal the answer in the next issue!

Last week, we kicked off our AI vs. Reality face-off with bustling night scenes, and now for the moment of truth, if you guessed the right one was the real deal, you got it right. The left image was created with Midjourney showing off the program’s impressive ability to generate polished images.

Join the Conversation! AI is constantly evolving, unlocking new creative possibilities every day. What caught your attention this week? Hit reply and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

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Stay curious,
David and Ross