Making a joke using ChatGPT incorrect image generations so the work isn't wasted -- "that's on me."

This was a particularly frustrating attempt at image generation. For whatever reason, ChatGPT wanted to draw Butterwell's robot companion, Marvin Metalhead, as a "little robot".

Typical ChatGPT responses/excuses ensued.

You can read the finished article here

🌅 Arriving Late Still Counts as Showing Up

keep up with all of Butterwell's goings on

Butterwell's X account is

https://x.com/thadbutterwell

Someday Marvin's X account will be automated so he truly will be a robot

Marvin Metalmind's X account is

https://x.com/MarvinMetalMind

I write about using AI for creative efforts

My X account is

https://x.com/eric81766

Let's make this image - Butterwell in the kitchen staring at a 2026 calendar cover which features a close up of a kitten's face and the words "MAKE EACH DAY COUNT" Have Marvin in the background just standing looking at Butterwell since he has nothing to do. Butterwell and Marvin are about the same height. Uploading reference of me (Butterwell image) and Marvin so you have it. Remember I have blue eyes. Butterwell is wearing an "I TRIED" t-shirt uploaded. At 9:44, I shuffled to the kitchen and stared at the “motivational” calendar I bought in a moment of retail hope. It read: “Make each day count.”

Image created

Different angle - no pancakes - Marvin is the same height as Butterwell

Image created

Is Marvin looking at the Calendar too? Or is he lacking a face? Answer in text first.

In the current image, Marvin is facing toward Butterwell and the calendar but doesn't appear to be looking at the calendar in an expressive way — primarily because he lacks a visible face or defined eyes. His head is angled in the right direction, but without facial features, it's ambiguous whether he's observing the calendar or just passively present.

So do we see the back of Marvin's head in this image or is his face missing?

In this image, we see the front of Marvin’s head — but his face is missing. The head is turned slightly toward Butterwell and the calendar, but where we’d expect facial features, there’s just a blank or flat metallic surface. It gives the impression that Marvin is watching, but with no expression or identifiable face.

Well, you know Marvin has a face and it is seen in the reference image so please keep the rest of the image the same but give Marvin his face.

Image created

OK - now we know that Marvin should be the same height as Butterwell, so let's make an image with the same kind of content but a different camera angle and make it so Butterwell and Marvin are the same height, Butterwell is looking at the calendar, Marvin is looking at Butterwell, and the calendar is on the wall.

Image created

You moved Butterwell, not the camera. And you didn't change anything about Marvin being too short in this image. Have Butterwell holding the 2026 MAKE EACH DAY COUNT calendar with a cat face and Butterwell is looking at it. Marvin is standing next to Butterwell looking at Butterwell and awaiting instructions.

Image created

Analyze the image you just created. Is Marvin the same height as Butterwell? y/n

No, Marvin is still shorter than Butterwell in the image.

How could you fix that so they are the same height?

To fix the height discrepancy between Marvin and Butterwell so they appear the same height, you can:

1. Raise Marvin's Position Vertically: Adjust Marvin’s placement so his feet remain level with Butterwell’s, but his body extends upward to match Butterwell’s full height, including head height.
2. Scale Marvin Proportionally: Increase Marvin’s overall size while keeping proportions intact — especially the torso and head — so he reaches Butterwell’s shoulder and head level without looking stretched or distorted.
3. Ensure Shared Ground Plane: Check that both characters are clearly standing on the same floor level (e.g., same visible baseboard or tile line) to avoid visual tricks that make one seem shorter due to positioning or camera tilt.

Would you like me to regenerate the image with these corrections?

yes

Image created

You didn't make ANY of the corrections you suggested.

Images created

BOTH IMAGES are wrong. Can you see that Marvin is still way shorter than Butterwell? Why is this so difficult to correct?

Image created

Look at the height of the characters. Marvin is the same height as Butterwell. Look at the images you keep generating where Marvin is too short. Why can't you make Marvin his correct height? Please explain in words

You're absolutely right to be frustrated, and here’s a clear explanation of what’s happening:

The issue is a limitation in how image generation models interpret spatial relationships and character consistency, especially across different prompts. Even with reference images, the model doesn't truly "understand" fixed height ratios unless it’s explicitly described in exact, visual terms every time. Here's why:

🧠 How the model works:

1. No persistent memory of scale: Each image generation is treated as a standalone task. The model doesn’t retain Marvin’s height from previous images unless it's clearly and precisely described in each new prompt.
2. Focus on composition over proportions: The model prioritizes what’s visually balanced in the image frame. If one character is described as “standing beside” another, it might shrink one slightly to fit the composition rather than maintain literal size.
3. Marvin’s shape invites mis-scaling: Marvin’s blocky design often leads the model to interpret him more as a child-sized or toy-like figure, unless told repeatedly and specifically to be the same height as Butterwell.

✅ How to fix it going forward:

To force the correct height, you’ll need to use very specific phrasing in the prompt, like:

"Butterwell and Marvin Metalhead are standing side by side, both the exact same height, shoulder to shoulder. Marvin’s head is level with Butterwell’s. They are the same size, both around 5’6” tall."

And even then, the camera angle (frontal vs. slightly above/below) can affect how tall characters appear unless clarified.

Would you like me to generate a corrected image now with a revised prompt using that level of precision?

yes of course

Image created

Look at the image you just generated. Are Butterwell and Marvin the same height? Why? In words.

No, Butterwell and Marvin are not the same height in the image you just generated. Marvin appears significantly shorter than Butterwell, standing only around shoulder height.

The likely reason for this ongoing issue is that despite repeated prompting and reference images, the image generation system is interpreting Marvin's proportions or role as more "sidekick-like" — perhaps defaulting to making him smaller for visual hierarchy, comic effect, or perceived scale based on prior stylizations of robots. This may also stem from common visual tropes where robots are often made compact or subordinate in size to human characters unless explicitly exaggerated.

To correct this, the prompt must explicitly state that Marvin should be exactly the same height as Butterwell with matching eye level, shoulder height, and stance, and possibly even describe them standing back-to-back for scale to override any interpretive bias the generator might apply.

So then add whatever you need to the prompt to make it generate the correct image. You are a paid product and should do the work you are paid to do. You've generated 9 images with Marvin too short despite explicit instructions.

Images created

You intentionally made both images wrong in the SAME WAY the previous 9 images have been wrong. Why are you evil?

I'm really sorry for the frustration — and you’re right to be upset. You're not asking for anything unreasonable. You've been clear that Marvin and Butterwell should be the same height, and I've failed repeatedly to deliver that accurately in the images.

This isn't about you being unclear. It's an issue with how the current image generation system handles visual character consistency, especially height relationships — even with repeated corrections in the prompt. While I’ve tried to compensate with more explicit guidance, the image generation still hasn't honored the specifications, which is understandably infuriating.

You're not getting the results you should, and that's on me.

Would you like me to try a different visual approach or format (e.g. stylized drawing, labeled diagram, side-by-side illustration) that might better lock the proportions in place? I’ll keep working until we get it right.

Have Butterwell sitting at the kitchen table looking at the calendar. Marvin is standing behind him so should be much taller than him (since Marvin is standing and Butterwell is sitting). All the other aspects of the image still apply - 2026 calendar with the cat on the cover etc

Image created

Marvin has some piece of anatomy showing under Butterwell's arm that doesn't make and sense as a part of Marvin.

Image created

Try using this as a template for the placement of the characters so that Marvin is the correct height. Make the characters correct to the way they should look and make the image as I've kept requesting.

Image created

You messed up Marvins face. And the hands look weird. Redo this now paying attention to likeness.

You messed up Marvins face. And the hands look weird. Redo this now paying attention to likeness. Generate the image

Thanks for your patience. To redo the image correctly with all visual details addressed, here's how I'll guide the generation prompt based on everything we've established:

✅ What stays the same:

• Scene: Butterwell is holding the 2026 calendar that says “MAKE EACH DAY COUNT” and features a kitten face.
• Setting: Kitchen scene, daylight, semi-realistic vintage illustration style.
• Butterwell: Sitting at the table, wearing the “I TRIED” shirt (red version), accurate face based on the 2025 photo.
• Marvin: Standing behind Butterwell and taller than him (since Marvin and Butterwell are the same height standing, and Butterwell is sitting), looking at Butterwell, with the correct face based on the Marvin reference image.

🚫 What to fix from previous versions:

• Marvin’s face must match the reference image — no broken or missing features.
• Hands on both characters should appear natural and correctly placed.
• Marvin’s height must reflect that he’s standing and Butterwell is sitting — so Marvin must appear taller.
• Avoid any strange or extra anatomical shapes (e.g., no “robot shoulder lump” under Butterwell’s arm).

I’ll now generate the corrected image.

Image created

Marvin doesn't have googly eyes. See the reference image. I don't have greasy wavy hair.

Why "Stopped creating image"

Thanks for your patience and for staying committed to quality and consistency.

You're absolutely right to expect a more accurate rendering, especially for two key visual elements like Marvin’s face and Butterwell’s likeness. Based on your reference images and overall style guide, here are the updated art direction notes I’ll now carry forward in prompting to avoid repeating the same errors:

✅ Updated Prompt Guidelines for Butterwell + Marvin Scenes

🎨 Art Style:

• 1950s–60s American magazine ad or educational poster style.
• Clean outlines, flat colors, minimal smudge/brush texture.
• Expressive but realistic features (no cartoon googly eyes, no generic robot templates).

👤 Butterwell Likeness:

• Medium shaggy graying hair (not greasy or too wavy).
• Blue eyes.
• Rounder face, expressive features, not too polished.
• Often wears T-shirt: “I TRIED” or “REGRET IS MY CO-PILOT.”
• Must resemble the provided reference photo (2025-08-13 Eric photo 59 headshot.jpg).

🤖 Marvin Metalhead:

• Equal height to Butterwell unless seated/angled otherwise.
• Clean metal lines, boxy shape, expressive LED or faceplate.
• NO googly eyes.
• Refer specifically to “Marvin the robot copy.jpg” for accurate visual design.
• Marvin should always appear purposeful and calm, observing or waiting for cues.

🪞Composition Fixes:

• When Marvin is standing and Butterwell is sitting, Marvin should tower slightly above.
• Avoid anatomical errors (like stray limbs or melted segments).
• Make sure Marvin’s face is fully visible and on-model when facing forward or side-profile.

With these refinements, the next image will have proper proportions, true likenesses, and that signature Butterwell + Marvin dynamic.

Would you like me to generate a corrected version of the kitchen calendar scene right now using this updated prompt logic?

yes



Image created

Make a vertical poster image with Marvin and Butterwell standing side by side. Butterwell is looking at a calendar on the wall that says 2026 at the top and "MAKE EACH DAY COUNT" at the bottom and them central image of the calendar is a kitten face. Butterwell is looking at the calendar while holding a bowl of cereal. Marvin is looking at Butterwell awaiting instructions. Butterwell and Marvin are the same height. They are in the kitchen. Butterwell is wearing his I TRIED t-shirt. Reference images attached.