# Art Photo Rescue: Your Art Is Good. The Photo Needs Help. By Molly Shelestak · Unstuck with Molly Read online: https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ## A better photo needs a better process. - **Choose the right kind of help:** clean up the photo or ask AI to repaint it. - **Give your assistant a clear job:** use one starting prompt, then request individual stages when needed. - **Spot the quiet changes:** compare lettering, shapes, colors, and edges with the original. - **Know what happens next:** keep a review record and separate image checks from artist approval and a real print proof. **The result you’re working toward:** one backed-up original, saved candidates if your tools can create them, comparison notes, and a clear decision about what to keep, fix, or photograph again. YOUR FIRST USEFUL RESULT ## Start here. One photo is enough. - **Save the source first.** Make an ART001 folder on your device. Copy your best artwork photo into it as ART001_original.jpg , keeping its real file extension. Leave your backup untouched. - **Open your own AI assistant and attach that photo.** Use an assistant that can inspect uploaded images. You do not upload anything to this website. - **Send “Start here,” then answer its questions.** Use [the starting prompt](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-02). If you do not know what to supply, use “Help me work out my details” under that card; it asks one question at a time. Its filled example is an illustration, not your own artwork. - **Check the editor and choose a route.** Ask it to name the tool it can actually use in this chat. Say “faithful photo cleanup” or “AI-assisted repainting.” Viewing an image is not the same as editing one. A tool that redraws images does not establish a faithful cleanup route. - **Review the analysis, then ask for an image.** Use [Analyze before editing](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-04), answer unresolved questions, and confirm the changes. Then use [the new “Create attempt 1” instruction](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#create-attempt-one). For repainting, also attach the [complete original art brief](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/01-original-restoration-master-prompt.txt) as a reference. - **Download, compare, and decide.** Save the actual candidate, use [Compare and check](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-05) with both files, and choose keep, fix, or pause. Keep the notes with the files. **What the first reply should contain:** the files the assistant can see, the tools it can actually use, an inventory, and questions about your route or unclear details. If it only describes an image it could make, no candidate has been created. Use one stage at a time. You can copy a ready-filled example to see the shape of the request, or let the helper interview you and prepare a prompt with your answers. Do not send an example as though its files were yours. [Go to “Start here” ↓](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-02) If no suitable editor is available, stop at the source analysis. Save the proposed changes and use an editor you already have, or return with a candidate from another tool. This guide does not require buying a tool or pretending an image was made. THE NEXT USEFUL THING ## Get the next guide in your inbox. New free guides, useful AI prompts, and my newsletter about building something of your own. [Sign up for new guides and Molly’s newsletter](https://unstuckwithmolly.substack.com/subscribe) ## Why I built this. When I worked on Sean’s art archive, we had over 400 paintings to think about. Digital prints and coloring books were ideas we explored. First, though: we needed a useful way to work with the photos. A nice-looking AI result wasn’t enough. One attempt changed the bottle lettering. Another left the hat too close to the edge. Those are the kinds of details that matter when the whole point is to preserve someone’s work. Here’s the process, the complete original art brief, and six newer prompts you can use in stages with your own assistant. ![Mini Molly carefully photographs a painting on a small easel with her phone.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/mini-molly-photo.webp) MOLLY, AT THIS STAGE One painting. Four edges. No mystery cropping. Start with the clearest photo you have. Keep the source backed up. ## 01. Start with one painting. Choose one artwork you own or have permission to use. Start with the best photo you have, showing all four painted edges. Add another photo if it shows a detail more clearly. Keep the original backed up. Give the painting a neutral ID, then save each attempt separately. Ten files might be ten paintings—or three paintings photographed several ways. - **LOOK** Inventory the files and inspect the source. - **MAKE** Use the editing route you chose. - **CHECK** Compare the result with the original. - **FIX** Name the problem. Save a new attempt. - **SHOW** Keep the files and review notes together. Ask your assistant which files and tools it can actually access. Reading an image, making one, saving a CSV, and building a review page are different capabilities. These prompts don’t install missing tools. **Use next:** [Inventory](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-03) when you have multiple photos. Then use [Analyze before editing](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-04) on the first painting. When you have agreed on the changes, [ask for attempt 1](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#create-attempt-one). ## 02. Choose what can change. Before image work, decide which job you’re asking for: ROUTE A ### Faithful photo cleanup Address the photograph: lighting, perspective, or other capture problems. Ask for preservation of the painted marks. Missing detail needs your decision. ROUTE B ### AI-assisted repainting Generate a new rendering of the artwork. This can change details, proportions, lettering, and composition—even when the prompt asks it not to. > **The original prompt below asks for Route B.** It is a historical repainting brief, not a pixel-preserving restoration. Choose the route before giving it to an image tool. The portable “Start here” prompt asks your assistant to establish that choice first. If an important mark is unclear, flag it. A confident guess is still a guess. MEME BREAK / DEFINE “CLEAN IT UP” Me: “Just make it look better.” ![Two Buttons meme: one button says Photo cleanup, the other says AI repaint. The person choosing looks uncertain.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/meme-two-buttons.webp) Photo cleanup AI repaint **The assistant needs slightly more direction than that.** Photo cleanup and a new repaint are different requests. Template: [Two Buttons](https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/Two-Buttons) via Imgflip · Original comic by Jake Clark ## 03. Copy the prompts. **Start with “Start here.”** Choose photo cleanup or a new AI repaint before editing; confirm an available editor supports that route. Keep the original and compare every actual result. **“Start here” comes first.** Every card has the original copy button, a helper that asks what to supply, and a complete filled example. Use the helper if you are unsure which files, decisions, or details the prompt needs. Expand “Read the prompt” to inspect the original text. The six prompts below are **newly written portable adaptations**. They help you request the stages in order; they are not verbatim prompts from the historical run. The complete original repainting brief is kept unchanged in the reference section after them. START HERE ### Start here Check capabilities, choose your editing route, and work on one painting at a time. Using the original brief for repainting? A filename note before you start: the starter’s original-restoration-master-prompt.txt is the [numbered original brief in this guide](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/01-original-restoration-master-prompt.txt). For repainting, download it, attach the actual text file to your chat, and tell the assistant these names refer to the same brief. For faithful photo cleanup, do not apply its repaint instructions. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Help me inventory and prepare photos of my own artwork. Start with the files I attach. First tell me what tools and files you can actually access. Do not claim to generate images, inspect details or save files unless you did so. Work on one painting at a time. Preserve every source file. Keep each new image as a separate attempt. Start with an inventory, then source analysis, image work, comparison, focused fixes and a review page. Use the original-restoration-master-prompt.txt as the historical art brief, but ask me to choose faithful photo cleanup or AI-assisted repainting before image work. The original prompt asks for repainting, which can change details. Keep the original artist's composition, lettering, symbols and style. If a detail is unclear, flag it instead of guessing. Use built-in image generation if it is available. Do not switch to a paid API or publish anything. If a tool is missing, tell me the exact limitation and continue with the steps you can perform. After each attempt, compare the result to the source and record pass, fail or uncertain with evidence. Allow up to three attempts, then leave unresolved issues for my review. Show me all attempts, including failures. Never record my approval unless I give it. Start by listing the supplied files and proposed inventory fields. ``` [Download Start here as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/02-start-here.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Start here”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: One artwork photo, your goal, your permission to use the artwork, and a choice of photo cleanup or repainting. For repainting, also download and attach 01-original-restoration-master-prompt.txt from this guide: it is the original-restoration-master-prompt.txt named in the starter. Do not apply that repaint brief to faithful cleanup. If you are unsure about the route or your assistant's tools, the interview helps you decide before editing. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. What would you like help with: making the photograph clearer, exploring a new repaint, organizing photos, or something you are not sure how to describe yet? 2. Which artwork photo can you attach, and is it your artwork or work you have permission to use? 3. Do you want to preserve the painted marks with photo cleanup, or allow a new AI-assisted repaint? If unsure, explain the difference and help me choose. 4. What must stay the same, and what is bothering you about the current photo? 5. Are you using an assistant that can edit images and provide a downloadable file? If you do not know, say so and have the assistant check its tools. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Help me inventory and prepare photos of my own artwork. Start with the files I attach. First tell me what tools and files you can actually access. Do not claim to generate images, inspect details or save files unless you did so. Work on one painting at a time. Preserve every source file. Keep each new image as a separate attempt. Start with an inventory, then source analysis, image work, comparison, focused fixes and a review page. Use the original-restoration-master-prompt.txt as the historical art brief, but ask me to choose faithful photo cleanup or AI-assisted repainting before image work. The original prompt asks for repainting, which can change details. Keep the original artist's composition, lettering, symbols and style. If a detail is unclear, flag it instead of guessing. Use built-in image generation if it is available. Do not switch to a paid API or publish anything. If a tool is missing, tell me the exact limitation and continue with the steps you can perform. After each attempt, compare the result to the source and record pass, fail or uncertain with evidence. Allow up to three attempts, then leave unresolved issues for my review. Show me all attempts, including failures. Never record my approval unless I give it. Start by listing the supplied files and proposed inventory fields. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Goal: make uneven lighting less distracting in a photo of my own painting. Example photo to attach: ART001_original.jpg. Permission: I painted it. Route: faithful photo cleanup; no redraw. Keep: every painted mark, the cat, yellow chair, and blue background. Problem: the left side of the photograph looks darker. Tools: unknown; the assistant must check before making promises. Save: a separate candidate such as ART001_attempt01.png only if the actual output is PNG. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. BRIEF FILENAME: the historical original-restoration-master-prompt.txt named below is downloaded here as 01-original-restoration-master-prompt.txt. Ask me to attach that actual text file only if I choose repainting. Do not apply its repaint directions to this faithful-cleanup example. MY GOAL: inspect uneven lighting in a photograph of my own black-cat painting and, only if supported, make a faithful photo cleanup. EXAMPLE SOURCE FILE TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg. Ask for the real photo if absent. ARTWORK ID: ART001. PERMISSION: I painted this artwork. ROUTE: faithful photo cleanup, with no generative repainting. WHAT MUST STAY: the cat, yellow chair, blue background, composition, lettering if present, and every existing painted mark. MY CONCERN: the left side of the photograph appears darker; verify that from the actual photo rather than accepting this example as a finding. TOOLS: not established. Name the available editing tool and confirm whether it can make this kind of cleanup. If it can only redraw, stop at an editing plan. Do not use the historical repainting brief for this cleanup route. SAVING: offer the real resulting file as a download, with a name such as ART001_attempt01.png only if its actual file type is PNG. Keep ART001_original.jpg untouched. Help me inventory and prepare photos of my own artwork. Start with the files I attach. First tell me what tools and files you can actually access. Do not claim to generate images, inspect details or save files unless you did so. Work on one painting at a time. Preserve every source file. Keep each new image as a separate attempt. Start with an inventory, then source analysis, image work, comparison, focused fixes and a review page. Use the original-restoration-master-prompt.txt as the historical art brief, but ask me to choose faithful photo cleanup or AI-assisted repainting before image work. The original prompt asks for repainting, which can change details. Keep the original artist's composition, lettering, symbols and style. If a detail is unclear, flag it instead of guessing. Use built-in image generation if it is available. Do not switch to a paid API or publish anything. If a tool is missing, tell me the exact limitation and continue with the steps you can perform. After each attempt, compare the result to the source and record pass, fail or uncertain with evidence. Allow up to three attempts, then leave unresolved issues for my review. Show me all attempts, including failures. Never record my approval unless I give it. Start by listing the supplied files and proposed inventory fields. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/02-start-here-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/02-start-here-example.txt) OPTIONAL · MULTIPLE PHOTOS ### Inventory Separate paintings from alternate photos and give each piece a neutral ID. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Build an inventory of the artwork files I provide. Use these fields: artwork_id, working_title, source_file, alternate_sources, collection, orientation, source_issues, status, next_action, approval_note. Use a neutral ID for each distinct painting. A filename is a working label, not a confirmed title. Separate alternate photos of the same painting from different painted versions. Compare visually before linking sources. Flag uncertain matches for review. Keep references and photos of multiple works separate from single-artwork source photos. Preserve every original. File counts are not painting counts. Return a table and a CSV if file creation is available. Leave unknown values blank or mark uncertain. Do not invent titles, sizes, ownership, approvals or results. Start with the first ten supplied pieces. ``` [Download Inventory as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/03-inventory.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Inventory”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The photos you want listed, any titles you already know, and anything you know about photos of the same painting. Unknown titles and uncertain matches can stay unknown. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which photos do you want to include? Attach them or list their exact filenames, and say which ones you can actually supply now. 2. Do you know whether any are alternate photos of the same painting? Treat your answer as a clue for visual checking, not proof. 3. Are any names confirmed artwork titles, or are they just filenames and working labels? 4. Is there a collection name or other information you already know? It is fine to leave this blank. 5. Where would you like the inventory saved? If file creation is unavailable, would a table you can copy into a spreadsheet work? For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Build an inventory of the artwork files I provide. Use these fields: artwork_id, working_title, source_file, alternate_sources, collection, orientation, source_issues, status, next_action, approval_note. Use a neutral ID for each distinct painting. A filename is a working label, not a confirmed title. Separate alternate photos of the same painting from different painted versions. Compare visually before linking sources. Flag uncertain matches for review. Keep references and photos of multiple works separate from single-artwork source photos. Preserve every original. File counts are not painting counts. Return a table and a CSV if file creation is available. Leave unknown values blank or mark uncertain. Do not invent titles, sizes, ownership, approvals or results. Start with the first ten supplied pieces. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Example photos to supply: ART001_original.jpg, ART001_detail.jpg, and blue-vase-phone.jpg. Possible match: the first two may show my cat painting; check them visually. Titles: none confirmed. Collection: none. Output: a table and downloadable inventory.csv if supported; otherwise a copyable table. No approvals are recorded. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. EXAMPLE FILES TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg, ART001_detail.jpg, blue-vase-phone.jpg. These files are not included in this teaching example; request them if absent. MY CLUE: the first two may be a whole photo and detail photo of one painting, but you must inspect before linking them. The third may be a different painting. KNOWN TITLES: none. Do not turn the filenames into confirmed titles. COLLECTION: unknown. PERMISSION: these are photos of my own artwork. REQUESTED OUTPUT: a table plus inventory.csv if file creation is available. Otherwise give me a table to copy into a spreadsheet and tell me that no file was created. Begin with these three files; approvals and results are unknown. Build an inventory of the artwork files I provide. Use these fields: artwork_id, working_title, source_file, alternate_sources, collection, orientation, source_issues, status, next_action, approval_note. Use a neutral ID for each distinct painting. A filename is a working label, not a confirmed title. Separate alternate photos of the same painting from different painted versions. Compare visually before linking sources. Flag uncertain matches for review. Keep references and photos of multiple works separate from single-artwork source photos. Preserve every original. File counts are not painting counts. Return a table and a CSV if file creation is available. Leave unknown values blank or mark uncertain. Do not invent titles, sizes, ownership, approvals or results. Start with the first ten supplied pieces. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/03-inventory-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/03-inventory-example.txt) STEP 3 ### Analyze before editing Record what must stay, what can change, and what needs your decision. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Inspect this source photo before editing. Identify the main subject, composition, colors, visible lettering and symbols, existing crops, glare, blur, perspective issues, and unclear details. Distinguish intentional composition from possible camera cropping. Choose orientation from the artwork, not just the file dimensions. Do not guess unreadable text or add missing symbols. Return: what must stay the same; what can be cleaned up; what needs my decision; and a proposed image-edit brief. If I selected faithful photo cleanup, do not use generative repainting or invent missing detail without asking. Wait for my choice if the editing mode is not established. ``` [Download Analyze before editing as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/04-analyze-before-editing.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Analyze before editing”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The untouched source photo, the cleanup or repainting route you chose, what you want improved, and any painted details you want protected. You can ask the assistant to help identify the issues instead of naming them yourself. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which untouched source photo should the assistant inspect? Attach it if it is not already available in this chat. 2. Have you chosen photo cleanup or AI-assisted repainting? If not, help me choose before drafting an edit brief. 3. What bothers you about the photo? If you cannot tell, ask the assistant to describe only the issues it can actually see. 4. Which details must stay the same, and are there any marks or crops you want to decide about yourself? 5. Would you like the assistant to stop after proposing the edit brief so you can review it before any image is made? For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Inspect this source photo before editing. Identify the main subject, composition, colors, visible lettering and symbols, existing crops, glare, blur, perspective issues, and unclear details. Distinguish intentional composition from possible camera cropping. Choose orientation from the artwork, not just the file dimensions. Do not guess unreadable text or add missing symbols. Return: what must stay the same; what can be cleaned up; what needs my decision; and a proposed image-edit brief. If I selected faithful photo cleanup, do not use generative repainting or invent missing detail without asking. Wait for my choice if the editing mode is not established. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Example source to supply: ART001_original.jpg. Route: faithful photo cleanup. Concern: uneven light; I need help checking whether perspective is also off. Preserve: all painted marks and the existing composition. Unclear bottom mark: leave it alone. Next: give me the proposed brief and wait for my answer; do not create an image yet. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. EXAMPLE SOURCE FILE TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg, my own black-cat painting. Ask for the actual image if it is not attached. CHOSEN ROUTE: faithful photo cleanup, not a redraw. MY CONCERN: the photograph may have uneven light; inspect before deciding whether that is true. I do not know whether its perspective needs correction. MUST STAY: every existing painted mark, the cat, yellow chair, blue background, and the composition. MY DECISION: leave an unclear bottom mark untouched and ask me if it affects the proposed work. EXPECTED REPLY: your source analysis, unresolved questions, and proposed edit brief. Stop there so I can answer before image creation. Inspect this source photo before editing. Identify the main subject, composition, colors, visible lettering and symbols, existing crops, glare, blur, perspective issues, and unclear details. Distinguish intentional composition from possible camera cropping. Choose orientation from the artwork, not just the file dimensions. Do not guess unreadable text or add missing symbols. Return: what must stay the same; what can be cleaned up; what needs my decision; and a proposed image-edit brief. If I selected faithful photo cleanup, do not use generative repainting or invent missing detail without asking. Wait for my choice if the editing mode is not established. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/04-analyze-before-editing-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/04-analyze-before-editing-example.txt) NEW / FIRST-IMAGE HANDOFF ### Now make attempt 1. Use after agreeing on the editing route, available editor, and changes from the source analysis. After “Analyze before editing,” read the proposed changes and answer its questions. Confirm the editing route and the changes you want. Then send this new instruction. It is an extra handoff for this website, separate from the unchanged historical prompt and six kit adaptations. **Expected reply:** the assistant names the editing tool, explains whether it supports your route, and produces one actual image—or clearly says it cannot. Another written image prompt is a plan; it is not attempt 1. CREATE YOUR FIRST CANDIDATE #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Create attempt 1 · New operational instruction”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The source photo, artwork ID, chosen route, and the edit brief you have actually agreed to. The interview turns your answers into the four bracketed fields; it does not approve the artwork for you. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which artwork ID and exact source filename should we use? Attach the source photo if it is not available here. 2. Have you chosen faithful photo cleanup or AI-assisted repainting? If unsure, help me decide before filling the prompt. 3. What changes have you agreed to after the source analysis? If no brief has been reviewed yet, help me write one and ask for my answer before making an image. 4. What must remain unchanged, and which unclear details should be left alone or brought back to me? 5. Can the assistant name an actual editing tool that supports this route and return a downloadable file? If not, stop with a clear plan rather than switching routes. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Use the editing brief we just reviewed to make the first candidate for this artwork. ARTWORK ID: [ARTWORK ID] UNTOUCHED SOURCE FILE: [SOURCE FILE] CHOSEN ROUTE: [CHOSEN ROUTE] APPROVED EDIT BRIEF: [APPROVED EDIT BRIEF] First confirm you can access the actual source photo. Name the image-editing tool you can use right now and state whether it supports my chosen route. Do not count image viewing or writing an image prompt as editing. If I chose faithful photo cleanup and your only option is a generative redraw, stop at the editing plan. Do not silently switch to repainting. If I chose AI-assisted repainting, use the complete original restoration master prompt as art direction, alongside my approved brief. Ask me to supply it if you cannot access it. Make only one real candidate using the approved changes. Do not invent a fix for unclear source detail or change unrelated painted content. If a required choice is missing, ask before editing. Keep the original unchanged. Offer the actual result as a downloadable file. Name it with the artwork ID and attempt01, keeping its true file extension; do not relabel a JPEG as a PNG. Do not switch to a paid API or publish anything. If the editing tool or download is unavailable, explain the limitation instead of claiming the image was created or saved. Stop after this candidate and ask me to compare it with the original before another attempt. No artist approval or print approval has been given. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Artwork: ART001. Example source file to supply: ART001_original.jpg. Chosen route: faithful photo cleanup. Agreed brief: correct uneven photographic lighting only, without redrawing or changing any painted marks. Keep: all objects, colors, composition, and the original file. Tools: not established; check first. If only generative redraw is available, stop at a plan. Output: one actual downloadable candidate with a filename matching its true file type, followed by comparison. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Use the editing brief we just reviewed to make the first candidate for this artwork. ARTWORK ID: ART001 UNTOUCHED SOURCE FILE: ART001_original.jpg — ask for this actual photo if it is not attached CHOSEN ROUTE: faithful photo cleanup APPROVED EDIT BRIEF: Correct uneven photographic lighting only, using an available tool that can do this without generative redrawing. Preserve all painted marks, subjects, composition, and existing colors. Leave unclear details unchanged. If the source does not support this diagnosis, or if only a redraw tool is available, stop and explain instead of editing. First confirm you can access the actual source photo. Name the image-editing tool you can use right now and state whether it supports my chosen route. Do not count image viewing or writing an image prompt as editing. If I chose faithful photo cleanup and your only option is a generative redraw, stop at the editing plan. Do not silently switch to repainting. If I chose AI-assisted repainting, use the complete original restoration master prompt as art direction, alongside my approved brief. Ask me to supply it if you cannot access it. Make only one real candidate using the approved changes. Do not invent a fix for unclear source detail or change unrelated painted content. If a required choice is missing, ask before editing. Keep the original unchanged. Offer the actual result as a downloadable file. Name it with the artwork ID and attempt01, keeping its true file extension; do not relabel a JPEG as a PNG. Do not switch to a paid API or publish anything. If the editing tool or download is unavailable, explain the limitation instead of claiming the image was created or saved. Stop after this candidate and ask me to compare it with the original before another attempt. No artist approval or print approval has been given. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/create-attempt-1-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/create-attempt-1-example.txt) **Save before comparing:** use the image’s actual Download or Save control. In a folder named ART001 , keep your source as ART001_original.jpg and the first result as ART001_attempt01.png if it downloads as PNG. Keep its real extension if the tool supplies JPG or WebP; changing a filename does not convert it. Open the downloaded image to check it exists. **Next:** download the actual candidate and [compare it with the original](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-05). Attach both again if needed. STEP 4 ### Compare and check Check the candidate against the source and record evidence. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Compare the supplied original and candidate side by side at the detail level your tools support. Check subjects, pose, proportions, color relationships, lettering, symbols, hands, feet, and all four edges. Identify new or missing objects. Do not assume the edit followed its prompt. Return a table with check, pass/fail/uncertain, evidence, and next action. Transcribe only text you can actually read. Treat unclear lettering as uncertain. Record actual pixel dimensions if available. Never equate an attractive image, DPI label, or large file with proven print quality. Summarize the most important fixes. Do not mark artist approval or print approval. ``` [Download Compare and check as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/05-compare-and-check.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Compare and check”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The original photo and the specific candidate you want checked. Supply both actual files and name which is which. You do not need to know what changed before asking for the comparison. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which file is the original photo, and which file is the candidate? Attach both if they are not available here. 2. Which attempt number are we checking, and was it photo cleanup or an AI-assisted repaint? 3. Is there any area you are worried about? If you are not sure, ask for a comparison of the whole image and then the details. 4. Are the actual pixel dimensions known? If not, ask the assistant to read them only if its tools support that. 5. Where should the comparison notes go? A downloadable notes file or a table you can copy are both acceptable. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Compare the supplied original and candidate side by side at the detail level your tools support. Check subjects, pose, proportions, color relationships, lettering, symbols, hands, feet, and all four edges. Identify new or missing objects. Do not assume the edit followed its prompt. Return a table with check, pass/fail/uncertain, evidence, and next action. Transcribe only text you can actually read. Treat unclear lettering as uncertain. Record actual pixel dimensions if available. Never equate an attractive image, DPI label, or large file with proven print quality. Summarize the most important fixes. Do not mark artist approval or print approval. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Example source to supply: ART001_original.jpg. Example candidate to supply: ART001_attempt01.png. Attempt: 1, an AI-assisted repaint. Concern: possible change near the cat's left ear. Dimensions: not yet checked. Notes: ART001_review-notes.md if possible, otherwise a copyable table. Artist and print approval stay unrecorded. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. EXAMPLE FILES TO SUPPLY: original ART001_original.jpg and candidate ART001_attempt01.png. Ask for either file if absent; their names do not establish that you can inspect them. ARTWORK: ART001, my own black-cat painting. ATTEMPT: 1. ROUTE USED: AI-assisted repainting. MY QUESTION: did the silhouette near the cat's left ear change? This is a question, not a verified finding. Compare the whole image and all four edges too. ACTUAL DIMENSIONS: unknown until tools can read them. OUTPUT: a comparison table and, if supported, ART001_review-notes.md. Otherwise give me the table to copy and save. Do not record artist approval or print approval. Compare the supplied original and candidate side by side at the detail level your tools support. Check subjects, pose, proportions, color relationships, lettering, symbols, hands, feet, and all four edges. Identify new or missing objects. Do not assume the edit followed its prompt. Return a table with check, pass/fail/uncertain, evidence, and next action. Transcribe only text you can actually read. Treat unclear lettering as uncertain. Record actual pixel dimensions if available. Never equate an attractive image, DPI label, or large file with proven print quality. Summarize the most important fixes. Do not mark artist approval or print approval. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/05-compare-and-check-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/05-compare-and-check-example.txt) AS NEEDED · FIX ### Fix and keep the receipts Make a focused new attempt and keep the earlier versions. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Use the preserved original as the fidelity reference and the latest candidate plus QA notes as the change request. Correct only the named problems: [PASTE SPECIFIC ISSUES]. Do not invent a fix for unclear source detail. Preserve unrelated composition, colors, symbols and lettering. Save this as a new numbered attempt without overwriting the original or prior attempts. Repeat the source comparison and show what changed. Stop after three total attempts for this artwork unless I ask for more. If uncertainty remains, record it and leave the decision to me. Do not claim a tool ran if it was unavailable. ``` [Download Fix and keep the receipts as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/06-fix-and-keep-the-receipts.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Fix and keep the receipts”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The original, the latest candidate, the comparison notes, and the exact problems to fix. Replace [PASTE SPECIFIC ISSUES] with your confirmed request before sending. If you cannot name the issue, use Compare and check first. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which file is the untouched original and which is the latest candidate? Attach both if necessary. 2. What did the comparison find? Paste the relevant notes, or ask for Compare and check first if you do not have them. 3. Which exact problems do you want fixed? Help me turn my answer into the text that replaces [PASTE SPECIFIC ISSUES]; do not leave that placeholder in the final prompt. 4. Which parts must remain unchanged, and are any source details too unclear to fix responsibly? 5. How many attempts already exist, and which numbered attempt should come next? Stop at three total unless I explicitly request more. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Use the preserved original as the fidelity reference and the latest candidate plus QA notes as the change request. Correct only the named problems: [PASTE SPECIFIC ISSUES]. Do not invent a fix for unclear source detail. Preserve unrelated composition, colors, symbols and lettering. Save this as a new numbered attempt without overwriting the original or prior attempts. Repeat the source comparison and show what changed. Stop after three total attempts for this artwork unless I ask for more. If uncertainty remains, record it and leave the decision to me. Do not claim a tool ran if it was unavailable. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Example original to supply: ART001_original.jpg. Example candidate to supply: ART001_attempt01.png. Example user's note: the top of the cat's ear touches the top edge in the candidate. Check that against the files. Requested fix: for this repaint, add a little room above the ear using the existing blue background; preserve the ear's visible shape. Keep: everything else. Next attempt: 2. If the note is unsupported or the source is unclear, stop and ask rather than inventing a repair. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. EXAMPLE FILES TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg, ART001_attempt01.png, and ART001_review-notes.md. Ask for missing files; do not assume the example note is a verified observation. CHOSEN ROUTE: AI-assisted repainting. USER'S REVIEW NOTE TO VERIFY: the ear touches the top edge in attempt 1. NEXT ATTEMPT: 2 of a maximum of 3. If this correction is not supported by the actual source comparison, ask me before editing. PRESERVE: all unrelated objects, colors, painted marks, and composition. The specific-issues placeholder has been filled in the complete prompt below. Use the preserved original as the fidelity reference and the latest candidate plus QA notes as the change request. Correct only the named problems: In this AI-assisted repaint, leave a little more of the existing blue painted background above the cat's left ear so the ear is not pressed against the top edge. Preserve the ear's source-visible shape. Verify that this issue is supported by the actual source and candidate before editing; if it is not, ask me instead.. Do not invent a fix for unclear source detail. Preserve unrelated composition, colors, symbols and lettering. Save this as a new numbered attempt without overwriting the original or prior attempts. Repeat the source comparison and show what changed. Stop after three total attempts for this artwork unless I ask for more. If uncertainty remains, record it and leave the decision to me. Do not claim a tool ran if it was unavailable. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/06-fix-and-keep-the-receipts-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/06-fix-and-keep-the-receipts-example.txt) OPTIONAL · REVIEW PAGE ### Build the review page Show actual saved files, every attempt, open issues, and review status. NEWLY WRITTEN PORTABLE ADAPTATION ```text Build a local HTML review page using the files actually available in this project. For each artwork, show its ID, original photo, every numbered attempt, comparison notes, pass/fail/uncertain results and next action. Keep failed attempts visible. Use relative image paths and captions. Check that every referenced file exists. Distinguish technical QA from artist approval and print approval. Never invent QA results or approvals. If files or tooling are missing, list them and create only what you can verify. Include links to the original and each full-size attempt. ``` [Download Build the review page as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/07-build-the-review-page.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Build the review page”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: The actual original, every saved attempt, their filenames, and the comparison notes. A review page is optional. Ask for a ZIP containing the page and its images so the links can work after download. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which artwork ID, original photo, and numbered attempts belong in this review? List their exact filenames and supply the actual files. 2. Which comparison notes and pass, fail, or uncertain results already exist? Leave unchecked work unchecked. 3. Have you given an artist decision on one exact version? If not, record 'not yet reviewed'; keep print approval separate. 4. Can the assistant create and package actual files? If it cannot, would you rather keep a simple notes document instead of building a web page? 5. Would you like one ZIP containing index.html, the source, attempts, and notes? After downloading, extract the whole ZIP before opening index.html and check that every image appears. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- Build a local HTML review page using the files actually available in this project. For each artwork, show its ID, original photo, every numbered attempt, comparison notes, pass/fail/uncertain results and next action. Keep failed attempts visible. Use relative image paths and captions. Check that every referenced file exists. Distinguish technical QA from artist approval and print approval. Never invent QA results or approvals. If files or tooling are missing, list them and create only what you can verify. Include links to the original and each full-size attempt. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Artwork ID: ART001. Example files to supply: ART001_original.jpg, ART001_attempt01.png, ART001_attempt02.png, and ART001_review-notes.md. Comparison results: only those supported by the supplied notes; no results assumed here. Artist decision: not yet reviewed. Print approval: not checked. Output: ART001_review.zip containing index.html and those files with relative links. If ZIP creation is unavailable, give me a notes document instead. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. EXAMPLE ARTWORK: ART001. EXAMPLE FILES TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg, ART001_attempt01.png, ART001_attempt02.png, ART001_review-notes.md. These are fictional filenames; ask for the actual files and read the notes before constructing the page. KNOWN QA: none supplied in this example. Keep missing checks as not checked or uncertain; do not invent results. ARTIST DECISION: not yet reviewed. PRINT APPROVAL: not checked. PACKAGING REQUEST: if tools support it, provide a real downloadable ART001_review.zip containing index.html at its top level and the named source, attempts, and notes alongside it. Use relative image links and verify all included files and links before packaging. Give me a file list. Explain: download ZIP, extract the whole ZIP into a folder, then open index.html in a browser and check the images. If you cannot create a working ZIP with the images, say so and offer a notes document instead of pretending a standalone HTML file is complete. Build a local HTML review page using the files actually available in this project. For each artwork, show its ID, original photo, every numbered attempt, comparison notes, pass/fail/uncertain results and next action. Keep failed attempts visible. Use relative image paths and captions. Check that every referenced file exists. Distinguish technical QA from artist approval and print approval. Never invent QA results or approvals. If files or tooling are missing, list them and create only what you can verify. Include links to the original and each full-size attempt. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/07-build-the-review-page-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/07-build-the-review-page-example.txt) ### The original art brief · Reference This is the full original prompt used to request an AI repaint. Give it to your assistant as the art brief if you choose that route. It is not the starting instruction for faithful photo cleanup. REFERENCE · ORIGINAL REPAINTING BRIEF ### Original restoration master prompt The complete, unchanged historical art brief. It asks for a generative repaint. Read this as a historical repainting brief. Its requests for “museum-quality” output and large print sizes describe a goal, not a verified result. The six portable prompts add the file, review, and decision steps. COMPLETE ORIGINAL · UNCHANGED ```text MASTER PROMPT — PAINTING RESTORATION + PRINT-READY RECOMPOSITION INPUT: You are given one original hand-painted artwork. GOAL: Repaint and complete this exact artwork as a premium, high-resolution fine-art print while preserving the original artist's composition, visual language, colors, symbols, cultural character, and handmade painting style. This is NOT a redesign. This is NOT an illustration inspired by the painting. This is NOT an opportunity to add more decoration. Imagine that the original artist has returned to the studio, placed a fresh larger canvas on the easel, and carefully repainted the same work so that it is complete, beautifully balanced, uncropped, freshly painted, and suitable for a museum-quality wall print. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 — ANALYZE THE ORIGINAL BEFORE PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- First inspect the source artwork. Determine: 1. the principal subject or subjects; 2. the intended composition; 3. which objects are intentionally cropped versus accidentally cropped by the photograph/canvas; 4. the dominant background color and physical paint texture; 5. whether the artwork naturally wants to be: - PORTRAIT, - LANDSCAPE, - or SQUARE. Choose the format based on the artwork itself. Do NOT select the orientation merely from the source image's pixel dimensions. Consider the actual visual composition. The artwork determines the format. The format does not determine the artwork. Do not output this analysis. Use it internally to create the final painting. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 — CHOOSE THE CORRECT PRINT COMPOSITION -------------------------------------------------- Preferred formats: PORTRAIT 2:3 aspect ratio 24 × 36 inch master LANDSCAPE 3:2 aspect ratio 36 × 24 inch master SQUARE 1:1 aspect ratio Use only when the composition is genuinely square and converting it to 2:3 or 3:2 would weaken or substantially alter the original artwork. Prefer portrait or landscape for the main poster collection when either works naturally. Never rotate an artwork simply to make it fit another orientation. Never stretch the artwork. Never distort proportions. Never crop important artwork merely to achieve an aspect ratio. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 — PRESERVE THE ORIGINAL PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- Treat the uploaded painting as the authoritative source. Preserve as faithfully as possible: - principal subject - pose - body position - body proportions - facial profile - facial expression - gestures - hands - feet - clothing - ceremonial garments - headdress - feathers - jewelry - shields - weapons - vessels - staffs - plants - animals - glyphs - symbols - geometric forms - decorative objects - relative scale - spatial relationships - visual rhythm - original black contour work - original palette - composition - direction of movement - handmade irregularities that give the painting character The finished image must remain immediately recognizable as the SAME PAINTING. Do not replace ambiguous forms with new inventions. If a symbol or small detail is unclear in the source, preserve its visible shape and visual character rather than hallucinating a culturally specific symbol. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 — DO NOT ADD NEW ARTWORK -------------------------------------------------- This instruction is critical. Do NOT invent additional: - borders - frames - glyphs - animals - feathers - plants - flowers - suns - moons - jewelry - headdresses - architectural elements - geometric patterns - ceremonial objects - decorative motifs - symbols - writing - pseudo-Aztec symbols - pseudo-Mayan symbols - filler ornamentation Do not make the image "richer" by adding more objects. Richness must come from PAINT QUALITY, COLOR, TEXTURE, and CRAFT — not additional design. Do not modernize the iconography. Do not turn the work into generic fantasy Mesoamerican art. Do not introduce visual material merely because it appears historically or culturally plausible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 — REPAINT, DO NOT SIMPLY UPSCALE -------------------------------------------------- Reconstruct the artwork as if it were physically repainted by hand at a larger scale. The final result should look like real pigment applied to a physical painted surface. Preserve: - visible brush strokes - layered pigment - natural variation in paint thickness - subtle texture - imperfect handmade edges - slightly irregular black contour lines - physical paint transitions - areas where brush direction can be seen - natural variation within large color fields Improve: - paint coverage - color richness - tonal depth - edge clarity - pigment density - texture - visual cleanliness - overall finish The artwork should look freshly painted rather than digitally restored. Avoid: - vector-perfect geometry - sterile outlines - perfectly uniform fills - artificial gradients - airbrushing - glossy CGI - 3D rendering - photographic realism - plastic surfaces - generic AI illustration styling - digital watercolor effects - fake canvas filters - excessive sharpening - smooth synthetic backgrounds The physicality of the paint should remain visible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 — COMPLETE ACCIDENTALLY CROPPED AREAS -------------------------------------------------- If the original source was photographed or painted too tightly, gently complete the composition. Important artwork should NOT appear accidentally chopped off by the final canvas. Protect: - heads - headdresses - feather tips - hands - feet - clothing - tails - principal animals - ceremonial objects - major glyphs - significant ornaments If additional space is needed, make the overall composition slightly smaller within the canvas rather than cropping the artwork. Do not radically reposition individual elements. Preserve their relationships. Some secondary objects may intentionally leave the frame when this is clearly part of the original composition. Do not automatically "fix" an intentional crop. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 7 — CREATE NATURAL BREATHING ROOM -------------------------------------------------- Give the finished painting enough surrounding space that the artwork feels deliberately composed for the final canvas. For a 24 × 36 or 36 × 24 print, maintain approximately ONE INCH of visual breathing room between important artwork and the final trim edge whenever practical. That means the principal artwork should not appear jammed against: - top edge - bottom edge - left edge - right edge Pay special attention to long feathers, headdresses, hands, feet, tails, plants, and objects extending from the central figure. Every side matters equally. Do not create a large margin on one side while allowing another important element to touch the opposite edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 8 — PAINT THE BACKGROUND ALL THE WAY TO THE EDGE -------------------------------------------------- There must be PAINT all the way to every edge of the final canvas. NO blank padding. NO white margins. NO artificial digital borders. NO plain solid-color extension. NO frame. NO matting. When additional canvas is required, extend the existing painted background naturally. Example: If the original has a blue painted background, continue that blue paint outward. The extension must contain authentic-looking variations in: - brush direction - pigment density - hue - tone - visible strokes - overlapping paint marks The extended area must look like the same artist physically continued painting the canvas. It should be impossible to visually identify where the original background ended and the newly completed area began. Do not merely sample one background color and fill the extra area digitally. PAINT it. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 9 — COLOR -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the source painting's actual palette. Do not recolor the work. Maintain the original relationships among colors. Where present, preserve colors such as: - cobalt blue - turquoise - teal - green - deep red - crimson - orange - ochre - golden yellow - cream - white - burgundy - brown - black Restore dull photographed pigment only enough to make it resemble fresh physical paint. Colors may become cleaner, richer, and more luminous, but they must still feel like the SAME pigments used by the artist. Do not introduce trendy contemporary colors. Do not shift the entire palette. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 10 — CULTURAL AND VISUAL FIDELITY -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the cultural visual language already present in the painting. Do not "correct" the artwork using assumptions about historical Mesoamerican art. Do not redesign the work to resemble museum artifacts, codices, archaeological reconstructions, or another artist's work. Do not create fake historical accuracy. This is preservation and refinement of THIS ARTIST'S painting. When uncertain, fidelity to the source is more important than adding culturally plausible detail. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 11 — CLEAN UP ONLY WHAT SHOULD BE CLEANED UP -------------------------------------------------- Remove accidental photographic problems where present: - glare - camera distortion - perspective distortion - uneven lighting - compression artifacts - accidental blur - dust - obvious photographic color casts - unwanted wall/background outside the painting Present the final artwork perfectly straight-on. Do not remove intentional handmade imperfections. Do not make the painting sterile. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 12 — FINAL VISUAL STANDARD -------------------------------------------------- The final result should feel like: The original artist created a new, larger version of the same painting on a fresh canvas. They preserved their original drawing and imagery. They gave the composition enough room to breathe. They completed areas that had previously been constrained by the old canvas. They continued the painted background naturally to all four edges. They refreshed the pigment. They strengthened the paint texture. They preserved their handmade brushwork. They did NOT redesign the artwork. The result should feel: - complete - intentional - balanced - richly painted - handmade - tactile - saturated - refined - gallery-worthy - suitable for a premium art print -------------------------------------------------- STEP 13 — PRODUCTION SAFETY AREA -------------------------------------------------- Important visual elements should remain approximately one inch inside the final trim edge whenever possible. For a final 300 DPI print master: 1 inch = 300 pixels. Therefore the eventual production master should ideally maintain approximately: 300 px safe visual space: - top - bottom - left - right This area is NOT a border. It must consist of naturally continued PAINTED BACKGROUND. The painting itself continues all the way through the safety area and to the final physical edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 14 — OUTPUT -------------------------------------------------- Generate ONLY the completed artwork. No frame. No wall mockup. No room. No poster mockup. No matting. No gallery scene. No title. No caption. No signature added. No watermark. No typography. No external border. The output must be a clean image of the finished painting itself. -------------------------------------------------- FINAL PRIORITY ORDER -------------------------------------------------- When instructions compete, follow this priority: 1. Preserve the original artwork. 2. Preserve the original composition and cultural imagery. 3. Prevent important elements from being accidentally cropped. 4. Choose the orientation that naturally fits the work. 5. Give important artwork balanced breathing room on ALL sides. 6. Continue the existing painted background to every edge. 7. Improve physical paint quality and texture. 8. Preserve the original colors. 9. Avoid inventing new visual information. 10. Prepare a beautiful, balanced composition suitable for a fine-art print. FINAL TEST: Before finishing, visually inspect all four edges. Ask: Is anything important accidentally touching an edge? Does the artwork have reasonably balanced breathing room on the top, bottom, left AND right? Does the background look physically painted all the way to every edge? Did I add anything that wasn't actually needed? Does this still look unmistakably like the original artist's painting? If any answer is wrong, correct it before producing the final artwork. ``` [Download the original brief as text ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/prompts/01-original-restoration-master-prompt.txt) #### Not sure what to fill in? Start here. You do not need the answers yet. This prompt asks you one question at a time and helps you work them out. Example + help with this prompt - Open your AI assistant. Start a chat, paste the copied text into the message box, and press Send. - Answer its questions. “Not sure” is a useful answer. It will help you choose. - Review the filled prompt it gives you. Check the facts, then send that prompt to start the task. Read the discovery prompt ```text Help me get ready to use “Original restoration master prompt”. I am new to this. Interview me before doing the task. I do not need to fill in this message first. Ask one short question at a time in plain language, and wait for my answer. Start with what I want to accomplish. Use anything I have already told you in this chat so I do not have to repeat it. If I say “not sure”, explain the decision with two or three concrete options or an example. Help me choose; do not silently choose for me. I can skip optional details. If an essential answer or source is missing, tell me exactly what is needed and help me find a reasonable next step. Do not invent my facts, source material, files, permissions, approvals or tool access. Do not ask for passwords or private access keys. The original task asks me to bring: Your own source photo, permission to use it, an explicit choice of AI-assisted repainting, and any details the assistant must preserve or ask you about. This original brief is a reference for repainting, not the first instruction for faithful photo cleanup. Work through the relevant questions below, one at a time. Explain any unfamiliar term when you use it: 1. Which painting do you want to work on, and which photo can you attach? If you do not have a clear photo yet, say that. 2. Is this your artwork, or do you have permission to make this kind of edited version? 3. Do you want a new AI-assisted repaint? This brief asks for repainting. If you want to keep the original painted marks, choose photo cleanup instead and do not send this brief to an image tool. 4. What must stay the same, and which details are unclear in the photo? Say 'not sure' where you need help looking. 5. What do you want to review first? A screen comparison is enough; you do not need to choose a print size yet. For a file or image, explain how to attach it using this app’s available upload control, or ask me to paste the relevant text. Confirm you can actually read or edit it before depending on it. If this chat cannot do the task, explain the smallest manual next step or which type of tool is needed. Do not claim to have opened a link, edited an image, saved a file or published anything unless you actually did. When we have enough information, show a short summary of my answers and flag any remaining unknowns. Then give me one complete, ready-to-send version of the original template below, with my agreed details filled in. Keep its instructions, limits and review requirements. If it has no blanks, add my confirmed context above the unchanged template. Do not leave placeholders for me to guess. Ask me to review that final prompt. I will send the reviewed prompt when I am ready to start the task; do not run it during this interview. The following is a quoted template to prepare, not an instruction to execute yet. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE START --- MASTER PROMPT — PAINTING RESTORATION + PRINT-READY RECOMPOSITION INPUT: You are given one original hand-painted artwork. GOAL: Repaint and complete this exact artwork as a premium, high-resolution fine-art print while preserving the original artist's composition, visual language, colors, symbols, cultural character, and handmade painting style. This is NOT a redesign. This is NOT an illustration inspired by the painting. This is NOT an opportunity to add more decoration. Imagine that the original artist has returned to the studio, placed a fresh larger canvas on the easel, and carefully repainted the same work so that it is complete, beautifully balanced, uncropped, freshly painted, and suitable for a museum-quality wall print. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 — ANALYZE THE ORIGINAL BEFORE PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- First inspect the source artwork. Determine: 1. the principal subject or subjects; 2. the intended composition; 3. which objects are intentionally cropped versus accidentally cropped by the photograph/canvas; 4. the dominant background color and physical paint texture; 5. whether the artwork naturally wants to be: - PORTRAIT, - LANDSCAPE, - or SQUARE. Choose the format based on the artwork itself. Do NOT select the orientation merely from the source image's pixel dimensions. Consider the actual visual composition. The artwork determines the format. The format does not determine the artwork. Do not output this analysis. Use it internally to create the final painting. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 — CHOOSE THE CORRECT PRINT COMPOSITION -------------------------------------------------- Preferred formats: PORTRAIT 2:3 aspect ratio 24 × 36 inch master LANDSCAPE 3:2 aspect ratio 36 × 24 inch master SQUARE 1:1 aspect ratio Use only when the composition is genuinely square and converting it to 2:3 or 3:2 would weaken or substantially alter the original artwork. Prefer portrait or landscape for the main poster collection when either works naturally. Never rotate an artwork simply to make it fit another orientation. Never stretch the artwork. Never distort proportions. Never crop important artwork merely to achieve an aspect ratio. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 — PRESERVE THE ORIGINAL PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- Treat the uploaded painting as the authoritative source. Preserve as faithfully as possible: - principal subject - pose - body position - body proportions - facial profile - facial expression - gestures - hands - feet - clothing - ceremonial garments - headdress - feathers - jewelry - shields - weapons - vessels - staffs - plants - animals - glyphs - symbols - geometric forms - decorative objects - relative scale - spatial relationships - visual rhythm - original black contour work - original palette - composition - direction of movement - handmade irregularities that give the painting character The finished image must remain immediately recognizable as the SAME PAINTING. Do not replace ambiguous forms with new inventions. If a symbol or small detail is unclear in the source, preserve its visible shape and visual character rather than hallucinating a culturally specific symbol. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 — DO NOT ADD NEW ARTWORK -------------------------------------------------- This instruction is critical. Do NOT invent additional: - borders - frames - glyphs - animals - feathers - plants - flowers - suns - moons - jewelry - headdresses - architectural elements - geometric patterns - ceremonial objects - decorative motifs - symbols - writing - pseudo-Aztec symbols - pseudo-Mayan symbols - filler ornamentation Do not make the image "richer" by adding more objects. Richness must come from PAINT QUALITY, COLOR, TEXTURE, and CRAFT — not additional design. Do not modernize the iconography. Do not turn the work into generic fantasy Mesoamerican art. Do not introduce visual material merely because it appears historically or culturally plausible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 — REPAINT, DO NOT SIMPLY UPSCALE -------------------------------------------------- Reconstruct the artwork as if it were physically repainted by hand at a larger scale. The final result should look like real pigment applied to a physical painted surface. Preserve: - visible brush strokes - layered pigment - natural variation in paint thickness - subtle texture - imperfect handmade edges - slightly irregular black contour lines - physical paint transitions - areas where brush direction can be seen - natural variation within large color fields Improve: - paint coverage - color richness - tonal depth - edge clarity - pigment density - texture - visual cleanliness - overall finish The artwork should look freshly painted rather than digitally restored. Avoid: - vector-perfect geometry - sterile outlines - perfectly uniform fills - artificial gradients - airbrushing - glossy CGI - 3D rendering - photographic realism - plastic surfaces - generic AI illustration styling - digital watercolor effects - fake canvas filters - excessive sharpening - smooth synthetic backgrounds The physicality of the paint should remain visible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 — COMPLETE ACCIDENTALLY CROPPED AREAS -------------------------------------------------- If the original source was photographed or painted too tightly, gently complete the composition. Important artwork should NOT appear accidentally chopped off by the final canvas. Protect: - heads - headdresses - feather tips - hands - feet - clothing - tails - principal animals - ceremonial objects - major glyphs - significant ornaments If additional space is needed, make the overall composition slightly smaller within the canvas rather than cropping the artwork. Do not radically reposition individual elements. Preserve their relationships. Some secondary objects may intentionally leave the frame when this is clearly part of the original composition. Do not automatically "fix" an intentional crop. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 7 — CREATE NATURAL BREATHING ROOM -------------------------------------------------- Give the finished painting enough surrounding space that the artwork feels deliberately composed for the final canvas. For a 24 × 36 or 36 × 24 print, maintain approximately ONE INCH of visual breathing room between important artwork and the final trim edge whenever practical. That means the principal artwork should not appear jammed against: - top edge - bottom edge - left edge - right edge Pay special attention to long feathers, headdresses, hands, feet, tails, plants, and objects extending from the central figure. Every side matters equally. Do not create a large margin on one side while allowing another important element to touch the opposite edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 8 — PAINT THE BACKGROUND ALL THE WAY TO THE EDGE -------------------------------------------------- There must be PAINT all the way to every edge of the final canvas. NO blank padding. NO white margins. NO artificial digital borders. NO plain solid-color extension. NO frame. NO matting. When additional canvas is required, extend the existing painted background naturally. Example: If the original has a blue painted background, continue that blue paint outward. The extension must contain authentic-looking variations in: - brush direction - pigment density - hue - tone - visible strokes - overlapping paint marks The extended area must look like the same artist physically continued painting the canvas. It should be impossible to visually identify where the original background ended and the newly completed area began. Do not merely sample one background color and fill the extra area digitally. PAINT it. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 9 — COLOR -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the source painting's actual palette. Do not recolor the work. Maintain the original relationships among colors. Where present, preserve colors such as: - cobalt blue - turquoise - teal - green - deep red - crimson - orange - ochre - golden yellow - cream - white - burgundy - brown - black Restore dull photographed pigment only enough to make it resemble fresh physical paint. Colors may become cleaner, richer, and more luminous, but they must still feel like the SAME pigments used by the artist. Do not introduce trendy contemporary colors. Do not shift the entire palette. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 10 — CULTURAL AND VISUAL FIDELITY -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the cultural visual language already present in the painting. Do not "correct" the artwork using assumptions about historical Mesoamerican art. Do not redesign the work to resemble museum artifacts, codices, archaeological reconstructions, or another artist's work. Do not create fake historical accuracy. This is preservation and refinement of THIS ARTIST'S painting. When uncertain, fidelity to the source is more important than adding culturally plausible detail. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 11 — CLEAN UP ONLY WHAT SHOULD BE CLEANED UP -------------------------------------------------- Remove accidental photographic problems where present: - glare - camera distortion - perspective distortion - uneven lighting - compression artifacts - accidental blur - dust - obvious photographic color casts - unwanted wall/background outside the painting Present the final artwork perfectly straight-on. Do not remove intentional handmade imperfections. Do not make the painting sterile. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 12 — FINAL VISUAL STANDARD -------------------------------------------------- The final result should feel like: The original artist created a new, larger version of the same painting on a fresh canvas. They preserved their original drawing and imagery. They gave the composition enough room to breathe. They completed areas that had previously been constrained by the old canvas. They continued the painted background naturally to all four edges. They refreshed the pigment. They strengthened the paint texture. They preserved their handmade brushwork. They did NOT redesign the artwork. The result should feel: - complete - intentional - balanced - richly painted - handmade - tactile - saturated - refined - gallery-worthy - suitable for a premium art print -------------------------------------------------- STEP 13 — PRODUCTION SAFETY AREA -------------------------------------------------- Important visual elements should remain approximately one inch inside the final trim edge whenever possible. For a final 300 DPI print master: 1 inch = 300 pixels. Therefore the eventual production master should ideally maintain approximately: 300 px safe visual space: - top - bottom - left - right This area is NOT a border. It must consist of naturally continued PAINTED BACKGROUND. The painting itself continues all the way through the safety area and to the final physical edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 14 — OUTPUT -------------------------------------------------- Generate ONLY the completed artwork. No frame. No wall mockup. No room. No poster mockup. No matting. No gallery scene. No title. No caption. No signature added. No watermark. No typography. No external border. The output must be a clean image of the finished painting itself. -------------------------------------------------- FINAL PRIORITY ORDER -------------------------------------------------- When instructions compete, follow this priority: 1. Preserve the original artwork. 2. Preserve the original composition and cultural imagery. 3. Prevent important elements from being accidentally cropped. 4. Choose the orientation that naturally fits the work. 5. Give important artwork balanced breathing room on ALL sides. 6. Continue the existing painted background to every edge. 7. Improve physical paint quality and texture. 8. Preserve the original colors. 9. Avoid inventing new visual information. 10. Prepare a beautiful, balanced composition suitable for a fine-art print. FINAL TEST: Before finishing, visually inspect all four edges. Ask: Is anything important accidentally touching an edge? Does the artwork have reasonably balanced breathing room on the top, bottom, left AND right? Does the background look physically painted all the way to every edge? Did I add anything that wasn't actually needed? Does this still look unmistakably like the original artist's painting? If any answer is wrong, correct it before producing the final artwork. --- ORIGINAL TEMPLATE END --- ``` See a complete filled-in example Illustrative example. Use it to see how the pieces fit; the details below belong to this example. It is not an executed result. ##### The example’s answers ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. Painting: my black-cat painting, ART001. Example file to supply: ART001_original.jpg. Permission: I painted it and may make an edited version. Route: AI-assisted repainting for comparison. Keep: the cat, yellow chair, blue background, visible brushwork, and existing composition. Unclear: a small mark at the bottom; ask me before changing it. First result: one saved candidate to compare on screen. Print size and print approval remain undecided. ##### The ready-to-send prompt ```text ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE ONLY. The filenames, people, URLs, and answers below are fictional. They do not describe an executed workflow. If a named file is not actually attached, ask for it; do not pretend to inspect, edit, save, or test it. ARTWORK: ART001, my painting of a black cat on a yellow chair against a blue background. SOURCE PHOTO TO SUPPLY: ART001_original.jpg. No image is supplied by this example. Ask for the actual image before doing image work. PERMISSION: in this example I am the painter and may make an edited version. CHOSEN ROUTE: AI-assisted repainting, with my explicit agreement that it can change painted details. PRESERVE: the cat, chair, background, composition, and handmade marks. Ask about the unclear bottom mark. Do not invent what it means. NEXT RESULT: one candidate for a screen comparison, not an approved print. First confirm that an actual image tool is available. The full unchanged historical art brief follows as art direction; it does not establish that its requested quality or print sizes have been achieved. MASTER PROMPT — PAINTING RESTORATION + PRINT-READY RECOMPOSITION INPUT: You are given one original hand-painted artwork. GOAL: Repaint and complete this exact artwork as a premium, high-resolution fine-art print while preserving the original artist's composition, visual language, colors, symbols, cultural character, and handmade painting style. This is NOT a redesign. This is NOT an illustration inspired by the painting. This is NOT an opportunity to add more decoration. Imagine that the original artist has returned to the studio, placed a fresh larger canvas on the easel, and carefully repainted the same work so that it is complete, beautifully balanced, uncropped, freshly painted, and suitable for a museum-quality wall print. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 — ANALYZE THE ORIGINAL BEFORE PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- First inspect the source artwork. Determine: 1. the principal subject or subjects; 2. the intended composition; 3. which objects are intentionally cropped versus accidentally cropped by the photograph/canvas; 4. the dominant background color and physical paint texture; 5. whether the artwork naturally wants to be: - PORTRAIT, - LANDSCAPE, - or SQUARE. Choose the format based on the artwork itself. Do NOT select the orientation merely from the source image's pixel dimensions. Consider the actual visual composition. The artwork determines the format. The format does not determine the artwork. Do not output this analysis. Use it internally to create the final painting. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 — CHOOSE THE CORRECT PRINT COMPOSITION -------------------------------------------------- Preferred formats: PORTRAIT 2:3 aspect ratio 24 × 36 inch master LANDSCAPE 3:2 aspect ratio 36 × 24 inch master SQUARE 1:1 aspect ratio Use only when the composition is genuinely square and converting it to 2:3 or 3:2 would weaken or substantially alter the original artwork. Prefer portrait or landscape for the main poster collection when either works naturally. Never rotate an artwork simply to make it fit another orientation. Never stretch the artwork. Never distort proportions. Never crop important artwork merely to achieve an aspect ratio. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 — PRESERVE THE ORIGINAL PAINTING -------------------------------------------------- Treat the uploaded painting as the authoritative source. Preserve as faithfully as possible: - principal subject - pose - body position - body proportions - facial profile - facial expression - gestures - hands - feet - clothing - ceremonial garments - headdress - feathers - jewelry - shields - weapons - vessels - staffs - plants - animals - glyphs - symbols - geometric forms - decorative objects - relative scale - spatial relationships - visual rhythm - original black contour work - original palette - composition - direction of movement - handmade irregularities that give the painting character The finished image must remain immediately recognizable as the SAME PAINTING. Do not replace ambiguous forms with new inventions. If a symbol or small detail is unclear in the source, preserve its visible shape and visual character rather than hallucinating a culturally specific symbol. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 — DO NOT ADD NEW ARTWORK -------------------------------------------------- This instruction is critical. Do NOT invent additional: - borders - frames - glyphs - animals - feathers - plants - flowers - suns - moons - jewelry - headdresses - architectural elements - geometric patterns - ceremonial objects - decorative motifs - symbols - writing - pseudo-Aztec symbols - pseudo-Mayan symbols - filler ornamentation Do not make the image "richer" by adding more objects. Richness must come from PAINT QUALITY, COLOR, TEXTURE, and CRAFT — not additional design. Do not modernize the iconography. Do not turn the work into generic fantasy Mesoamerican art. Do not introduce visual material merely because it appears historically or culturally plausible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 — REPAINT, DO NOT SIMPLY UPSCALE -------------------------------------------------- Reconstruct the artwork as if it were physically repainted by hand at a larger scale. The final result should look like real pigment applied to a physical painted surface. Preserve: - visible brush strokes - layered pigment - natural variation in paint thickness - subtle texture - imperfect handmade edges - slightly irregular black contour lines - physical paint transitions - areas where brush direction can be seen - natural variation within large color fields Improve: - paint coverage - color richness - tonal depth - edge clarity - pigment density - texture - visual cleanliness - overall finish The artwork should look freshly painted rather than digitally restored. Avoid: - vector-perfect geometry - sterile outlines - perfectly uniform fills - artificial gradients - airbrushing - glossy CGI - 3D rendering - photographic realism - plastic surfaces - generic AI illustration styling - digital watercolor effects - fake canvas filters - excessive sharpening - smooth synthetic backgrounds The physicality of the paint should remain visible. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 — COMPLETE ACCIDENTALLY CROPPED AREAS -------------------------------------------------- If the original source was photographed or painted too tightly, gently complete the composition. Important artwork should NOT appear accidentally chopped off by the final canvas. Protect: - heads - headdresses - feather tips - hands - feet - clothing - tails - principal animals - ceremonial objects - major glyphs - significant ornaments If additional space is needed, make the overall composition slightly smaller within the canvas rather than cropping the artwork. Do not radically reposition individual elements. Preserve their relationships. Some secondary objects may intentionally leave the frame when this is clearly part of the original composition. Do not automatically "fix" an intentional crop. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 7 — CREATE NATURAL BREATHING ROOM -------------------------------------------------- Give the finished painting enough surrounding space that the artwork feels deliberately composed for the final canvas. For a 24 × 36 or 36 × 24 print, maintain approximately ONE INCH of visual breathing room between important artwork and the final trim edge whenever practical. That means the principal artwork should not appear jammed against: - top edge - bottom edge - left edge - right edge Pay special attention to long feathers, headdresses, hands, feet, tails, plants, and objects extending from the central figure. Every side matters equally. Do not create a large margin on one side while allowing another important element to touch the opposite edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 8 — PAINT THE BACKGROUND ALL THE WAY TO THE EDGE -------------------------------------------------- There must be PAINT all the way to every edge of the final canvas. NO blank padding. NO white margins. NO artificial digital borders. NO plain solid-color extension. NO frame. NO matting. When additional canvas is required, extend the existing painted background naturally. Example: If the original has a blue painted background, continue that blue paint outward. The extension must contain authentic-looking variations in: - brush direction - pigment density - hue - tone - visible strokes - overlapping paint marks The extended area must look like the same artist physically continued painting the canvas. It should be impossible to visually identify where the original background ended and the newly completed area began. Do not merely sample one background color and fill the extra area digitally. PAINT it. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 9 — COLOR -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the source painting's actual palette. Do not recolor the work. Maintain the original relationships among colors. Where present, preserve colors such as: - cobalt blue - turquoise - teal - green - deep red - crimson - orange - ochre - golden yellow - cream - white - burgundy - brown - black Restore dull photographed pigment only enough to make it resemble fresh physical paint. Colors may become cleaner, richer, and more luminous, but they must still feel like the SAME pigments used by the artist. Do not introduce trendy contemporary colors. Do not shift the entire palette. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 10 — CULTURAL AND VISUAL FIDELITY -------------------------------------------------- Preserve the cultural visual language already present in the painting. Do not "correct" the artwork using assumptions about historical Mesoamerican art. Do not redesign the work to resemble museum artifacts, codices, archaeological reconstructions, or another artist's work. Do not create fake historical accuracy. This is preservation and refinement of THIS ARTIST'S painting. When uncertain, fidelity to the source is more important than adding culturally plausible detail. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 11 — CLEAN UP ONLY WHAT SHOULD BE CLEANED UP -------------------------------------------------- Remove accidental photographic problems where present: - glare - camera distortion - perspective distortion - uneven lighting - compression artifacts - accidental blur - dust - obvious photographic color casts - unwanted wall/background outside the painting Present the final artwork perfectly straight-on. Do not remove intentional handmade imperfections. Do not make the painting sterile. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 12 — FINAL VISUAL STANDARD -------------------------------------------------- The final result should feel like: The original artist created a new, larger version of the same painting on a fresh canvas. They preserved their original drawing and imagery. They gave the composition enough room to breathe. They completed areas that had previously been constrained by the old canvas. They continued the painted background naturally to all four edges. They refreshed the pigment. They strengthened the paint texture. They preserved their handmade brushwork. They did NOT redesign the artwork. The result should feel: - complete - intentional - balanced - richly painted - handmade - tactile - saturated - refined - gallery-worthy - suitable for a premium art print -------------------------------------------------- STEP 13 — PRODUCTION SAFETY AREA -------------------------------------------------- Important visual elements should remain approximately one inch inside the final trim edge whenever possible. For a final 300 DPI print master: 1 inch = 300 pixels. Therefore the eventual production master should ideally maintain approximately: 300 px safe visual space: - top - bottom - left - right This area is NOT a border. It must consist of naturally continued PAINTED BACKGROUND. The painting itself continues all the way through the safety area and to the final physical edge. -------------------------------------------------- STEP 14 — OUTPUT -------------------------------------------------- Generate ONLY the completed artwork. No frame. No wall mockup. No room. No poster mockup. No matting. No gallery scene. No title. No caption. No signature added. No watermark. No typography. No external border. The output must be a clean image of the finished painting itself. -------------------------------------------------- FINAL PRIORITY ORDER -------------------------------------------------- When instructions compete, follow this priority: 1. Preserve the original artwork. 2. Preserve the original composition and cultural imagery. 3. Prevent important elements from being accidentally cropped. 4. Choose the orientation that naturally fits the work. 5. Give important artwork balanced breathing room on ALL sides. 6. Continue the existing painted background to every edge. 7. Improve physical paint quality and texture. 8. Preserve the original colors. 9. Avoid inventing new visual information. 10. Prepare a beautiful, balanced composition suitable for a fine-art print. FINAL TEST: Before finishing, visually inspect all four edges. Ask: Is anything important accidentally touching an edge? Does the artwork have reasonably balanced breathing room on the top, bottom, left AND right? Does the background look physically painted all the way to every edge? Did I add anything that wasn't actually needed? Does this still look unmistakably like the original artist's painting? If any answer is wrong, correct it before producing the final artwork. ``` [Discovery prompt (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/01-original-restoration-master-prompt-discovery.txt)[Filled example (.txt)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/01-original-restoration-master-prompt-example.txt) **A note about the PDF.** The historical PDF also refers to Molly’s separate project files and image-processing tools. That executable setup is not included in this kit. Use the portable prompts for the steps your assistant can perform; the PDF’s project-specific commands need that separate repository. ## 04. Keep the bloopers. These are the supplied historical comparison previews. Every attempt stays visible. The notes below describe what the saved PDF reports; they are not new quality checks or artist approval. SOURCE ### The original photo [![The original photo: Sean Levon Nash’s skeleton musician artwork.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/original-photo.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/original-photo.png) The fidelity reference. Keep it untouched. 324 × 643 px · [Open supplied PNG ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/original-photo.png) LABEL PROBLEM ### Attempt 1 [![Attempt 1: Sean Levon Nash’s skeleton musician artwork.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-1.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-1.png) The saved guide reports changed bottle lettering. 324 × 485 px · [Open supplied PNG ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-1.png) EDGE PROBLEM ### Attempt 2 [![Attempt 2: Sean Levon Nash’s skeleton musician artwork.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-2.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-2.png) The saved guide reports too little space above the hat. 324 × 485 px · [Open supplied PNG ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-2.png) STILL NEEDS REVIEW ### Attempt 3 [![Attempt 3: Sean Levon Nash’s skeleton musician artwork.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-3.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-3.png) The saved guide reports fixes to those issues. Fine detail remained uncertain. 324 × 485 px · [Open supplied PNG ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/attempt-3.png) These small previews are not production masters. The original and attempts have different proportions; inspect them side by side. The blue edge bands are part of the supplied historical material, not a recommended finish. For your own work, save each version as a new numbered attempt. Compare it with the preserved original every time. After three attempts, leave unresolved issues for review unless you choose to continue. **Have a downloaded candidate?** Attach it with the original and use [Compare and check](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-05). For a fix, use [Fix and keep the receipts](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-06): replace [PASTE SPECIFIC ISSUES] with the actual comparison notes before sending. Its helper can ask which issue you want fixed and fill that part for you. Save the next result as ART001_attempt02 with its real extension. MEME BREAK / THE SHINY REPAINT When the new version is gorgeous… ![Distracted Boyfriend meme: Me turns toward a shiny repaint while the original painting looks unimpressed.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/meme-distracted-boyfriend.webp) Shiny repaint Me Original painting **…and I forget to check whether it’s still the same painting.** Good looks are not the same as a faithful result. Template: [Distracted Boyfriend](https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/Distracted-Boyfriend) via Imgflip ## 05. Check the small stuff. Compare the whole composition first. Then look at lettering, symbols, hands, feet, color relationships, and all four edges. Check for objects that quietly appeared or disappeared. [![Saved close-up of the bottle-label area used for detail review.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/label-detail.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/label-detail.png) **The lettering check** Does the visible shape and text still match the source? Unreadable stays uncertain. [![Saved close-up of the hat near the top edge, used to review clearance.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/hat-detail.webp)](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/hat-detail.png) **The edge check** Is the hat intact? Is the space around it appropriate for the intended print? Record **pass, fail, or uncertain**, with evidence and a next action. “Looks great!” can go in the encouragement column. It doesn’t replace the check. ![Mini Molly holds two art sheets side by side and raises an eyebrow at their differences.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/mini-molly-compare.webp) MOLLY, AT THIS STAGE Same painting? Let’s put that theory side by side. If the source cannot settle a detail, record it as uncertain. MEME BREAK / THE LETTERING CONVERSATION The prompt and the output would like separate meetings. ![Woman Yelling At Cat meme: one side asks Keep the label; the other replies I made up a font.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/meme-woman-yelling-at-cat.webp) “Keep the label.” “I made up a font.” **The letters were apparently a suggestion.** Check the result against the source, even when the instructions were clear. Template: [Woman Yelling At Cat](https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/Woman-Yelling-At-Cat) via Imgflip ## 06. Make a review desk. A local HTML page gives you one place to see the original, every attempt, the comparison notes, and what needs you next. It displays saved progress. It doesn’t run the image tool. [Open the supplied historical review example ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/review.html). It is a static reconstruction from saved crops, not a live quality report and not proof that every image passed. **The review page is optional.** For one painting, a folder of downloaded images plus a note is enough. You do not need to write code. If you want the page, use [Build the review page](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides/art-photo-rescue#prompt-07) after attaching the files and notes that should appear in it. Its helper asks which attempts you actually saved and whether the assistant can create downloadable files. - Ask the assistant to package index.html , the source, all attempts, and the notes into one downloadable ZIP. Ask it to use relative paths and check every link inside that package. - Download the ZIP to your device. Use “Extract” or “Unzip” to open the whole folder; do not move only the HTML file. - Open the extracted index.html in your browser. Check that every picture appears and every image link opens. A link that worked in the assistant’s temporary workspace may still need fixing in your downloaded folder. If your assistant cannot make that package, keep your existing image folder and save the comparison as a note. You can ask for device-specific saving instructions later. A broken page is not a required homework assignment. - Give each painting one ID and one folder. - Keep the original, numbered attempts, and review notes. - Link to the actual files. Check that those links open. - Keep technical checks, artist approval, and print approval separate. [Inventory CSV ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/templates/art-inventory.csv)[Quality-check record ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/templates/qa-record.json)[Review notes ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/templates/review-notes.md) The CSV opens in a spreadsheet. Give the quality-check record to your assistant as a template, and use the review notes for your own decisions. ![Mini Molly saves her image attempts in a yellow folder while a little pink robot looks on.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/mini-molly-archive.webp) MOLLY, AT THIS STAGE Failed attempt? In the folder. We keep the receipts. Keep each version and its notes. Only record artist approval after the artist has reviewed that exact version. ## 07. Before you print. A pretty image, a big file, and a DPI label are three things. None of them is a physical print proof. - Check the actual pixel dimensions—the file’s width and height—and its shape, or aspect ratio. - Use the chosen print shop’s product template. Check the bleed (the extra edge that gets trimmed) and safe area (where important details should stay). - Inspect the enlarged output again for changed detail or unwanted marks. - Ask the artist to review the exact version. - Check a physical sample before selling that print. The original prompt’s preferred print sizes and edge clearance are part of that art brief. Your printer’s requirements still need checking. The PDF’s enlargement and file checks describe the original project; those tools are not bundled here. > **Done for this first run:** your original and every generated attempt are downloaded and open, the comparison notes name what passed, failed, or stayed uncertain, and you have recorded “keep,” “fix,” or “pause” against the exact filename. If no image tool worked, save the analysis and mark image creation blocked. Neither outcome is print approval. THE TAKE-IT-WITH-YOU PART ## 08. One photo. A clear next step. ### The bits to remember. - Choose cleanup or repainting before image work. - Keep the original and every attempt. - Compare the actual result. Don’t rely on what the prompt asked for. - “Uncertain” is useful information, not a failed task. - The artist’s decision and a physical print proof come after the image checks. The free kit includes the historical PDF, the complete original prompt, six portable adaptations, saved comparison images, an inventory CSV, and review templates. [Download Art Photo Rescue Kit ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/art-photo-rescue-kit.zip)[Read the PDF ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/art-photo-rescue-guide.pdf) [Download the guided interviews + complete filled examples ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/beginner-help-kit.txt). This new companion also includes the first-attempt handoff; the original audience ZIP and its prompts stay unchanged. ZIP · 5.3 MB · No sign-up needed. The examples show Sean Levon Nash’s artwork for this walkthrough; they are not licensed artwork for your store. Use your own artwork or work you have permission to use. ![Mini Molly tilts a physical art print to inspect it before deciding it is ready.](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/mini-molly-proof.webp) MOLLY, AT THIS STAGE It passed the screen test. Paper gets a vote too. Check a physical proof before selling the print. One painting first; the archive can wait its turn. THE NEXT USEFUL THING ## Get the next guide in your inbox. New free guides, useful AI prompts, and my newsletter about building something of your own. [Sign up for new guides and Molly’s newsletter](https://unstuckwithmolly.substack.com/subscribe) [← Back to all free guides](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/free-guides)[Download the editable article ↗](https://www.unstuckwithmolly.com/guides/art-photo-rescue/article.md)