Absinthe is a new painterly model in the Melange line, but it isn’t just a continuation — it’s a completely fresh blend. While Melange leaned toward semi-realism with a Western painterly touch, Absinthe drifts closer to the anime side of the spectrum, with brighter colors, bolder strokes, and more stylized, exaggerated features.

Absinthe has its own look and personality, capturing a sense of fantasy and whimsy that sets it apart. It’s less about realism and more about expression, atmosphere, and mood — ideal for imaginative portraits, vibrant fantasy scenes, or anything that benefits from a touch of surreal enchantment.

Absinthe takes its name from the drink — heady, colorful, and just a little dangerous. Like the drink, the model is meant to inspire visions that feel strange, beautiful, and intoxicating.

Melange is an Illustrious checkpoint that blends semi-realism with a gentle, painterly finish. Designed for versatility and creative freedom, it renders characters and scenes with a smooth, slightly dreamy aesthetic. Whether you’re creating character art, atmospheric environments, or playful fantasy scenes, Melange brings a distinctive touch of softness and painterly charm. Melange is still a work-in-progress, and there are a few quirks to be aware of. Adding BREAK to your prompts as a separator can change the art style a lot. I recommend using other non-learned separators like | or :: . Certain quality tags — especially those like “detailed eyes,” “perfect eyes,” or “realistic eyes” — can sometimes produce a more watercolor or sketch-like style.

I was excited to post some of the images I've been making so I thought I'd put the model out there too in case anyone wanted to try it. I plan to keep iterating on the model to smooth out the inconsistencies and improve its flexibility.

If you give Melange a try — whether you love it or hate it — I’d appreciate any feedback. This is my first time creating a checkpoint, and hearing your thoughts will help me learn and improve it! And if you do try it out please share the images, I'd love to see them!