🕯 Velvet Paradox v5

Velvet Paradox signs off with v5, which will be the final version released on Civitai.
This update brings a wide range of style refinements and noticeable visual improvements. The look of the model has now reached a stable and mature point, so from here on the focus will shift mainly to expanding the dataset and adding new content.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this project along the way — it truly means a lot.

🕯 Velvet Paradox v4.5

Due to popular demand, Velvet Paradox v4.5 finally introduces… men!! A varied collection of male models has been added to the Velvet Paradox dataset, taking advantage of the dataset expansion for the Flux and Chroma versions.

🔹 What’s new

• A varied collection of male models (only some, give me time to train the model properly, muddafucka!!)

• Better expressions, better western comic style

• CFG 7-10 (10 the better if u want more clean comic style output)

• The devildonia_style tag is optional now but still can give better results as he forces the model to render the Velvet Paradox Style

• Handles LoRAs very well

• Negative prompt recommended: worst quality, low quality, 3d render, realistic

🕯 Velvet Paradox v3.0.1

Velvet Paradox v3 is here — and it’s a completely new.
It’s a whole new update with its own soul and identity. The connection with Illustrious is minimal — Velvet Paradox now starting to walk on its own path.

It's unique style that once needed the trigger "devildonia_style" is now part of its DNA. You can still use it if you want to give the image a different vibe, but it’s no longer necessary.
Everything just feels smoother, deeper, more alive.

It reacts beautifully to any prompt, LoRAs blend perfectly, and the CFG range is more flexible — from 4 to 15 — without losing the style signature feeling.

🔹 What’s new

• A more polished and unique style

• More emotion, more atmosphere, more soul

• Works great with CFG 4–15

• The devildonia_style tag is optional now

• Handles LoRAs very well

• No need for negative prompts — it just works

🕯 Velvet Paradox v2.7

Velvet Paradox v2.7 is a breakthrough release — a bold leap forward that refines every aspect of the model while pushing its signature style to an entirely new level.

This version delivers insane prompt adherence: sharper, cleaner, and more responsive than ever before. Hands, backgrounds, anatomy, and color balance all reach a new standard of quality, making v2.7 not just an update, but a complete transformation of the Velvet Paradox experience.

Unlike most checkpoints, negative prompts are no longer essential. The model shines in its purest form, generating flawless, cinematic, emotionally charged images without requiring external corrections. Negative prompts can be used, but the true Velvet Paradox aesthetic thrives without them.

Compared to v2.0, every element has been pushed further: richer colors, higher definition, stronger consistency, and a more distinctive artistic identity that completely sets it apart from Illustrious or any other model.

🔹 Key Upgrades in v2.7

• Extreme prompt adherence — unparalleled responsiveness

• Unique rendering with zero need for negative prompts

• Vastly improved colors, depth, and definition

• Cleaner backgrounds and stronger hand accuracy

• Distinctive aesthetic, entirely separate from Illustrious

• Stable, cinematic, emotionally resonant output

🧠 Prompting & Style

• Always use the trigger: devildonia_style

• Works flawlessly even without negative prompts

• CFG 5–6 recommended for the smoothest, most cinematic results

• Best with bold, narrative-driven prompts and atmospheric moods

⚜️ The Final Illustrious Chapter
Velvet Paradox v2.7 will be the last version to remain under the Illustrious lineage, currently sharing around 70% of its core. Future releases will mark a definitive separation: once this overlap drops below 60–50%, Velvet Paradox will stand as an entirely independent model.

In fact, Velvet Paradox v3.0 is already in testing — a completely new model, with less than 50% shared with Illustrious. It brings its own unique style, tags, and artistic identity, fully detached from the Illustrious heritage. A bold new chapter begins.

🕯 Velvet Paradox v2.0

Velvet Paradox v2 marks a new chapter in the project: a refined, stabilized, and more expressive evolution of the model’s unique western-inspired style.

This version focuses on consistency, control, and its signature handling of light and shadow — a cinematic balance that defines the Velvet Paradox identity.

The new dedicated trigger devildonia_style locks in the aesthetic, while also allowing adjustable strength (e.g. devildonia_style:0.8) to fine-tune how strongly the style manifests in your generations.

By working at a lower CFG (5), the model now delivers smoother, more coherent outputs while keeping the signature Velvet Paradox essence intact.

Compared to v1.0.20, hands and backgrounds are noticeably improved, rendering feels cleaner and more polished, and the overall look is softer yet unmistakably Velvet Paradox.

🔹 Key Features

• Strongly refined Velvet Paradox identity

• Unique light and shadow management with cinematic depth

• Trigger-based style control: devildonia_style (strength adjustable)

• Improved hands and background handling

• Softer, more polished rendering with unique depth

• Maintains western-inspired, cinematic, stylized anatomy

• Excellent compatibility with LoRAs, ControlNet, and narrative-driven prompts

🧠 Prompting & Style Control

• Always use the trigger: devildonia_style

• Example: devildonia_style:0.8 to balance the strength

• Recommended CFG: 5

• Avoid generic tags like masterpiece, best quality, etc. — they reduce the uniqueness of Velvet Paradox and push results back toward Illustrious’ style. Obviously you can still use them.

• Works best with bold compositions, cinematic moods, and emotionally charged scenes.

⚜️ This release sets the creative direction for Velvet Paradox moving forward. There’s still room to grow, but v2 represents a major step toward a stable, consistent, and truly distinctive style.

🕯 Velvet Paradox v1.0.20

Velvet Paradox is a custom model based on Illustrious from HaDeS, designed to move away from traditional anime aesthetics and embrace a more western-inspired, stylized, and emotionally rich visual identity.

In this v1.0.20 update, the model’s signature style has been further reinforced and previous inconsistencies have been polished, with improvements in anatomy, background handling, and overall composition coherence.

🔹 Key Features

• Western-influenced character design

• Cinematic lighting and expressive contrast

• Realistic yet stylized anatomy

• Clean linework and detailed textures in skin, hair, and fabric

• Excellent SFW results (NSFW themes supported if prompted)

• Strong compatibility with LoRAs, ControlNet, and complex compositions

🧠 Prompting & Style Control

To directly trigger the model’s signature look, include:

traditional_media, devildonia_style

Avoid generic anime tags. Velvet Paradox performs best in emotionally charged scenes, bold character designs, and narrative-driven illustrations.

🕯Velvet Paradox v1.0.10

Velvet Paradox is a highly refined custom model built on the foundation of Illustrious from HaDeS, but developed with a clear intention: to move away from traditional anime aesthetics and embrace a more western-inspired, aesthetic visual style.

This model excels in producing cinematic portraits, powerful characters, and stylish scenes with dramatic lighting, rich colors, and strong anatomy. Expect sharp, emotionally resonant results that work beautifully for fantasy, sci-fi, stylized realism, or graphic novel-style art.

🔹 Key Features:

• Western-inspired character design

• High contrast lighting and expressive depth

• Realistic anatomy with stylized elegance

• Clean linework and rich skin/hair detailing

• Excellent results in SFW (NSFW themes can be prompted too).

• Great compatibility with strong LoRAs, ControlNet, and compositional prompts

🧠 Prompting Tips:
Use cinematic, stylized, or western concept art keywords for best results. Avoid overly generic anime tags. This model loves dynamic poses, powerful expressions, and bold compositions.

⚠️ Still in early iterations—minor inconsistencies may occur in hands and background blending under complex multi-subject prompts.