>I think you missed my point. There are some source images that Qwen won't do a good job of converting from non-realistic to realistic. But that doesn't mean you have to give up on using those sources. I found that a good way of getting around that problem is to use a two-step process of converting difficult sources into anime or line art style as an intermediate step.

I agree with need of two step process. I've met this trouble too.
I was experimenting with enhancing of 3D renders, and found that qwen-image-edit badly photorealizes things which it considers already photoreal.
And we need to provide some "freedom" to the sampler, to allow it to convert to realistic style better.
I war trying to add noise after image-load, but finally come to "intermediate style".

Also I prefer to render the image as "colored pencil painting" on middle stage, not as "line art". This will transfer original colors into final stage, while could add more freedom to sampler. It also preserves face and body props better. Adding black liner could improve small details, like finger positioning.
And intermediate results could be nice too, and acceptable on some boards.

Image attached.
Or see https://boards.guro.cx/ai/koko.php?res=16160&page=0#q16481
(of course I've stopped on that stage for this board 😉)

When I was speaking about "right sources" I meant that, say, if some body parts on the source is unrealistically disproportional (as, on my taste, with Grimwoid's art) they anyway will be converted badly, and would create "uncanny valley" effects.

>> ...also don't publish realistic CP here, or this board will be busted.

> So far it seems to be okay to post links to some iffy content so long as the images/videos are hosted elsewhere, but, thinking about that more, it has been guro with young subjects but nothing so overtly sexual, so I've deleted my original post and replaced it with a post that links to a redacted image instead.

That wasn't about your externally linked image, it was the warning for followers, who could read this instruction and start to flood the board with results directly. :-)