Start with the prompt
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Start Simple
Begin with straightforward prompts to understand how your AI tool responds before attempting complex creations.
exampleStart with “sunset over the ocean” before moving on to “sunset over an ocean on an alien planet with bioluminescent wildlife.” -
Experiment with Styles
Mix different artistic styles in your prompts to discover unique combinations.
example“A cyberpunk cityscape in the style of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.” -
Use Descriptive Language
Be as descriptive as possible in your prompts to guide the AI more effectively.
exampleInstead of “forest,” try “a dense, misty forest at dawn with sunbeams piercing through the canopy.” -
Incorporate Famous Art References
Reference well-known artworks or artists in your prompts.
example“A landscape inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies featuring a futuristic metropolis.”
Tune the model
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Adjust Parameters
Experiment with the AI tool’s parameters, such as randomness or temperature.
exampleTweak the ‘randomness’ setting for varied results on “a dreamy castle in the clouds.”chaos 100 --s 750 | For Stable Diffusion you would adjust the CFG -
Iterate on Results
Use the output of one prompt as the basis for another, refining the concept with each iteration.
exampleStart with “a quaint village street,” then refine with “add a festive atmosphere with string lights and lively market stalls.”
Shape the scene
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Blend Concepts
Combine unrelated concepts in your prompts for surprising results.
example“A samurai warrior in Times Square during New Year’s Eve celebrations.” -
Specify Colors
Mention specific colors in your prompts to achieve the desired palette.
example“A serene beach scene dominated by shades of turquoise and coral.” -
Play with Perspectives
Request unusual perspectives or scales in your prompts.
example“A bustling medieval market seen from the viewpoint of a bird soaring above.” -
Incorporate Emotions
Include emotional descriptors to infuse your artwork with a specific feeling.
example“A lonely lighthouse during a storm, evoking a sense of isolation and longing.”
Add limits and detail
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Use Negative Prompts
Specify what you don’t want in your artwork to narrow down the AI’s creative direction.
example“A futuristic cityscape, void of cars or roads, focusing on green spaces and pedestrian areas. --no (cars, roads)”Stable Diffusion typically has a separate text box rather than calling the --no command in MidJourney -
Explore Different Cultures
Integrate elements from various cultures to add richness to your AI-generated art.
example“A traditional Japanese garden with cherry blossoms in bloom, incorporating elements of a Scandinavian hygge lifestyle.” -
Add Temporal Elements
Mention specific times of day, seasons, or historical periods in your prompts.
example“An ancient Roman forum bustling with activity at the height of the empire’s power, just before dusk.” -
Leverage Texture Descriptions
Describe textures in your prompts to give the AI more information on the desired surface qualities.
example“A close-up of a dragon’s scales, shimmering with iridescent colors against the backdrop of a dark cave.”
Learn from people
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Seek Inspiration and Collaborate
Look at other AI-generated artworks for inspiration and consider collaborating with other artists.
homeworkCombine these tips by taking inspiration from an artist specializing in surreal landscapes to create a realistic city where buildings morph into surreal shapes under a twilight sky.
These detailed tips and examples aim to enhance your understanding and application of each strategy in your AI art projects, helping you use creativity and exploration.
First published on Medium. Rewritten for this site.