Why color matters
Color is your best friend in AI art. If you’re new to creating with tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, start here. A color palette can turn a good piece into a great one. It is a mix of shades that also sets the tone, mood, and style of your image.
Whether you lean towards the bright spark of neon or the subtle allure of pastel shades, this guide will show you how to select and apply colors that strengthen your artwork.
Color theory primer
Understanding color is key in AI art. It shapes mood and tells stories silently. Let’s begin with the basics of color. Hue refers to what we know as color, reds, blues, and so on. Saturation is about the richness of a color, and brightness determines how light or dark it is.
Primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, are the main ingredients that can’t be made by mixing others. They’re the starting point. Combine them, and you get secondary colors like orange and green. Tertiary colors like blue-green come from mixing primary and secondary colors.
In art, how you combine colors matters. Complementary colors, opposite on the color wheel, make each other stand out. Analogous colors, close to each other on the wheel, create a peaceful look.
Grasp these basics, and you’re set to use color palettes well in AI art, making your images more engaging.
Thematic palettes
Thematic color palettes infuse your AI artwork with emotion and atmosphere. These palettes are curated collections of colors that complement each other and set the tone for your piece. Looking for the bold feel of Art Deco or the calm of Zen minimalism? The right palette can carry the whole piece.
Each palette can transport viewers to different times and places. By choosing one that aligns with your vision, you can infuse your AI-generated art with a strong sense of identity and emotion.
Unique colors
Adding a splash of unique colors like Chartreuse or Burnt Sienna to your AI artwork can make it pop. These colors sit outside the everyday range. They carry their own mood and can add a twist to your creations.
Chartreuse, a mix between green and yellow, screams energy and life. Burnt Sienna is a rich, earthy red-brown that brings warmth and depth. Cerulean is a sky-blue hue that is calm and soothing. Cobalt Blue gives a modern, sleek look or a contrast with warmer tones.
Amber can bring a touch of sunshine or evoke nostalgia in your artwork. It can also pull toward actual amber, so prompt for flat color and use negative prompts around translucency and transparency when needed.
Apply color in AI tools
Creating art with AI is an exciting process, and choosing the right color palette can make your artwork stand out. Here’s a simple guide to using specific color palettes in Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, perfect for beginners.
- Before you start, pick a thematic palette or a unique color. Imagine the mood and style you aim for in your artwork.
- In both Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, begin by entering a text prompt. This prompt guides the AI on what to generate.
- Include the name of your chosen palette or unique color in your text prompt.
- Once you’re happy with your prompt and settings, submit it. The AI will generate an image based on your color choices.
- If the result isn’t quite what you wanted, refine your prompt, tweak the settings, and try again. AI art is about experimentation.
Remember, color can tell a story, set a scene, or evoke emotions, making your art your own.
Create your palette
Now that you’ve got this extensive list of thematic palettes and unique colors, you might be asking, “How do I create my own palette?” It’s easier than you think, and it’s a lot of fun. Here’s a simple way to get started:
- Start with one color that you love or feel drawn to. This will be your anchor and the heart of your palette.
- Look at the color wheel and find the color directly opposite your base color. This is its complement, which will make your base color stand out even more.
- Choose colors that sit next to your base color on the wheel. These similar colors create a harmonious look and feel.
- Take your base color and add white to create tints, or black to create shades. This gives you variety and depth within the same hue.
- From the list of unique colors, pick one that seems out of the ordinary. This unexpected pop of color can bring your palette to life and add an element of surprise.
- Use Stable Diffusion or Midjourney to create simple shapes or scenes with your new palette. See how the colors work together and make adjustments as needed.
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to your personal color palette. It’s all about what speaks to you and the story you want to tell with your art. So mix, match, and experiment until you find the combination that sings.
AI art offers the liberty to experiment boldly. If a color doesn’t fit, swap it out until you discover the harmony you seek. Dare to pair Cerulean with Amber, or merge a Gothic Palette with a touch of Chartreuse.
Related walls
First published on Medium. Rewritten for this site.