Imagine a world where the stroke of a digital brush brings to life a vibrant, awe-inspiring masterpiece. A world where an AI-powered Michelangelo sculpts your vision into a virtual reality. This is the world of art-generating large language models like Midjourney.
The good news is that you don't need to be a computer whiz to harness the power of these tools. You just need a dash of creativity, a willingness to explore new horizons, and a bit of guidance. This article is that guidance, with the top ten prompt writing tips and tricks to transform you into a veritable AI art maestro.
Prompt Writing Tip #1
Know your AI tools inside out.
Think of the AI art-generating tool as your palette and each feature as a different color or brushstroke. To create your magnum opus, you must acquaint yourself with every nuance of the toolset. This means digging into user guides, tutorials, and online forums where enthusiasts share their insights.
Prompt Writing Tip #2
Balance specificity and ambiguity.
When generating art with AI, the key is striking a balance between guiding the brush and letting it wander. Provide too much detail in your prompts, and you might stifle the creative process. On the other hand, if your prompts are too vague, your AI artist may go rogue, producing an abstract mishmash.
The trick? It's all about nuance. Use clear but open-ended prompts that allow the AI to flex its creative muscles, and watch as your visions come alive.
Example
Let's say you want the AI to generate an image of a mysterious forest.
A too-specific prompt might be:
Create an image of a dark forest with exactly five tall pine trees, a narrow winding path in the middle, and a red fox peeking from behind the third tree.
This prompt gives the AI very little room for creativity, as every element is precisely defined. Worse, the AI is likely to get confused and blend the elements in unwanted ways — even with the latest update, Midjourney tends to lose track of longer prompts.
On the other side of the spectrum, here's a too-ambiguous prompt: Create a forest image.
With this second prompt, the AI has too much freedom, and it might generate an image that doesn't align with your vision of a mysterious forest.
A well-balanced prompt might be:
a gloomy, mysterious forest with tall trees. in the style of dramatic shadows, dark aesthetic.
This prompt provides the AI with a clear idea of the mood you want to convey (gloomy and mysterious), some elements to include (tall trees, shadows). By striking the right balance between specificity and ambiguity in your prompt, you allow the AI to bring your vision to life while incorporating its own unique artistic flair.
Prompt Writing Tip #3
Embrace iteration.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and an AI-generated masterpiece isn't built in an instant. When it comes to AI art, the creative process is iterative. Don't be disheartened if your first attempt doesn't yield the desired result. Instead, use each iteration as a stepping stone to refine your prompts and guide the AI toward your vision.
Example
Suppose you want to generate a futuristic city skyline. You start with an initial prompt, and then refine and iterate based on the AI's output.
a futuristic city skyline
After receiving the first output, you may realize that you'd like to see more distinctive architecture and some flying vehicles in the scene.
a futuristic city skyline at dusk, unique architecture, flying cars
The AI's output now includes the desired elements, but you might want to add a color scheme to create a more cohesive and captivating visual.
a futuristic city skyline at dusk, unique architecture, flying cars. golden hour
With each iteration, you provide additional guidance to the AI, refining the image based on the previous output. The process continues until you're satisfied with the final result.
Remember, AI-generated art often requires multiple attempts. Don't hesitate to iterate and experiment, as each step brings you closer to achieving your artistic vision.
Prompt Writing Tip #4
Harness styles.
To create a truly unique work of art, you should show the AI what you're aiming for. By feeding the model examples of styles or elements you'd like to incorporate, you'll be giving it a nudge in the right direction. Think of it as a gentle whisper in the ear of your AI Picasso, guiding its brushstrokes towards your desired outcome — if you leave the AI to its own devices, it'll produce the same bland style that it does for everyone else.
Example
Let's say you want to generate an image of a mystical, dreamlike forest with a touch of an impressionist style.
Start by selecting a few examples of impressionist paintings that capture the mood and style you're looking for, such as Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" or Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night." Additionally, find images of enchanting forests that convey the atmosphere you want to create and look for similarities between them.
Now, combine your chosen examples with a descriptive prompt:
a painting of a mystical, dreamlike forest. in the style of claude monet, vincent van gogh, vibrant, textured brushstrokes.
By providing the AI with a style string and a clear description of your vision, you're giving it a better understanding of the desired style. Using the names of artists can act as a kind of shorthand for their distinctive style. This approach can lead to a more accurate representation of your vision and add an extra layer of depth and complexity to the AI-generated image.
Prompt Writing Tip #5
Go wild with metaphors.
Art-generating models like Midjourney are trained on vast amounts of text data, which means they're well-versed in the language of metaphor. Feel free to describe your desired artwork using metaphorical language, as this can spark the AI's creativity and lead to truly original outcomes.
For example, instead of asking for "a serene landscape," try "a scene where Mother Nature whispers her lullabies to the slumbering hills." Using vivid metaphors, encourages the AI to delve deeper into its creative well and produce something truly special.
Example
Let's say you want the AI to generate an image of a vibrant, bustling marketplace. Instead of using a straightforward prompt like "Create an image of a busy marketplace," you can use a metaphorical description to guide the AI:
a bustling marketplace, where colors dance like butterflies and the air is filled with the symphony of voices, laughter, and tinkling bells.
In this metaphorical prompt, you're encouraging the AI to think beyond the literal and visualize the scene more creatively. "Colors dance like butterflies" suggests a lively, vibrant atmosphere. At the same time, "the symphony of voices, laughter, and tinkling bells" conveys the lively sounds and energy of the marketplace.
By using vivid metaphors, you're inviting the AI to tap into its vast knowledge of language and concepts, allowing it to generate an image that captures the scene's essence in an imaginative and engaging way.
Prompt Writing Tip #6
Play with constraints.
The worst-case scenario when using AI-generated art tools is ending up with a bland, uninspired piece that lacks character. To avoid this pitfall, experiment with imposing constraints on the AI. Give it specific rules or boundaries, such as limited color palettes, particular styles, or certain shapes. You'll be surprised how these limitations can unleash the AI's creativity.
Example
Let's say you want the AI to generate an image of a tranquil mountain landscape, but you'd like to challenge it with a specific constraint. In this case, you might decide to limit the color palette. Here's an example of a prompt that incorporates this constraint:
a serene and tranquil mountain landscape. blue and white, duotone.
By limiting the color palette to shades of blue and white, you're pushing the AI to think creatively within the given constraint. The AI will need to find ways to convey depth, texture, and atmosphere using only these colors, which can lead to unexpected and visually striking results.
Constraints can come in many forms, such as limiting the art style, the elements in the composition, or the overall theme. Experimenting with different constraints can inspire the AI to explore new creative possibilities and produce more distinctive and memorable artwork.
Prompt Writing Tip #7
Be open to serendipity.
Sometimes, the most breathtaking art emerges from the unexpected. When using AI to generate art, don't be afraid to let go of the reins and embrace serendipity. You might just stumble upon a happy accident that leads to a dazzling masterpiece.
Remember, AI-generated art is like a box of chocolates — you never know quite what you'll get. So, revel in the element of surprise, and let your AI muse lead you down uncharted paths.
Example
Let's say you want the AI to generate an image of a serene beach scene at sunset. You provide the following prompt:
a tranquil beach at sunset, with gentle waves lapping the shore and the sky painted in warm hues.
Upon receiving the AI's output, you notice that the AI has incorporated a group of birds flying above the ocean, their silhouettes framed against the setting sun.
Although the presence of the birds was not part of your initial vision, their unexpected inclusion adds a dynamic and lively element to the scene, transforming it into something even more captivating and unique.
By being open to serendipity and embracing these happy accidents, you can discover new creative possibilities and unlock the full potential of AI-generated art. Remember, some of the most memorable and groundbreaking artwork comes from the fusion of the unexpected with the intended vision.
Prompt Writing Tip #8
Mix and match styles.
In the realm of AI-generated art, fusion is your friend. Don't hesitate to blend different artistic styles, genres, or eras to create something truly unique. You could, for example, ask the AI to meld the swirling strokes of Van Gogh with the geometric precision of Mondrian. By fusing seemingly disparate styles, you'll challenge the AI and push it to generate something truly groundbreaking.
Example
Let's say you want to create a unique portrait that combines the geometric style of Cubism with the bold color patterns of Pop Art. You can provide a prompt that incorporates these two distinct styles:
a painting of a mountain landscape. in the style of geometic, fractured perspective, cubism, bold color, pop art.
By asking the AI to combine the distinct features of Cubism and Pop Art, you're encouraging it to think beyond the conventional norms of each style and create a piece that merges these elements in a fresh and innovative way.
Experimenting with different style combinations can push the AI to explore uncharted artistic territory, producing one-of-a-kind pieces that challenge conventional norms and captivate the viewer's imagination.
Prompt Writing Tip #9
Iterate, refine, and experiment.
An AI-generated art project is a fluid, ever-evolving entity. So don't be afraid to tinker, tweak, and experiment until you achieve your vision. You might start with a simple prompt and gradually layer on complexity or specificity as needed. The process might be more akin to sculpting than painting, as you gradually chip away at the AI-generated output until your masterpiece is revealed.
Example
Let's take the example of creating an image of a surreal landscape that combines elements of fantasy and sci-fi.
a surreal landscape that blends elements of fantasy and science fiction.
After seeing the first output, you might decide that you want more emphasis on the sci-fi aspect and introduce a specific element, such as a futuristic city.
a surreal landscape that blends elements of fantasy and science fiction, featuring a futuristic city in the distance.
The AI's output now includes a futuristic city, but you feel that the image could benefit from more unusual and otherworldly flora and fauna to enhance the surreal atmosphere.
a surreal landscape that blends elements of fantasy and science fiction, featuring a futuristic city in the distance and populated by bizarre, otherworldly plants and creatures.
Each iteration provides additional guidance to the AI, refining and adjusting the image based on the previous output. This process of experimenting and iterating can continue until you're satisfied with the final result.
The key is to be patient and willing to make adjustments, as each iteration brings you closer to achieving your artistic vision while uncovering new possibilities and ideas.
Prompt Writing Tip #10
Collaborate with others.
Two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to AI-generated art. Collaborating with others can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to your project, sparking the AI's creativity in unexpected ways. Join online forums or communities where like-minded individuals share their AI art experiments and insights. The exchange of ideas, challenges, and solutions will enrich your understanding of the AI art landscape and inspire you to push boundaries.
Example
Let's say you're working on creating a series of AI-generated images that depict scenes from a dystopian novel.
You've already generated a few images using your own prompts and ideas, but you feel that collaborating with others might add depth and variety to your project. To explore this, you join an online forum or community where like-minded individuals share their AI art experiments, insights, and challenges.
In the forum, you share your current images and explain your project's goal. You receive feedback and suggestions from other members, such as:
- Incorporating visual elements inspired by classic dystopian films or literature to create a more immersive atmosphere.
- Experimenting with different color palettes to evoke specific emotions or moods related to the dystopian theme.
- Using metaphorical language in your prompts to create more abstract and thought-provoking imagery.
Inspired by the feedback and suggestions, you revise your prompts and generate new images that better capture the essence of the dystopian novel:
a dystopian cityscape, towering skyscrapers. dark shadows, gloomy, dystopian, oppressive, dramatic lighting, dramatic shadows.
Collaborating with others can give you new insights and ideas that help you push your AI-generated art project to new heights.
Wrap up
The world of AI-generated art is a thrilling frontier that blends creativity, technology, and serendipity. By following these top prompt writing tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to crafting your own AI-generated masterpieces. Embrace the iterative process, experiment with constraints and metaphors, and be open to the unexpected. With the right balance of guidance and creative freedom, your AI-powered canvas will come alive with colors and textures you never dreamed possible.
