Introduction to AI Art Generation
AI art generation refers to the process of creating visual artwork using artificial intelligence models trained on millions of images. These text-to-image systems can transform written descriptions (prompts) into original digital images across various styles, mediums, and concepts. The leading platforms—MidJourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion—use diffusion models that gradually transform random noise patterns into coherent images guided by text prompts. Understanding how to effectively craft prompts, utilize parameters, and navigate these platforms enables creators to generate increasingly sophisticated and targeted visual content for personal projects, commercial applications, and artistic exploration.
Core Concepts in AI Art Generation
| Concept | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt | Text description that guides image generation | “A serene mountain lake at sunset with pine trees reflected in the water” |
| Negative Prompt | Words describing what to exclude from generation | “blurry, distorted, low quality, unrealistic, text, watermark” |
| Parameters | Additional commands that control specific aspects | “–ar 16:9 –stylize 750 –quality 2” |
| Seed | Numerical value determining initial noise pattern | “seed: 12345” (same seed + prompt = similar results) |
| Iterations | Number of refinement cycles applied to an image | Higher iterations = more detail and coherence |
| Aspect Ratio | Width-to-height ratio of generated image | 1:1 (square), 16:9 (landscape), 9:16 (portrait) |
| Upscaling | Process of increasing image resolution | Enhances detail while preserving composition |
| Inpainting | Selectively regenerating parts of an image | Modifying specific elements while keeping the rest intact |
| Style Transfer | Applying artistic styles to generated content | Creating an image in the style of Van Gogh or anime |
| Diffusion Model | ML technique that gradually removes noise | Core technology behind MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion |
MidJourney Command Guide
Basic Commands
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| /imagine | Generate images from a text prompt | /imagine prompt: magical forest with glowing mushrooms |
| /blend | Mix multiple images together | /blend [upload image 1] [upload image 2] |
| /describe | Generate prompt suggestions from an image | /describe [upload image] |
| /info | Display information about your account | /info |
| /prefer | Set personal preferences | /prefer option [setting name] [value] |
| /settings | View or change current settings | /settings |
| /subscribe | View subscription information | /subscribe |
| /help | Get help information | /help |
| U1-U4 | Select and upscale a specific grid image | Buttons appear below generated grid |
| V1-V4 | Create variations of a specific grid image | Buttons appear below generated grid |
| 🔄 | Regenerate results with same prompt | Button appears below generated grid |
MidJourney Parameters
| Parameter | Function | Format | Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| –version | Specify MidJourney algorithm version | --v 5.2 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.1, 5.2, 6 |
| –aspect or –ar | Set image dimensions | --ar 16:9 | 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 3:2, 2:3, 4:3, 3:4, 16:9, 9:16 |
| –chaos | Increase variation in results | --chaos 30 | 0-100 (default: 0) |
| –quality or –q | Set rendering quality | --q 2 | 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 (default: 1) |
| –repeat or –r | Generate multiple sets | --r 4 | 1-40 |
| –seed | Set randomization seed | --seed 42069 | Any integer |
| –stop | Stop generation at percentage | --stop 80 | 10-100 (increments of 10) |
| –stylize or –s | Artistic stylization strength | --s 750 | 0-1000 (default: 100) |
| –tile | Create seamless tileable textures | --tile | No value needed |
| –weird or –w | Introduce unexpected elements | --w 30 | 0-3000 |
| –uplight | Lighter upscaler for subtle details | --uplight | No value needed |
| –upbeta | Alternative upscaler algorithm | --upbeta | No value needed |
MidJourney V6 Special Parameters
| Parameter | Function | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| –style | Apply predefined style | --style raw | raw, cute, scenic, food, etc. |
| –niji | Anime/illustration style | --niji 5 | Optimized for anime aesthetics |
| –cref | Reference existing image style | --cref [URL] | Influences style but not content |
| –sref | Reference image for composition | --sref [URL] | Influences composition & style |
| –video | Create short animation | --video | Limited availability |
| –turbo | Faster generation (lower quality) | --turbo | Quick results with quality tradeoff |
DALL-E Guide (DALL-E 3 & DALL-E 2)
DALL-E 3 Features (Latest Version)
| Feature | Description | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt Interpretation | Automatically expands brief prompts | Use clear, concise descriptions; DALL-E 3 will elaborate |
| Text Rendering | Improved text in images | Explicitly request text if needed; specify font style |
| Resolution | 1024×1024, 1024×1792, 1792×1024 | Choose based on composition needs (square, portrait, landscape) |
| Variations | Create alternatives based on original | Use to explore different interpretations of the same concept |
| Outpainting | Extend existing images beyond borders | Useful for expanding compositions or creating panoramas |
| Inpainting | Edit specific parts of an image | Erase an area and describe what should replace it |
| Negative Prompts | Specify what to avoid | “Don’t include [unwanted element]” directly in main prompt |
DALL-E 2 Features
| Feature | Description | Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Generate in multiple resolutions | 256×256, 512×512, 1024×1024 |
| Variations | Create similar images | Generate from reference image |
| Inpainting | Edit parts of an image | Erase and regenerate specific areas |
| Outpainting | Extend image canvas | Add to any edge of existing image |
| Count | Number of images to generate | 1-10 per prompt (default: 4) |
Prompt Engineering Techniques
Structural Prompt Elements
| Element | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Main focus of the image | “A majestic lion,” “A Victorian mansion” |
| Setting | Location or environment | “in a misty forest,” “on a distant planet” |
| Lighting | Illumination characteristics | “golden hour lighting,” “dramatic shadows” |
| Perspective | Viewing angle and distance | “aerial view,” “macro close-up,” “isometric perspective” |
| Mood/Atmosphere | Emotional tone | “serene,” “ominous,” “whimsical,” “melancholic” |
| Medium | Artistic technique | “oil painting,” “digital art,” “pencil sketch,” “watercolor” |
| Style | Artistic influence | “in the style of Monet,” “cyberpunk aesthetic,” “art nouveau” |
| Color Palette | Color scheme | “vibrant colors,” “monochromatic blue,” “pastel palette” |
| Composition | Arrangement of elements | “rule of thirds,” “symmetrical composition,” “dynamic pose” |
| Time Period | Historical context | “1920s,” “medieval,” “retrofuturistic,” “ancient Egyptian” |
Advanced Prompt Techniques
| Technique | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted Prompts | Emphasize certain elements | “majestic mountain::1.5 lake::0.8 storm clouds::1.2” |
| Style Mixing | Combine multiple styles | “portrait in the style of Rembrandt meets cyberpunk” |
| Camera Specifications | Define technical parameters | “shot on Hasselblad, 90mm lens, f/2.8, Kodak Portra 400 film” |
| Lighting Setup | Professional lighting description | “rim lighting, soft key light, blue gel backlight” |
| Material Specificity | Detail physical properties | “weathered copper with patina, rough-hewn stone, translucent fabric” |
| Art Movement References | Invoke established styles | “Art Deco,” “Bauhaus,” “Ukiyo-e,” “Hyperrealism” |
| Artist References | Mimic specific artists | “in the style of Alphonse Mucha,” “like Greg Rutkowski” |
| Time Stacking | Multiple time states in one image | “transition from day to night,” “four seasons in one scene” |
| Technical Terminology | Industry-specific terms | “tilt-shift,” “golden spiral composition,” “volumetric fog” |
| Motion Indicators | Suggest movement | “mid-action,” “dynamic pose,” “flowing,” “explosive motion” |
Effective Prompt Patterns
[Subject] [action/pose] in [setting], [lighting condition], [camera angle], [artistic medium], [style reference], [color palette], [mood], [quality indicators]
[Artistic medium] of [adjective] [subject] [doing action] in [setting], [style reference], [lighting], [time of day], [camera specifications], [color scheme], [composition]
[Time period] [subject] with [notable features], [environment details], [weather/lighting], [artistic style], [render type], [quality descriptors]
Style References Cheat Sheet
Art Movements
| Movement | Key Characteristics | Example Prompt Addition |
|---|---|---|
| Renaissance | Realistic anatomy, perspective, religious themes | “in Renaissance style, sfumato technique” |
| Baroque | Dramatic contrast, movement, emotional intensity | “dramatic Baroque lighting, chiaroscuro” |
| Impressionism | Visible brushstrokes, light effects, everyday scenes | “impressionist style with dappled light” |
| Art Nouveau | Organic forms, decorative elements, flowing lines | “Art Nouveau style with ornate flowing patterns” |
| Cubism | Multiple perspectives, geometric forms, fragmentation | “Cubist style with fractured geometric forms” |
| Surrealism | Dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions | “surrealist dreamscape with impossible physics” |
| Art Deco | Geometric patterns, bold colors, luxury, symmetry | “Art Deco style with geometric patterns and gold accents” |
| Pop Art | Bold colors, popular culture references, commercial imagery | “Pop Art style with halftone patterns and bold colors” |
| Minimalism | Simplicity, negative space, limited palette | “minimalist composition with negative space” |
| Cyberpunk | High-tech/low-life, neon, urban dystopia | “cyberpunk aesthetic with neon lights and rain-slicked streets” |
Digital Art Styles
| Style | Characteristics | Example Prompt Addition |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Render | Realistic lighting, texture mapping, volumetric feel | “3D render, octane render, realistic textures, global illumination” |
| Pixel Art | Low-resolution, limited palette, blocky shapes | “pixel art, 16-bit, limited color palette” |
| Vaporwave | Retro computing, glitch aesthetics, pink/blue palette | “vaporwave aesthetic, retro computing, glitch art, pink and teal” |
| Low Poly | Faceted surfaces, geometric reduction, visible polygons | “low poly style, geometric reduction, triangular facets” |
| Isometric | 30-degree angles, no perspective, equal measurements | “isometric view, no perspective, game asset style” |
| Vector Art | Clean lines, flat colors, scalable appearance | “vector art style, clean lines, flat colors” |
| Concept Art | Atmospheric, detailed, environment-focused | “concept art for fantasy game, detailed environment, professional” |
| Cartoon | Bold outlines, simplified forms, expressive | “cartoon style, bold outlines, expressive characters” |
| Anime/Manga | Large eyes, stylized features, distinctive visual language | “anime style, cel shaded, manga aesthetic” |
| Retro/Vintage | Aged appearance, limited palette, nostalgic elements | “retro 80s style, VHS aesthetic, nostalgia” |
Photography Styles
| Style | Characteristics | Example Prompt Addition |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Person-focused, controlled lighting, expression emphasis | “professional portrait photography, studio lighting, 85mm lens, f/1.8” |
| Landscape | Wide view, natural beauty, environmental focus | “landscape photography, golden hour, wide angle lens, panoramic” |
| Macro | Extreme close-up, fine detail, shallow depth of field | “macro photography, extreme close-up, shallow depth of field, f/2.8” |
| Street | Urban environment, candid moments, documentary feel | “street photography, candid, black and white, urban environment” |
| Fashion | Stylized poses, controlled lighting, clothing emphasis | “high fashion photography, studio lighting, professional model” |
| Wildlife | Animals in natural habitats, telephoto perspective | “wildlife photography, telephoto lens, natural habitat, 400mm” |
| Aerial | Bird’s eye view, patterns, scale | “aerial photography, bird’s eye view, drone perspective” |
| Night/Astro | Low light, stars, long exposure effects | “astrophotography, star trails, Milky Way, long exposure” |
| Film | Analog appearance, grain, specific film stock | “35mm film photography, Kodak Portra 400, grain, light leaks” |
| Architectural | Buildings, spatial relationships, geometric precision | “architectural photography, wide angle, perspective correction” |
Common Challenges & Solutions
Technical Issues
| Challenge | Solution | Example Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Distorted Faces | Specify realistic facial features | “photorealistic face, detailed facial features, symmetrical face” |
| Extra Limbs | Focus on anatomical correctness | “anatomically correct, proper human anatomy, single pair of arms” |
| Text Rendering | Use DALL-E 3 or simplify text requests | “Single word ‘HOPE’ in clean sans-serif font centered in the image” |
| Specific Layout | Use detailed composition descriptions | “subject centered in frame, rule of thirds composition, foreground elements at bottom” |
| Coherent Scenes | Break down scene elements clearly | “kitchen scene with [specific elements] arranged logically, cohesive interior design” |
| Image Too Busy | Request simplicity and focus | “minimalist composition, single subject, ample negative space, clean background” |
| Too Generic | Add specific, unique details | “unique character design with asymmetrical clothing, heterochromia, and distinctive hairstyle” |
Artistic Challenges
| Challenge | Solution | Example Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Style Consistency | Reference specific artists or movements | “consistent Art Nouveau style throughout, in the manner of Alphonse Mucha” |
| Color Harmony | Specify color theory concepts | “complementary color scheme of blue and orange, harmonious palette” |
| Dramatic Lighting | Use cinematic and lighting terms | “dramatic cinematic lighting, strong directional light source, deep shadows, rim lighting” |
| Emotional Impact | Describe mood and emotional qualities | “evocative, melancholic atmosphere, sense of longing, emotional resonance” |
| Unique Concepts | Combine unexpected elements | “solarpunk underwater city where marine and plant life integrate with architecture” |
| Period Accuracy | Include historical details | “authentic 1920s Art Deco speakeasy with period-appropriate fashion, architecture, and lighting” |
| Surreal Elements | Use juxtaposition and impossibilities | “surrealist composition with floating objects defying gravity, impossible architecture” |
Platform Comparison
| Feature | MidJourney | DALL-E 3 | Stable Diffusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access | Discord bot, subscription required | OpenAI account, credits/subscription | Open source, self-host or services |
| Interface | Discord commands | Web interface, API | Various UIs, API, open frameworks |
| Strengths | Artistic quality, aesthetic coherence | Text accuracy, prompt interpretation | Customization, no cost (self-hosted) |
| Limitations | Less control over specific details | Less artistic stylization | Steeper learning curve |
| Cost | Basic: $10/mo, Standard: $30/mo, Pro: $60/mo | Usage-based or subscription ($20/mo) | Free (self-hosted) or service fees |
| Commercial Use | Allowed with subscription | Allowed with clear disclosure | Varies by model and license |
| Content Moderation | Moderate restrictions | Significant restrictions | Varies by implementation |
| Image Resolution | Up to 1792×1024 (v6) | Up to 1792×1024 | Unlimited (with sufficient GPU) |
| Customization | Limited to parameters | Limited to prompts | Extensive (fine-tuning, LoRA, etc.) |
Best Practices for Different Subjects
Character Design
Humanoid Characters:
- Specify age, ethnicity, clothing style, distinctive features
- Include personality traits that might influence appearance
- Describe facial expression and emotional state
- Example: “Portrait of a weathered 60-year-old fisherman with sun-damaged skin, salt-and-pepper beard, wearing a cable-knit sweater and wool cap, kind eyes with crow’s feet, contemplative expression, soft directional lighting, photorealistic style”
Creatures/Monsters:
- Combine recognizable animal features with unique elements
- Describe texture, size relationship, movement capability
- Specify environment adaptation features
- Example: “Mythical forest creature combining deer and bird features, iridescent feathers covering upper body, branching antlers with small glowing fungi, slender legs with cloven hooves, large expressive eyes, in a misty ancient forest, fantasy concept art style”
Environments
Natural Landscapes:
- Include time of day, weather conditions, season
- Specify vegetation types, geological features
- Describe atmospheric effects (mist, dust, etc.)
- Example: “Vast mountain valley at dawn, autumn colors, morning mist rising from evergreen forests, snow-capped peaks in background, small winding river reflecting golden light, scattered rustic cabins with chimney smoke, cinematic wide-angle composition”
Urban Scenes:
- Specify architectural style, time period, level of development
- Include details about infrastructure, transportation, signage
- Describe population density and activity
- Example: “Bustling cyberpunk Chinatown marketplace at night, rain-slicked streets reflecting neon signs in Chinese and English, holographic advertisements, street food vendors with steam rising, mix of traditional architecture with futuristic technology, crowded with diverse pedestrians, cinematic lighting”
Abstract Concepts
Emotions/Feelings:
- Use color psychology associations
- Incorporate metaphorical elements and symbolism
- Describe texture and movement that evoke the emotion
- Example: “Abstract representation of anxiety, swirling dark blues and grays with sharp red elements breaking through, claustrophobic composition with tension between ordered geometric patterns and chaotic dissolution, textured brushwork, expressionist style”
Concepts/Ideas:
- Use visual metaphors and established symbolism
- Incorporate contrasting elements to show complexity
- Consider cultural and historical representations
- Example: “Abstract visualization of the concept of time, ancient clockwork mechanisms blending into cosmic elements, hourglasses transitioning to quantum particles, spiral composition suggesting infinity, selective focus with both sharp mechanical details and ethereal cosmic background, surrealist digital painting”
Resources for Further Learning
Communities & Forums
- MidJourney Discord Community
- DALL-E Subreddit (r/dalle2)
- Stable Diffusion Subreddit (r/StableDiffusion)
- AI Art Universe Discord
- Hugging Face Community
Educational Resources
- Prompt Engineering Guide by Dallery
- MidJourney Learning Center
- OpenAI DALL-E Documentation
- RunwayML AI Magic Tools Guides
- “The Prompt Artist’s Handbook” (various online versions)
Prompt Repositories & Inspiration
- PromptHero
- Lexica.art
- Promptbase
- Public MidJourney galleries
- DALL-E examples on OpenAI blog
Tools & Utilities
-Img2Prompt (reverse engineering prompts)
- PromptTools (prompt generation assistance)
- Promptomania (structured prompt builder)
- Leonardo.ai (alternative AI art platform with helpful tools)
- Civitai (model and prompt sharing for Stable Diffusion)
This comprehensive cheat sheet provides the essential knowledge, commands, techniques, and troubleshooting tips for creating stunning AI-generated artwork using MidJourney, DALL-E, and related platforms. From basic operations to advanced prompt engineering strategies, this guide will help both beginners and experienced users maximize their creative potential with AI art generation tools.