[Guide] : How to Write Good Prompts to Generate AI Art

AI tools for generating art, like DALL·E or MidJourney, are amazing resources for artists, creators, and anyone who needs quick, custom visuals. However, crafting the right prompt is key to getting the results you want.

The better your prompt, the closer you’ll get to the image in your mind. Here’s a guide to help you write clear, detailed prompts that generate high-quality AI art.

1. Be Specific About the Subject

Start by describing what you want to see in your artwork. This includes the main subject, their appearance, actions, or what they’re interacting with. The more specific you are, the better the AI can understand your request.

Examples:

• Instead of saying “a dragon,” try “a fierce red dragon flying over a mountain range with a trail of fire behind it.”
• Instead of “a cat,” say “a fluffy white Persian cat lounging on a velvet armchair.”

2. Add Details About Style

If you have a specific art style in mind, mention it. Whether you want something cartoonish, realistic, abstract, or inspired by a specific artist, being clear about the style helps the AI generate an image that aligns with your vision.

Examples:

• “A futuristic city in the style of cyberpunk, with neon lights and towering skyscrapers.”
• “A vintage watercolor painting of a seaside village, with soft pastel colors.”

3. Describe the Mood or Atmosphere

The mood or feeling of the art can drastically change how the image looks. Do you want something bright and cheerful, dark and moody, or serene and peaceful? Including the emotional tone of the artwork will guide the AI toward the right aesthetic.

Examples:

• “A calm and peaceful forest, with soft sunlight filtering through the trees, giving a warm golden glow.”
• “A dark, stormy sky with lightning illuminating the jagged mountains below, creating a tense and dramatic atmosphere.”

4. Include Color Preferences

If you have specific colors in mind, mention them! The AI can adjust the palette to reflect your preferences. You can also tell it if you want the art to have a particular color tone or mood.

Examples:

• “A sunset sky with deep purple and orange hues reflecting over a calm ocean.”
• “A vibrant, multi-colored street art mural on a brick wall.”

5. Specify the Composition and Perspective

Think about how you want the image to be framed. Do you want a close-up of a subject, a wide landscape, or a particular point of view? Describing the perspective and composition helps the AI focus on the right elements.

Examples:

• “A close-up portrait of a young woman with flowing red hair, looking to the side with a soft smile.”
• “A bird’s-eye view of a bustling medieval market square, with people and colorful tents scattered around.”

6. Mention the Background or Setting

If the background is important to your image, include details about it. Whether it’s a fantasy world, an urban setting, or a natural environment, a well-described background can add depth and context to your image.

Examples:

• “A knight standing in a lush green forest with towering trees in the background, mist rolling over the ground.”
• “An astronaut floating in space with Earth visible in the background, stars scattered around.”

7. Use Action Words for Movement

If you want your artwork to show motion or an active scene, use action words to describe what’s happening. This helps the AI understand the dynamic nature of the image.

Examples:

• “A wolf sprinting through a snowy field with snowflakes flying in the air.”
• “A woman dancing in a flowing red dress, her arms raised in a graceful pose.”

8. Give Context or Story (Optional)

If the image is meant to tell a story or is part of a larger concept, provide some context. This can help the AI add meaningful details that contribute to the narrative.

Examples:

• “A heroic knight about to slay a giant, fire-breathing serpent in a dark, lava-filled cave.”
• “A couple walking through a sunflower field, holding hands during a golden sunset.”

9. Avoid Ambiguity

While creativity is important, avoid overly vague or contradictory terms. For example, instead of saying “a happy monster,” describe what the monster looks like and how it expresses happiness. Ambiguous prompts can confuse the AI and result in unpredictable or unwanted outcomes.

Examples:

• Instead of “a monster,” say “a cute purple monster with big eyes, sitting on a grassy hill and smiling.”
• Instead of “an animal,” say “a sleek, black panther with glowing green eyes, walking through a dense jungle.”

10. Experiment and Refine

AI tools can generate multiple versions of an image, so don’t be afraid to experiment and refine your prompts. After reviewing the first results, adjust the prompt by adding or removing details to fine-tune the image until it matches your vision.

Example Prompt Walkthrough

Let’s break down a good prompt using the guidelines above:

Prompt:
“A majestic lion with a golden mane standing proudly on top of a rocky hill, looking out over a vast savanna. The sun is setting behind the lion, casting long shadows and giving the sky a warm orange and purple hue. The landscape is dotted with acacia trees, and the grass is swaying gently in the breeze. The mood is peaceful yet powerful, and the art style is realistic, with intricate details in the lion’s fur and the texture of the rocks.”

• Subject: A lion with a golden mane standing on a rocky hill.
• Style: Realistic with intricate details.
• Mood/Atmosphere: Peaceful, powerful, with a sunset scene.
• Color Preferences: Warm orange and purple sky, golden mane.
• Background/Setting: Vast savanna, acacia trees, swaying grass.
• Action: The lion is looking out over the landscape.

Conclusion

Writing good prompts for AI art is all about being clear, descriptive, and creative. The more specific you are with your ideas, the better the AI can interpret and turn them into visuals. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different details, styles, and tones to see what works best.

With practice, you can create stunning AI-generated art that brings your creative ideas to life.