Want to make beautiful, creative AI art? These are the prompts and techniques to use.

Struggling to get the results you want from your AI image generator? You’re not alone. Whether you’re experimenting with generative AI art or looking to improve your AI content creation, this guide to AI art prompts will show you how to build better, more detailed prompts.
Together, we’ll dive into the art of the prompt: the magical string of words that transforms your ideas into tangible visuals. You’ll learn how to speak the language that AI art generators understand, from materials and mediums to design styles that make your work pop.
For prompts, we’ll cover categories like materials, mediums, and digital art styles. We’ll use tools like ImageGen and GraphicsGen to demonstrate what’s possible when you combine imagination with smart prompt engineering for visuals. Want your AI art to feel timely? We’ll also explore how to create images that vibe with current events and social media trends, giving your designs that crucial relevance factor.
Let’s get started.

AI concept art prompt styles and categories we’ll cover:
How to create effective AI art prompts
Creating prompt generated images can sometimes feel like a shot-in-the-dark experiment. Quite often, the prompt you enter results in an unexpected image, which by chance can be quite good… or really bad. AI image generators like Envato’s ImageGen and GraphicsGen allow you to generate high-quality, creative images that you can use for design projects or social media images. Still, you can definitely create much better results with thoughtfully crafted AI image prompts.
The best prompts for AI art integrate plenty of specific detail and tap into particular aesthetics, styles, and effects. The more you practice and experiment, the better your images will be! Here are some tips to follow, and then we’ll go through a list of handy AI prompts. And the good news is that Envato ImageGen and GraphicsGen are optimized for short prompts, so even if you don’t include all the details, they will do all the advanced stuff for you!
Think like a photographer: Use lighting and texture in AI image prompts
You can improve your image’s subtle aesthetic qualities, such as light and texture, using language that a photographer or artist would use. “Bokeh light” gives nighttime images an ethereal, dreamy quality, while “hard light“ produces strong shadows and contrast, which work particularly well for black-and-white photos.

For artistic effects, try using language that replicates the painting process, such as “gouache paint,” “linen canvas texture,” or “impasto paint effect,” to build more painterly realism and texture into your image.
The more detail you can provide, the better
Remember that AI is not a mind-reader (not yet, anyway). Your imagination might extend beyond a simple short word or phrase to build the image you want in your mind, but an AI image generator can only work with what you give it in text form. The best prompts for AI art incorporate plenty of specific detail, situating the subject in a particular setting and specifying subtle elements like lighting, medium, and texture.
Some image generators, such as ImageGen, offer the option of enhancing your prompt using AI, which we’ll demonstrate below. This is a great way to bring more relevant details into your prompt, and it can pick up on related effects, subjects, or settings. You can also use enhanced prompts to nail those 2025 AI creative trends.
Embrace generative AI art’s unexpected creativity
Some of the results of your AI art prompts might be unusual, hilarious, or downright bizarre. AI images can be slightly eccentric, so embrace the quirks in your images for a surrealist effect, or refine your prompt further for a less out-there result.
Generative AI art is an evolving medium, and part of the creativity is about generating unexpected results that can inspire and delight your viewer.

6 AI art prompt styles to use in your next project
To generate the best AI images, you’ll need to use words and phrases that tell the image generator how you want your image’s subject, setting, style, illustration style, and mood to appear. Tired of getting images that don’t look anything like what you had in mind? Specific prompts effectively act as an art director for your image, telling the AI design generator how to refine each element and detail.
The six categories below—material, medium, color, design styles, trends, and events—feature loads of handy keywords to help you build more effective AI concept art prompt styles. Read on to pick up useful prompt keywords and discover inspirational examples showing how enhanced prompts can bring out the best in your images. Then why not start generating your own creative AI images?
1. Material
Material brings texture and tactility to images, lending a 3D effect to your AI art styles. Material AI prompts can help your images to really ‘pop’ from the page, and you can introduce a surrealist element to an otherwise ordinary object by using an unexpected material, such as candy or marble.
Using digital art styles for prompts:
| Crystals/jewels | Wood |
| Candy/chocolate | Metal |
| Marble | Water/rain |
| Concrete | Plastic |
| Light | Glass |
| Ceramic | Sand |
| Bamboo | Leather |
| Rubber | Paper/cardboard |
| Fabric | Leaves/flowers/floral |
| Canvas | Rattan |
An armchair made of candy
With AI prompt:
An armchair made of candy, gingerbread frame, licorice trim, gummy bear cushions, lollipop accents, sugar glass details, illuminated by soft, colorful lighting, whimsical setting, dessert wonderland, high definition, vibrant colors.

An armchair made of marble
With AI prompt:
Ornate marble armchair, neoclassical design, intricate carvings, polished surface, luxurious setting, bathed in soft, natural light, elegant drapery, museum backdrop, capturing the essence of timeless beauty and opulence.

An armchair made of light
With AI prompt:
Ethereal armchair formed from radiant light, intricate design, glowing filaments, soft illumination, floating particles, set in a minimalist white room, creating a surreal and inviting atmosphere, bathed in gentle, warm light.

An armchair made of rainwater
With AI prompt:
Ethereal armchair sculpted from translucent rainwater, reflecting a soft, overcast sky. The chair shimmers with delicate blues and grays, capturing the fluid, ever-changing essence of water. Wisps of vapor curl around its form, set against a blurred background of a lush, green garden.

A jaguar made of concrete
With AI prompt:
Concrete jaguar sculpture, powerful stance, jungle environment, dappled sunlight, green foliage backdrop, strong shadows, realistic texture.

A jaguar made of wood
With AI prompt:
Wooden jaguar sculpture, intricate details, smooth finish, positioned in a lush jungle setting, dappled sunlight, earthy tones, high contrast, realistic texture, dramatic lighting, artistic composition.

A jaguar made of metal
With AI prompt:
Metallic jaguar sculpture, sleek chrome finish, glowing blue eyes, standing on black rock, jungle background, volumetric lighting, detailed texture, hyperrealistic.

A jaguar made of sand
With AI prompt:
Golden sand jaguar prowling a serene desert landscape at sunset, dramatic shadows, intricate details, glistening sand textures, dynamic pose, warm color palette, photorealistic rendering, sharp focus, cinematic lighting, high resolution.

2. Medium
You need to think like an artist to get more creative results from your AI images. Integrating different mediums into your art styles for AI prompts will bring a painterly, hand-finished touch to your designs, allowing you to channel a particular art style, such as street-inspired graffiti or romantic impressionism.
Consider if you want your image to feel more polished; in this case, a medium like pencil or oil paint will give a more defined result. Or perhaps you want to go more abstract, which you can achieve with ‘messier’ mediums like spray paint or charcoal.
Try using digital art styles for prompts like:
| Oil paint | Ink |
| Acrylic paint | Markers |
| Watercolor | Pencil/colored pencil |
| Spray paint | Palette knives |
| Gouache | Sponges/rags |
| Pastel | Blending stumps |
| Charcoal/graphite | Clay |
| Linocut | Risograph |
| Fabric/textile | Crayons/oil crayons |
| Stickers | Tempera paint |
A hand-drawn chair
With AI prompt:
A hand-drawn graphic of a mid-century modern chair, strongly inspired by the iconic designs of the 1960s. Focus on its sleek, organic curves and minimalist silhouette. Imagine a low-slung profile with tapered, splayed wooden legs and a smooth, molded seat and backrest. The drawing should emphasize clean lines and a sense of effortless style, with a slightly textured, hand-sketched feel that adds warmth without losing its sophisticated edge.

A bouquet of flowers in a linocut style
With AI prompt:
A linocut illustration of a dynamic bouquet featuring full-blown roses and elegant lilies. The style should emphasize the inherent graphic quality of linocut, with strong, clear lines and simplified forms. Focus on high contrast between cut and uncut areas, creating dramatic shadows and highlights. The petals of the roses should have bold, stylized curves, while the lilies should be rendered with long, graceful stems and distinct, open blossoms. The overall impression is one of striking simplicity and powerful visual impact.

A Japanese shrine in a risograph style
With AI prompt:
A risograph-inspired illustration of a serene Japanese shrine, focusing on its distinctive architecture like a torii gate, stone lanterns, and a main hall. The illustration should feature a limited color palette with visible halftone patterns and slight misregistration, typical of the Risograph printing process. Emphasize bold, graphic shapes and textures created by the overlapping ink layers. Show simplified, yet recognizable, architectural details and maybe some stylized foliage. The overall feel should be vibrant, slightly gritty, and visually striking.

A portrait of a woman created using oil paint
With AI prompt:
Elegant woman’s portrait, classical oil painting style, rich color palette, Rembrandt lighting, intricate details, capturing her serene expression and timeless beauty, ornate gold frame, dark studio background, evoking a sense of sophistication and grace, museum quality.

A portrait of a woman created using watercolor paint
With AI prompt:
Elegant woman’s portrait, delicate watercolor painting, soft brushstrokes, flowing hair, serene expression, vibrant yet gentle colors, background with subtle floral patterns, bathed in warm, natural light, evoking tranquility and beauty.

A portrait of a woman created using charcoal
With AI prompt:
Charcoal portrait of a woman with long flowing hair, captured in dramatic lighting, emphasizing textures and shadows. Expressive eyes convey a sense of mystery and introspection. Background is a soft, blurred gradient, highlighting the subject’s features. A melancholic mood is evoked through subtle details in the charcoal rendering.

A portrait of a woman created using palette knives
With AI prompt:
Portrait of a woman with textured skin, impasto style. Thick layers of vibrant oil paint applied with palette knives. Captures depth and emotion with bold strokes, vivid colors, and dynamic light. Close-up, intense gaze, artistic, raw texture.

A rural landscape scene created with gouache paint
With AI prompt:
Idyllic countryside vista painted with gouache, showcasing rolling hills, a quaint farmhouse nestled among vibrant green fields, a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds, and a winding dirt road, bathed in the warm, golden light of a summer afternoon, creating a peaceful, nostalgic mood.

A rural landscape scene created with pastel chalk
With AI prompt:
Pastoral countryside, rolling hills, quaint farmhouse nestled among trees, soft morning light, dew-kissed meadows, vibrant wildflowers, grazing sheep, serene atmosphere, rendered with delicate messy pastel chalk strokes, Impressionistic style, warm color palette, peaceful and idyllic.

A rural landscape scene created with pencil
With AI prompt:
Pencil sketch of a serene rural landscape. Rolling hills meet a tranquil river under a vast sky with scattered clouds. A weathered wooden fence runs along a dirt path leading to an old farmhouse nestled among lush trees. Soft shadows and detailed textures evoke a sense of peaceful isolation and nostalgia.

3. Color
Color can bring your AI images to life, injecting them with a particular mood, tone, and color psychology. Try neon colors to create an atmospheric nightlife cityscape, or rich jewel colors to bring a luxurious, sumptuous feel to a portrait.
You can specify the color you’d like to see in your image, such as purple or blue, but you often can achieve better results by determining the nature of the color range, such as deep, neutral, or saturated. By selecting the color, you can direct the personality of your AI art images, so be bold and experiment!
Try using AI concept art prompt styles like:
| Vibrant | Warm/hot |
| Radiant | Cool |
| Muted | Neutral |
| Pastel | Dark |
| Neon | Intense/saturated |
| Deep/rich | Muted/faded |
| Bright | Sparkling |
| Earthy | Iridescent |
| Translucent | Chalky |
| Gradient | Pale |
An astronaut in glowing neon colors
With AI prompt:
Astronaut amidst a nebula, vivid neon colors, cosmic dust, starlight reflecting on visor, floating debris, surreal atmosphere, dark background, dynamic composition, highly detailed, science fiction concept art.

An astronaut in cool hues of blue and green
With AI prompt:
Astronaut floating in zero gravity, bathed in cool blue and green neon light, intricate spacesuit details, stars visible in the background, ethereal glow, dreamy atmosphere, cosmic dust motes, vast and infinite space, high resolution, sharp focus.

An astronaut in sparkling and glowing pastel colors
With AI prompt:
Astronaut amidst a cosmic nebula, shimmering with iridescent pastel hues. Galactic dust swirling, catching the light. Spacesuit reflecting ethereal colors, creating a dreamlike, otherworldly ambiance. Soft, glowing atmosphere.

An astronaut in dark, intense colors
With AI prompt:
Astronaut floating in the inky blackness of space, dramatic lighting, vivid cosmic dust swirling around, hyperrealistic detail, deep blues and purples contrasted with fiery oranges and reds, cinematic composition, sense of awe and isolation, stars twinkling in the background.

A glowing cat in cool, misty colors
With AI prompt:
A bioluminescent cat silhouette amidst a tranquil, misty forest. Cool tones of cerulean, lavender, and emerald create an ethereal ambiance. Soft, diffused light filters through ancient trees, highlighting the feline’s radiant outline. A gentle breeze stirs fallen leaves, enhancing the scene’s mystical atmosphere.

A purple cat in rich jewel colors
With AI prompt:
A regal, short-haired cat with striking violet fur, emerald eyes, and sapphire jewelry. The feline sits perched atop a velvet cushion, bathed in golden light. Intricate patterns adorn its fur, reflecting the light in a dazzling display of ruby, amethyst, and jade hues. The scene evokes a sense of opulence and mystery.

A cat in warm, neutral colors
With AI prompt:
Fluffy tabby cat basking in golden sunlight, warm beige tones, soft focus, serene atmosphere, detailed fur texture, relaxed posture, minimalist background, cozy ambiance, high-resolution.

A cat in intense bright neon colors
With AI prompt:
A sleek black cat with piercing green eyes, bathed in vibrant neon colors: electric blue, hot pink, and acid green. Cyberpunk aesthetic, dynamic pose, abstract background with geometric shapes. High contrast, dramatic lighting, futuristic, digital art.

4. Styles and trends
Some images channel a particular aesthetic trend or style—think Art Deco or Baroque — instantly transporting the viewer to a particular time or setting. Incorporating design styles into your AI art prompts can give you more control over the overall look and feel of an image and help you tap into particular trends for social media posts or ad campaigns.
Trends come and go, but particular styles always resurface occasionally. Try some popular design trends in your AI art prompts to produce different art styles for AI photos.
Try using art styles for AI prompts like:
| Abstract art | Cubism |
| Expressionism | Grunge/collage |
| Art Deco | Graffiti/urban |
| Baroque | Memphis Style/1980s |
| Mid-century art | Vintage/retro/Victorian |
| Fantasy art | Comic book/cartoon |
| Pop art | Hyperrealism |
| Minimalism | Brutalism |
| Steampunk | Bauhaus |
| Psychedelic art | Kawaii/cute aesthetic |
A portrait of a man in Expressionist style
With AI prompt:
A contemplative man’s portrait, rendered with bold brushstrokes and vivid, contrasting colors in the style of German Expressionism. Capture intense emotion through distorted features and exaggerated shadows. Use a palette of deep blues, fiery reds, and sickly greens to convey inner turmoil and psychological depth.

A portrait of a woman inspired by Pop Art and mid-century modern art
With AI prompt:
A retro comic-style portrait of a woman with a surprised expression, rendered with thick black lines, bright flat colors, and mid-century Pop Art flair.

A portrait of a man in Cubism art style
With AI prompt:
Cubist portrait of a distinguished man, sharp geometric facets, fragmented features, intense gaze, bold colors, dynamic composition, interplay of light and shadow, reflecting intellect, abstract background, strong lines, textured surface, evoking Picasso and Braque.

A portrait of a man in an ornate Baroque art style
With AI prompt:
A distinguished gentleman in a lavish Baroque portrait. Intricate gold-embroidered clothing, a flowing wig, and a noble demeanor. Dramatic lighting, rich textures, and a background featuring classical architecture and deep colors. Evoke opulence and grandeur.

A portrait of a man in urban graffiti art style
With AI prompt:
A striking portrait of a man, face adorned with vibrant urban graffiti art. Bold colors, dynamic lines, and intricate patterns merge street art with classical portraiture. A fusion of raw urban energy and refined artistic technique, capturing the essence of the streets.

A portrait of a man in cartoon caricature style
With AI prompt:
Stylized cartoon caricature of a middle-aged man with exaggerated features: large nose, wide grin, and receding hairline. He wears a checkered suit and a bright red tie. The background is a vibrant, swirling mix of blues and greens, emphasizing the playful, humorous mood. High contrast, bold outlines, and vivid colors enhance the cartoonish aesthetic.

A whippet dog in fantasy art style
With AI prompt:
A majestic whippet with flowing lines and ethereal fur, adorned with ornate, glowing collars, standing in a mystical forest with bioluminescent flora, painted with vibrant, dreamlike colors, high fantasy art, dramatic lighting.

A whippet dog in grunge collage art style
With AI prompt:
Whippet dog portrait, fragmented and layered in a grunge collage style, incorporating distressed textures, ripped paper edges, splattered paint, and faded vintage photographs. Muted color palette with pops of vibrant neon, creating a raw, urban, and artistic representation.

A whippet dog in glamorous Art Deco vintage style
With AI prompt:
Art Deco whippet portrait, elegant geometric patterns, 1920s fashion, luxurious textures, stylized dog features, vibrant color palette, golden accents, sophisticated vintage aesthetic, highly detailed, digital illustration.

A whippet dog with a Memphis Style aesthetic
With AI prompt:
Whippet dog portrait, Memphis Group design influences, geometric patterns, vibrant primary colors, playful and abstract background, 1980s aesthetic, bold graphic elements, dynamic composition, high contrast, whimsical and energetic mood.

5. Illustration & drawing styles
Illustration and drawing styles add a distinctive visual character to your AI-generated art. You can tap into a specific mood, era, or cultural reference point by specifying a particular style in your prompt. Would you like to create line art that you can frame? Or a graphic novel or some pixel art to evoke the 80s?
GraphicsGen is the latest AI-powered tool we’ve added to our AI stack. It’s excellent for creating illustrated art using AI, transforming text into visually compelling graphics in seconds. You can select from 100 carefully curated styles, from hand-drawn sketches and doodles to 3D illustration, character design, and more.
Here are some digital art styles you can use for prompts:
| Line art | Doodles |
| Pixel illustration | Artistic illustration |
| Painterly pastel | Cell shading |
| Surreal illustration | Playful sketch |
| Crayon drawing | Graphic novel |
| Watercolor wash | Ink and wash |
| Low poly Illustration | Flat vector art |
| Charcoal sketch | Etching and engraving style |
| 3D illustration | Neon and glow art |
| Retro comic style | Stained glass illustration |
A fox among peonies, Japanese-style ink drawing
With AI prompt:
Fox spirit embracing peonies, sumi-e ink painting, ethereal wispy clouds, stylized floral patterns, elegant, mystical atmosphere, monochromatic ink wash, intricate details, traditional Japanese art.

A spaceship flying through the cosmos
With AI prompt:
Retro spaceship soaring through a pixel art cosmos and one planet. Evokes the nostalgic aesthetic of 1980s arcade space shooter games, complete with a sense of infinite, cosmic adventure. Detailed pixels.

A treasure map for kids
With AI prompt:
Whimsical treasure map doodle, featuring rolling green hills, winding cerulean rivers, and jagged gray mountains. “X” marks the spot, guarded by adorable, colorful monsters with big eyes and goofy grins. Playful, childish cartoon style with thick outlines.

A pair of scissors cutting into the sea
With AI prompt:
Giant scissors cutting a portal into the ocean, revealing a vibrant galaxy with swirling nebulae beneath the surface. Surreal colors, intricate details, cosmic dust, shimmering light, deep blues, purples, and ethereal glows. A breathtaking, otherworldly scene of two realities merging.

A robot dog using an AI blueprint generator
With AI prompt:
Blueprint of a robotic dog, showcasing internal circuits, articulated joints, and modular limb attachments. Detailed line, art technically rendered. Focus on mechanical precision and functional design. Subtle depth of field to highlight key components.

A crowded city market
With AI prompt:
Bustling marketplace at dusk. Fauvist painting. Exaggerated, vibrant colors. Bold brushstrokes create dynamic composition. Merchants display wares under warm lantern light, casting long shadows and colorful reflections. Impressionistic figures populate the lively scene.

A 3D coyote
With AI prompt:
A 3D illustration rendered in a charming, clay-like style, featuring a friendly coyote and a sturdy, stylized cactus. The coyote should appear as if it’s been hand-sculpted from soft, pliable clay, with visible, subtle finger marks or tool impressions. Its form should be rounded and slightly exaggerated, with a curious or playful expression. The cactus should also have a distinctly sculpted feel, with soft, organic edges and perhaps a few small, rounded “spines” that look like they were individually pressed on. The colors should be muted and earthy, like natural clay tones, with a matte finish. The overall mood is whimsical and approachable.

6. Events
Make your designs perfect for special events, festivals, or holidays, giving your social media campaigns more relevance. Holiday AI image prompts themed around Christmas and Valentine’s Day will immediately give your AI art images the right tone, while integrating these words into your AI art prompt can make events like weddings and anniversaries feel elegant and appropriate.
Try using AI design generator prompts like:
| Birthday | Thanksgiving |
| Anniversary | Labor Day |
| Christmas | Bachelorette/wedding |
| Easter | Valentine’s Day |
| Mother’s Day/Father’s Day | St. Patrick’s Day |
| Ramadan | Christening/new baby |
| Hanukkah | New Year’s Eve |
| Halloween | Graduation |
| Diwali | Back to School |
| Carnival/Mardi Gras | Independence Day/National Day |
A family celebration around the table for a wedding
With AI prompt:
Around a festively decorated wedding table, bathed in warm, golden light. Elegant floral centerpieces, sparkling glassware, and delicious food adorn the table. Capture the expressions of love, laughter, and happiness on their faces as they celebrate the newlyweds. Focus on creating a heartwarming and memorable scene filled with genuine emotion.

A family singing Christmas carols
With AI prompt:
A heartwarming scene of a multigenerational family gathered in the snow, joyfully singing carols. Soft, warm lighting illuminates their smiling faces, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The scene is filled with the rich colors of Christmas decorations and the comforting textures of winter clothing.

Children gathered around a menorah for Hanukkah
With AI prompt:
A group of children joyfully gathered around a brightly lit menorah, celebrating Hanukkah. Festive atmosphere with colorful decorations, traditional Jewish symbols, and delicious holiday treats. Warm, inviting lighting, capturing the spirit of togetherness and cultural tradition.

A family gathering around the table for Thanksgiving
With AI prompt:
Warm Thanksgiving dinner scene. A multigenerational family gathered around a festively decorated table laden with traditional dishes. Soft, inviting lighting, creating a cozy and joyful atmosphere. Focus on the expressions of gratitude and connection between family members. Capture the colors of autumn – oranges, browns, and reds – in the decorations and food.

A romantic concept for a greetings card for Valentine’s Day
With AI prompt:
Two swans forming a heart shape on a serene lake at sunset, soft pink and orange hues reflecting in the water, surrounded by blossoming cherry trees, gentle breeze, romantic mood, watercolor painting.

A party concept for a bachelorette invitation
With AI prompt:
Elegant bachelorette party invitation design featuring champagne glasses, delicate floral arrangements, and soft, glowing candlelight. Incorporate a color palette of blush pink, rose gold, and ivory. Evoke a mood of sophisticated celebration and close friendship. Include subtle sparkle effects and graceful calligraphy for the party details.

A pastel spring concept for an Easter greetings card
With AI prompt:
Pastel-colored Easter greeting card featuring a whimsical bunny amidst a field of blooming tulips and daffodils, bathed in soft, golden sunlight. Gentle watercolor textures, delicate floral patterns, and a serene, joyful mood evoke the essence of springtime renewal and celebration.

A warm, loving concept for a Mother’s Day image
With AI prompt:
A mother gently cradling her newborn baby in a sunlit meadow filled with wildflowers, painted in soft pastel colors with a gentle, loving mood, capturing the tender bond between mother and child.

AI images that channel your creativity
Used to the best of its ability, an AI design generator can be a creative tool to realize your own ideas and concepts. It’s not simply a case of chucking in a few words and hoping for the best; with sophisticated AI art prompts, you can create different art styles for AI projects and generate highly specified, refined images.
Try using some of the keywords above and the AI optimization tool when using Envato’s ImageGen and GraphicsGen to help you get the most out of your AI design generator experiments.
Remember that you are in control, and the best prompts for AI art simply help you specify particular details, such as lighting and material. If you need to edit your image, just head to ImageEdit to crop or expand it, erase and replace elements, and more.
Ready to start crafting your own AI image prompts? Whether you’re exploring AI concept art prompt styles or experimenting with the latest digital art styles for prompts, Envato’s ImageGen and GraphicsGen offer an ideal playground for creators. Try your hand at AI visual storytelling today.
Looking for more AI art inspiration? Discover 5 ways to use Envato’s AI tools in your creative work, from automatic voiceovers to video creation.




