Learn how to generate AI art using Midjourney and DALL·E. Discover prompt engineering tips, differences between the tools, and how to use them effectively for design, branding, or creativity.
🧠 Introduction
What if you could turn your imagination into images—without lifting a paintbrush?
Thanks to generative AI models like Midjourney and DALL·E, artists, designers, and hobbyists are creating stunning visuals using nothing but text prompts.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- The differences between Midjourney and DALL·E
- How to write great prompts
- Hands-on steps to start generating AI art
- Real-world use cases and pro tips
🖼️ What Are Midjourney and DALL·E?
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Midjourney | A Discord-based AI image generator known for stylized, aesthetic visuals. |
| DALL·E (OpenAI) | A web-based tool that excels in photorealism and detailed, accurate generations. |
Both take natural language prompts and turn them into high-resolution images in seconds.
🧭 Midjourney vs. DALL·E: Key Differences
| Feature | Midjourney | DALL·E (3 via ChatGPT) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Discord bot | ChatGPT or OpenAI platform |
| Style | Artistic, surreal, dreamlike | Clean, realistic, literal |
| Prompt Style | More interpretive | Very literal, follows text closely |
| Editing Tools | No inpainting (yet) | Inpainting & editing built-in |
| Commercial License | Yes (Pro/Standard plans) | Yes (if you’re using ChatGPT Pro) |
✍️ How to Write Effective AI Art Prompts
A good prompt = subject + style + context + detail
🧩 Example:
“A futuristic samurai standing in a neon-lit Tokyo alley, rainy night, cinematic lighting, anime style”
🛠️ Prompt building tips:
- Start with the subject: “a dog,” “a mountain landscape,” “cyberpunk robot”
- Add context: “on Mars,” “during sunset,” “in Van Gogh’s style”
- Specify style: watercolor, oil painting, pixel art, isometric
- Include camera terms (for realism): shallow depth of field, cinematic lighting, 8k
🚀 How to Use Midjourney (Step-by-Step)
🔗 Step 1: Join the Discord
- Go to midjourney.com
- Click Join the Beta → opens in Discord
💬 Step 2: Use the /imagine Command
- Go to a
#newbieschannel - Type
/imagine prompt: your description here
Example:
/imagine prompt: majestic lion with cybernetic armor, sunset in background, photorealistic
📤 Step 3: Select & Upscale
- Midjourney gives you 4 variations
- Click “U1–U4” to upscale
- Click “V1–V4” to get more versions
💾 Step 4: Save or Remix
- Right-click the image > Save
- Remix your prompt to evolve styles
🚀 How to Use DALL·E (OpenAI’s Tool)
✅ Option 1: Use ChatGPT (Plus users only)
- Open ChatGPT (select GPT-4)
- Type: “Create an image of a futuristic café in space with glowing tables and robot waiters”
- Click the image to edit or regenerate
🪄 DALL·E 3 offers:
- Inpainting (click to edit part of the image)
- High prompt fidelity
- Web safe & family-friendly
✅ Option 2: Use the OpenAI Playground
Visit: platform.openai.com/images
Upload your prompt, adjust settings (size, number), and download with ease.
🔄 Inpainting Example (DALL·E)
🖌️ Want to change an image?
- Click on an object (e.g., a flower)
- Type: “replace this with a crystal ball”
- DALL·E will regenerate only that part
Perfect for designers and marketers who need controlled creativity.
🎨 Use Cases for AI Art
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| 🧑🎨 Concept Art | Design characters, worlds, sci-fi gadgets |
| 🛍️ Product Mockups | Generate packaging, ad ideas, branding |
| 📱 App UI/UX Sketches | Visualize layout ideas |
| 📚 Book Illustrations | Bring your story to life visually |
| 🖥️ Desktop Wallpapers | Create stunning personalized backgrounds |
| 👕 Print-on-Demand | AI art for t-shirts, posters, stickers |
⚠️ Things to Know
- 📐 Aspect ratio: Midjourney supports
--ar 16:9for widescreens - 👁️ Style weights: “cute::1 creepy::-1” can affect results
- 📦 Copyright: You can use your AI art commercially, but avoid celebrity likenesses or brand logos
🧪 Prompt Template Cheatsheet
| Prompt Type | Example |
|---|---|
| 🐾 Animal Portrait | “Golden retriever in medieval knight armor, oil painting” |
| 🏙️ City Scene | “Cyberpunk city at night, rain, neon lights” |
| 🖼️ Classic Art Style | “Portrait of a woman in the style of Rembrandt” |
| 🎮 Game Assets | “2D pixel art treasure chest, top-down view” |
| 💼 Business Visuals | “Isometric illustration of remote work office” |
Here’s a Prompt Builder Worksheet for creating effective and consistent AI art using Midjourney or DALL·E. It’s designed as a printable or fillable template you can use before generating art.
🎨 AI Art Prompt Builder Worksheet
Plan, Compose, and Refine Your AI Prompts
🧠 1. Define Your Subject
What is the main focus of the image?
📝 Example: A robot, a mountain, a fantasy warrior, a surreal cityscape
Your subject: ___________________________________________
🌍 2. Add Setting or Environment
Where is the subject located?
📝 Example: In a neon-lit city, underwater cave, outer space, Renaissance hall
Your setting: ___________________________________________
🎨 3. Choose Art Style or Medium
What kind of look do you want?
✅ Pick one or combine:
- Oil painting
- Watercolor
- Cyberpunk
- 3D render
- Pixel art
- Isometric
- Ukiyo-e
- Comic book
- Photorealistic
- Vaporwave
Style: _________________________________________________
💡 4. Lighting / Mood / Time of Day
How should the scene feel?
📝 Example: Cinematic lighting, foggy dusk, glowing blue shadows, sunrise
Mood / Lighting: _______________________________________
📸 5. Camera Perspective (Optional)
Helps with realism or dramatic flair
✅ Choose one:
- Top-down
- Isometric
- Close-up portrait
- Wide landscape shot
- Macro lens
- Aerial view
- Depth of field / bokeh
Perspective: ___________________________________________
🎛️ 6. Modifiers & Adjectives (Vivid Details)
Add texture, action, emotion, or motion
📝 Examples: Glowing, worn, floating, electric, chaotic, soft, detailed
Adjectives / modifiers: _________________________________
🔧 7. Extra Controls (Midjourney)
Optional suffixes:
- Aspect ratio:
--ar 16:9,--ar 1:1 - Stylization:
--style raw,--v 6 - Quality:
--q 2 - Chaos:
--chaos 50 - Negative prompt (in MJ v6):
--no text, --no humans
Extras: _______________________________________________
🧪 8. Final Prompt Assembly
Put it all together:
A [subject] in a [setting], [style], [mood], [camera angle], [adjectives] --ar 16:9 --v 6
✅ Bonus Tips
- Use
::in Midjourney to balance elements:dragon::2 castle::1 clouds::0.5 - In DALL·E, keep prompts more literal and detailed
- Try prompt variations: swap styles, moods, or angles
📥 Resources
🧾 Conclusion
Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or creative thinker, AI art tools like Midjourney and DALL·E unlock a new world of visual expression. With the right prompt, you can turn thoughts into masterpieces in seconds.
So don’t just imagine—/imagine.