7 Must-Try AI Art Styles for Gorgeous Prompts (Kawaii, Cottagecore & More!)

Ready to breathe new life into your AI art projects? If you’re tired of seeing the same old digital styles, you’re going to love what’s next. I’ve rounded up seven vibrant, beginner-friendly AI art styles that you can start using in your prompts today.

Whether you’re creating printables, print-on-demand products, or just exploring your next creative direction, these styles are fun, on-trend, and totally addicting. I even included a bunch of them in my June art drop inside the AI Art Membership—they were just too cute to resist!

Understanding AI Art Styles: How Styles Transform Your Prompts

AI art styles are powerful little keywords that dramatically change how your images look, simply by adding them to your prompts. Want a specific vibe or aesthetic? Drop a style name in at the end of your prompt, and watch your results go from boring to beautiful. The right style delivers a more consistent, eye-catching look and is the secret sauce to scrolling-stopping art.

Trends move fast. Digital styles often follow what’s happening on store shelves at Target or Walmart. Visit sites like Etsy, check what’s hot on TikTok, or look at trending tags on YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. Often, what’s selling in home decor or printables quickly crosses into digital art and design.

Here’s a personal favorite: when I first heard “cottagecore,” I assumed it was a throwback to old china patterns I remembered from childhood. But it’s so much more. Cottagecore today is filled with soft pastels, cozy florals, and vintage warmth—definitely worth exploring if you’re new to these trends.

If you want a deeper understanding of how AI makes all this possible, check out this handy Introduction to AI Art guide.

My Go-To AI Art Programs for Beginners

Here’s a quick comparison of tools I recommend for anyone starting out with AI art:

• Midjourney (website version, not Discord)
• Ideogram
• DALL·E
• ChatGPT for prompt writing inspiration

Both Midjourney and Ideogram are easy to use and have free plans, so there’s no big commitment needed to play with these styles.

The 7 Must-Try AI Art Styles

Let’s dig into the most playful and trending art styles you can use for printables, POD, stickers, and more. These aesthetics are showing up everywhere, and for good reason: they’re fun, nostalgic, and incredibly versatile.

1. Cottagecore

If you love soft colors and nostalgic vibes, look no further than cottagecore. Think soft pastels, cozy touches, gentle florals, and a dash of vintage inspiration. This style wraps your art in a warm, inviting feel. Examples you might try: sunflower field cottagecore style or cozy kitchen scene cottagecore style.

Picture delicate wildflowers, old teacups, and plates trimmed in faded blossoms. Cottagecore is big in printables and planner decor right now—perfect for journals, greeting cards, or anything with a handmade touch.

2. Kawaii

Kawaii (spelled K-A-W-A-I-I) is the definition of adorable. Imagine big-eyed characters, candy colors, and everything that screams cute. I always think back to those 1980s chapsticks with wild flavors (even if they still tasted like crayons). Today, you’ll spot kawaii art on slime packaging, stickers, and digital products everywhere.

If you want your art to make people smile or if you’re working on kids’ products, try a prompt like jelly bean animals kawaii style.

3. Retro 70s

The retro 70s style is having a huge moment. Modern retro isn’t just hippie or disco, though. Now it’s all about warm oranges, funky browns, bold shapes, and a bit of that classic McDonald’s-from-1985 feel. Forget tie-dye and peace signs—the vibe is groovy, fun, and a touch nostalgic.

Add retro feel to any prompt for a playful throwback, like groovy flowers retro 70s style. This is a favorite for home decor prints and digital wall art.

4. Pixel Art

Pixel art channels those blocky, old-school video game graphics. If “Minecraft” and “Fortnite” are household words for you—or if you saw the recent animated movies with Jack Black's voice—you know exactly what I mean. People love this look for games and tech-themed products.

Tip: Pixel art images can look rough if you don’t upscale them before downloading. Always make sure you increase the DPI so your finished product looks sharp, not just chunky.

If you’re after something like 8-bit cityscape pixel art, this is your style.

5. Steampunk

Steampunk is where Victorian elegance meets mechanical creativity. Picture gears, brass, tarnished gold, and a dark, metallic feel. Combine clockwork pieces, top hats, and maybe even quirky animal characters for a fun twist.

This style is perfect for people who want a mix of old and new—a bit of history with a soupçon of sci-fi. Prompts might look like owl with goggles steampunk style or Victorian airship in steampunk style.

6. Paper Cutout

Paper cutout brings a layered, textured look with flat, bold colors. It’s especially great for digital stickers, greeting cards, and anything where you want a playful, handcrafted touch. I recently taught a mini class on this style in the AI Art Club, showing how to mimic those cut paper shapes and textures.

Try prompts like garden vegetables paper cutout style for art that looks three-dimensional and ready for sticker sheets.

7. Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk is not steampunk—it stands on its own. This style is defined by neon lights, futuristic shades, and edgy city vibes. Think glowing signs, dark cityscapes, and colors that light up the night. If you imagine a world straight out of the movie “Tron,” you’re on the right track.

Try prompts like glowing city skyline cyberpunk style or combine with your favorite colors for something totally new.

Prompting: Mixing Styles and Mediums

The real magic starts when you combine styles and mediums. You can get amazing results by stacking descriptors, such as:

1. “Oil painting steampunk style”
2. “Watercolor retro 70s style”
3. “3D render kawaii style”
4. “Line art cyberpunk style”

Just add your favorite style at the end of any prompt, or even mix in the type of medium you want to mimic.

For even more inspiration, check out this list of 70+ AI art styles to use in your AI prompts.

Practical Uses: Printables and POD Products

These stylish tweaks can instantly upgrade your printables, digital stickers, and even products for sale on Etsy. A trending look isn’t just about “what’s cute”—it matters for standing out and connecting with buyers.

If you’re thinking about turning AI art into cash, there are so many creative options for earning passive income with AI wall art.

Stay Trendy With Art Drops and Membership Collections

Every month, I curate art drops in the AI Art Club—over 500 images some months, with all the latest trending styles bundled in. Members get early access to the most requested styles and mini-trainings. If you want to freshen up your shop or product line, consider joining the AI Art Club membership for instant upgrades and monthly ideas.

Sharing and Community: Join, Learn, and Grow

Experimenting is half the fun. After you try out a few styles, tag your creations on socials with #thatplrshop. I’d love to see what you’re making!

And if you want company or expert tips, jump into the Free AI Art Club Facebook Group for new ideas, sharing, and daily support. The community there is always ready to help and inspire.

Free Resources and Simple Getting Started Steps

Learning new styles is easier when you’ve got cheat sheets by your side. I put together a prompt guide to help you play with these styles, and you can snag it for free by providing your email.

Grab your free AI Art Style Prompt Guide: Prompt with Purpose Guide

Want more images and hands-on inspiration? Download my AI Art Starter Pack with over 100 commercial-use AI art images—perfect for testing out new prompts or kickstarting your next big project.

If you’re looking for ready-made graphics, don’t miss the AI Art Bundle Freebie, loaded with creative images and PLR rights that you can use right away in your printables or journals.

And of course, if you haven’t yet, subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly beginner-friendly videos on AI prompts, printables, and digital art tricks.

Tips to Maximize Your AI Art Creations

• Mix It Up: Don’t be afraid to combine styles and mediums—even odd combos can spark something amazing.
• Check Trend Sources Often: Look at Etsy, TikTok, and other creative marketplaces monthly so you don’t miss what’s gaining popularity.
• Watch Image Quality: Especially with pixel art, always upscale images to keep them crisp and clean.
• Share with the Community: Posting your art and getting feedback helps you grow faster and discover what resonates.
• Self-Check Your Process: Ask yourself
  • Did I use trendy keywords in my prompt?
  • Did I try combining two or more styles or mediums?
  • Am I reviewing what’s trending at least once a month?
  • Did I remember to keep image quality high?

Conclusion

AI art doesn’t have to feel predictable or flat. With just a few style keywords, you can transform your prompts and open up a world of creative possibilities—whether you’re making art for fun, building a business, or adding value to your existing digital products.

If you’re ready to boost your skills and have a blast along the way, grab your free prompt pack, join the Facebook group, and start experimenting with these styles now. Don’t forget to tag me with #thatplrshop so I can cheer you on. Stay creative—there’s no limit to what your AI art can become!

Getting Started with AI Art Styles: Your Questions Answered

What are AI art styles?

AI art styles are the different looks or aesthetics that you can generate with AI art programs. These styles range from photorealistic images to cartoons, anime, pixel art, pop art, cyberpunk, and more. You pick a style using text prompts or settings to guide the AI on how you want your final image to look.

How do I choose an art style in an AI art generator?

You can select an art style by describing it in your prompt. For example, you might say “in the style of watercolor painting” or “as pixel art.” Some platforms also let you choose from preset styles, like anime or realism, before you start.

Can AI mimic famous art movements like Impressionism or Surrealism?

Yes, most advanced AI art programs can recognize and apply famous styles like Impressionism, Surrealism, Art Nouveau, and others. You can guide the AI by mentioning the movement or naming well-known characteristics of that style in your prompt.

Are there risks if I ask AI to use the style of a specific artist?

Many platforms don't allow prompts like “in the style of [living artist name]” to avoid copyright and ethical problems. Using broad styles, such as “cubism” or “van Gogh-style swirls,” is more acceptable and safer.

What are the most popular AI art styles right now?

Popular choices include photorealism, anime, pixel art, cyberpunk, pop art, abstract, impressionist, and concept art. Users often combine styles and features to get fresh results, like “cyberpunk landscape with impressionist lighting.”

Is there a way to make AI art look more realistic?

Ask for photorealism, high detail, or specify realistic lighting and textures in your prompt. Some tools offer features like 4K or 8K resolution, or support for advanced rendering engines like Octane. Adding details like “natural skin texture” or “realistic reflections” helps too.

Can I combine more than one art style?

Yes, you can blend styles in a prompt. For example, try “oil painting meets digital glitch art” or “impressionist anime.” The AI will try to mix those elements and give you a unique result.

Is using AI art styles hard for beginners?

No. Most platforms focus on ease of use with simple menus and prompt tips. You don't need an art background. Experiment with different prompts and see what you get — that's how most people learn.

Do I need to know art history to use AI art styles?

No, but knowing some style names can help you guide the AI. Lists of popular styles are often included in app guides. Typing simple descriptors like “retro poster” or “graffiti” can work just as well.

How does the AI know what an art style looks like?

AI art programs are trained on massive collections of artwork labeled by style, artist, and genre. The AI uses patterns from this data to recognize your prompts and apply the right visual look when creating your image.

Can I tell if an image was made using AI?

Sometimes yes, especially if there are odd details, strange hands, or unnatural faces. As technology improves, it gets harder to spot. Some platforms mark or watermark images created by AI.

Are there rules about using certain styles in AI art?

Most programs set limits to avoid copying living artists or copyrighted material. Always check the platform's rules and respect artists' rights. Using general styles or describing art movements is safer.

Can I use AI art styles for commercial projects?

That depends on the AI tool's license agreement. Some allow commercial use, others allow only personal projects. Be sure to check the terms before selling or publishing AI-generated images.

Where can I find examples of different AI art styles?

Look for style galleries on the AI art generator’s website. Many apps also have community feeds or explore pages with user examples sorted by style and technique.

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Have more questions? Want to see step-by-step guides for your favorite app? Let us know in the comments!

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