How to Write Better AI Art Prompts: 5 Simple Fixes

Have you ever typed a prompt into Midjourney, DALL·E, Ideogram, or any other AI art tool, hit “generate,” and then just stared at the result thinking: “Well, that’s not quite what I had in mind…” Yeah. Same.

If your AI art keeps coming out almost right but never quite perfect, it might be time for a prompt makeover. In this post, we’re going to walk through five ridiculously simple tweaks you can make to your prompts that will instantly boost your results.

Whether you're making wall art, social media graphics, or printable products, these tips will help you create art that's way closer to what you actually want.

Let’s get into it.

1. Stop Being Vague (Add Descriptive Language)

If your prompt is something like “a flower” — bless your heart, but the AI is out here guessing. There are thousands of types of flowers. You just handed it a needle-in-a-needle-stack situation.

Learn 5 easy fixes to improve your AI prompts in Midjourney, DALL·E, Ideogram, and more. I'll help you create better, more consistent images.

Instead, get specific. Add words like:

vibrant
moody
elegant
minimalist
realistic
colorful

Example:

Meh: “a flower”
Better: “a vibrant bouquet of wild daisies in soft sunlight”

Suddenly, your image has a vibe. A personality. It stops looking like a stock photo and starts looking like your vision.

2. Set the Scene or Style

Don't just tell the AI what you want—tell it where, when, and how it should feel. Setting a scene gives your image emotional weight.

Instead of saying: “a cottage,” try:

“a cozy stone cottage in autumn at golden hour, surrounded by maple trees”

Want a more dramatic feel? Set it in fog. Make it nighttime. Add a vibe, a season, or even a location.

Bonus tip: Use cultural or style cues like “Regency romance” or “70s retro vibe.”

3. Choose an Art Style or Medium

If you want watercolor but don’t say it, the AI is just guessing. You don’t have to name-drop Van Gogh either (unless you really want that look). Keep it ethical and clear by naming the medium.

Try these:

watercolor
digital oil painting
pencil sketch
comic book style
boho line art

These cues help the AI know how to draw, not just what to draw.

4. Use Camera or Lens Cues (Optional, but Powerful)

Want photo-realism? Lens language can help.

If you're going for a specific look, add terms like:

DSLR
macro lens
depth of field
sepia tone

This one's totally optional, especially if you're not into photography. But if you know your stuff? This can seriously elevate the realism of your images.

Grab this FREE Prompting Guide to help you build a prompt to be consistent and intentional in the way you work with Ai!

Table of Contents

FREE Prompt with Purpose Guide

5. Define Composition + Aspect Ratio

One of the biggest mistakes? Not specifying how the image should be framed.

Here’s how to level up:

Use aspect ratios (like --ar 3:4 for portrait or --ar 16:9 for wide shots)
Add composition cues like “centered,” “rule of thirds,” or “top down shot”

Match your prompt to the final purpose:

1:1 = Instagram or stickers
3:4 = Pinterest or printables
4:5 = journal covers
16:9 = wallpapers, blog headers

Knowing your end use will help you prompt smarter.

Final Thoughts + Free Help

If you're still struggling with AI art not matching what’s in your head, don’t give up! These tiny tweaks can make a huge difference.

Grab my free Prompt Like a Pro Cheat Sheet to keep all of these tips handy (plus a workbook that walks you through your first 10 prompt upgrades): https://thatplrshop.com/PPG

And if you're ready for more:

Join the AI Art Club for 100+ new images monthly and mini trainings: https://thatplrshop.com/artclub
Get commercial-use images in the AI Art Starter Pack: https://thatplrshop.com/aab
Come hang out in the free Facebook group: https://thatplrshop.com/ppfb

Happy prompting! Let me know in the comments what you’re excited to create next — and don’t forget: a better image is just a better prompt away.

FAQ:

How do I make my AI art prompt clear enough?

Spell out what you want. Use specific words to describe the subject, action, mood, and style. If you want a “blue cat in a rainy city, cartoon style,” say exactly that. Vague words like “nice” or “pretty” rarely help.

Does prompt length matter?

Yes. Most platforms work best with short to medium-length prompts (around 30 to 50 words). Too short, and you get generic results. Too long, and the tool might get confused or ignore parts of what you wrote.

Which details should I include in my prompt?

List the subject, background, mood, color scheme, style, and any special effects. Example: “A red fox under a starry sky, watercolor, soft lighting.” The more helpful details you provide, the better the output matches your idea.

What is a “negative prompt,” and should I use one?

A negative prompt tells the AI what to avoid (like “no text,” “no watermark,” or “no blurry faces”). Most tools support these, especially Stable Diffusion. If your images have unwanted elements, try adding negatives to your prompt.

How do I pick the best style or art term for my prompt?

Search for common art styles like “impressionist,” “cyberpunk,” or “oil painting.” You can also name famous artists (e.g., “in the style of van Gogh”). If you’re unsure, preview different keywords in the AI art community or look at prompt guides.

Can I use reference images to improve my prompt?

Some AI art platforms let you upload a reference image. This gives the AI a visual target, making the output closer to your goal. Always check the tool’s rules and features before using this option.

How do I control the output’s layout or composition?

Mention framing and angles (“close-up portrait,” “wide landscape”). Some tools let you set aspect ratios and seed values for repeatable results. Be direct about your needs: “centered composition,” “top-down view,” etc.

What if my prompt isn’t working?

Test one change at a time. Start simple, then add new details with each run. Look at community samples for inspiration. If you see the same mistake often, change your wording or add negatives. Ask others for feedback.

Why do some AI art results look weird or off?

AI sometimes misreads prompts, especially with complex scenes. Words can mean different things in unique contexts. Try rewording, adding more detail, or removing confusing terms. Remember, no AI tool is perfect.

Are there limits to what AI art can make?

Most tools have filters to block certain words and ideas. AI models also have biases from their training data. Some requests, like very abstract ideas or rare art styles, may not work well. Be patient and experiment.

How do I keep getting better at prompts?

Practice and pay attention to what works. Join AI art groups, read prompt guides, and share your results. Try swapping prompts with others or remixing your own. Over time, you’ll learn what makes each platform tick.

Need inspiration? Check prompt libraries on platforms like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, or DALL·E. Share your creations and ask for feedback to grow your skills faster.