Create artwork from an idea in your head

intermediate⏱ Rough guide only: Varies

Last reviewed by Amara Lewis

How do I create art from an idea with AI?

Describe the subject, style, mood, lighting and colours in one prompt and paste it into an image tool such as Midjourney or Canva's AI image generator. Generate several versions and refine. Check the tool's licence terms before using images commercially.

Copy-and-paste prompt

Swap the bits in [square brackets] for your own details.

[Subject, e.g. a cosy cottage in a snowy forest], [style, e.g. watercolour / oil painting / children's book illustration], [mood, e.g. warm and peaceful], [lighting, e.g. golden hour], [colour palette], highly detailed

How to do it

  1. Open Midjourney or Canva's AI image tool.
  2. Paste and adapt the prompt.
  3. Generate a few versions.
  4. Tweak the wording to refine the style.

What a good answer looks like

Illustrative example written by the AI My Day team to show the kind of answer you can expect. Real results vary.

Prompt used: a cosy stone cottage in a snowy pine forest, watercolour, warm and peaceful, golden hour light, soft blues and amber, highly detailed What to expect: four variations; pick one, then ask for 'more snow on the roof' or 'add a robin on the fence' to refine. (Images vary each time.)

Recommended tools

Midjourney gives artistic results; Canva is simpler and has a free plan.

Midjourney

An AI image generator famous for striking, artistic pictures.

Paid onlyintermediate

Canva (Magic Studio)

A drag-and-drop design app with built-in AI tools for making images, text and layouts.

Free planbeginner

Top tips

  • Describe style and mood, not just the object.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell AI art?

It depends on each tool's terms and local law – check before commercial use.

Why don't I get exactly what I imagined?

Add detail one element at a time and try several runs.

Related ideas

🎨 Creativity & hobbies

Write song lyrics or a poem

Rough guide only: 1–2 hours

🎨 Creativity & hobbies

Start a new hobby with a learning plan

Rough guide only: 2 hours of research

🎨 Creativity & hobbies

Write a wedding or best-man speech

Rough guide only: 1–2 hours

🎨 Creativity & hobbies

Write a heartfelt card message

Rough guide only: 5 minutes

← More on art & design · All creativity & hobbies ideas