Using –sref for realistic AI art in MidJourney unites natural, architectural, and fantastical visions, crafting a surreal and vibrant artistic universe.

Midjourney Prompt

Color Palette

Dominant Colors

Collection Description

Exploring an artistic universe where the natural world and architectural marvel converge with fantastical elements, this collective showcase captures the essence and surreal beauty of varied scenes. These vibrant descriptions depict a reality intertwined with elements of deep realism and surreal mystique, from the detailed portrayal of a majestic jaguar against a vivid blue sky to the surreal depiction of a clock tower in mystical surroundings, crafted with nods to both Magritte and de Chirico. Intricately painted, an apocalyptic volcanic scene blends the fantastical influences of Zdzisław Beksiński with the precise details synonymous with Jean Giraud, while a Japanese subway scene incorporates a beautiful array of colors, reflecting a quiet yet transformative urban atmosphere. From the ethereal depiction of a mysterious, cathedral-like interior bathed in rainbow light beams to the enigmatic presentation of a spiral cone piercing a stormy sky, each piece stands as a testament to the artists’ visionary melding of styles. These examples of -sref commands in MidJourney vividly demonstrate how AI art can deepen the visual storytelling by harmonizing influences ranging from Rafael McQuarrie’s futuristic visions to the dynamic simplicity of Kandinsky, creating a rich tapestry of visuals that push the boundaries of traditional art into a vividly rendered future.

Image Descriptions and Image Prompts

Midjourney Prompt

Jaguar

This artistic depiction captivates with the graceful profile of a large feline, set against a striking blue sky that serves as a vivid backdrop. With a palette that ranges from deep orange spots on the chest to intricate black dots adorning its regal face, the image vividly portrays the natural magnificence of a jaguar. Inspired by diverse artistic styles, the illustration blends realism with graphic elements, mimicking the signature approaches of notable artists like Edith Piepkorn and Bob Staake. The fine details are meticulously executed, such as the white lines highlighting the creature’s eyes and mouth, and splashes of yellow around its muzzle, adding depth and life to the composition. Echoing the dramatic contrasts and pastel tones seen in works by Eyvind Earle and Jean Giraud, also known as Moebius, the piece beautifully illustrates the distinct textures and patterns native to this animal’s visage. Using –sref for realistic AI art in MidJourney enhances these visual elements, creating a cohesive and impactful portrayal that celebrates the blend of natural beauty and artistic interpretation.

Midjourney Prompt

Canary

Captured in an enchanting painting, a yellow finch perches on the branch of an empty tree, set against a backdrop of modern urban architecture made from gray concrete blocks. The scene is bathed in the warmth of a shining sun, with a large, round orange moon rising in the clear blue sky, evoking a dreamlike quality reminiscent of René Magritte’s surrealistic style. Utilizing advanced AI art techniques with MidJourney, the artist blends elements of Tullio Crali’s dynamic compositions and James Tissot’s attention to fine detail, with a touch of Gustav Klimt’s ornamental textures. This artwork employs soft pastel tones that enhance the hyper-realistic, geometric and minimalistic qualities of the cityscape, creating a vintage and retro vibe that is simple yet profoundly striking. The finch, with its red beak open as if in mid-song and eyes focused upwards, becomes a vibrant symbol of life amidst the sprawling calm of the urban environment.

Midjourney Prompt

Killer Whale

The image presents a stunningly realistic depiction of an orca, rendered in full-body view against a crisp white background that accentuates its striking features. The artistic interpretation blends influences from notable artists like Jean Beraudoin and Ryo Takemasa, with a painting technique reminiscent of James Gurney, known for his meticulous flat shading and detailed expressions. The orca, portrayed in shades of light gray and navy blue, has no shadows which further highlights its majestic form. In some iterations of the image, the orca seems to levitate above the water, a visual achieved through a clever use of light blue shadows beneath it, lending a surreal quality to the scene. The drawing, rendered in vector format, also incorporates a paper texture background with black lines, which introduces a tactile element to the visual experience. The orca’s frontal gaze at eye level engages directly with the viewer, making it a captivating centerpiece. Artists and designers seeking to replicate or innovate on this unique style might explore how to use MidJourney –sref for crafting their own unique art styles, utilizing the tool to expand upon the delicate interplay of light, texture, and color seen here.

Midjourney Prompt

Portrait of an Old Woman

The artwork features a poignant portrait of an elderly woman adorned with a striking blue headscarf, her expression introspective and slightly frowning as she gazes straight ahead. The portrait merges the realistic, meticulous detail reminiscent of Alex Colville and Bo Bartlett with the emotional depth and texture akin to the works of Lucian Freud and Leonardo da Vinci, particularly evoking the atmospheric quality of the ‘Mona Lisa’. Her large eyes and thin lips, framed by the soft, ambient lighting, accentuate the fine wrinkles and the subtle redness of her cheeks, enhancing her dignified, weathered appearance. The gray backdrop complements her dark attire and airbrushed skin, contributing to a composition that is both timeless and deeply expressive. For artists exploring MidJourney style reference tips for beginners, this portrait offers a masterful example of how to blend different painting techniques to capture the essence of a human face with profound emotion and realism.

Midjourney Prompt

Hippopotamus as a Cartoon Character

A realistic painting captures the whimsical essence of an oversized blue and grey checkered hippopotamus, imbued with anthropomorphic qualities that make it undeniably captivating. Standing firmly on the ground, this unique creature features a luxurious, fabric-like skin adorned with smooth gray patches that form a checkered pattern, echoing a textural richness that contrasts sharply with the plain gray background. The rounded body and short legs of the hippopotamus, accompanied by small yet distinct horns atop its head and large, expressive eyes, lend it a friendly and gentle demeanor. Short brown ears, harmonizing with its dark coloration, enhance the amiable appearance. Its sophisticated posture, balancing on hind legs with multiple short front legs and a singular back leg doubling as a tail, adds a mythical quality to the art piece, reminiscent of the detailed works of John James Audubon. This painting, rich in character and style, perfectly exemplifies tips for creating unique images with MidJourney –sref, making it not just a visual delight but also a testament to the blending of traditional animal representation with inventive artistic elements.

Midjourney Prompt

Bugatti Veyron

Experience the striking fusion of modernism and automotive design with this image of a Bugatti Veyron, transformed through the lens of artists like Kandinsky, Anish Kapoor, and Matisse. Parked on an urban street, the Veyron is a study in contrast, with its bolder, abstract geometry and dynamic blocks of pastel colors like sky blue, light brown, pink, white, red, and dark green. Each colored segment and line is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the modernist style, standing out sharply against the muted gray backdrop of the city’s buildings and pavement. The ingenuity extends to the positioning of the car, which is angled to showcase its elegant curves and the intricate geometric designs that adorn its sides, enhancing the high-resolution, detailed portrayal of this luxury vehicle. This blend of high art and high-performance automotive design intriguingly encapsulates the theme of “How to master AI art style guides,” presenting a unique perspective on blending traditional artistic techniques with contemporary subjects.

Midjourney Prompt

Subway (Metro) Train

In a synthesis of styles merging the fantastical ambiance of Moebius with the clear, vivid strokes of Hiroshi Nagai, and the imaginative foresight of Ralph McQuarrie, the representation of a Japanese subway in this image stands out. The detailed scene unfurls at an empty platform in Japan and captures the exterior of a strikingly painted subway train, predominantly silver-grey with bold red and yellow stripes. A neighboring train features vibrant shades of blue, red, green, and orange, reflecting an artistic vibrancy that invigorates the otherwise tranquil station atmosphere. Viewed from inside another carriage through an open window, the interior continues the theme with a white and grey color scheme accented by yellow stripes. In this visual, there’s a single red light that gleams at one end of each carriage, juxtaposed against the reflective surfaces of a large mirror that doubles the visual feast by showing other trains on the platform, as detailed in the MidJourney Style Reference Guide, which emphasizes the serene yet colorful depiction of this quiet yet impactful moment in urban transit.

Midjourney Prompt

Tornado

This oil painting is a remarkable blend of Kay Sage and Morris Louis’s styles, featuring a majestic and surreal spiral cone that stretches skyward amidst an overcast backdrop. The cone, rendered in striking dark blue with gray and black striped rings, pierces the gray sky as it originates from the sea below. A vivid contrast is introduced by the red lava which oozes out from the tip of the funnel, cascading down into the ocean, reminiscent of thick, molten cream. Adding to the enigmatic allure, a thin red spout emerges seamlessly from within, amplifying the dynamic interplay of colors and elements. This artistic creation, which synthesizes an infinite spiral with natural and unnatural outputs, exemplifies innovative approaches in art and can serve as inspiration for those exploring tips for creating unique images with MidJourney –sref, pushing the boundaries of traditional landscape and abstract art.

Midjourney Prompt

Volcanic Landscape

Capturing the surreal and apocalyptic beauty of a volcanic eruption, this oil painting expertly blends the fantastical elements seen in the works of Zdzisław Beksiński with the meticulous detail characteristic of Jean Giraud. The scene depicts a towering volcano, its black rocky base stark against the serene blue of the surrounding lake. From the summit, vibrant orange lava flows with intensity, illuminating the scene and highlighting the dramatic contrast of nature’s power. Two immense gray mountains flank the volcano, their peaks stretching into the clear blue sky, evoking a sense of grandeur reminiscent of John Harris’s expansive landscapes. The dichotomy of destruction and tranquility serves as a compelling visual metaphor, not only engaging viewers but also providing those interested in MidJourney style reference tutorials and tricks with a powerful example of blending multiple artistic influences to create a cohesive and striking composition.

Midjourney Prompt

Ballroom

Capturing the mysterious and ethereal quality of a surreal, cathedral-like setting, a scene unfolds within a long, empty room adorned with tall, arched windows. As colorful rays of light stream through these openings, they intersect with smoke wafting from incense sticks, casting a mesmerizing array of rainbow beams across the space. This light illuminates several cloaked figures, dressed in back robes that flutter slightly in the gentle breeze, standing in a corridor lined with large tiles. The figures, facing each other in a solemn gathering, add a profound sense of depth and mystique to the composition. The detailed depiction of the grey stone floor, marked with colorful striped patterns, enhances the overall abstract and mystical ambiance prevalent in the artwork. The meticulous arrangement of elements and influences drawn from notable artists like Alex Alemany, Gabriele Dell’Otto, Jean Giraud (Moebius), and Roger Dean, showcases the benefits of using style references in AI art, ensuring the production of visually captivating and thematically cohesive results.

Midjourney Prompt

Giant Space Telescope

The work captures a distinctive brutalist building, masterfully rendered in oil paint to project an otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of George Barris’s architectural style. This concrete structure boasts a striking observatory dome highlighted with gold and blue accents, an homage to the futuristic palettes often seen in the works of Moebius, John Harris, and Zdzisław Beksiński. Two imposing staircases flank the building, inviting visitors into the enigma that lies within, positioned amidst a surreal, alien landscape that could be straight out of a Ralph McQuarrie concept. The surrounding mountains and the overcast sky with hints of pale yellow offer a dramatic contrast to the building’s angular, imposing form. This image not only serves as an excellent example of detailed concept art but also demonstrates some of the best style reference techniques in MidJourney, blending hyperrealistic elements with distinct architectural influences to create a rich, immersive visual narrative.

Midjourney Prompt

A Grandfather Clock

Capturing the essence of surrealism and mystique, the painting depicts a towering clock tower meticulously crafted from gray bricks and flat rectangular blocks, each uniquely shaded in vibrant hues of blue, red, orange, and yellow. This architectural marvel is presented with a symmetrical composition, featuring four dramatic clocks, each dial painted a different color, enhancing the surrealistic vibe reminiscent of René Magritte’s iconic style. The base of the tower, constructed from pristine white marble, contrasts softly against the somber, grayish-blue backdrop dotted with mist-enshrouded rocks, suggesting a remote, mystical locale. The tower is illuminated by a subtle chiaroscuro effect, playing with light and shadow to create a hyperrealistic appearance. Around the structure, an open platform invites invisible spectators, adding a layer of interactivity to this still-life oil painting. AI art style customization using –sref beautifully merges elements of realism and surrealism, drawing on influences from both Magritte and de Chirico to craft a scene that transcends time and reality, offering viewers an escape into a world where time is as fluid and colorful as the paint on the canvas.