This guide offers a list of inspiring portrait styles, each with a sample prompt and output image, so you can easily pick and test your favorite.

To make the sample images in this guide, I used the character reference (cref) using my character and set the cw value to zero to maintain her facial features only. This way, you can see how different portrait styles influence the final result while keeping the same character.

faded_photograph_style

cyberpunk_style_with_neon

steampunk_style

nature_punk_style

dieselpunk_style

watercolor_style

oil_painting_style

pencil_sketch_style

ink_dripping_drawing

gritty_comic_book

charcoal_drawing_style

pointillism_portrait_style

Renaissance_art_style

naive_art_style

Yuga_style

Edo_period_woodblock_print

embroidery_portrait_style

mosaic_portrait_style

Roman_statue_style

superhero_style

vintage_rubber_hose_animation

modern_cartoon

3D_movie_character

vintage_film_still_style

cartoon_character_style

video_game_sprite

DMT_art_style

psychedelic_artwork_style

surrealism_style

low_poly_style

origami_style

Lego_figurine_style

vinyl_sticker_style

stock_photo_style

double_exposure_style

Polaroid_photo_portrait_style

golden_hour_style

Futuristic and Punk-Inspired Portraits

Cyberpunk:

Description: This style envisions a futuristic world where advanced technology and neon lights dominate the urban landscape. It reflects a high-tech night life filled with holograms and neon advertisements that illuminate the bustling streets.

Key Elements: Neon colors, cybernetic implants, holograms, and electronic billboards in shadowy alleyways.

a portrait of a woman in cyberpunk style, with neon-blue glowing eyes, cybernetic implants, and a futuristic cityscape in the background, featuring neon signs and holograms

Steampunk:

Description: An alternate reality where steam power merges with Victorian elegance, creating a retro-futuristic atmosphere.

Key Elements: Brass gears, steam engines, Victorian attire, and vintage goggles with ornate, mechanical inventions.

a woman in Victorian attire with brass goggles and a mechanical arm, in steampunk style, surrounded by gears, steam engines, and vintage clocks

Nature Punk:

Description: Nature Punk imagines a world where nature has intertwined with human advancements, creating a harmonious yet futuristic setting. It highlights the resurgence of natural elements in a tech-dominated world.

Key Elements: Flora and fauna, natural textures like wood and leaves, tribal-inspired styles, and eco-friendly technology.

a portrait of a woman in nature punk style, with tribal makeup, plant-like hair, and surrounded by lush greenery and flowers

Dieselpunk:

Description: Dieselpunk draws from the interwar and early to mid-20th century, envisioning a world where diesel engines dominate technology. It marries industrial aesthetics with art deco design, creating a retro-futuristic landscape rooted in an alternate history.

Key Elements: Streamlined machinery, art deco architecture, leather pilot jackets, gas masks, and smoky skies, enhanced by bold geometric shapes and vintage propaganda posters.

a woman in dieselpunk style, wearing a leather jacket and a gas mask, in a smoky industrial environment with streamlined machines

Traditional and Artistic Portrait Styles

Watercolor:

Description: Watercolor art is recognized for its fluidity and transparency, featuring soft washes of color that blend uniquely with water and paper.

Key Elements: Soft edges, gentle gradients, and an ethereal appearance often depict light, airy scenes or delicate subjects.

a portrait of a woman in watercolor style, with soft pastel colors, delicate brushstrokes, and flowing watercolor washes

Oil Painting:

Description: Oil painting, a classic medium, provides rich textures and vibrant colors through layered application. It’s known for its depth and fine detail.

Key Elements: Bold brushstrokes, visible textures like impasto, and layered colors that allow for realistic or expressive works.

a woman in oil painting style, featuring rich, layered colors, bold strokes, and realistic facial features

Pencil Sketch:

Description: Pencil sketches serve as foundational art, offering simplicity and precision for quick outlines or detailed studies.

Key Elements: Fine lines, intricate shading, and cross-hatching to build tones, with a monochrome palette emphasizing form and light.

a pencil sketch of a woman, with fine lines, detailed shading, and cross-hatching

Ink Dripping Drawing:

Description: This style utilizes ink’s fluidity to create dynamic, abstract forms that convey motion through dripping lines and varied weights.

Key Elements: Ink splatters, dripping lines (both controlled and random), and stark black-and-white contrast for movement and depth.

a portrait of a woman in ink dripping drawing style, with ink splatters, dripping lines, and a monochrome palette

Gritty Comic Book Art:

Description: Gritty comic book art adds raw texture to storytelling, often depicting darker or intense narratives.

Key Elements: Heavy inking, strong shadows, a moody color palette, and dynamic compositions that convey action and drama.

a portrait of a woman in gritty comic book art style, with heavy inking, a moody color palette, and dynamic poses

Charcoal Drawing:

Description: Charcoal drawing is loved for its rich blacks and wide range of shades, providing dramatic, high-contrast works.

Key Elements: Bold contrasts, soft gradations or sharp lines, and a smudgy texture that creates various effects.

a charcoal drawing of a man, with strong shadows, smudged lines, and deep shading

Pointillism:

Description: Pointillism is a technique using small, distinct dots of color to create images, exploring how the eye blends colors and tones.

Key Elements: Systematic or random dots of pure color, blending visually from a distance to form detailed scenes or portraits.

a pointillism portrait of a woman, using small dots of color to form the image, with intricate textures and high contrast

Historical and Cultural Portrait Styles

Renaissance Art:

Description: Renaissance art is recognized for its pursuit of realism and naturalism, emphasizing advancements in anatomy, perspective, and composition. It revives classical ideals and humanism.
Key Elements: Realistic proportions, chiaroscuro lighting (contrasting light and dark), rich attire, and religious or mythological themes.

a portrait of a woman in Renaissance art style, with realistic proportions, chiaroscuro lighting, and rich attire

Naive Art:

Description: Naive art employs a childlike and simplistic approach, focusing on imaginative interpretations rather than strict realism.
Key Elements: Simplified forms, bright contrasting colors, and imaginative backgrounds depicting everyday life with an untrained yet vivid style.

a portrait of a man in naive art style, featuring simplified forms, bright colors, and an imaginative background

Yūga Style:

Description: The Yūga style represents Japanese refinement and elegance, emphasizing simplicity and natural surroundings.
Key Elements: Delicate lines, traditional Japanese attire, and serene natural scenery, embodying harmony and timeless grace.

a portrait of a woman in Yūga style, with delicate lines, traditional Japanese attire, and natural scenery

Edo Period Woodblock Print:

Description: Edo period woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, capture urban life’s pleasures and realities during Japan’s Edo period, focusing on entertainment, nature, and cultural figures.
Key Elements: Bold outlines, flat vibrant colors, and detailed landscapes or everyday scenes with a narrative focus.

a portrait of a woman in Edo period woodblock print style, with bold outlines, flat colors, and ukiyo-e landscapes

Roman Statue:

Description: Roman statues showcase classical features and lifelike textures, commemorating significant figures or deities.
Key Elements: White marble, classical facial features, and lifelike textures convey the grandeur and authority of ancient Rome.

a Roman statue of a woman, with classical features, white marble, and lifelike textures

Embroidery:

Description: Embroidery portraits mimic the intricate cross-stitch and needlework techniques used in textiles, producing delicate designs that appear hand-stitched.
Key Elements: Thread-like lines, fabric texture, and traditional patterns portraying culturally or historically significant subjects.

an embroidery portrait of a woman, resembling a cross-stitch fabric with thread-like lines and traditional patterns

Mosaic Art:

Description: Mosaic art arranges small, colored tiles to create detailed scenes, evoking ancient Roman and Byzantine art.
Key Elements: Tiled patterns, bright hues, and detailed imagery that convey significant cultural and historical themes with rich narratives.

a mosaic portrait of a woman, using small colored tiles to create a vibrant pattern and detailed imagery

Pop Culture and Media-Inspired Portraits

Superhero Style:

Description: Drawing from comic book culture, this style captures the larger-than-life energy of heroes in dynamic poses.
Key Elements: Bold poses, comic book line work, dynamic backgrounds, and vibrant costumes reflecting heroism.

a portrait of a superhero in superhero style, with bold poses, comic book line work, and a dynamic background

Vintage Rubber Hose Animation:

Description: Reflecting early animation of the 1920s and 1930s, this style features characters with rubber hose-like limbs and exaggerated expressions.
Key Elements: Simple shapes, fluid lines, exaggerated expressions, and a monochrome or limited color palette.

a portrait of a woman in vintage rubber hose animation style, with simple shapes, exaggerated expressions, and fluid lines

Modern Cartoon:

Description: This style captures the colorful, detailed animation of modern TV and film, offering a bright, engaging aesthetic.
Key Elements: Bright colors, high contrast, and smooth shading bring characters to life with bold flair.

a modern cartoon portrait of a woman, with bright colors, high contrast, and smooth shading

3D Movie Character:

Description: Inspired by computer-animated movies, this style focuses on realism with fully rendered textures for a cinematic effect.
Key Elements: 3D modeling, detailed textures, and realistic lighting add depth and physicality.

a 3D movie character portrait of a woman, with detailed textures, realistic lighting, and cinematic shading

Vintage Film Still:

Description: Vintage film stills transport viewers to the early-to-mid 20th century with a nostalgic glimpse into classic cinema.
Key Elements: Grainy textures, monochrome tones, and cinematic lighting capture a vintage movie atmosphere.

a portrait of a woman in vintage film still style, with grainy textures, monochrome colors, and cinematic lighting

Children’s Cartoon Character:

Description: This style is reminiscent of whimsical characters in children’s shows or picture books.
Key Elements: Playful expressions, bright hues, and whimsical backgrounds capture the spirit of childhood storytelling.

a children's cartoon character portrait of a man, with playful expressions, bright hues, and whimsical backgrounds

Retro Video Game Sprite:

Description: Inspired by 8-bit and 16-bit early video games, this style has a nostalgic digital aesthetic.
Key Elements: Pixel textures, limited color palettes, and geometric forms that echo iconic video game characters.

a retro video game sprite portrait of a woman, with pixel textures, limited color palette, and geometric forms

Experimental and Abstract Portrait Styles

DMT Art Style:

Description: DMT art is inspired by surreal, hallucinogenic imagery, creating intricate and vibrant otherworldly patterns.
Key Elements: Psychedelic backgrounds, vivid patterns, and dream-like figures blur reality and fantasy.

a portrait of a woman in DMT art style, with psychedelic backgrounds, vivid patterns, and dream-like figures

Psychedelic Artwork:

Description: Reflecting the 1960s counterculture, psychedelic art features imaginative scenes with mind-altering aesthetics.
Key Elements: Kaleidoscopic colors, flowing lines, and geometric patterns evoke altered states of perception.

a portrait of a woman in psychedelic artwork style, with kaleidoscopic colors, flowing lines, and geometric patterns

Surrealism:

Description: Surrealism blends realistic and dream-like elements, creating thought-provoking compositions.
Key Elements: Juxtaposed objects, unexpected combinations, and otherworldly landscapes blur reality and imagination.

a portrait of a woman in surrealism style, with juxtaposition of realistic and dream-like elements, in an otherworldly setting

Low Poly Style:

Description: Low poly art simplifies subjects into geometric shapes, reducing detail while maintaining recognizable forms.
Key Elements: Faceted shapes, minimal colors, and polygonal forms capture an abstract digital aesthetic.

a low poly style portrait of a woman, with faceted shapes, minimal colors, and polygonal forms

Origami Style:

Description: Origami style draws from Japanese paper folding, turning characters into geometric, folded forms.
Key Elements: Folded textures, geometric shapes, and paper-like materials convey the simplicity of origami.

a portrait of a woman in origami style, with folded textures, geometric shapes, and paper-like materials

Lego Figurine:

Description: This style reimagines subjects as blocky, plastic characters like the iconic construction toys.
Key Elements: Plastic textures, blocky forms, and simple facial features capture the playful spirit of the toys.

a portrait of a woman in Lego figurine style, with plastic textures, blocky forms, and simple facial features

Vinyl Sticker:

Description: Vinyl sticker art mimics the look of collectible decals with bright colors and thick outlines.

Key Elements: Vibrant hues, thick outlines, and playful poses make characters look like collectible stickers.

a vinyl sticker portrait of a woman, with vibrant colors, thick outlines, and playful poses

Realistic Photography Styles

Stock Photo:

Description: Stock photo style captures everyday scenes in polished, highly realistic ways suitable for commercial use.

Key Elements: Neutral lighting, plain backgrounds, and realistic yet simple poses.

a stock photo portrait of a woman, with neutral lighting and a plain background, in a realistic pose

Double Exposure Photograph:

Description: Double exposure style blends multiple images to create artistic compositions, often merging subjects with nature or cityscapes.

Key Elements: Multiple exposures, blending effects, and layered backgrounds to produce intricate visuals.

a double exposure photograph of a woman, with layered blending effects and natural elements in the background

Polaroid Photo:

Description: Polaroid photo style mimics instant film photography from classic Polaroid cameras, complete with vintage filters.

Key Elements: Vintage filters, high contrast, and a distinctive white border that resembles Polaroid prints.

a Polaroid photo portrait of a woman, with vintage filters, high contrast, and a white border

Golden Hour:

Description: Golden hour style captures the warm, glowing light that appears just after sunrise or before sunset, making portraits radiant and flattering.

Key Elements: Warm tones, long shadows, and radiant light to enhance natural beauty.

a portrait of a woman in golden hour style, with warm tones, long shadows, and radiant light

Faded Photograph:

Description: Faded photograph style recreates vintage photography with a nostalgic, aged appearance.

Key Elements: Desaturated colors, sepia tones, and grainy textures that mimic an old photograph.

a faded photograph of a woman, with desaturated colors, sepia tones, and grainy textures

Wrapping Up

Exploring different portrait styles opens a vast world of creative possibilities, allowing you to capture the essence of your subjects in exciting and unique ways. Whether it’s the neon-lit streets of a cyberpunk city or the flowing washes of watercolor art, each style brings its own distinct flavor and flair.

Don’t hesitate to experiment and blend these styles together to develop your own signature aesthetic. By combining traditional and futuristic elements or blending abstract and realistic approaches, you can create stunning and imaginative portraits that stand out.

Don’t let it stop you. This guide will walk you through the process so you can effortlessly start creating AI images with Midjourney.

Setting up Discord | Subscribing to Midjourney | Midjourney server layout | Creating your first image | 3 ways to create images on Midjourney | Managing your images | Midjourney web app

Getting Started with Discord

Setting up a Discord account is your first step. Check out this 2:25 video from Discord. It explains what Discord is, giving you a good overview of the process.

Step-by-step Guide for Creating a Discord Account

1. Register Your Account: Go to the Discord register page and fill out your account information. Then, complete the registration by confirming your email using the verification link sent by Discord.
2. Download and Install the Discord App: While you can use Discord directly through your web browser, downloading the application for your desktop or mobile device offers a more stable and integrated experience.
3. Log In and Adjust Settings: Once installed, log into your account. You can adjust your settings by clicking the user settings gear icon near your profile at the bottom left corner. Here, you can configure your notifications, privacy, and interface settings.
4. Join the Midjourney Server: Go to Midjourney’s official website and click the ‘Join the beta’ button. Then, click ‘Continue to Discord’ to access the Midjourney server.
5. Explore the Server: Take some time to get to know the server layout. It might seem complex at first, but don’t worry—I’ll explain how to navigate it later in this post.

Subscribing to Midjourney

Since Midjourney no longer offers a free trial to new users, you’ll need to subscribe to one of their plans to use it.

There are several subscription options available, each providing different amounts of fast generation—you don’t have to wait when you generate images. The basic plan limits you to 200 generations per month, while the other plans have no such restriction, allowing you to freely explore AI creation.

Here’s a quick look at the key differences:

• Basic: Suitable for hobbyists or those just exploring the capabilities of AI-generated art. (only 200 generations per month)
• Standard (15h): Designed for regular users who need more frequent access and additional fast time (15h).
• Professional and Mega: Aimed at heavy users such as professional artists or commercial enterprises. These two plans offer stealth mode so you can generate images privately.

Step-by-Step Guide to Subscribing

1. Log Into Discord: Make sure you are logged into your Discord account where you have joined the Midjourney server.
2. Go to the Subscription Page: On the welcome page in Discord, click on the ‘Get your Midjourney Membership’ https://www.midjourney.com/account/
3. Access the subscription options: Login with your Discord account and you will see the plans.
4. Choose Your Plan: Select the plan that best fits your needs based on the descriptions provided.
5. Payment Information: Enter your payment details. Midjourney accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards and digital payment platforms.
6. Review and Confirm Your Subscription: Make sure all information is correct to avoid issues with account activation.
7. Start Creating: Once your subscription is active, explore the full capabilities of Midjourney.

What’s in the Midjourney Discord Server

Mastering the layout of the Midjourney Discord server enhances your ability to start creating and sharing images quickly. Here, you will find various channels, each designed for specific functions and interactions within the community.

Announcements Channel

Stay updated with the latest news, updates, and important information directly from the Midjourney team. Checking this channel regularly ensures you get all updates and changes.

Newbies Channel

Specifically designed for newcomers, the Newbies channel is your starting point. Here, you can practice creating images, view prompts and outputs from other users, and get comfortable with how Midjourney works on Discord. You can also create AI art in General channels. Your generated images will be displayed in the same channel where you entered your prompt.

Chat Channel

Engage with other users, share tips, and discuss techniques in the Discussions channel. It’s a great place to ask questions and learn from the community’s collective knowledge.

These are popular starting points for new users. Feel free to explore additional features like the “daily theme challenge” or “showcase” for more inspiration.

Creating Your First Image with Midjourney

Midjourney starts with understanding the basic commands. These commands allow you to interact with the AI directly within the Discord server to create images. 

/imagine Command

Kickstart your image creation by typing /imagine followed by your specific prompt.

For example, if you want to create a landscape, you might type /imagine a vast desert under a twilight sky. This command initiates the AI process to generate your visual based on the description provided.

/settings Command

Use the /settings command to adjust the parameters of your image creation. This includes setting aspects like models, style, detail, and render quality. Adjusting these settings allows you to fine-tune how the AI interprets your prompts, giving you control over the creativity process.

/info Command

When you need details about your current session or usage, type /info. This command provides information about your subscription status, remaining fast hours, and other relevant data. It helps you manage your Midjourney usage efficiently.

Once you’re familiar with the process, you can use Midjourney parameters to enhance and control your image generation.

Three Ways to Create Images with Midjourney

The official server is just one way to use Midjourney for creating AI images. You can also send direct messages to the Midjourney bot or use your private Discord server.

Each method offers different advantages, depending on your preferences for privacy, convenience, and control.

Using Midjourney Server Channels

• How to Use: Simply type your /imagine command and prompt in any newbies or general channels on the Midjourney server.
• Pros: It’s also great for beginners to learn from others’ prompts and outputs.
• Cons: Less privacy since your images and prompts are visible to all channel members, and it’s a bit messy and hard to find your own generated images.

Using Direct Message

• How to Use: Send a direct message to the Midjourney bot by clicking on its avatar. Once it appears in your direct messages, you can message it anytime you want to create an image.
• Pros: Maintains privacy as your prompts and images are not exposed to other channel users. The interface only shows your own images so it’s easier to manage them.
• Cons: You miss out on community interaction and the chance to receive immediate feedback or ideas from other creators.

Using a Private Discord Server

• How to Use: Set up your Discord server and invite the Midjourney bot. This lets you control who can view or participate in your image creation process.
• Pros: Offers a balance between privacy and community interaction, as you can invite select individuals to join your server and view your work.
• Cons: It requires additional setup and management, but it’s quite easy.

Viewing and Managing Your AI Art Gallary

Managing and viewing your created images in the Midjourney web app is straightforward.

Access Your Image Archive

Visit Midjourney’s Image Archive. You can see all the initial image grids and the upscaled images there. You can also explore other users’ creations and prompts there.

Features of the Image Archive

• Viewing Options: You can view your images individually or filter them by type, image size, or version.
• Organize Your Creations: Create folders or tags to categorize your images based on themes, projects, or any other system you prefer. This organization makes locating specific artworks for future reference or revision easier.

Can You Use Midjourney without Discord? Yes! Check out the Web App!

The new Midjourney web interface simplifies image creation, moving away from its initial Discord-based platform. The app is currently available to users who have created over 1,000 images but is set to open to a broader audience soon. 

The web app allows subscribers create AI images directly from the dashboard without using Discord. The parameters are turned into user-friendly buttons and sliders. Check out the guide I shared for more details on using the new Midjourney web interface.

Wrapping Up

It’s easy to start using Midjourney with this guide. Get onboard and begin creating stunning AI art!

In this guide, I’ll outline the most commonly used Midjourney parameters, explaining each with examples and comparisons.

This way, you’ll understand the effect and impact of specific parameters and the differences between their values. I’ve tested them all for you so you can confidently experiment with your creations.

If you are new to Midjourney, it’s recommended to read the Midjourney Commands List as well.

Quick Links in This Guide:

Overview and Parameters List | Aesthetic Parameters | Reference Parameters | Version & Quality | Composition Parameters | Efficiency Parameters

What are Parameters in Midjourney?

A Midjourney parameter, marked by starting with “–“, is appended to the end of your prompt as a special command. It guides the AI to create the image precisely as you want.

They function as precise controls for the creative process, enabling adjustments in style, aspect ratio, the level of creativity the AI applies to the output, and more.

If you’re creating Midjourney images on Discord, learning and using parameters is essential. While they’re powerful, they’re not immediately intuitive. However, if you’ve gained access to the new Midjourney Web app, you’ll find a dashboard with options that offer a much more user-friendly interface.

Parameters Influencing Aesthetics and Design

1. –raw

What it does: This parameter reduces Midjourney’s default stylistic alterations, yielding images that are more aligned with the raw output from the underlying model. It’s like generating an image without applying any filters.

How to use it: Simply add –raw to your prompt. It acts as a toggle, so there’s no need for a numerical value.

When to use it: Opt for this parameter when you prefer a less stylized, more genuine interpretation of your prompt. It’s especially valuable for creating a more realistic or unadorned look, perfect for projects where a direct visual representation is advantageous.

2. –stylize (or –s)

What it does: Think of –stylize as a dial for the Midjourney’s default artistic style. Adjusting this can significantly alter the ‘feel’ of your images, from painterly to photorealistic.

How to use it: Add –stylize or –s, followed by a numerical value (for example, –s 100), to adjust the intensity of stylization.

Value Range: Ranges from 0 to 1000, with the default setting at 100.

3. –weird

What it does: Engages Midjourney’s experimental aesthetic modes, pushing the boundaries of conventional visual styles.

How to use it: Include –weird followed by a numerical value (e.g., –weird 50) to explore unique and unconventional aesthetics.

Value Range: Ranges from 0 to 3000, with the default setting at 0.

4. –chaos

What it does: Increases the randomness and unpredictability in the initial image grids, affecting elements like composition and theme. This will give you more inspiration.

A lower Chaos value results in four similar images in the initial grid, while a higher value means the generated images in the grid will vary more significantly.

How to use it: Add –chaos followed by a numerical value (e.g., –chaos 70) to introduce more variability into your generated images.

Value Range: Ranges from 0 to 100, with the default setting at 0.

Parameters for Image Prompt and Reference

5. –sref (Style Reference)

What it does: Uses an uploaded image as a direct reference for the style of the generated artwork.

Previously I wrote a guide about using Style Reference in Midjourney, check it out.

How to use it: Add –sref followed by the URL of an image to guide the AI with its style. To precisely control how much the style reference influences the generated image, pair it with the –sw (Style Weight) parameter. The value can range from 0 to 1000; the higher the value, the closer the resemblance to the reference image.

When to use it: This parameter is ideal when you want to mimic the style of a specific artist, artwork, or visual theme closely in your generated image, ensuring a consistent stylistic direction.

6. –cref (Character Reference)

What it does: Helps create consistent characters across various images by referencing a character’s appearance.

How to use it: Append –cref followed by the URL of a character image you’ve generated and wish to maintain consistency with in new creations.

Use –cw followed by a numerical value (0-100) to define how strongly the character reference should impact the generation.

When to use it: Ideal for projects requiring a recognizable character in different scenes or settings, ensuring the character remains visually consistent throughout your narrative or series.

7. –iw (Image Weight)

What it does: This parameter adjusts the balance between the influence of the image prompt and the text in your prompt, affecting the extent to which either the image or the text guides the AI’s creative process.

How to use it: Add –iw followed by a numerical value (usually ranging from 0 to 2) to tweak the emphasis placed on text versus image inputs.

·       V6, Niji 6: 0-3

·       V5, Niji 5: 0-2

When to use it: Use this parameter when you’re blending text and image prompts and want to fine-tune their relative influence on the resulting artwork. It offers precise control over how much inspiration the AI draws from each type of input.

8. –seed

What it does: The “seed” parameter in Midjourney sets the starting point for the AI’s random number generator, affecting the variability and consistency of generated images.

By assigning a seed value, you essentially instruct Midjourney to use that as a starting point for its random processes, leading to more controlled and predictable variations in the imagery it generates. This is particularly useful for creating a series of images with consistent styles or themes.

How to Use It:

To use the “seed” parameter in Midjourney, you simply add –seed followed by a specific numerical value to your prompt command. This numerical value is your chosen “seed” and can range from 0 to 4,294,967,295.

For more detailed guidance, including examples, please refer to my Midjourney seed tutorial.

Parameters for Versions and Quality

9. –v (Version) /–niji

What it does: Specifies the Midjourney model version to use for generating images. Use this parameter when you have a preference for the stylistic output or features of a particular version. Currently the latest Midjourney model is V6 Alpha.

If you’re aiming for an anime style, Niji 6 is your best choice. On the other hand, if you want to incorporate text into an image, V6 Alpha is the way to go.

How to use it: Add –v followed by the version number (e.g., –v 6) to your prompt. You can also select the model in /settings instead of adding parameter in your prompt. If you are using Niji model, type –niji 6 or 5 to switch to Niji.

10. –quality

What it does: Opt for this parameter when you require high-resolution images for printing purposes or prefer lower quality for faster drafts and iterations.

How to use it: Add –quality followed by a value (.25, .5, or 1) to your prompt.

Expert Tips: Since the default value is set to 1, I typically don’t adjust this parameter unless I’m aiming to reduce detail intentionally. For instance, when creating a children’s coloring book that requires simple line art, I opt to lower the quality value for a more minimalist output.

Composition Parameters

11. –ar (Aspect Ratio)

What it does: Sets the aspect ratio of the generated image, affecting its width and height. This is perfect if you are creating image for social media posts, wallpapers, or prints. If you don’t assign it, Midjourney will create images with a 1:1 ratio.

How to use it: Add –ar followed by the desired aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9, 1:1) to your prompt.

12. –no

What it does: Instructs Midjourney to exclude certain elements or subjects from the generated image.   

How to use it: Add –no followed by the element you want to exclude (e.g., –no dogs, –no cars) to your prompt. It can also be used to avoid unwanted styles (e.g., –no cartoons, anime, drawings, paintings.)

Examples:

If you prompt “Manhattan street in the morning without cars” Midjourney might still include a few cars in the output. However, by adding “–no cars” after your text prompt, you ensure that the element of people is excluded from the result.

13. –tile

What it does: Generates images designed for seamless tiling, perfect for creating backgrounds and patterns.

How to use it: Simply append –tile to your prompt; no additional values are needed.

Parameters for Improved Efficiency

14. Toggles

The parameters for Relax/Fast/Turbo mode and Public/Stealth mode act as toggles, allowing you to switch between these modes for a single job as needed, without having to alter your overall settings.

• –relax
• –fast
• –turbo
• –public
• –stealth

15. –repeat

What it does: The –repeat parameter allows for the generation of multiple images from the same prompt in a single request.

How to Use It: Add –repeat followed by a number to your prompt to specify how many times you want (depending on your subscribed plan) Midjourney to process the prompt, resulting in that number of distinct outputs.

*You can’t use this parameter with Relax mode.

Last but Not Least: Keeping Pace with Midjourney’s Evolution

Keeping Up-to-Date with Midjourney Updates

• Midjourney Documentation: The official Midjourney documentation is your go-to resource for the most accurate and current information about parameters and features.
• Announcement Pages: Check Midjourney’s official website or Discord server for announcements on updates or changes.

Exploring Version-Specific Parameters

• Stay Updated: Midjourney frequently updates with new versions. Each can introduce unique parameters or alter existing ones. Regularly check the changelog to stay informed.
• Version Experimentation: If a parameter isn’t giving you the desired effect, try switching versions. Different versions of Midjourney can interpret the same parameters in subtly different ways.

Knowing all these commonly used Midjourney parameters can definitely level up your image generation. You have more control over the output. Don’t be afraid of testing different parameters and values, or combining multiple parameters to generate images. Hope this guide helps.

Basic Commands | Shortcut Commands | Custom Option Commands

What is Commands In Midjourney?

In Midjourney, commands are instructions that initiate actions or processes.  

Think of commands in Midjourney like the main action you want to do, such as making a picture, checking your account information, or switching between modes.

You can type / in the chat to see and choose from all the commands available in Midjourney.  

Basic Commands Every Midjourney User Should Master

The following commands are basic for any Midjourney user.

1. /imagine

What it does: Starts creating images based on your text description.

How to use it: Just type /imagine followed by the description you have in mind, right into the chat.

When to use it: It’s the primary command for turning textual descriptions into visual art in Midjourney. Use it whenever you want to create an image in Midjourney on Discord.

**Want to learn how to prompt more efficiently? Check out my Midjourney Prompt Guide.

2. /info

What it does: Checks your account status and data usage, helping you keep track of your subscription limits and usage statistics.

How to use it: Type /info in the chat and press enter

When to use it: Use the /info command to check your current account status, including your subscription level and how much of your image generation quota you’ve used. It’s useful for keeping track of your Midjourney fast hour usage.

3. /settings

What it does: Allows users to view and adjust their default settings for image generation, such as fast or relax modes, style, model version and more.

How to use it: Type /settings in the chat to adjust your preferences. A settings dialog will pop up. From there, click on the model drop-down list to choose different model versions. Click on any option to update your generation settings.

4. /describe

What it does: This command takes an uploaded image and generates text prompts that describe possible artistic interpretations of the image.

How to use it: Simply type /describe, upload an image, and Midjourney will give you four descriptions.

When to use it: Use this command when you’ve got an image and want to see how Midjourney turns it into text. It’s perfect for sparking new ideas or seeing the AI’s take on visual content. I find it really helpful for refining my prompting skills.

5. /blend

What it does: Combines multiple images into a single prompt for a more complex and nuanced generation.

How to use it: Use /blend followed by attaching or linking to multiple images.

When to use it: Ideal for projects requiring the fusion of elements from different sources to inspire unique creations.

Shortcut Commands for Direct Option Selection

Instead of manually adjusting options through the /settings command, you can use a shortcut command to quickly toggle options, saving you time and making you look like a Midjourney pro.

Relax, Fast and Turbo

Use the following command to switch between image generation speeds. The “relax” mode won’t use up your fast hours, but it might require patience during peak hours. On the other hand, “fast” and “turbo” modes generate images immediately after you send the request. However, keep an eye on your fast hour usage. Once exhausted, you’ll be limited to “relax” mode until your usage resets next month.

• /fast
• /relax
• /turbo

Public and Stealth

Your art creations in Midjourney are public by default. This means everyone can see your prompts and artworks either in the Midjourney server channel on Discord (if you create images through the Midjourney channel) or in the Midjourney gallery.

However, if you subscribe to the Pro or Mega plan, you have the option to switch Midjourney to private mode.

Below are the commands you can use to toggle between public and private modes.

• /Public
• /Stealth

Other Quick Toggles

After generating an image with Midjourney, you’ll see four variations. If you select one by clicking the ‘V’ button, Midjourney will create four more variations based on your choice. The degree of variation depends on your settings, which you can adjust to be high or low using a specific command.

• /prefer variability

Custom Option Commands That Save You Lots of Time

These commands are real time-savers, especially when I’m fine-tuning a collection of similar images or trying out new parameters. They simplify the process, allowing me to focus more on creativity and less on repetitive tasks.

/Prefer Option Set

What does it do?

The /Prefer Option Set command lets you save frequently used settings or URLs under a specific name for easy reuse in future prompts. I often use this feature to streamline my workflow.

How to use it?

Simply type /prefer option set, and an option box will appear. This is where you give your custom option a name.

Click on ‘Value‘, and you can enter any custom text prompt or URLs.

Once you’ve set it up, just type –option name to use the content in ‘Value‘ again, avoiding the need for repetitive typing.

Real-life examples:

I often use a series of photos as character reference to create consistent character in Midjourney, instead of copying and pasting all URLs each time, I can create a prefer option, copy and paste all the URls in Value area, and save the option as ‘Allison‘, just as an example.  

Then, use –cref –Allison in my prompts to apply all those images as references efficiently. This method is incredibly useful for projects requiring consistent settings, streamlining the creation process.

Simply type /Prefer Option List to view your custom options.

/Prefer suffix

What it does: Adds specified parameters to end of prompt automatically.

How to use it: Use /prefer suffix followed by the parameters you want always included.

When to use it: Ideal for ensuring certain settings or parameters are consistently applied to all your image generations.

Real-life examples:

If you’re creating a set of images with consistent settings like resolution, style settings, or using the same phrases text prompt, for example

cinematic lighting, ultra detailed, –ar 14:9 –stylize 200 –chaos 40

I don’t need to type this out every single time in your prompt. Just set them in my preferred suffix, and they’ll be automatically attached to the end of my prompt.

I don’t need to type the rest.

This makes the creation process much more efficient and keeps your images consistently styled.

Wrapping Up

Well, these commands pretty much cover everything you need to know to master Midjourney.

Other commands, like /subscribe, /faq, /help, and so on, aren’t used as frequently. They’re mainly for accessing specific service sections. You can find a complete list in the official documentation.

Hope you find this guide helpful!

Quick Links to Sections

Activating Stealth Mode | Direct Messaging the Midjourney Bot | Private Discord Servers | Managing Your Stealth Mode Images | Plans and Price

Understanding Stealth Mode

By default, your creative journey is a shared experience, visible to the public. Other users can view your creative prompts and resulting artwork through the Discord stream or within the Midjourney web app’s gallery.

Stealth mode in Midjourney is designed for users who require an added layer of privacy for their image generation projects. This feature ensures that the images you create are not visible to others in the Midjourney community. Stealth mode is an exclusive feature available to users subscribed to the Pro or Mega plans.

Activating Stealth Mode

Here’s how to activate and use stealth mode effectively:

1. Upgrade Your Plan: Navigate to Midjourney’s website, log in to your account, and upgrade to either the Pro or Mega plan to gain access to stealth mode.
2. Use the Stealth Command: In Discord, type the “/stealth” command in a message to the Midjourney bot. This action switches your account to stealth mode, ensuring that future images you generate will be marked as private. If you want to switch back to public mode, simply type the “/public” command.
3. Maximize Concurrent Fast Jobs: A significant benefit of the higher-tier plans is the ability to run multiple fast jobs concurrently. This feature allows you to fully utilize your allocated fast generation time, enabling the creation of hundreds or even thousands of images within the 30-hour fast generation window provided each month.

But remember, while your images aren’t published in the Midjourney gallery, they’ll still be visible in public Discord channels unless additional measures are taken.

Generating Images Privately with Stealth Mode

Private generation requires direct messages to the bot or use on your own Discord server.

Direct Messaging the Midjourney Bot

1. Find the Midjourney Bot: Go to the Midjourney Discord server and find the Midjourney bot in the user list. If you can’t find it, just go to any newbies or general rooms, Midjoubney Bot is busy sending the results in the stream, tap on the bot’s avatar.

2. Start a Direct Message: Type anything in the chat box to start a conversation and now you can find Midjourney Bot in your direct message.

3. Using Direct Message: Within this direct message channel, you can now input your commands and prompts to the bot.

4. Enable Stealth Mode: Type the prompt ‘/stealth’ to enable private mode. Any images generated in this space will be visible only to you and the bot, ensuring complete privacy.

Using Private Discord Servers

1. Click the plus icon (Add a server) in Discord’s menu.
2. Select ‘Create My Own’
3. Choose ‘For me and my friends’
4. Name your server and click ‘Create’
5. Customize your server settings.
6. Ensure privacy by setting up your server as private.
7. Invite the Midjourney bot to assist with creativity. (Find Midjourney Bot in Midjourney Discord Server, click on it, click ‘Add app’, select your own channel and authorize)
8. With the bot added, you generate images directly within the server. With your stealth mode enabled, your images remain hidden from the broader Midjourney community and public Discord channels.

Stealth Mode Confirmation: To verify that you’re in stealth mode, you can type “/info” in your chat with the Midjourney bot. This command should confirm that your visibility mode is set to “stealth.” And you can also see ‘Stealth’ at the end of your prompt after creating an image with Midjourney.

Managing Your Stealth Mode Images

After successfully generating images in stealth mode, managing these images becomes the next important step.

Viewing Stealth Images

Initially, images generated in stealth mode won’t appear in the Midjourney community feed, aligning with the privacy intent.

However, you can view all your generated images, including those made in stealth mode, in your personal archive on the Midjourney website, private Discord server, or directly within your Discord direct messages (DMs) with the Midjourney bot.

Unpublishing Images from the Archive

To maintain the privacy of your images before your Pro or Mega plan expires, you need to unpublish them from your archive. This step ensures they remain private and inaccessible to others. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to Your Midjourney Archive: Log in to your account on the Midjourney website (https://www.midjourney.com/archive) and access your archive. Click ‘My Images’, you can find all your generated images.
2. Select the Images: Use the “select mode” feature to choose the images you want to keep private.
3. Unpublish the Selected Images: Find and use the unpublish option to remove these images from public view. This action keeps them private, even if your plan expires.

Plan Expiration and Image Privacy

When your subscription to the Pro or Mega plan expires, and you choose not to renew, some functionalities, such as the bulk download or select mode features, will become unavailable. Here are steps to ensure you retain access to your images:

• Download Images Before Plan Expiration: To avoid any access issues, download all the images you need while your subscription is active. You can do this through the Midjourney website or via Discord DMs with the Midjourney bot.
• Accessing Images Post-Subscription: Even after your plan expires, you’ll still be able to access and download your generated images one by one through Discord. However, the archive and batch download features on the Midjourney site will no longer be available.

The Cost of Privacy: Is It Worth It? 

Privacy does come with a price tag. But is the cost justified? Let’s break it down. The Pro Plan offers:

• Stealth Mode
• 30 hours of Fast GPU time
• Unlimited Relax GPU time
• Access to Stealth Mode, allowing for private image generation

The Pro Plan is available for $60 per month when billed monthly or $48 per month when billed annually.

Is the investment worthwhile? Personally, I don’t use stealth mode since I don’t need it. However, for users who prioritize privacy, the answer is definitely yes, and you have more fast hours and concurrent fast jobs.

Hope this guide helps. By understanding and implementing the practices outlined in this guide, users can maximize their creative potential while ensuring their art remains personal and protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Midjourney Images Public?

Yes, Midjourney images are public by default, but Pro and Mega plan subscribers can use Stealth Mode to make images private on Midjourney.com. However, images generated in public channels are visible to others, even with Stealth Mode. For complete privacy, generate images in direct messages or private Discord servers​​.

How do I activate stealth mode in Midjourney?

To activate Stealth Mode in Midjourney, type the command /stealth. Keep in mind that this feature is only available for Pro Plan subscribers.

How can I ensure my images stay hidden in Stealth Mode?

You can ensure your images stay hidden in Stealth Mode by generating them in Direct Messages or on a private server.

How do I invite the Midjourney Bot to my private Discord server?

You can invite the Midjourney Bot to your private Discord server by going to the ‘Member List’ in a public Midjourney channel and selecting the bot, then clicking on ‘Add App’ and select your server. Easy as that!

How do I delete images from the Midjourney gallery?

To delete images from the Midjourney gallery, simply add an ‘X’ reaction to the message containing the image on Discord, or unpublish the image on the gallery website by selecting the ‘…’ and clicking unpublish.

In this guide, I’ll start with the basics and then explore more complex techniques for text rendering to achieve better results.

How to Add Text In Midjourney | Sample Prompts | Advanced Tips

Getting Started with Midjourney V6: Text Rendering Capabilities

Which Midjourney Version Supports Text Better?

With the release of Midjourney V6 Alpha, users have access to a groundbreaking feature: the ability to generate text directly within images.

This version has been optimized to understand and execute prompts that include text, significantly reducing the common challenges associated with text generation in earlier versions. This means you won’t need to use external photo editing software to add text later on.

Switching to Midjourney V6 Alpha in Discord

To use the advanced text rendering features of Midjourney V6 Alpha, you need to switch to the V6 Alpha version in the Discord where Midjourney is used. Here’s how to make the switch:

1. Changing the Model Version: Type /settings in any Midjourney bot channel. This command opens the settings interface where you can select different options, including the model version.
2. Selecting V6 Alpha: Look for the option to change the model version and select “V6 Alpha” from the list. This action updates your settings to use the V6 Alpha model for all future prompts.

If you’re making images on the Midjourney website instead of Discord, just select ‘version 6’ from the dashboard. This is the newest version.

Basic Techniques for Adding Text in Midjourney

Add Quotation Marks

Quotation marks (” “) acts as a clear indicator that the enclosed text should appear as written text within the generated image.

Without these markers, Midjourney might interpret the words as thematic or stylistic instructions, leading to outcomes that may not meet your expectations.

Sample Prompts to Start With

To help you get started, here are a few sample prompts that demonstrate how to include text in your Midjourney creations effectively:

Simple Text Integration:

"Happy Birthday" on a cake in a bright and colorful setting.

Artistic Text Rendering:

A neon sign that reads "Open 24 Hours" against a rainy city backdrop.

Here, the quotation marks are used to specify the exact phrase to be rendered in the style of a neon sign, adding a specific textual element to the scene described.

Narrative Incorporation:

A vintage book cover with the title "Adventures Beyond" written in elegant script.

This prompt guides Midjourney in making a book cover that includes text as a key part of the design, using the title you give in a specific font style.

Text on T-shirt:

A girl wearing a t-shirt with the text "Wake up"

Tattoo:

A tattoo on an arm says "AI Chronicler", close up, black and white, artistic, ultra detailed

Speech Bubble:

A cute cartoon monster character is speaking, "How's it going?" in the speech bubble

As you become more comfortable with basic text inclusion, you may wish to explore more advanced techniques to refine and enhance the textual elements within your images.

Advanced Text Rendering Techniques

When you add text to images created by Midjourney, it might not always stick to your prompt exactly. Here are a few expert tips to improve how text appears in your projects:

Experimenting with the Stylize Value

In my testing, adjusting the “–stylize” parameter’s value can significantly impact the appearance of text within your images.

Lower stylize values might produce images where the text adheres more closely to the input, appearing clearer and more legible.

In contrast, higher values could result in more abstract or stylized text presentations, which, while artistic, may sacrifice some clarity.

I suggest using –stylize 50 as a starting point and experimenting with different values.

Experimenting with Style Raw

Utilizing the—-style raw parameter can help you achieve a more raw or unfiltered interpretation of your prompt, potentially offering a different approach to how text is rendered within the image.

This might be particularly useful for projects where a more straightforward or less stylized depiction of text is desired.

Capitalization and Symbols on Text Rendering

Midjourney recognizes and differentiates between uppercase and lowercase letters. This means that the way you capitalize your text within quotation marks can directly affect the output.

You can also include some symbols within your text (e.g., punctuation marks, emojis) can also impact how the text is visualized. Symbols might be interpreted literally, adding an extra layer of meaning or emphasis to the text, or they could influence the style and format of the textual representation.

Text Placement

When crafting your prompt, clearly indicate where you want the text to appear within the image. This can be as simple as appending instructions like “on the right corner,” “at the top,” or “centered at the bottom” after describing the text content.

For example:

A dark green stone dragon, with red eyebrows and dark green horsehair, its body is made out of stones, a boy, the dragon master is controlling the dragon, text "Dragon Master" in stylish script font style on the right corner

Don’t Expect a Particular Font

While the Midjourney V6 offers capabilities in text rendering, it’s important to recognize that it does not recognize requests for specific font names or highly detailed font characteristics.

This means that asking for text to be rendered in a particular font—such as “Times New Roman” or “Helvetica”—will not yield the expected results.

Assigning Broad Font Concepts

However, you can specify broader font categories or general styles.

For example:

• Handwritten Script: This works pretty well; I often get great results with hand-drawn letters.
• Large Fonts: Indicates the importance or emphasis of the text, making it stand out in the design.

Shorter Text Content for Better Results

Experience shows that shorter text content tends to render more accurately in Midjourney-generated images.

Dealing with Misspellings and Incomplete Text

When Midjourney generates images with misspellings or incomplete text, you can try using the ‘Vary (Region)’ tool to select the text area and let Midjourney fine-tune that area without changing the whole design.

Additionally, generating multiple variations (using the V buttons for variations) of the image can also yield a version where the text is rendered as intended.

Conclusion

As you explore this guide, remember that experimentation is the key. 

For short words and phrases, Midjourney does a good job and accurately renders text. Yet, control over the fine details is still limited. 

It might take some trial and error to achieve the image you want with text. However, I’m optimistic that future updates will bring more possibilities and precision. Happy creating!

If you love anime or have ever dreamed of crafting your own manga-style artwork, then Niji 6 is your new best friend.

Using Niji 6 | Prompt Examples for Niji 6 | Common Issues & Solutions

How to Use Midjourney Niji Model V6

Accessing Niji 6:

You can access Niji 6 in two ways: through Discord and on Midjourney’s Alpha Website.

To utilize Niji Model 6 on Discord, users can add the –niji 6 parameter to the end of their prompts.

To make Niji 6 your go-to for anime-inspired artwork, you’ll want to set it as your default model in Midjourney. Simply type /settings command and select the Niji Model V6 [ALPHA] option.

On the Alpha Website, select Niji 6 from the model options.

This little tweak means you’ll automatically be crafting anime artwork without any extra steps or parameters.

nIJI 6 Parameters for Anime Creation:

To get the most out of Niji 6, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with some key parameters:

–niji 6: This is your golden ticket to initiating the Niji 6 model. Adding this to your prompts switches the gear to anime mode.

–style raw: Looking for that authentic anime vibe? This parameter reduces the Midjourney default aesthetic, offering a more natural and less refined appearance, which can be perfect for certain types of anime and illustration styles.

–stylize: Play around with this parameter to adjust how much of Niji 6’s anime flair you want in your artwork.

Niji 5.2 Parameters

For those still using Niji 5.2 or prefer its features, it’s essential to note the unique parameters it supports, which can significantly impact your image creations.

While Niji 6 brings advanced anime aesthetics to the table, Niji 5.2 has its charm, offering different stylization and rendering techniques valuable for various artistic expressions.

Niji 5.2 supports additional –style parameters like cute, expressive, original, and scenic, each bringing a unique flavor to your anime creations.

For example, –style cute creates charming and adorable characters, while –style scenic emphasizes beautiful backgrounds and cinematic character moments.

Practical Guide to Using Niji 6 (Examples)

Writing effective prompts for anime-style images involves clarity and specificity. Here’s how to construct a basic prompt:

Character Creation

A shy high school girl with long blue hair standing under cherry blossoms

A fearless ninja with a hidden face in a dark alley, ready for battle

A cyberpunk hacker with glowing tattoos, surrounded by digital code

A post-apocalyptic survivor with a rugged outfit, holding a makeshift weapon

A space bounty hunter in a futuristic bar, neon lights flickering

Scenic Imagery

A tranquil lake with floating lanterns at twilight, sakura petals falling

An ancient temple surrounded by golden autumn leaves, serene and majestic

An enchanted forest with bioluminescent plants and floating crystals

A deserted city overgrown with nature, vines climbing skyscrapers

A bustling, vibrant market street in a fantastical city, where humans and spirits mingle, inspired by ‘Spirited Away’, in the style of Studio Ghibli

Emulating Popular Anime Styles:

A samurai showdown in the style of ‘Samurai Champloo’ with dynamic shadows

High school friends sharing a secret, in the heartfelt style of ‘K-On!’

goku vs vegeta, intense martial arts battle, dynamic action of ‘Dragon Ball Z’

Gundam’s shield deflecting enemy fire in a night battle, illuminating the dark with sparks and energy blasts

A bustling, vibrant market street in a fantastical city, where humans and spirits mingle, inspired by ‘Spirited Away’, in the style of Studio Ghibli

Now you know how to craft prompts for great anime-style artwork with Niji 6 in Midjourney.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Inconsistent Character Appearance:

One frequent challenge is maintaining character consistency across different images or scenes. This is crucial for series or stories where characters reappear.

Solution: Use the new –cref (character reference) parameter, a powerful tool introduced to help creators maintain character consistency.

As explained in my previous character reference guide, –cref allows you to reference a given characters, ensuring they keep their unique features and style in new images. For detailed guidance on how to use –cref, check out Making Consistent Character in Midjourney with Cref.

2. Inconsistent Style Across Images:

Another issue is achieving and maintaining a consistent style.

Solution: Utilize the –sref (style reference) parameter.

This allows you to use an image as style reference, applying it to new creations for stylistic consistency. Whether you’re aiming for the soft, emotional depth of a slice-of-life anime or the sharp, dynamic lines of an action-packed series, –sref helps you lock in that style across your artwork.

Learn how to use the Style Reference in Midjourney to replicate the look and feel of specific anime genres or artists’ styles.

Wrap-Up

Mastering Midjourney Niji 6 opens a universe of creativity for anime enthusiasts and artists alike.

From the examples I’ve shared, you’ve learned how to craft effective prompts to detail characters, scenes, and anime styles. By using advanced features like –stylize, –cref, and –sref, you can now create your most imaginative and consistent anime scenes and characters.

Hope this guide helps, happy creating!

This new feature is a game-changer for creating consistent story characters for any project you can imagine. Simply add –cref and the URL of your reference image, you can try this new feature out in Midjourney! 

Let’s dive deeper, see how it performs, and explore advanced tips for making your characters more consistent across your images.

Understanding Character Reference

Midjourney’s Character Reference is similar to the Style Reference feature you might be familiar with, but for characters. This means you can maintain consistency in your character’s appearance across all your artworks.

How to Use Character Reference (–cref)?

Simply add –cref followed by the URL of your character’s image right after your prompt.

You can also control how closely Midjourney adheres to this reference with the –cw command.

Set it to 100 to include the character’s face, hair, and clothes in the reference, or dial it down to 0 to focus just on the face. This is perfect for experimenting with new looks for your character.

It’s important to note that Midjourney suggests this feature works best with characters from Midjourney images. Using photos of real people might not yield as good results.

Additionally, you can combine characters from different images by adding more than one URL with –cref, offering even more creative freedom.

Detailed Instruction of Using the –cref command

Character Reference is available both on Discord and the web app Alpha. 

Getting Ready:

1. Choose a Character Image: Start by selecting a Midjourney-generated image of your character to serve as your reference. It’s best to choose an image that clearly showcases your character’s traits from various angles—like front view, side view, 3/4 portrait, looking up, and looking down. This approach ensures the best results. (Feel free to include multiple character references.)
2. Copy the Image URL: You’ll need the web address of your character’s image. Right-click to copy it.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using –cref in Discord and Web App

Now you’ve prepared your reference image, here’s how to bring your characters to life, step by step.

Discord Usage:

1. Upload an Image to Discord: First, upload an image of your character to Discord. You can upload it to the Midjourney bot, your private Discord server, or the Midjourney channels. After uploading, right-click on the image to copy the URL.
2. Write Your Prompt and Add –cref: Now, write the creative prompt you want Midjourney to visualize. At the end of your prompt, add –cref followed by the image URL you copied. This tells Midjourney to use your character as a reference for the artwork.

Web App Usage:

If you’ve created more than 1,000 images with Midjourney, you can get access to the new Midjourney Website Alpha to create images without using Discord. 

In the web app dashboard:

1. Upload or Choose Your Character Image: Click the ‘+’ button to upload a new character image or select a previous work from your library.
2. Select the ‘cref’ Option: Hover over the image you’ve chosen. You’ll see options appear; click on the ‘cref’ option to set this image as your Character Reference.
3. Enter Your Prompt: Type your prompt, add –cw parameter if needed. 
4. Choose Parameters: After writing your prompt, you can select additional parameters as needed from the available options to fine-tune your request.

Using –cw to Control the Strength of the Character Reference

The –cw (character weight) parameter is crucial for using the Character Reference feature in Midjourney. 

It lets you adjust how closely Midjourney follows your character reference. 

This flexibility gives you control over how much detail from your reference character is included in the final output, allowing you to fine-tune the appearance of your creations.

How Does –cw Work?

The –cw parameter is followed by a number ranging from 0 to 100.

A higher number means Midjourney will more closely match the reference character’s face, hair, and clothing.

On the other hand, a lower number, like 0, shifts the focus primarily to the face. 

This allows for variations in attire or hairstyle without losing the character’s core identity. 

From my experience, setting the –cw value to 100 means you can’t change the character’s dressing; it simply won’t follow the text prompt. 

So, feel free to experiment with this value to achieve the desired outcome.

Beyond the Basics: Combining with Other Features

Using Midjourney’s Character Reference (–cref) is just the starting point. When you begin to combine it with Style Reference (–sref) and other parameters, you can further enhance the consistency of your creations. This integration allows for a more cohesive look and feel across your projects.

This is perfect for projects that require a specific mood or atmosphere, from watercolor landscapes to neon-lit cyberpunk cities.

Combining with Other Parameters

Beyond –cref and –sref, Midjourney offers a wide range of parameters to further refine your creative vision. 

From switching Midjourney models from V6 to Niji 6, to adjusting stylization, weirdness, or variety, these parameters enable you to explore different inspirations and find the style you prefer. 

Once you’ve pinpointed your desired style, you can use that new image as a character reference to create a series of consistent images.

The Limitations

As Midjourny mentioned in their announcement:

This feature works best when using characters made from Midjourney images. It’s not designed for real people / photos (and will likely distort them as regular image prompts do)

DavidH – Midjourney Discord Channel – Announcements

In my tests, I found that photos of real people, especially celebrities and well-known figures, work better because Midjourney can identify them when you use the /describe command. 

I also experimented with a few stock photos of men and women’s portraits, and the results were quite similar to what I achieved using realistic portraits made with Midjourney.

Additionally, anime-style images created in Niji mode tend to yield better results than those generated in V6 mode.

Wrapping Up

While it’s definitely more convenient and performs better than image prompts, the accuracy isn’t always spot-on. This depends on whether the character in the reference image has very distinct characteristics. It can capture the overall feeling quite accurately, but the nuances are often missed. You get the sense that they are the same characters, but you can also easily spot many differences. There’s hope for improvements in the future.

This new platform is user-friendly and straightforward, allowing you to use Midjourney without using Discord. Currently, it’s open to a select group who’ve created over 1,000 images, but it’s expected to open up to everyone soon.

Let’s dive into the Midjourney Alpha website and discover the possibilities it offers.

Getting Started with the Midjourney Web App

Access Requirements:

Any subscriber can access the member gallery. It lists all the images generated in the Midjourney Discord channel, and you can also see what others have created. The new alpha version doesn’t just let you view images; you can also start creating images right there.

Initially, access to the Midjourney’s new Alpha mode was limited to users with a significant number of creations—initially over 10,000, which was later reduced to 5,000, and now only requires 1,000 images.

If you've made >1000 images on Midjourney you can now help us alpha-test our image creation website at https://t.co/YAg9YaYE78. Design and features will rapidly change for a while and as things mature we will expand access. Desktop is the focus for now, but mobile is coming too. pic.twitter.com/MpcBU1ztau

— Midjourney (@midjourney) February 8, 2024

To check your eligibility:

1. Visit your Midjourney Discord channel.
2. Type the command /info and press enter.
3. Review the output to see your total number of renders.

Once you hit the required number of image generations, head over to Midjourney website. The website will update to the new version, featuring a new interactive interface.

Exploring the Web Interface

Dashboard Overview:

The dashboard has a simple layout, designed for ease of use and accessibility. Right at the top is the prompt area, where users can directly type in their Midjourney prompts, no need to remember any special commands.

Click on the “+’ button, you can upload one or multiple images as image prompt or style reference, or choose any images you’ve created.

Next to the prompt area, you’ll find the settings icon, which opens up a comprehensive view of all available Midjourney parameters in a user-friendly format.

These parameters include:

• Image Size: Users can select from predefined aspect ratios such as portrait, square, and landscape, or customize their dimensions using a slider for a more tailored output.
• Model Versions: Choose between the standard model or the raw mode, each offering different rendering styles and levels of detail. You can also choose your desired Midjourney model versions, including V6, Niji 6, V5.2 and V5.1.
• Stylization: Equivalent to the –stylize parameter in Discord, this slider allows users to adjust the level of artistic effect applied to the generated images. (Range 0 to 1000)
• Weirdness: Similar to the –weird parameter, this slider controls the level of uniqueness and unpredictability in the output. (Range 0 to 3000)
• Variety: Mirroring the –chaos parameter, this option lets users manage the diversity among the images produced from a single prompt. (Range 0 to 100)
• Image Generation Speed: Select from relax, fast, or turbo modes, depending on your needs and subscription plan, to control how quickly images are generated.

Once you’ve set your parameters, the system will remember your settings. Generating images with the same parameters and settings is much easier.

Viewing and Managing Created Images

When you go to the ‘Create’ section in the Midjourney web app, you’ll see a grid of your created images, arranged in rows similar to the image grids you know from Discord.

Clicking on any image in the four-image grid lets you see it bigger and use different tools.

Tools and Options:

• Vary: You can change the selected image a little or a lot with options like “vary subtle” or “vary strong.”
• Upscale: Improve your image’s quality with “upscale subtle” for small tweaks or “upscale creative” for bigger changes.
• Remix: This option allows you to adjust the selected image with a new prompt.
• Pan Tool: Expand your Midjourney image in any direction (up, down, left, right) to explore or expand the image’s composition.
• Zoom: Make your image 1.5x or 2x bigger for a broader view.
• Vary Region: Customize specific regions of your image without altering the whole, offering precise control over the final output.
• ‘Use’ Section: Offers three interactions: 1) Image Prompt to create new creations on the selected image. 2) Style Reference for stylistic consistency in new works. 3) Reuse the text prompt to repeat and modify the original prompt for further exploration.

Overall, you get all the tools you’re used to from Discord, but in a more organized and engaging way.

Which One Do I Prefer: Discord vs. Web App

As a regular user of Midjourney, I’ve experienced both the Discord interface and the new web app, each shaping my creative journey differently.

The Comfort of Discord:

Discord has been my primary platform for Midjourney. Its workflow, from entering prompts to chatting with others, creates a welcoming environment for creativity. The ease of integrating tools like ‘Swap face’ brings an extra layer of flexibility to my work that I value greatly.

The Streamlined Web App Experience:

The web app, meanwhile, offers a more direct path to creating and managing images. It cuts out repetitive steps like copying URLs or inputting parameters for each prompt. Transforming a created image into a style reference or a new prompt is much simpler here, with a click doing the job of what used to be a hassle on Discord. Plus, finding past creations is effortless, saving me from scrolling through endless chat logs.

And that’s a wrap on the Midjourney web app! Each platform has its unique charm, enhancing my creative process in different ways. Have you experimented with these platforms too? I’d love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

I’ll walk you through selecting the best Midjourney upscale options for various versions, wisely managing your GPU resources, and exploring third-party solutions that can take your work to even greater heights. Prepare to elevate your digital art with ease and impress your audience right from the start.

Midjourney Upscaling Options | Subtle Vs Creative | How to Upscale | External Upscaling Tools | Maximum Midjourney Resolution

Understanding Upscaling in Midjourney

Upscaling in Midjourney refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image generated by the AI.

Upscaling transforms Midjourney images from their initial state into higher-resolution versions that are suitable for a wider range of applications.

It uses advanced algorithms to interpolate and generate new pixels that fit seamlessly with the original pixels, thereby preserving the image’s quality at a higher resolution.

Whether you’re looking to print your digital art at a large scale, use it in high-quality presentations, or simply wish to explore finer details, upscaling is your gateway to achieving crisp, detailed images from the AI’s output.

Native Upscaling Options in Midjourney

Midjourney provides native upscaling options that allow users to enhance their generated images directly within the platform.

These options are designed to meet various needs, from slight increases in resolution to significant enlargements that maintain image fidelity.

Upscale 2X and 4X Options in Version 5.2

Midjourney introduced the capability to upscale images to both 2X and 4X the original resolution starting from Version 5.2. This means:

• The 2X upscale option is available from Version 5.2 onwards, doubling the dimensions of the original image and resulting in a fourfold increase in total pixel count. For example, an original image of 1024×1024 pixels can be upscaled to 2048×2048 pixels.
• The 4X upscale option, also introduced in Version 5.2, quadruples the Midjourney image resolution. This allows an original image of 1024×1024 pixels to be upscaled to 4096×4096 pixels.

Differences Between “Subtle” and “Creative” Upscaling in Version 6

With the introduction of version 6, Midjourney added nuanced upscaling options: “subtle” and “creative.” However, the 4x option is unavailable in V6.

The “subtle” option focuses on preserving the original image’s integrity, making minimal changes to the details.

Conversely, the “creative” option takes more liberties, potentially altering aspects of the image to enhance its aesthetic or thematic elements. This can lead to more pronounced changes in texture, color, and composition, providing a unique take on the original artwork.

In the following example, ‘Upscale Creative’ slightly changed the man’s hairstyle and smoothed the image with lower contrast, and added more details to the original image. In contrast, ‘Upscale subtle’ simply enlarged the image with minimal changes.

How to Use Midjourney’s Upscaling Options

Accessing Midjourney’s upscaling options is straightforward. After image generation, users can initiate the upscaling process directly within the chat.

Step-by-Step Guide on Using the “U” Button for Upscaling

1. Generate an Image: Use the /imagine command to create your Midjourney AI art.
2. Select the Image for Upscaling: Each generated image will have associated options, including a “U” button for upscaling.
3. Choose Your Upscaling Option: After clicking the “U” button, select either the 2X or 4X upscale. If available, decide between “subtle” or “creative” for version 6 images.
4. Review the Upscaled Image: Once the process is complete, review the upscaled image to ensure it meets your expectations.

Tips for Selecting the Right Upscaling Option for Your Project

Consider the Final Use: If you’re aiming for print, using the 4X option in V5.2 might be more appropriate. For digital use, 2X might suffice.

Experiment with Both “Subtle” and “Creative”: The best way to understand the impact of each option is to try them out and compare the results.

Monitor the Details: Pay special attention to critical areas of your image to see how they’re affected by each upscaling method.

Use Detailed Prompts: Providing detailed, descriptive prompts can help generate images with more intricate details, which tend to upscale better.

Maximum Resolution of Midjourney Output

Here is a chart showing you the final resolutions after upscaling in Midjourney across different versions.

Aspect Ratio Affects The Resolution

Initially, Midjourney creates image with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Changing the aspect ratio can alter the image dimensions (e.g., 16:9 results in 1456 by 816 pixels), but does not necessarily increase the overall resolution.

Use Pan Feature to increase Resolution

The “pan” function allows for expanding the image canvas in a specific direction (up, down, left, right), effectively increasing the overall image size.

In V5.2, using Pan can add pixels to your ai generated images. For example, panning down can change the resolution from 1024 by 1024 to 1024 by 1536 pixels, adding imagery to the bottom of the original image. However, Midjourney no longer adds pixels in V6 after using the Pan tool.

I’ve explained the differences between the Pan features in Version 6 and earlier versions. Take a look for more details.

GPU Time and Upscaling Correlation

Each action in Midjourney, whether creating an initial image grid, upscaling, or making variations, consumes GPU minutes. So it will consume your allocated Fast Hours from your subscription plan when you are using the ‘Fast Mode’ or ‘Turbo Mode’.

From my tests, you’ll notice that before upscaling the image to 2x and 4x, I had 7.25 hours of fast time remaining. After the upscaling, this reduced to 7.18.

Users should strategically upscale images to manage their GPU time effectively and avoid unexpectedly exhausting their Fast Hours.

• You can use the /info command before and after running a process to see the consumption.
• Consider switching to Relax Mode for less urgent tasks, preserving Fast GPU time for critical or high-priority jobs.
• Applying upscaling techniques excessively to low-quality images may result in exaggerated artifacts and loss of image integrity. Instead, focus on enhancing images with sufficient Detail and resolution to maintain quality during upscaling.

Check our detailed guide to learn more about the fast hours in Midjourney.

External Tools and Plugins for Upscaling

While Midjourney provides great built-in upscaling options, you can also turn to external tools and plugins for additional control or different upscaling effects.

Software like Adobe Photoshop and dedicated upscaling services like Topaz Labs offer advanced algorithms for enhancing image resolution beyond what’s available natively in Midjourney.

• Topaz Photo AI: Known for high-quality results, this paid software can significantly enhance the resolution of images using artificial intelligence to add detail.
• Photoshop: Utilizing its built-in features like “Preserve Details 2.0” enlargement option for upscaling images manually.
• Upscale.media: A free online service that offers upscaling with an option to enhance quality, but it only upscales your image to 1500 x 1500 px.
• Wirestock: It is a platform for selling upscaled images. It offers its own upscaling service for images submitted to stock photo sites.

Final Thoughts

From preserving image integrity to enhancing fine details, the journey through upscaling is a testament to the power of technology. Like magicians wielding digital wands, users breathe life into their images, transforming pixels into vibrant masterpieces. 

Midjourney’s upscaling feature allows you to embark on a digital journey where imagination knows no bounds. So, let the pixels paint tales of wonder. With Midjourney, we can push the boundaries of visual storytelling and craft pictures that ignite the imagination.