MidJourney Style Guide: 101 Art & Photography Styles With Examples

Are you a MidJourney user or graphic designer looking for inspiration or new styles to explore? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article, I’ll introduce you to 101 art and photography styles that can help you spice up your MidJourney designs and expand your artistic horizons. Whether you’re working on a new project or want to learn more about various art movements and techniques, this comprehensive guide is the perfect resource.

To make it easier for you to navigate, I’ve organized the art styles into four major categories: Traditional Fine Arts, Digital Arts, Photography, and Design. For each style, I’ve included:

• A brief description
• Notable artists
• A sample image of the style generated with MidJourney – click on any sample to open a larger version
• The MidJourney prompt I used (I kept each prompt simple so you can see the basic style – make sure and add your own flair to get amazing images)

I’ll continue to add more MidJourney sample images and styles, so this MidJourney style resource will keep growing!

Why You Should Use Art & Photography Styles in MidJourney V5

The latest MidJourney Version 5 brings significant improvements to AI-generated art and photography. This alpha version offers a wider stylistic range, increased realism, and enhanced responsiveness to prompts. MidJourney V5 has also improved in rendering more details, such as subtleties, intricate patterns, and group portraits.

However, it also requires a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to prompting. The model’s “unopinionatedness” can lead to more literal and less artistic outcomes and more photorealistic images when you want “artsy,” not to mention dull defaults. This enhanced realism includes a tendency for V5 to generate images that are more literal and less artistic by default.

If you want to get the best from MidJourney V5, specify an aesthetic style.

The style references have become much more impactful in this version. To truly make MidJourney V5 shine, embrace the power of style modifiers.

Including art or photography styles in your MidJourney AI text-to-image prompts is crucial. By doing so, you can fully harness the potential of MidJourney V5 and generate stunning, engaging, and diverse images.

In addition, short prompts may not work as well in this version; use complex prompts instead. By writing longer and more explicit text about what you want, you can achieve better results with MidJourney V5.

Now, let’s get to the art and photography styles!

Traditional Fine Arts

From the classic to the contemporary, the traditional fine arts category spans numerous art styles that have shaped the course of art history. These styles range from Realism to Conceptual Art, offering diverse approaches to visual expression. Below is a table detailing various traditional art styles:

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Abstract	Non-representational art focusing on shapes, colors, and lines	Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian		abstract art by Wassily Kandinsky –v 5
Realism	Depicts subjects with accuracy and detail, emphasizing objective representation	Edward Hopper, Gustave Courbet		realism art by Edward Hopper –v 5
Surrealism	Combines dreamlike imagery with elements of reality	Salvador Dalí, René Magritte		surrealism art by René Magritte –v 5
Impressionism	Captures the feeling or atmosphere of a scene, often using loose brush strokes and vivid colors	Claude Monet, Edgar Degas		impressionism art by Claude Monet –v 5
Pop Art	Features imagery from popular culture and mass media	Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein		pop art by Roy Lichtenstein –v 5
Expressionism	Conveys emotional and psychological aspects of the subject through color, texture, and brushwork	Edvard Munch, Vincent van Gogh		Expressionism art by Vincent van Gogh –v 5
Art Deco	Geometric and decorative style, popular in the 1920s and 1930s	Tamara de Lempicka, Erte		Art Deco painting by Erte –v 5
Art Nouveau	Flowing, organic forms often inspired by nature	Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt		Art Nouveau by Gustav Klimt –v 5
Fauvism	Characterized by bold, non-naturalistic use of color	Henri Matisse, André Derain		Fauvism art by Henri Matisse –v 5
Futurism	Emphasizes speed, technology, and modernity	Umberto Boccioni, Gino Severini		Futurism art by Umberto Boccioni –v 5
Cubism	Fragmented and abstracted subjects, exploring multiple perspectives	Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque		Cubism art by Pablo Picasso –v 5
Dada	Challenges traditional notions of art, embracing absurdity and randomness	Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst		Dada art by Max Ernst –v 5
Constructivism	Abstract, geometric art influenced by the Russian Revolution	Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky		Constructivism art by Kazimir Malevich –v 5
Minimalism	Simplistic, geometric forms with a focus on color and composition	Frank Stella, Donald Judd		Minimalism art by Donald Judd –v 5
Conceptual Art	Emphasizes the idea behind the artwork rather than the physical object	Sol LeWitt, Joseph Kosuth		conceptual art by Sol LeWitt –v 5
Hyperrealism	An art style that achieves an extremely high level of realism, often surpassing what is seen in photographs	Chuck Close, Alyssa Monks		Hyperrealism art by Alyssa Monks –v 5
Trompe l’oeil	A technique that uses realistic imagery to create optical illusions, making objects appear three-dimensional	John Haberle, Pere Borrell del Caso		Trompe l’oeil art by John Haberle –v 5

Popular Art Medium Styles

Artists have various mediums at their disposal, each offering unique qualities and characteristics. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular and widely recognized art medium styles, including watercolor, oil painting, and more.

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Watercolor	A painting technique that uses water-soluble pigments, known for its transparency and fluidity	J.M.W. Turner, Winslow Homer		watercolor art by Winslow Homer –v 5
Oil Painting	A versatile painting medium that uses oil as a binder, known for its rich colors and slow drying time	Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt		oil painting by Rembrandt –v 5
Acrylic	A fast-drying, water-soluble paint that can be used for various styles, from transparent to opaque	David Hockney, Bridget Riley		acrylic painting by David Hockney –v 5
Tempera	An ancient painting medium using pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, often egg yolk	Sandro Botticelli, Giotto		Tempera painting by Giotto –v 5
Encaustic	A painting technique that uses heated beeswax mixed with pigments, known for its texture and luminosity	Jasper Johns, Fayum Portraits		Encaustic art by Fayum Portraits –v 5
Fresco	A mural painting technique that applies water and pigments to wet plaster, resulting in a durable finish	Michelangelo, Diego Rivera		Angelic fresco painting by Michelangelo –v 5
Ink	A versatile medium that can be used for drawing or painting, known for its fluidity and bold lines	Aubrey Beardsley, Hokusai		Ink drawing by Aubrey Beardsley –v 5
Pastel	A soft, chalk-like medium that can be used for both drawing and painting, known for its vibrant colors	Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt		Pastel art by Edgar Degas –v 5
Charcoal	A drawing medium made from charred wood, known for its rich, dark tones and expressive mark-making	Henry Moore, Odilon Redon		Charcoal drawing by Odilon Redon on white background –v 5
Pencil	A common drawing medium that uses graphite encased in wood, known for its precision and control	Paul Cézanne, M.C. Escher		Pencil Drawing by Paul Cézanne –v 5
Pointillism	A painting technique that uses small, distinct dots of color to create an image when viewed from a distance	Georges Seurat, Paul Signac		Pointillism painting by Paul Signac –v 5
Divisionism	A variation of pointillism that uses larger, more distinct brushstrokes and color separation	Giovanni Segantini, Gaetano Previati		Divisionism painting by Giovanni Segantini –v 5

Digital Arts

As technology continues to advance, digital arts have become an increasingly popular and versatile medium for artists. This category encompasses a wide range of styles, including digital painting, digital drawing, and new media art. Explore the different digital art styles in the table below:

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Digital Painting	Painting created using digital tools	Craig Mullins, David Revoy		digital painting by Craig Mullins –v 5
Digital Drawing	Drawing created using digital tools	Aaron Blaise, Dan LuVisi		digital drawing by Aaron Blaise –v 5
Digital Art	Art created using digital technology, including computer-generated imagery and 3D models	Zaha Hadid, Takeshi Murata		Digital art in the style of Takeshi Murata –v 5

Popular Digital Art Styles

Digital art has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for artists, allowing them to experiment with various styles and techniques. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular and widely recognized digital art styles, including Anime, Fantasy, and more.

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Anime	A Japanese animation style characterized by vibrant colors, exaggerated facial expressions, and dynamic movement	Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka		Anime by Hayao Miyazaki –niji (note: try both V5 and niji)
Manga	Japanese comic book art style, similar in appearance to anime but often more detailed and intricate	Akira Toriyama, Naoko Takeuchi		Manga by Akira Toriyama –v 5 (note: try both V5 and niji)
Fantasy	Imaginative art style that often features magical creatures, supernatural elements, and mythical settings	Yoshitaka Amano, Frank Frazetta		fantasy art by Frank Frazetta –v 5
Sci-Fi	Art style that focuses on futuristic settings, advanced technology, and extraterrestrial life	H.R. Giger, Syd Mead		sci-fi art by H.R. Giger –v 5
Comic Book	Art style found in American and European comic books, characterized by bold lines and dynamic action	Jack Kirby, Moebius (Jean Giraud)		comic book art by Jack Kirby –v 5
Pixel Art	Digital art created using individual pixels as the smallest visual unit, reminiscent of early video game graphics	Eboy, Paul Robertson		Pixel art by Paul Robertson –v 5
Low Poly	3D art style that uses a limited number of polygons to create simple, geometric shapes	Timothy J. Reynolds, Mat Szulik		Low poly model by Mat Szulik –v 5
Vaporwave	A nostalgic art style that combines elements from the 80s and 90s with surreal, dreamlike compositions	Macintosh Plus, James Ferraro		Vaporwave art by James Ferraro –v 5
Glitch Art	Art style that incorporates digital errors, distortions, and noise to create visually striking images	Rosa Menkman, Phillip Stearns		Portal into another dimension Glitch art by Phillip Stearns –v 5
Cyberpunk	Futuristic art style that often features dystopian settings, advanced technology, and cybernetic enhancements	Katsuhiro Otomo, Josan Gonzalez		Cyberpunk by Josan Gonzalez –v 5

Photography

Photography offers an endless array of possibilities for capturing the world around us. Whether you’re interested in documentary, landscape, or street photography, there’s a style to suit every passion. Discover various photography styles in the table below:

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Portrait Photography	Focuses on capturing the likeness and personality of a person or group of people	Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon		Portrait photography by Annie Leibovitz –v 5
Landscape Photography	Captures natural and man-made environments	Ansel Adams, Galen Rowell		Landscape photography by Galen Rowell –v 5
Still Life Photography	Features arranged inanimate objects as the subject	Irving Penn, Edward Weston		Still life photography by Irving Penn –v 5
Nature Photography	Depicts wildlife, plants, and other natural elements	Frans Lanting, Art Wolfe		Nature photography by Art Wolfe –v 5
Wildlife Photography	Captures animals in their natural habitats	Steve Winter, Paul Nicklen		wildlife photography by Paul Nicklen –v 5
Seascape Photography	Features bodies of water, coastlines, and marine life	David Doubilet, Rachael Talibart		seascape photograph by Rachael Talibart –v 5
Cityscape Photography	Depicts urban environments and architectural subjects	Michael Kenna, Thomas Struth		Color Cityscape Photography by Michael Kenna –v 5
Astrophotography	Captures celestial objects and astronomical events	Neil Armstrong, Thierry Legault		Astrophotography by Thierry Legault –v 5
Macro Photography	Close-up images of small subjects, revealing intricate details	Robert Mapplethorpe, Thomas Shahan		macro photograph by Thomas Shahan –v 5
Micro Photography	Extremely close-up images, often requiring specialized equipment like microscopes	Lennart Nilsson, Charles Krebs		Micro Photography by Charles Krebs –v 5
Aerial Photography	Captures landscapes and subjects from an elevated perspective, often using drones	Yann Arthus-Bertrand, George Steinmetz		aerial photography by George Steinmetz –v 5
Underwater Photography	Features underwater environments and marine life	Brian Skerry, David Doubilet		underwater photography by Brian Skerry –v 5
Panoramic Photography	Wide, sweeping images that capture expansive scenes	Peter Lik, Josef Koudelka		Panoramic Photography of a castle by Peter Lik –v 5
Time-Lapse Photography	A sequence of images taken over a period of time, often used to show change	Ron Fricke, Michael Shainblum		Time-lapse photography of a river by Michael Shainblum, golden hour –v 5
Stop-Motion Photography	A series of photographs combined to create the illusion of movement	Ray Harryhausen, Jan Švankmajer		Stop-motion lego photography frame by frame –v 5
Animated Photography	Combines photography with animation techniques	Jamie Caliri, William Kentridge
Computer-Generated Photography	Images created or manipulated using digital technology	Nick Veasey, Jeff Wall
3D Photography	Images that appear three-dimensional when viewed with special glasses or equipment	Brian May, Jim Naughten		3D Lego photography by Brian May –v 5
Virtual Reality Photography	Immersive, 360-degree images viewable through VR headsets	Aaron Spence, Matjaž Tančič
Augmented Reality Photography	Images that incorporate digital elements, viewable through AR devices	Zach Lieberman, Molmol Kuo
Mixed Media Photography	Combines photography with other artistic mediums	Robert Rauschenberg, Vik Muniz		mixed media photography by Robert Rauschenberg –v 5
Performance Photography	Captures live art performances and events	Nan Goldin, Garry Winogrand
Installation Photography	Documents large-scale, immersive art installations	Iwan Baan, Candida Höfer
Street Photography	Candid images of people and events in public spaces	Henri Cartier-Bresson, Vivian Maier
Graffiti Photography	Features street art and graffiti	Martha Cooper, Jon Naar
Banksy Photography	Focuses on the work of the famous street artist Banksy	Banksy, Steve Lazarides		Banksy Photography by Steve Lazarides –v 5
Documentary Photography	Captures real-life events, people	Sebastião Salgado, James Nachtwey		documentary photography by Sebastião Salgado –v 5
Futurist Photography	A photography style that captures the dynamism, speed, and energy of the Futurist art movement	Anton Giulio Bragaglia, Gino Severini
Photograms	Cameraless photographic images created by placing objects directly on photosensitive paper	Man Ray, László Moholy-Nagy
Cyanotypes	A photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print using sunlight	Anna Atkins, John Herschel
Lomography	A photography style that embraces imperfections and spontaneity using low-fidelity cameras	Lomographic Society, Mirko Martin
Holga	A photography style that uses the Holga camera, known for its light leaks, vignetting, and soft focus	David Burnett, Michelle Bates
Pinhole Photography	A cameraless photography technique that uses a small hole in a light-tight container to project an image	Eric Renner, Justin Quinnell
Film Noir	A style of photography influenced by the dark and moody visual style of classic film noir movies	Weegee, Brassaï
New Objectivity	An art movement that focused on unsentimental realism and social critique in painting and photography	Otto Dix, August Sander
Double Exposure Photography	A technique that combines two or more images into a single frame, often resulting in dreamlike or surreal compositions	Dan Mountford, Christoffer Relander

Design

Design is an integral part of our daily lives, influencing the aesthetics and functionality of the objects and spaces we interact with. This category covers art styles related to interior design, industrial design, and textile design, among others. Check out the different design styles in the table below:

Art Style	Description	Example Artists	Sample	MidJourney Prompt
Interior Design	Art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces	Kelly Wearstler, Philippe Starck		magazine photo of Interior design by Kelly Wearstler –v 5
Industrial Design	Creation of products with a focus on form, function, and user experience	Dieter Rams, Jonathan Ive
Product Design	Develops and enhances the appearance and functionality of everyday items	Charles Eames, Yves Béhar
Furniture Design	Design and creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture	Eero Saarinen, Marcel Breuer
Textile Design	Creates patterns and designs for fabrics, clothing, and other textiles	William Morris, Zandra Rhodes
Ceramic Art	Art and design involving the creation of objects made from clay and other ceramic materials	Grayson Perry, Lucie Rie		ceramic art by Grayson Perry –v 5
Glass Art	Art and design created using glass as the primary medium	Dale Chihuly, Louis Comfort Tiffany
Metal Art	Art and design created with metal as the primary medium	Alexander Calder, Richard Serra		Norweigan Viking metal art –v 5
Wood Art	Art and design created using wood as the primary medium	George Nakashima, Wharton Esherick		Viking ship with masterful wood art –v 5
Stone Art	Art and design created using stone as the primary medium	Isamu Noguchi, Barbara Hepworth
Bone Art	Art and design created using bone, often from animals, as the primary medium	Unknown, Contemporary Tribal Artists		Tribal bone art –v 5
Shell Art	Art and design created using shells as the primary medium	Unknown, Contemporary Tribal Artists		Peruvian shell art –v 5
Paper Art	Art and design created using paper as the primary medium	Yulia Brodskaya, Peter Callesen
Book Art	Art and design created using books and bookbinding techniques	Brian Dettmer, Su Blackwell
Paper Mache	Art and design created using a mixture of paper and adhesive to create sculptures and other objects	Niki de Saint Phalle, Kiki Smith		the solar system in paper mache magically floats in space –v 5
De Stijl	An art movement that advocated for pure abstraction and simplicity, using geometric shapes and primary colors	Piet Mondrian, Theo van Doesburg
Bauhaus	An influential design movement focused on functionality, simplicity, and the unity of art, craft, and technology	Walter Gropius, Wassily Kandinsky
Art Informel	A European abstract art movement characterized by spontaneous and gestural brushwork	Jean Dubuffet, Antoni Tàpies
Tachisme	An abstract painting style characterized by spontaneous brushwork, drips, and blobs of paint	Jean Fautrier, Wols
Action Painting	An abstract expressionist painting technique that emphasizes the physical act of painting	Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning
Lyrical Abstraction	An abstract art movement that emphasized free, emotive, and personal expression in painting	Joan Mitchell, Jules Olitski
Color Field Painting	An abstract painting style that features large fields of flat, solid color	Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman

I hope this comprehensive guide to 101 art and photography styles inspires you to explore new creative avenues and expand your artistic repertoire. With so many MidJourney styles to choose from, there’s no limit to what you can create. Happy designing!