Creating stunning AI-generated art can be exhilarating, but even the most experienced AI artists can fall into common pitfalls that detract from their work's full potential. From muddled details to mismatched styles, these common mistakes are easy to make and surprisingly simple to fix. Here’s how to elevate your AI art and make sure your next project stands out for all the right reasons.
1. Ignoring Specificity in Prompts
- The Mistake: Using broad, unspecific prompts like “create a futuristic cityscape” often leads to generic results, which may lack the visual impact or details you want.
- The Fix: Be as specific as possible. Describe not only the subject but also the colors, mood, environment, time of day, and even artistic style. For example, try “a vibrant, bustling futuristic cityscape at dusk, with neon lights reflecting off glass skyscrapers, in a cyberpunk art style.” Specificity guides the AI to make choices that align more closely with your vision.
2. Overlooking Lighting and Shadows
- The Mistake: Many artists forget to consider lighting and shadow, resulting in flat, unrealistic images.
- The Fix: Think about the light source and its effects on the scene or subject. Including prompts that detail lighting—such as "soft morning light," "harsh midday sun," or "moody low light with deep shadows"—helps the AI apply realistic and dramatic effects. Adjusting your prompts for lighting creates depth and makes images more immersive.
3. Using Inconsistent Styles in Multi-Element Scenes
- The Mistake: Combining elements with conflicting art styles—such as mixing watercolor with photorealism—can create a disjointed look.
- The Fix: Set a clear style across the entire image. If you're aiming for a surrealistic image, mention that style specifically for each element. Consistency in style keeps the artwork unified, making the viewer’s experience more cohesive.
4. Not Refining Prompt Iterations
- The Mistake: Many artists stop after the first result that looks acceptable, missing out on better possibilities.
- The Fix: Refining your prompt multiple times can yield striking improvements. Try small tweaks to your original prompt and run it a few times, adjusting details as you go. This iterative process often reveals nuances and details you might not have considered in the initial version.
5. Neglecting Composition and Perspective
- The Mistake: AI art often generates images with awkward framing or unbalanced composition, especially if the prompt doesn’t explicitly address these aspects.
- The Fix: Plan the composition you envision and include it in the prompt, such as “a wide-angle view,” “close-up,” “centered composition,” or “dynamic off-center framing.” If you want a specific perspective like a “bird’s-eye view” or “low-angle shot,” include these details to guide the AI.
6. Failing to Check for Human Anatomy and Proportions
- The Mistake: Human figures are notoriously tricky for AI, and results can often include disproportionate limbs or strange facial features.
- The Fix: Carefully review any artwork containing people to ensure correct anatomy. If proportions are off, refine your prompt with specific details about each element of the figure, like “correct proportions” or “natural facial expressions.” Alternatively, you may want to refine the output in photo editing software for precise adjustments.
7. Using AI Alone Without Post-Editing
- The Mistake: Many artists assume the AI’s output is the final product without realizing that a bit of post-processing can enhance the piece further.
- The Fix: Use editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom to touch up the AI output. Adjustments in contrast, brightness, sharpness, and even subtle color corrections can make a significant difference. You can also blend multiple AI outputs to enhance specific areas of detail, adding polish to your work.
8. Ignoring Negative Prompting
- The Mistake: Forgetting to tell the AI what not to include can lead to unwanted elements, such as cluttered backgrounds or unnecessary objects.
- The Fix: Use negative prompts to clarify what you don’t want in the scene. For instance, “no background clutter,” “without any other characters,” or “exclude harsh lighting” can help refine the image, ensuring it stays aligned with your vision.
9. Skipping Feedback and Community Involvement
- The Mistake: Working in isolation can make it hard to identify subtle mistakes or areas for improvement.
- The Fix: Join online communities, forums, or social media groups focused on AI art, where you can share your work and gain constructive feedback. Other AI artists can offer new insights, prompt ideas, and tips for improving your technique. Fresh perspectives help you spot areas you might have missed, speeding up your learning curve.
10. Relying Too Much on Default Settings
- The Mistake: Many artists don’t experiment with the advanced settings available on different AI platforms, leading to generic outputs.
- The Fix: Dive into the settings and adjust parameters like image size, resolution, and detail levels. Different platforms may allow you to control color palettes, line weights, or brush types, adding distinctive touches to your work. Experimenting with these options helps create a unique style and more professional-looking results.
Creating high-quality AI art is a blend of creativity, technical knowledge, and a willingness to experiment. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can drastically improve the quality of your AI art and bring your ideas to life with precision and flair. As you continue exploring AI’s possibilities, you’ll find your own unique workflow that takes your art from good to truly remarkable.
