midjourney for drawing ideas

21 Midjourney Prompts for Drawing Ideas

As an artist, I’m always on the lookout for fresh drawing ideas. Sometimes, inspiration strikes out of nowhere. Other times, I need a little nudge to get my creative juices flowing.

That’s where Midjourney comes in. It’s an AI tool that turns text prompts into images. I’ve found it incredibly helpful for sparking new ideas when I’m feeling stuck.

In this post, I’ll share 21 Midjourney prompts I use to kickstart my drawing sessions. These prompts are simple yet effective, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists looking to try something new.

Create Drawing Ideas with Midjourney

I’ve found that using Midjourney for drawing inspiration has really changed my creative process. It’s like having a brainstorming buddy available 24/7.

What I love about Midjourney is how it takes my text prompts and turns them into visual starting points. It’s not about copying the AI-generated images, but using them as a springboard for my own ideas.

The 21 prompts I’m about to share are ones I’ve used successfully. They’re simple and straightforward, focusing on basic shapes and concepts. This simplicity is key – it leaves plenty of room for your own imagination to take over.

I’ve noticed that these prompts often lead me down unexpected creative paths. A simple prompt about a tree might inspire a whole series of nature-themed sketches, or a basic shape could spark an idea for an abstract composition.

21 Prompts for Drawing Ideas

I’ve compiled these 21 prompts to help you kick-start your drawing practice. Each one comes with the exact prompt I used and a brief description of what it might inspire.

Whimsical Face

Prompt: A stylized face with an oval outline and simplified features, such as two dots for eyes and a curved line for a smile. The expression is playful and inviting. –ar 3:4

This prompt is great for practicing simplified facial expressions. It’s a fun way to explore how minimal features can convey different emotions.

A stylized face with an oval outline and simplified features, such as two dots for eyes and a curved line for a smile. The expression is playful and inviting. --ar 3:4

Arched Bridge

Prompt: A basic bridge with a series of arches spanning a river, drawn in a simple outline style. The arches are evenly spaced for a balanced composition. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice architectural elements and perspective. It’s a good starting point for sketching landscapes or urban scenes.

A basic bridge with a series of arches spanning a river, drawn in a simple outline style. The arches are evenly spaced for a balanced composition. --ar 3:4

Branching Tree

Prompt: A silhouette of a tree with a straight trunk and branching limbs, drawn with bold, flowing lines. The leaves are suggested with soft, rounded shapes. –ar 3:4

This prompt helps in studying organic forms and how to simplify complex natural structures.

A silhouette of a tree with a straight trunk and branching limbs, drawn with bold, flowing lines. The leaves are suggested with soft, rounded shapes. --ar 3:4

Flower Burst

Prompt: Individual flower petals arranged in a circular pattern, each petal drawn with gentle curves and a delicate outline. The center of the flower is a small circle. –ar 3:4

Perfect for practicing symmetry and repetitive patterns. It’s also a great warm-up exercise for your hand-eye coordination.

Individual flower petals arranged in a circular pattern, each petal drawn with gentle curves and a delicate outline. The center of the flower is a small circle. --ar 3:4

Simple Home

Prompt: A basic house with a triangular roof, square windows, and a rectangular door, drawn in a straightforward, architectural style. The scene is clean and orderly. –ar 3:4

This prompt is useful for practicing basic geometric shapes and how they combine to form familiar objects.

A basic house with a triangular roof, square windows, and a rectangular door, drawn in a straightforward, architectural style. The scene is clean and orderly. --ar 3:4

Floating Vessel

Prompt: A simple sketch of a boat floating on water, with a curved hull and a single mast. Gentle waves are suggested with soft, wavy lines beneath the boat. –ar 3:4

This prompt helps practice drawing curved lines and creating a sense of movement in your sketches.

A simple sketch of a boat floating on water, with a curved hull and a single mast. Gentle waves are suggested with soft, wavy lines beneath the boat. --ar 3:4

Jagged Peaks

Prompt: The outline of a mountain range with jagged peaks, drawn in bold, angular lines. The mountains are silhouetted against a blank sky, creating a dramatic landscape. –ar 3:4

Use this to experiment with creating depth and scale in your drawings using just outlines.

The outline of a mountain range with jagged peaks, drawn in bold, angular lines. The mountains are silhouetted against a blank sky, creating a dramatic landscape. --ar 3:4

Conical Pine

Prompt: A pine tree with a triangular shape and a straight trunk, drawn with minimal lines. The tree is placed against a blank background for contrast. –ar 3:4

This prompt is great for practicing how to suggest texture and form with minimal detail.

A pine tree with a triangular shape and a straight trunk, drawn with minimal lines. The tree is placed against a blank background for contrast. --ar 3:4

Sky Puffs

Prompt: Fluffy clouds sketched with curved outlines, floating gently across a clear sky. The focus is on capturing the soft, airy appearance of the clouds. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice creating depth and movement in sky scenes.

Fluffy clouds sketched with curved outlines, floating gently across a clear sky. The focus is on capturing the soft, airy appearance of the clouds. --ar 3:4

Veined Leaf

Prompt: A single leaf with a central vein and a few branching veins, drawn in a simple, elegant outline. The shape of the leaf is natural and organic. –ar 3:4

This prompt helps in studying natural forms and practicing organic line work.

A single leaf with a central vein and a few branching veins, drawn in a simple, elegant outline. The shape of the leaf is natural and organic. --ar 3:4

Lollipop Tree

Prompt: A tree with a straight trunk and a round canopy, drawn in a simple outline. The branches are hinted at with gentle curves within the canopy. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

A tree with a straight trunk and a round canopy, drawn in a simple outline. The branches are hinted at with gentle curves within the canopy. --ar 3:4

Vintage Wheels

Prompt: A classic car silhouette, with basic shapes for the body, wheels, and windows. The outline captures the iconic shape of a vintage automobile. –ar 3:4

This prompt is great for practicing how to capture the essence of an object with minimal lines.

A classic car silhouette, with basic shapes for the body, wheels, and windows. The outline captures the iconic shape of a vintage automobile. --ar 3:4

Rain Shield

Prompt: A simple umbrella with a curved handle and a round canopy, drawn with smooth, flowing lines. The canopy is open, showcasing its elegant structure. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice drawing curved lines and creating a sense of three-dimensional form.

A simple umbrella with a curved handle and a round canopy, drawn with smooth, flowing lines. The canopy is open, showcasing its elegant structure. --ar 3:4

Happy Bloom

Prompt: A cartoon-style sunflower with a large round center and oversized petals. The flower stands tall on a simple stem with a few leaves. –ar 3:4

This prompt helps in practicing exaggeration and stylization in your drawings.

A cartoon-style sunflower with a large round center and oversized petals. The flower stands tall on a simple stem with a few leaves. --ar 3:4

Feline Friend

Prompt: A playful cat sitting with its tail curled around its paws, sketched with smooth, continuous lines. The cat’s face has simple features, adding charm to the pose. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice capturing animal forms and expressions with simple lines.

A playful cat sitting with its tail curled around its paws, sketched with smooth, continuous lines. The cat's face has simple features, adding charm to the pose. --ar 3:4

Rolling Waves

Prompt: A series of stylized ocean waves, drawn with smooth, wavy lines. The waves overlap slightly, creating a sense of movement and flow –ar 3:4

This prompt is great for practicing fluid, continuous line work and creating a sense of rhythm in your drawings.

A series of stylized ocean waves, drawn with smooth, wavy lines. The waves overlap slightly, creating a sense of movement and flow --ar 3:4

Open Pages

Prompt: An open book with simple outlines of the pages and cover. The book is lying flat, with a few lines to suggest text on the pages. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice perspective and how to suggest detail with minimal lines.

An open book with simple outlines of the pages and cover. The book is lying flat, with a few lines to suggest text on the pages. --ar 3:4

Bright Idea

Prompt: A light bulb hanging from a cord, sketched with clean lines to capture the shape and transparency of the bulb. –ar 3:4

This prompt helps in practicing how to suggest transparency and light in your sketches.

A light bulb hanging from a cord, sketched with clean lines to capture the shape and transparency of the bulb. --ar 3:4

Time Keeper

Prompt: A clock face with a circular outline and minimal hour and minute markers. The hands of the clock are set to a specific time. –ar 3:4

Use this to practice drawing perfect circles and creating balanced compositions.

A clock face with a circular outline and minimal hour and minute markers. The hands of the clock are set to a specific time. --ar 3:4

Night Light

Prompt: A street lamp with a curved post and a simple lampshade, drawn in an outline style. The lamp is positioned to cast light onto a path. –ar 3:4

This prompt is useful for practicing how to suggest light sources in your drawings.

A street lamp with a curved post and a simple lampshade, drawn in an outline style. The lamp is positioned to cast light onto a path. --ar 3:4

Space Bound

Prompt: A simple rocket with a pointed nose cone and symmetrical fins, drawn in a vertical position as if ready for launch –ar 3:4

Use this to practice symmetry and how to create a sense of anticipation or action in a static image.

A simple rocket with a pointed nose cone and symmetrical fins, drawn in a vertical position as if ready for launch --ar 3:4

These prompts are just starting points. Feel free to modify them or combine elements from different prompts. The key is to use them as a springboard for your own creativity.

Tips to Create Drawing Ideas with Midjourney

Here are some tips I’ve picked up while using Midjourney for drawing inspiration:

Keep it simple

Start with basic prompts. You don’t need complex descriptions. Simple ideas often lead to the most interesting results.

Play with words

Try different adjectives or verbs in your prompts. Changing “A cat sitting” to “A cat lounging” can give you a whole new perspective.

Mix and match

Combine elements from different prompts. A “whimsical face” could become a “whimsical cloud” or a “whimsical house”.

Use the aspect ratio

The “–ar 3:4” at the end of each prompt sets the image dimensions. Try different ratios to see how they affect your composition.

Don’t aim for perfection

These are just starting points. The AI-generated image doesn’t have to be perfect. Use it as a jumping-off point for your own ideas.

Iterate on ideas

If you like a result, try tweaking the prompt slightly. Small changes can lead to interesting variations.

Think in shapes

Focus on basic shapes in your prompts. This helps create clear, easy-to-draw concepts.

Add mood or style

Words like “cheerful”, “mysterious”, or “minimalist” can dramatically change the feel of your results.

Use it for warm-ups

Try using Midjourney prompts as a daily warm-up exercise. It’s a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

Save your favorites

Keep a list of prompts that work well for you. You can always come back to them when you need a quick idea.

I hope these Midjourney prompts and tips have given you some fresh ideas for your drawing practice.

What I love about using Midjourney for inspiration is how it pushes me to think differently. Sometimes, the results are exactly what I expected. Other times, they’re completely surprising. But either way, they get me drawing.

Don’t worry if your sketches don’t look exactly like the AI-generated images. That’s not the point. The goal is to get your creative gears turning and your pencil moving across the paper.

Drawing, like any skill, gets better with practice. So why not use these prompts as a daily challenge? Pick one each day and see what you come up with. You might surprise yourself with what you create.

Keep drawing, keep creating, and most of all, keep enjoying the process!

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