How to Create Coloring Book Illustrations Using AI

As a kid, I always loved coloring books. There was something magical about bringing black and white pages to life with vibrant colors. Even as an adult, I find coloring to be a relaxing and creative outlet. That’s why I was thrilled when I discovered that I could use AI to generate my own unique coloring book illustrations.

In this blog post, I’ll share my experience creating coloring book pages using Midjourney, an AI-powered image generator. I’ll walk you through seven different prompts I used to create a variety of illustrations, from simple designs for young children to more intricate patterns for adults.

So, whether you’re a seasoned artist looking for new inspiration or a beginner who’s curious about the possibilities of AI-generated art, join me on this exciting journey into the world of AI-assisted coloring book creation!

The Importance of Prompts

Before we look into the specific prompts I used, let’s take a moment to understand why prompts are so crucial when working with AI image generators like Midjourney. Prompts are the key to communicating your vision to the AI, and the more descriptive and precise your prompts are, the better the results will be.

When creating prompts for coloring book illustrations, it’s essential to consider factors such as:

• Age range: Is your coloring book aimed at young children, older kids, or adults? This will influence the complexity of your designs.
• Style: Do you want simple outlines, intricate patterns, or bold line art? Specify the style in your prompt.
• Subject matter: From cute animals to cosmic scenes, the possibilities are endless. Be clear about what you want your illustration to depict.
• Details: Include any specific details you want to see in your illustration, such as “minimal detail” or “high detail.”
• Color: If you want a black and white illustration, make sure to specify “line art” or “coloring book style” in your prompt.

By taking the time to craft specific and descriptive prompts, you’ll be amazed at the stunning and unique coloring book illustrations Midjourney can generate. So, let’s take a look at some of the prompts I used and the results they produced!

Prompts for Coloring Book Illustrations

Prompt 1

For the first prompt, I wanted to create a simple dog illustration suitable for young children aged 3-5 years old. I kept in mind that the design should have clear spaces for coloring and minimal detail to avoid overwhelming young kids.

Prompt: outline drawing of a dog in a simple style for a children’s coloring book in the age range 3-5 years old, with clear spaces for coloring, no background, and minimal detail.

I found this prompt from this X thread from SamurAI.

Midjourney generated a cute, cartoon-style dog outline that perfectly fit my criteria. The lines were bold and clear, making it easy for little hands to color within the spaces. The dog’s features were simplified, with just enough detail to make it recognizable as a dog without being too complex.

I particularly liked how the AI included a playful touch. This adds a bit of personality to the illustration while keeping it simple and age-appropriate.

When creating coloring book illustrations for young children, it’s important to keep the designs simple and uncluttered. Too much detail can be overwhelming and frustrating for young kids who are still developing their fine motor skills. This prompt is a great example of communicating your intent clearly to the AI, resulting in an illustration that perfectly suits your target audience.

Prompt 2

For the second prompt, I wanted to create a more intricate illustration suitable for older children or adults who enjoy detailed coloring pages. I envisioned a whimsical fairy garden filled with floral patterns and delicate lines.

Prompt: Whimsical fairy garden with intricate floral patterns, line art, black and white, high detail, coloring book style.

The resulting illustration was so good. Midjourney created a beautiful, intricate design featuring a variety of flowers, vines, and fairy-like elements. The level of detail was impressive, with thin lines and complex patterns that would provide hours of coloring enjoyment for older kids and adults.

What I loved most about this illustration was how the AI interpreted the prompt to create a cohesive, enchanting scene. The various elements were woven together seamlessly, creating a sense of depth and movement within the picture.

When designing coloring pages for older children and adults, it’s important to provide enough complexity to keep them engaged and challenged. Intricate patterns and detailed linework can be incredibly satisfying to color, allowing for a meditative and relaxing experience.

Prompt 3

For the third prompt, I wanted to venture into a more imaginative and otherworldly realm. I decided to create a cosmic scene filled with planets, galaxies, and celestial beings.

Prompt: Cosmic scene with planets, galaxies, and celestial beings, line art, coloring book sketch.

Midjourney generated an awe-inspiring illustration that transported me to a fantastical universe. The scene featured an array of planets with varying patterns and textures, swirling galaxies, and mysterious celestial objects.

What impressed me most was the level of creativity and imagination displayed in the illustration. The AI took the prompt and ran with it, creating a design that was both intricate and surreal. The linework was clean and well-defined, making it perfect for coloring.

When crafting prompts for imaginative scenes, feel free to let your creativity run wild. The more descriptive and evocative your prompt, the more interesting and engaging the resulting illustration will be. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different themes and elements to see what kind of magical designs Midjourney can conjure up!

Prompt 4

For the fourth prompt, I decided to return to a simpler style suitable for younger children. I wanted to create a lion illustration with minimal details and clear lines.

Prompt: lion, outline drawing, children’s coloring book, simple style, minimal details.

Midjourney generated a delightful lion outline that perfectly captured the essence of the prompt. The lion’s features were simplified, with bold lines and clear spaces for coloring. The mane was represented by a few curved lines, giving the impression of a lion’s regal appearance without overwhelming young colorers.

What I appreciated about this illustration was how the AI managed to convey the lion’s character with just a few well-placed lines. The lion’s face had a friendly, almost smiling expression, making it approachable and appealing to children.

Prompt 5

For the fifth prompt, I wanted to create a cute dinosaur illustration that would appeal to kids who love these prehistoric creatures. I aimed for a bold, easy-to-color design with a children’s book style.

Prompt: cute dinosaur, bold line art, children’s book style.

The resulting illustration was adorable. Midjourney created a friendly-looking dinosaur with round, expressive eyes and a smiling mouth. The lines were thick and bold, making it easy for kids to color within the spaces.

What I loved about this illustration was how the AI captured the “cute” aspect of the prompt. The dinosaur had a charming, almost cartoonish appearance that would instantly appeal to children. The bold linework also gave the design a striking, eye-catching quality.

Prompt 6

For the sixth prompt, I wanted to create a more complex illustration suitable for adult coloring books. I decided to focus on a landscape scene with intricate details and patterns.

Prompt: landscape art, adult coloring book style.

Midjourney generated a stunning landscape illustration featuring mountains, trees, and a winding river. The level of detail was incredible, with intricate patterns and textures throughout the scene. The linework was fine and delicate, providing plenty of opportunities for detailed coloring.

What I appreciated about this illustration was how the AI interpreted the “adult coloring book style” prompt. The design had a sophisticated, artistic quality that would appeal to adults looking for a more challenging and rewarding coloring experience.

When creating coloring book illustrations for adults, it’s important to provide enough complexity and detail to keep them engaged. Intricate patterns, shading, and fine linework can make for a more satisfying and immersive coloring session.

Prompt 7

For the final prompt, I wanted to showcase how AI can be used to create both a line art illustration and a colored version of the same image. This can be helpful for coloring book creators who want to provide an example of what the finished illustration might look like.

Prompt: Two same images of hen, line art, children’s book style, one image is colored.

Midjourney generated two identical illustrations of a hen, one in black and white line art and the other fully colored. The line art version had clear, bold lines that were perfect for coloring, while the colored version featured vibrant, cheerful colors that brought the hen to life.

What I found interesting about this prompt was how the AI was able to create two versions of the same illustration, demonstrating its versatility and potential for coloring book creation. The colored version can serve as inspiration for colorers, giving them an idea of how they might approach coloring the line art.

When creating coloring book illustrations, it can be helpful to provide a colored example to guide and inspire your audience. This prompt shows how you can use AI to generate both the line art and colored versions of your design, saving time and effort in the process.

In this blog post, we’ve explored the exciting world of AI-generated coloring book illustrations. We’ve seen how powerful prompts can be in guiding AI tools like Midjourney to create unique, engaging designs suitable for all ages and skill levels.

I hope this post has inspired you to experiment with AI-generated coloring book illustrations. The possibilities are truly endless, limited only by your imagination and creativity. So, have fun crafting prompts, marveling at the AI’s creations, and sharing your unique coloring books with others.