How to Create Hand Drawn Illustrations Using Midjourney

Hand drawn illustrations have a charm that digital designs often struggle to replicate. There’s something deeply personal about the imperfect lines, subtle textures, and unique styles that bring these artworks to life.

When I was a kid, I loved sketching with crayons and pencils, creating little worlds on paper. That nostalgia made me curious about how AI could replicate that same warmth and detail.

With tools like Midjourney, it’s surprisingly possible to craft illustrations that look hand-drawn while being created digitally.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how you can use Midjourney to create hand-drawn illustrations.

Create a Base Prompt for Midjourney

A good prompt is important to creating beautiful hand-drawn illustrations with Midjourney. It’s all about being clear and specific while leaving enough room for the AI to bring its creativity.

Here’s the base prompt I use:

[Subject with details], hand drawn illustration, created with [medium: colored pencil, crayon, pencil, ink strokes etc], in a [style: sketchbook, comic, vintage, or doodle], on textured paper.

This prompt gives Midjourney a solid framework to work with while allowing you to customize it to fit your idea. Let’s break it down:

1. Subject with Details

The subject is the centerpiece of your illustration. It could be anything—a cozy cottage, a whimsical fox, or a bustling street market. Adding details makes a huge difference. Instead of saying “a fox,” you could say “a whimsical fox wearing a scarf.” These little touches help the AI capture your vision more accurately.

2. Medium

The medium determines the texture and look of your illustration. You can choose from options like:

• Colored pencils for a soft, layered effect.
• Crayons for a playful, childlike quality.
• Pencils for clean, detailed sketches.
• Ink strokes for bold, expressive lines.

Each medium gives a unique feel to the illustration. Try experimenting to see which one resonates with your idea.

3. Style

The style sets the overall vibe of your illustration. Here are a few options:

• Sketchbook style: Casual and unfinished, as if it were just pulled from an artist’s journal.
• Comic style: Bold and dynamic, with a storytelling element.
• Vintage style: Nostalgic and classic, often with muted tones.
• Doodle style: Playful and fun, with simple, whimsical details.

Mixing the right medium with the right style can make your illustration feel intentional and cohesive.

4. Background

Adding “on textured paper” at the end of the prompt mimics the natural surface of traditional drawings. It adds depth and makes the output feel more authentic. You can also try variations like “on aged parchment” or “on watercolor paper” for different effects.

Let’s see how it all comes together:

A romantic couple under an umbrella in the rain, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper.

This gives Midjourney a clear idea of what to create, while still leaving space for artistic interpretation.

The beauty of this base prompt is that you can tweak it endlessly. Want to change the mood? Swap the subject or style. Looking for a different texture? Try new paper types. It’s all about experimenting until you get the look you want.

Examples of Hand-Drawn Illustration Prompts

Here are some of my favorite prompts for creating hand-drawn illustrations with Midjourney. Each one uses the base format and tweaks the subject, medium, and style to bring out unique results.

• A sailing boat on calm waters, hand drawn illustration, created with colored pencils, in a vintage style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A cozy cottage with smoke coming from the chimney, hand drawn illustration, created with crayons, in a doodle style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A whimsical fox wearing a scarf, hand drawn illustration, created with colored pencils, in a vintage style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A bowl of fresh fruit on a table, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A bustling street market with colorful stalls, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A magical treehouse under a starry sky, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A rustic windmill on a hilltop, hand drawn illustration, created with crayons, in a doodle style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A cheerful snowman with a carrot nose, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A meadow filled with wildflowers, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A romantic couple under an umbrella in the rain, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• An enchanted castle surrounded by mist, hand drawn illustration, created with colored pencils, in a vintage style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A bicycle leaning against a picket fence, hand drawn illustration, created with crayons, in a doodle style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A sleepy owl perched on a branch, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A charming streetlamp glowing at dusk, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A mischievous monkey swinging from vines, hand drawn illustration, created with crayons, in a doodle style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A farmer’s market stand filled with fresh produce, hand drawn illustration, created with colored pencils, in a vintage style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A cozy armchair with a blanket and book, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A cheerful sunflower field under a clear sky, hand drawn illustration, created with crayons, in a doodle style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A vintage airplane flying above the clouds, hand drawn illustration, created with pencils, in a comic style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A curious hedgehog sniffing a mushroom, hand drawn illustration, created with colored pencils, in a vintage style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

• A rustic lighthouse overlooking a rocky shore, hand drawn illustration, created with ink strokes, in a sketchbook style, on textured paper –ar 3:4 –v 6.1

Each prompt shows how the base format can adapt to different subjects, mediums, and styles. Feel free to tweak these to suit your ideas—changing a word or two can completely transform the outcome.

Tips for Improving Your Midjourney Prompts

Crafting the perfect prompt can take a bit of trial and error, but small adjustments often make a big difference in the final output. Here are some tips to help you refine your prompts for better results:

Be Specific with Your Subject

The more detailed your subject description, the better the results. For example, instead of “a house,” try “a rustic cottage with ivy-covered walls and a wooden door.” Specificity helps MidJourney focus on the elements you care about.

Experiment with Mediums

Different mediums, such as colored pencils, crayons, or ink strokes, can significantly change the vibe of the illustration. If one doesn’t feel right, try another. For example, crayons may add a playful tone, while ink strokes can create a more intricate and detailed effect.

Adjust the Style

The style can bring personality to your illustrations. Use terms like sketchbook, doodle, vintage, or comic to convey the atmosphere you’re aiming for. If you’re not happy with the result, experiment with blending styles or switching to something unexpected.

Refine the Textured Paper Effect

Including “textured paper” in your prompt adds depth and a tactile quality to your illustration. If you prefer a cleaner look, you can leave this out, but it’s a great touch for authentic hand-drawn aesthetics.

Play with Aspect Ratios

Aspect ratios like –ar 3:4 can influence the composition and framing of your image. If the default square format doesn’t suit your vision, try other ratios to match your subject, such as 16:9 for landscapes or 2:3 for portraits.

Keep a Record of Effective Prompts

Save the prompts that work well for you. They can serve as a reference or starting point for future creations. Building a personal library of prompts makes it easier to develop consistent and high-quality outputs.

With these tips, your prompts will feel more refined and your hand-drawn illustrations will look even closer to what you envisioned.

Creating hand-drawn illustrations using Midjourney combines the charm of traditional art styles with the flexibility of AI.

By crafting detailed prompts, experimenting with mediums, and refining styles, you can produce illustrations that feel personal and unique.

I hope this guide inspires you to experiment and create illustrations that resonate with your artistic vision.