Creating the best prompts for DALL-E 3 (or any version of DALL-E) requires a combination of clarity, specificity, creativity, and understanding of the model’s capabilities and limitations. Luckily, many of the fundamentals we’ve covered in how to create the best Photoshop generative fill prompts are applicable here too.
Creating different art styles, such as that of Disney Pixar’s style, and using DALL-E 3 for design will give you a bunch of flexibility while you’re working, but above all of that, it can just be quite fun. Here’s how to create the best prompts in DALL-E 3 for a range of different needs.
Here’s how we would craft the best prompts in DALL-E 3.
- Be descriptive
Use detailed and concrete descriptions. Instead of saying “a tree,” you might specify “a tall oak tree with sprawling branches and golden leaves against a sunset sky.”
- Specify the image type
Mention if you want a photo, oil painting, cartoon, illustration, etc., at the beginning of the caption. This helps guide the kind of output you’ll receive.
- Avoid ambiguity
Be clear about what you want. Ambiguous prompts can lead to unpredictable results. For instance, instead of “a man flying,” you might want to specify “a man with wings soaring above the clouds.”
- Include context
Sometimes, adding a bit of background or setting can help. For example, “a medieval knight riding a dragon over a snow-covered mountain” provides more context than just “a knight riding a dragon.”
- Diversify descriptions
When describing scenes with people, ensure that depictions are diverse in terms of gender, descent, and other attributes. This not only promotes inclusivity but also helps to get varied results.
- Experiment
DALL-E 3 can generate a wide variety of images based on the prompts, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try different phrasings or concepts.
- Consider artistic styles
 If you’re looking for a specific artistic style, reference styles that are over 100 years old or describe the characteristics of the style without naming modern artists.
Best prompts for DALL-E 3 art styles
For a range of different art styles, you’re going to want to tailor each prompt to suit each one. For example, those looking to create anime art or character design will look for a different set of prompts than those looking to recreate impressionist landscapes.
Character Design prompts
DALL-E 3, and AI art generators as a whole, are all really great for character design. For myself, I’ve currently in the process of creating an analog horror graphic novel. Generative AIs have been really helpful in creating quick character mock-ups, though they will only really serve as inspiration.
- Anthropomorphic
- Steampunk
- Ethereal
- Cybernetic
- Medieval
- Futuristic
- Nomadic
- Aristocratic
- Martial
- Arcane
- Elemental
- Celestial
- Underworld
- Tribal
- Samurai
- Victorian
- Mutant
- Android
- Sorcerer
- Barbarian
- Elven
- Dystopian
- Regal
- Merfolk
- Ninja
- Shamanic
- Gothic
- Extraterrestrial
- Gladiator
- Cyborg
Anime art prompts for DALL-E 3
- Manga
- Chibi
- Kawaii (cute in Japanese)
- Shoujo (targeted at young girls, often romantic themes)
- Shounen (targeted at young boys, often action themes)
- Isekai (fantasy world setting)
- Mecha (robots and mechanical themes)
- Magical girl
- Tsundere (character trope of someone who is initially cold but becomes affectionate)
- School uniform
Gothic art in DALL-E 3
Here are a few words which can help you create gothic art in DALL-E 3. These should be integrated into your prompts to help you describe the scenes you want to create:
- Dark
- Cathedral
- Stained-glass
- Arches
- Gargoyles
- Candelabra
- Medieval
- Cobwebs
- Ironwork
How to create Impressionist art in DALL-E 3
Impressionist art is known for evocative brushstrokes, pastel colors, and idyllic scenery. Here’s how we’d incorporate those words into your DALL-E 3 prompts.
- Dappled light
- Soft brushstrokes
- Luminous
- En Plein Air
- Vivid Colours
- Transient moments
- Atmospheric haze
- Spontaneity
- Loose composition
- Pastoral scenes
How to generate portrait art in DALL-E 3
- Elegant
- Regal
- Stroic
- Whimsical
- Contemplative
- Radiant
- Mystical
- Headshot
- Sideview
- Deep depth of field
- Bokeh
- Candid
- Soft focus
- Weathered
- Vibrant
That’s as much we have on the best DALL-E 3 prompts, though we would recommend having a look at how to fix the DALL-E 3 “error creating images” issue that might stop you from creating what you’re after. We might also suggest having a go at creating NAI Diffusion artwork, which would allow you to create Anime art to an extremely high level.
