Fantasy Art
AI Prompt Inspiration
Bring your imagination to life with keywords that are proven to work!
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Magic: the Gathering”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a malevolent wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel”
~Built in Midjourney
Midjourney & Firefly Tested Keywords
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How It Works
Since fantasy art is used in so many ways, I’ve selected 4 base prompts that cover a wide range of topics and use cases. An Elfish princess on a movie poster, a dragon from a video game, an illustration of a wizard character, and two vampires on the cover of a cheesy novel.
Each section below is dedicated to a specific keyword or topic. The image examples show how each keyword changes the base prompts in both Midjourney and Firefly.
Below are the control images so you can see what the prompts generate without any additional keywords.
Elfish Princess Movie Poster
A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess
Dragon from a Video Game
A dragon in a fantasy video game
Illustration of Wizard Mixing Poitions
A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions
Two Vampires on a Book Cover
Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel
Quick Links
Qualification
History
Mediums
What Makes Fantasy Art, Fantasy Art?
Fantasy art can be a difficult movement to define because it encompasses multiple mediums, cultures, and styles.
However, one thing connects a Lord of the Rings movie poster with Botticelli’s Renaissance painting “The Birth of Venus”: the imaginative depiction of another world.
Fantasy art is all about escapism. The art transports the viewer to worlds of magic, folklore, and wonder.
Otherworldly
Malevolent
Dreamy
Magical
Folklore
Wonder
Otherworldly
This keyword generates fantasy images that look like they are from a completely different realm. The architecture looks like it was made on a whole new planet and a misty sort of magic clings to the air.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Otherworldly Depiction, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “An otherworldly fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An otherworldly dragon in a fantasy video game “
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An otherworldly fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “An otherworldly dragon in a fantasy video game “
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “An otherworldly fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of an Otherworldly fantasy novel “
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An otherworldly fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of an Otherworldly fantasy novel “
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “An otherworldly fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An otherworldly dragon in a fantasy video game “
~Built in Midjourney
Malevolent
What good fantasy story is complete without a good villain!? Fantasy is all about the fight between good evil, between the light and dark, between justice and malevelence.
This keyword creates much more serious characters with angular features and evil glares. The colors back and red are much more likely to make an appearance with this word in the prompt.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a malevolent elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A malevolent dragon in a fantasy video game “
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a malevolent elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A malevolent dragon in a fantasy video game “
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a malevolent wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two malevolent vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a malevolent wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two malevolent vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a malevolent elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A malevolent dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Midjourney
Dreamy
The dreamy keyword works well when generating fantasy art, as many of the biggest fantasy icons have come from dreams.
This keyword usually uses dreamy colours such as light blues, pinks, and purples.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A dreamy fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dreamy dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dreamy fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dreamy dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dreamy fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two dreamy vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dreamy fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two dreamy vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A dreamy fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dreamy dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Midjourney
Magical
I didn’t have to go that far to come up with magical as a good keyword for generating fantasy images, but I wanted to include it anyway since it has such a strong influence on a prompt.
These images are elevated by the magical elements both AIs adds to the compositions. Midjourney tends to add glittering stardust or ethereal smoke to images, while Firefly adds a magical glow to its images.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a Magical elfish princess“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A Magical dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a Magical elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A Magical dragon in a fantasy video game”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a and Magical wizard mixing potions“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two Magical vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a and Magical wizard mixing potions“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two Magical vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel“
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of a Magical elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A Magical dragon in a fantasy video game“
~Built in Midjourney
Folklore
The Eclectic Maximalist design is just what its name means: more of everything! It’s defined by bright colours, tons of fun textures, and just so much art!
Photos generated using this style are busy but in the best possible way! It’s cool to see all the little trinkets and bobbles Midjourney generates in the background. Some of the artwork can be pretty breathtaking!
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Otherworldly Depiction, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess, folklore“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, folklore“
~Built in Midjourney
Firefly Effects: Painting
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess, folklore“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, folklore“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions, folklore“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, folklore”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions, folklore“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, folklore”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess, folklore“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, folklore“
~Built in Midjourney
Wonder
Wonder was an interesting keyword because it didn’t affect all the prompts in the same way, yet each image is elevated in its own unique way. I guess that’s the beauty of wonderment!
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “a candid photo of a happy father and daughter, Eclectic maximalist interior design“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, wonder“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “diverse woman reading in an office with Eclectic maximalist interior design“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, wonder“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions, wonder“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, wonder“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions, wonder“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, wonder”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess, wonder“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, wonder“
~Built in Midjourney
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Brief History: Interior Design
The explosion of fantasy in popular culture, with franchises like Marvel, Harry Potter, and Star Wars, might lead you to believe fantasy art is a recent phenomenon. However, fantasy art’s roots trace back centuries! Even Renaissance masters incorporated fantastical elements, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Greek and Roman mythology.
The 19th century saw a turning point as affordable pulp fiction boomed, bringing fantastical imagery directly to the masses through captivating book covers. Throughout the 20th century, fantasy art continued to flourish, adorning the covers of beloved novels, gracing coveted movie posters, and breathing life into iconic games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering.
Renaissance
Depicting mythological creatures was popular during this artistic period.
Greek and Roman Mythology
A popular fantasy mythology artists pull from.
Pulp Fiction
Affordable books in the 19th century often used fantasy art on the covers.
Magic: the Gathering
A popular fantasy card game that hires fantasy artists to create unique art for each character within the game.
Dungeons & Dragons
A popular role-playing game that often inspires its players to create illustrations of their characters.
Renaissance
The clothing and architecture in the images look like they are from a time of kings, knights, and jousting tournaments. The images also tend to look like stills from a period piece or oil paintings appropriate to the time.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of the Renaissance“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of the Renaissance“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of the Renaissance”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of the Renaissance“
~Built in Midjourney
Greek and Roman Mythology
This keyword often brings in Greek and Roman architecture and clothing such as columns and togas. Colours are usually more muted and red is more likely to be pulled in.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “a candid photo of a happy father and daughter, Eclectic maximalist interior design“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Greek and Roman mythology“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “diverse woman reading in an office with Eclectic maximalist interior design“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Greek and Roman mythology“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of Greek and Roman mythology”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of Greek and Roman mythology”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of Greek and Roman mythology”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of Greek and Roman mythology”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Greek and Roman mythology“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Greek and Roman mythology“
~Built in Midjourney
Pulp Fiction
Images generated using “pulp fiction” usually have more of a vintage quality to them. Simplified dual tone illustrations are much more likely to be generated. Midjourney’s illustrations in particular look like they’ve jumped off the page of an 80’s magazine.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of pulp fiction“
~Built in Midjourney
Magic: the Gathering
Magic: the Gathering have a very distinct style. Its iconic digital art style and bright, vivid colours have helped skyrocket the games popularity and created a new market for fantasy artists. Some of these cards are selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Midjourney does a pretty great job at recreating this style.
Since Magic: the Gathering to a proprietary property, this keyword doesn’t work in Firefly. Click here to jump ahead to the next Firefly keyword.
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Magic: the Gathering“
~Built in Midjourney
Dungeons & Dragons
Since the Dungeons & Dragons game relies so heavily on its participants imagination, the Dungeons & Dragons style is little more varied.
In Midjourney, the keyword tends to generate more realistic and cinematic images.
Since Dungeons & Dragons to a proprietary property, this keyword doesn’t work in Firefly. Click here to jump ahead to the next Firefly keyword.
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Dungeons & Dragons”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Dungeons & Dragons“
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions in the style of Dungeons & Dragons“
~Built in Midjouney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel in the style of Dungeons & Dragons“
~Built in Midjourney
Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess in the style of Dungeons & Dragons”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game in the style of Dungeons & Dragons“
~Built in Midjourney
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Fantasy Art Mediums
The Fantasy Art movement is pretty special in the sense that it isn’t confined to a specific medium. In fact, you’d be pretty hard pressed to find a medium you can’t do Fantasy Art in!
Medium keywords work great in AI image generators since they give so much style information. Take a look at these 5 keywords and see how they transform the images.
Digital Art
Illustration
Oil Painting
Mixed Media
Watercolor
Digital Art
Digital uniquely sits in between photographs and physical illustrations. They tend to look pretty photo realistic, but still have an artistic element to them.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A digital art fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of digital art”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A digital art fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of digital art”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A digital art fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of digital art”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A digital art fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of digital art”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A digital art fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of digital art”
~Built in Midjourney
Illustrative
This keyword is great is you don’t quite know what style you’d like to use. Illustration is such a broad team so the AIs tend to give you broad images. None of them are quite photo realistic though and maintain an artistic element.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “An illustrative fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of illustrative”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An illustrative fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of illustrative”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “An illustrative fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of illustrative”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An illustrative fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of illustrative”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “An illustrative fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of illustrative”
~Built in Midjourney
Oil Painting
I find oil painting is the best keyword if you’d like your images to look like traditional paintings.
Firefly Effects: Painting
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “An oil painting fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of oil painting”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “An oil painting fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of oil painting”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A fantasy character oil painting of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of oil painting”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A fantasy character oil painting of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of oil painting”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “An oil painting fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of oil painting”
~Built in Midjourney
Mixed Media
While neither Midjourney or Firefly quite generate any art that would technically be mixed media art, their attempts at it tend to be more interesting! Both AIs tend to give the image 3D elements to make it look like the images are raised off the page.
Firefly Effects: Art, Fantasy, Digital Art, Concept Art, Cinematic, Hyper Realistic, Painting, Oil Painting
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A mixed media fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of mixed media”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A mixed media fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of mixed media”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A mixed media fantasy character artwork of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of mixed media”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A mixed media fantasy character artwork of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of mixed media”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A mixed media fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of mixed media”
~Built in Midjourney
Midjourney
Firefly
Prompt: “A watercolor fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of watercolor”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A watercolor fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of watercolor”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “A watercolor fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of watercolor”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A watercolor fantasy character illustration of a wizard mixing potions”
~Built in Firefly
Prompt: “Two vampires on the cover of a fantasy novel, in the style of watercolor”
~Built in Firefly
Midjourney
Prompt: “A watercolor fantasy movie poster of an elfish princess”
~Built in Midjourney
Prompt: “A dragon in a fantasy video game, in the style of watercolor”
~Built in Midjourney