The same image in a different style can feel completely different. Knowing style keywords lets you control AI images exactly the way you want.
Photography styles
- Photorealistic: lifelike images, great for product shots
- Cinematic: movie-scene look with beautiful light and shadow
- Macro photography: close-ups showing tiny details
- Flat lay: top-down arrangements of objects, great for shops
Cartoon and illustration styles
- 3D cartoon: cute three-dimensional characters
- Anime: Japanese anime style
- Children's book illustration: storybook illustrations
- Chibi: cute characters with big heads
- Kawaii: cute style in pastel colors
Art styles
- Watercolor: soft watercolor paintings
- Oil painting: oil paintings
- Pencil sketch: pencil sketches
- Thai traditional art pattern: Thai traditional motifs
Graphic styles
- Flat design: flat graphics, great for infographics
- Minimalist: clean and simple
- Isometric: diagram-like 3D angle
- Line art: outlines, great for coloring pages
- Sticker style: white border, plain background
- Paper cut art: layered paper-cut images
- Pixel art: retro video game pixels
How to use style keywords
Place the style keywords at the end of your image description, for example: "a girl reading under a mango tree, children's book illustration, watercolor, soft pastel colors". Use the same style for every image when you need a consistent set, such as book illustrations.
Experiment with mixing styles
Try combining 2 styles, such as "3D cartoon + Thai traditional pattern," for fresh, original results. Experiment in Canva AI Image Generator or ChatGPT.
Comparing styles
Try the same description, "a girl walking a dog in a park," and change only the style keyword. You'll see that photorealistic gives a photo-like image, watercolor gives a soft storybook look, and pixel art gives a retro game feel. Experimenting like this helps you discover which style suits your brand.
Modifiers to pair with styles
- Light: golden hour, soft studio light, neon glow
- Color: pastel, vibrant, monochrome blue
- Camera angle: close-up, wide shot, top view
- Mood: cozy, dreamy, energetic
Frequently asked questions
Can I use artists' names in prompts?
Avoid imitating the work of living artists. Describing the characteristics of the style is better.
Why doesn't the image match the style?
Try moving the style keyword to the start of the prompt, or add reinforcing words such as "in the style of a watercolor illustration."
Summary
Style keywords are the key to AI images. Save this list for reference, then learn the basics in Create Beautiful AI Images or download our Free Image Prompts.
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