Crafting the perfect prompt in Leonardo.Ai can make the difference between a mediocre output and a stunning, production-ready image. Prompt engineering is the art of giving the AI just the right words—descriptive enough to guide its creativity, yet structured enough to maintain focus. Whether you’re designing characters, environments, or abstract visuals, learning how to guide the AI properly will dramatically improve your results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Better Prompts

1. Start with the Subject
   Begin with a clear, central object or scene. For example:
   • “a futuristic city skyline”
   • “a female warrior in armor”
2. Add Style or Medium Descriptors
   Clarify the visual style with terms like:
   • “cyberpunk,” “watercolor,” “digital painting,” “oil on canvas”
3. Include Mood or Atmosphere
   Add emotion or setting tone:
   • “moody lighting,” “sunset haze,” “dramatic shadows,” “ethereal glow”
4. Use Detail Enhancers
   Boost realism or complexity with specifics:
   • “highly detailed,” “4K,” “photorealistic,” “ultra sharp”
5. Incorporate Composition Cues
   Help control layout and camera angle:
   • “centered composition,” “isometric view,” “portrait framing,” “overhead shot”
6. Use Modifiers for Styling
   Try combinations like:
   • “trending on ArtStation,” “Unreal Engine 5,” “concept art,” “studio lighting”
7. Chain Prompts Using Commas
   Structure prompts as comma-separated clauses to guide order and focus:”a medieval throne room, cinematic lighting, hyper realistic, intricate gold detailing”
8. Use Negative Prompts Wisely
   Add terms to avoid unwanted features (in Leonardo, these are added in a separate box):
   • “blurry,” “extra limbs,” “bad anatomy,” “text, watermark”
9. Leverage Prompt Magic & RAW Mode
   Turn on Prompt Magic for better interpretive generation. Use RAW mode for advanced fidelity to every word (available on paid plans).
10. Improve Short Prompts with “Improve Your Prompt” Tool
    Type in something basic like “cute alien pet,” and use the tool to expand it into a detailed version with artistic descriptors.

Pro Tips & Prompt Templates

• Character Portrait Template:
  “a {character}, wearing {clothing}, in {setting}, {expression}, {lighting}, {style}, highly detailed”
• Environment Template:
  “a {location}, during {time of day}, with {weather}, viewed from {angle}, in {art style}, realistic textures”
• Product Mockup Template:
  “a {product}, isolated on white, 3D render, studio lighting, minimalist background, commercial quality”
• Use Synonyms: Instead of always saying “realistic,” alternate with “natural-looking,” “authentic,” “lifelike”
• Avoid Overloading: Too many adjectives may confuse the model; balance specificity with clarity

Advanced Use Case: Prompting for Consistency

If you’re generating a character or brand asset across multiple images:

• Use Style Reference with repeated keywords (“red armor,” “silver sword”)
• Save successful prompt phrases and re-use them in other models
• Fine-tune with Custom Models or Alchemy/RAW Mode to lock in attributes

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Incoherent Images: Reorder prompt elements to emphasize key concepts first
• Weird Poses or Limbs: Use negative prompts like “bad anatomy, extra fingers”
• Washed Out Style: Add modifiers like “high contrast,” “bold colors”
• Background Bleed: Specify “clean background” or “isolated subject”
• Style Drift: Lock it with Prompt Magic + consistent phrasing

Conclusion

Prompt engineering in Leonardo.Ai is part art, part science. By being intentional with your wording, balancing creativity with structure, and iterating on what works, you’ll unlock the full visual potential of this powerful AI platform.

Want to take it further? Try combining your prompts with AI Canvas editing or training your own custom model for total stylistic control.