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Prompting for Surreal and Dreamlike Art

Creating surreal and dreamlike art is one of my favorite things to do! The key is to combine unexpected elements, abstract concepts, and vivid imagery. Here are some of the best prompts I’ve used to achieve that otherworldly, dreamy vibe:


1. Floating Worlds and Impossible Landscapes

  • "A vast, surreal landscape where giant floating islands hover above an endless ocean, with waterfalls cascading into the sky. The sky is filled with two suns, one rising and one setting, casting a kaleidoscope of colors. Include glowing, bioluminescent plants and strange, ancient ruins."

2. Mystical Portraits

  • "A dreamlike portrait of a person with translucent skin, revealing constellations and galaxies within. Their hair flows like liquid gold, and their eyes glow with an ethereal light. Surround them with floating, abstract shapes and soft, glowing mist."

3. Surreal Animal Hybrids

  • "A majestic creature that is half-deer, half-owl, with antlers made of glowing crystal feathers. It stands in a misty forest where the trees have upside-down roots reaching into the sky. The scene is illuminated by a soft, otherworldly moonlight."

4. Dreamlike Cityscapes

  • "A surreal city where the buildings are made of glass and float above the clouds. The streets are rivers of liquid light, and the sky is filled with giant, glowing jellyfish. The atmosphere is soft and hazy, with a dreamy, pastel color palette."

5. Abstract Dreamscapes

  • "An abstract, dreamlike scene where time and space blend together. Show clocks melting into rivers, trees growing upside down, and doors floating in mid-air leading to unknown dimensions. Use a mix of vibrant and muted colors to create a sense of wonder."

6. Mythical and Fantasy Elements

  • "A surreal dreamscape where a giant, sleeping dragon made of stars rests on a floating island. The island is surrounded by a sea of clouds, and the sky is filled with glowing, ancient runes. The atmosphere is mystical and serene."

7. Surreal Still Life

  • "A dreamlike still life of a vase filled with flowers that are half-alive, half-crystal. The flowers glow softly, and the table they sit on is made of liquid mercury. The background is a swirling, abstract mix of colors and shapes."

8. Ethereal Human Transformations

  • "A person slowly transforming into a tree, with branches growing from their arms and leaves sprouting from their hair. The scene is bathed in golden light, and the ground beneath them is covered in glowing, magical flowers."

9. Surreal Underwater Worlds

  • "A dreamlike underwater world where the ocean floor is covered in glowing, neon coral reefs. Schools of fish with translucent bodies swim through the water, and a giant, ancient statue of a forgotten god lies half-buried in the sand. The light filters down in soft, shimmering rays."

10. Whimsical and Playful Surrealism

  • "A surreal scene where giant teacups float in the sky, filled with steaming clouds instead of tea. A ladder made of rainbows leads up to a door in the clouds, and the ground below is a patchwork of colorful, quilt-like fields."

Tips for Crafting Surreal Prompts:

  • Combine opposites: Mix elements that don’t normally go together (e.g., fire and water, mechanical and organic).
  • Use vivid, imaginative language: Words like etherealluminousotherworldly, and kaleidoscopic can help set the tone.
  • Play with scale: Make objects or creatures disproportionately large or small to create a sense of wonder.
  • Focus on mood: Surreal art often evokes emotions like wonder, mystery, or unease, so describe the feeling you want to convey.

What kind of surreal or dreamlike art do you enjoy creating? Do you have a favorite prompt or theme? 😊

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