Midjourney is one of the best artificial intelligence image generators on the market, capable of creating everything from 3D cartoons to vibrant photorealism, and the style referencing feature adds a whole new dimension to these images.
There are thought to be hundreds of thousands of style options available for the –sref parameter, but even Midjourney doesn't know exactly how many styles there are or what each one represents.
The AI startup is apparently building a dictionary of different styles, which will make it easier to adapt your images. In the meantime, here are seven different styles I found while playing around with Midjourney, including one I used to create a black-and-white band video.
If you've never used Midjourney before, check out our getting started guide. You can try out these prompts on the web or Discord version.
Use style references throughout your journey
There are a few ways to find new styles, including stories like this one, posts from X creators, or using Midjourney's Random Style feature.
I've built my own random number generator and have been experimenting with different references with it, these are some of my favorites that I've used recently:
1. Medieval Market Square (–sref 1135348669)
In the first image, I'm using style reference code 1135348669. I've decided to call this style Whimsical Watercolor – it looks like a drunk watercolor painting.
Complete prompt: “A medieval market square bustling with colorful stalls, vendors advertising their wares, and townsfolk dressed in period costume. A majestic castle can be seen in the background –ar 16:9 –sref 1135348669”
2. An Astronaut's Journey (–sref 1286756982)
This image uses style 1286756982, but I decided to call it a “Vivid Retro Illustration” – an illustration that uses vibrant colors and exudes a 60s vibe.
Full prompt: “An astronaut floats through the vastness of space, gazing at the vibrant, swirling colors of a distant galaxy while an alien spaceship approaches in the distance –ar 16:9 –sref 1286756982.”
3. Autumn Zen Garden (–sref 3413738811)
The next image is a great photo of a Zen garden. For this image, I used the style reference 3413738811 and named it “Ethereal Anime Realism.”
Complete prompt: “A tranquil Japanese garden in autumn. Koi fish swim in a clear pond, vibrant red and orange maple leaves gently fall, and a traditional teahouse stands in the background –ar 16:9 –sref 3413738811.”
4. Rustic Winter Cabin (–sref 1755994711)
The style is called “Winter Folk Art,” the code is 1755994711, and it has a Disney-esque feel to it, especially the animals.
Full prompt: “A cozy, rustic cabin in the snowy woods. Smoke rises quietly from the chimney, warm light shines from the windows, and a family of deer graze nearby. –ar 16:9 –sref 1755994711”
5. Coral Reef Expedition (–sref 3520401691)
For this prompt, which depicts an underwater scene, I chose a style that was as close to “general digital art” as I could find. The code is 3520401691, and I named the style “Digital Painting.”
Complete prompt: “An underwater scene of vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, gliding sea turtles, and a mysterious sunken ship partially covered in marine life. –ar 16:9 –sref 3520401691”
6. Volcanic Island Eruption (–sref 1240958064)
I decided to call this style “Neo Pulp Graphic” and it fits the concept of a volcanic eruption very well. It is derived from the style reference number 1240958064.
Full prompt: “A dramatic volcanic eruption occurs on a tropical island, sending lava cascading down the mountainside, ash and smoke rising into the sky, and nearby villages preparing to evacuate. –ar 16:9 –sref 1240958064”
7. Victorian Rainey Street (–sref 4231799027)
This style is called Dramatic Chiaroscuro Illustration. Chiaroscuro refers to the use of strong contrast between light and dark. Use style reference 4231799027.
Complete prompt: “A Victorian street scene on a rainy day. The cobbled streets sparkle, people huddle under umbrellas, horse-drawn carriages pass by, and gas lamps cast a warm glow through the mist. –ar 16:9 –sref 4231799027”
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