Exploring Children’s Illustration Styles with MidJourney AI

How to Create Whimsical and Captivating Artwork for Kids’ Stories Using AI Prompts

I woke up thinking about children’s book illustrations and playing with different MJ (Midjourney) prompts. There are dozens to learn and explore. I recommend Reedy’s 30 Amazing Children’s Book Illustrators (and How to Hire Them) to start. You can hire children book illustrators for your book, learn about different styles, and use these styles for your prompts.

There are so many it can be overwhelming to decide which to focus on. Learn, learn, and keep leaning. Experiment with different styles until you find what you’re looking for or like most.

Basia Tran is another children’s book illustrator style, I plan to try in my prompts.

The colors are super amazing and the styles are gorgeous!

Creating children’s illustrations has always been about capturing the whimsy, imagination, and magic of childhood. With tools like MidJourney AI, artists and writers can now experiment with a range of styles that fit the tone and feel of their stories. Whether you’re illustrating a vibrant picture book or designing characters for an animated project, exploring different art styles can help you discover what resonates most with young readers.

Let’s dive into six popular illustration styles and see how MidJourney prompts can bring them to life.

Cartoon Style of Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake’s unique, playful, and sketchy cartoon style is beloved for its loose lines and expressive characters. It’s perfect for stories that embrace humor and light-hearted storytelling. To capture this style with MidJourney, use prompts focusing on “loose, sketchy lines,” “ink washes,” and “playful, exaggerated features.” This style pairs well with narratives that are witty and whimsical, making it a go-to for picture books with a lot of personality.

Alison Lester’s Warm and Earthy Style

Alison Lester’s illustrations are known for their warm, inviting colors and charming depictions of everyday life. Her style often feels nostalgic, with a focus on soft textures and relatable characters. When using MidJourney for this look, include prompts like “earthy, warm tones,” “soft textures,” and “gentle, family-friendly scenes.” This approach works wonderfully for stories centered around family, community, and nature.

Just a heads up: We may earn a tiny commission 🥰 if you buy through our Amazon links — thanks for supporting us! ☕️

Fantasy Cartoon Style in the Style of Dofus

The Dofus style is vibrant and fantastical, often seen in animated series and video games. It features exaggerated expressions, dynamic poses, and a lively color palette, making it perfect for adventurous tales and high-energy stories. In MidJourney, try prompts that emphasize “fantasy cartoon style,” “bold, saturated colors,” and “exaggerated, expressive characters.” This style brings a dynamic and animated feel to children’s illustrations, perfect for action-packed narratives.

Martina Terzi and Dana Regan’s Whimsical Approach

Martina Terzi and Dana Regan create illustrations that are whimsical, fun, and full of personality. Their characters are often quirky, with unique features that make them instantly memorable. When using MidJourney to achieve this look, opt for prompts like “whimsical characters,” “bold, simplified shapes,” and “expressive, humorous details.” This style suits light-hearted stories that focus on humor, friendship, and playful adventures.

Just a heads up: We may earn a tiny commission 🥰 if you buy through our Amazon links — thanks for supporting us! ☕️

Pixar-Style Illustrations

The Pixar style is all about creating characters that are expressive, vibrant, and relatable. It features polished, 3D-rendered illustrations that appeal to a wide audience. To capture this look with MidJourney, use prompts such as “3D rendering,” “expressive, rounded characters,” and “high-quality, cinematic details.” This style is ideal for modern stories with universal themes and characters that leap off the page.

The following prompts have 5 different styles:

• 3D Pixar Style 

• Quentin Blake 

• Alison Lester

• Gris Grimly
  
  
  While the illustration experiment (below) used the drawn by Martina Terzi and Dana Regan style.

Experimenting with these diverse styles using MidJourney prompts can elevate your children’s illustrations, making them more engaging and memorable. By tapping into AI-driven creativity, you can quickly visualize different approaches, fine-tune your art, and find the perfect look to captivate young audiences.

Happy illustrating!