Artificial intelligence lets you create illustrations, concept art, fantasy landscapes and advertising images even without professional drawing skills. One service for this is Leonardo AI.
This guide explains how to get started with Leonardo AI, describe the image you want and get better results.
What is Leonardo AI?
Leonardo AI is an online platform for generating and editing images with artificial intelligence. You describe an idea in words and the service creates an image based on your request and the available settings.
The tool can be useful for:
- illustrations for websites and blogs;
- designing characters and fantasy worlds;
- preparing game concepts;
- creating advertising ideas;
- exploring a visual style for creative projects;
- experimenting with composition, lighting and color.
Available features, limits and terms of use may change, so check the official website before you start.
How to start using Leonardo AI
Step 1. Open the official website
Go to Leonardo AI. Review the available features and access terms. If the service requires registration, complete it following the platform’s instructions.
Step 2. Decide which image you need
Before generating, formulate the idea. For example, you do not just need a landscape, but a night mountain landscape with a starry sky, a lake and the moon reflected in the water.
The more specifically you describe your idea, the easier it is to control the result.
Step 3. Write a prompt
A prompt is a text description of the image you want. It can include the main subject, surroundings, art style, lighting, colors and composition.
Example:
A peaceful mountain lake at night, majestic mountains, a bright full moon reflected in the water, subtle mist, cinematic lighting, highly detailed digital art, balanced composition.
English wording is convenient for experiments, but the result depends on the model and the specific request.
Step 4. Tune the generation
If the chosen mode offers these settings, pay attention to:
- Style: photorealism, digital illustration, anime or another option.
- Format: square, vertical or horizontal image.
- Model: different models can produce different styles and results.
- Number of variants: several results help you pick the best one.
Setting names and availability may differ depending on the version of the service.
Step 5. Compare the results
Do not stop at the first image. Compare composition, details, lighting and how well it matches your original idea.
If you are not satisfied, change one element of the prompt at a time. For example, try softer lighting, a different angle or fewer objects in the frame.
Step 6. Save the image
When you are happy with the result, use the available download function. Before commercial use, check the current licensing terms, the rights to the generated content and the service’s restrictions.
How to write a better prompt for Leonardo AI
Try this structure:
Main subject + surroundings + style + lighting + composition + details.
For example, instead of the short request “a cat in space”, write:
A curious orange cat floating inside a futuristic space station, Earth visible through a large window, soft cinematic lighting, detailed fur, realistic materials, wide-angle composition, high-quality digital illustration.
This description defines the character, place, background, lighting, texture and composition, which gives the model more information about the result you want.
You do not need to add dozens of random words. It is better to describe the main thing clearly and refine the details step by step.
Common mistakes when generating images
A description that is too short. A request such as “a beautiful house” leaves many decisions to the AI.
Contradictory requirements. Asking for a minimalist composition with a lot of detail at the same time can make the result harder to get.
Too many objects. If the description contains many different characters and items, some of them may be distorted or misplaced.
Expecting a perfect result on the first try. Image generation involves experimenting. Compare variants and refine the request.
Ignoring the terms of use. Not every generated image may automatically be used in any commercial project.
Can Leonardo AI be used for free?
Free access terms, generation limits and paid features may change. Check the current information on the official Leonardo AI website.
If you plan to create images regularly, evaluate not only the number of available generations, but also the editing features, the quality of results and the terms of commercial use.
Prompt checklist before you generate
Tick what your description already contains: the counter shows what is still missing for a better result.
Conclusion
Leonardo AI can be a useful tool for creating digital illustrations, creative concepts and visual materials. The best way to learn is to start with a simple idea, write a specific prompt, compare the results and gradually improve the description.
To find other AI tools, visit the KiwiLab AI Directory.