Create Watercolor Art from Photos in Midjourney

Did you know you can turn any photo into a beautiful watercolor painting using Midjourney AI? It's simpler than you might think. This guide will show you how to take a photo and give it a stunning watercolor look in just a few steps.

Whether it's a favorite memory or an image you found online, Midjourney can add an artistic touch. We'll cover the basics and some cool tricks to get different styles.

Starting in Midjourney

First, log into the Midjourney website. The website interface makes things easier for this process.

Find the image icon at the top and click it. You can pick an image already in your library or upload a new one.

Once your image is uploaded, click on it. This adds the image to your prompt box. Look for the icons near the bottom of the image preview. Hover over them and change the main icon to the one that looks like a profile. This tells Midjourney you are using the image as a starting point.

The Basic Prompt

Now, you need a prompt. You can start with a simple text prompt describing what you want, for example, "watercolor portrait."

After writing your prompt, add this parameter: [--cw 50]. This parameter is for character reference. It helps control how much the final image looks like the person in your original photo. A setting of 50 gives the prompt strong influence while still considering the image.

Make sure your Midjourney settings are on version 6 or higher. The [--cw] parameter only works in these newer versions.

Hit enter to generate your image.

Checking Your Results

You can see your generated images in the library tab. Look at the results. You should see beautiful portraits with watercolor strokes. Some results might look quite realistic, while others show more of the painting effect.

Getting More Creative with Style References

Want more control over the watercolor style? You can use Style Reference (SR) codes. These codes let you add specific artistic styles to your generations.

To use an SR code, first click on your generated image again to bring it back into the prompt box.

Go to a PDF or list containing watercolor SR codes (you can find these online). Each code represents a unique style.

Copy the SR code you like and add it to your prompt. For example, your prompt might look like: [Image URL] watercolor portrait [SR code] --cw 50.

Adding [--cw 50] here helps make sure the style comes through while still referencing the character in the photo.

Regenerate the image. Notice how the style is now different, reflecting the SR code you used? The results can look less realistic and more like a traditional watercolor painting, sometimes with specific background elements or color palettes defined by the code.

Playing with Parameters: --cw and --sr

The [--cw] parameter and the Style Reference code [--sr] work together, but changing one affects the other.

Using Only an SR Code

What happens if you remove the [--cw] parameter? Your prompt would look like: [Image URL] watercolor portrait [SR code].

When you generate without [--cw], the prompt and SR code have more influence, but the original image reference might have less weight on facial resemblance. The result could look more like a watercolor painting in general, but the person in the photo might not be as clearly recognizable.

Using Both --cw and --sr

Combining both lets you balance character likeness and artistic style. For example: [Image URL] watercolor portrait [SR code] --cw 80. A higher [--cw] value would try harder to keep the face similar.

You can also try changing the background color or adding other prompt details: [Image URL] watercolor portrait with blue background [SR code] --cw 50.

Experimenting with the [--cw] value and different SR codes is key to getting the exact look you want. You can create results that look like artistic watercolor sketches that blend realism and painting effects beautifully.

Managing all these variations and prompt experiments can be time-consuming. Using a tool like the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite can help streamline your workflow. It can assist with organizing prompts, variations, and managing your generated images more effectively.

Final Tips

Using the character reference parameter ([--cw]) is great for tying the result to your original photo, but keep in mind it might slightly reduce the exact facial resemblance compared to sticking closer to the photo itself without stylistic prompts.

If you want a result that looks like a genuine watercolor painting, even one that someone might not realize is AI-generated, using a specific watercolor SR code without a high [--cw] or even without [--cw] can achieve that artistic look, even if the likeness is just hinted at.

Creating watercolor art from photos in Midjourney is fun and easy once you know how to use image references, text prompts, and parameters like [--cw] and Style References. Play around with different combinations to find your perfect artistic style.

To make generating many versions and managing your work simpler, consider checking out the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT. It can make this creative process even more efficient.