How To Become an AI Artist in 7 Steps

Art and technology share an intricate relationship, pushing the boundaries of human creativity and expression. And in the digital age, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened new avenues for artists to explore. Artists can harness the power of AI to enhance their creative process, amplify their imagination, and produce thought-provoking works.

However, while AI can be a powerful tool for artistic expression, it also raises ethical considerations and challenges traditional notions of authorship and creativity. Artists should approach this intersection of art and AI with mindfulness, responsibility, and a critical understanding of its implications.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to becoming an AI artist. We’ll help you think through how to develop AI-generated art while still respecting others’ creations and following all necessary laws and regulations. We’ll even cover a few platforms you can use to create AI art.

Consider this example of an AI image delivered by applying a rather complex prompt using one of the popular AI imaging tools.

What is an AI artist?

AI art refers to artwork created or enhanced with the help of artificial intelligence techniques, such as machine learning algorithms, neural networks, and generative models. These systems are trained on large amounts of existing art, enabling them to produce new pieces using existing patterns and styles.

Artists can use AI technology to generate, manipulate, or assist in the artistic process. While some artists fully entrust their creations to AI, many others use AI during the development process in a collaborative manner. For example, Anna Ridler uses AI to create beautiful pictures of tulips and trains the algorithm with her own paintings and drawings.

How is AI art used?

AI art has a number of applications in personal expression, architecture, interior design, fashion, advertising, and many other fields. Some platforms allow users to create art from a text prompt and receive multiple images within a few seconds of submitting the request. You can also create variations of an existing image by uploading the file.

AI-generated art won’t replace human artists. AI can certainly assist in the artistic process and enhance productivity, but it can’t replicate the creative intuition and emotional depth inherent to humans. AI serves more as a tool for artists, helping spark new ideas and expedite the creative process, rather than as a replacement for human creativity.

Notice how another generative AI tool using the same prompt as above delivered a very different image.

Ethical considerations of AI art

Several considerations should be top of mind when using AI art:

• Copyright and intellectual property. Creating art with AI often involves using existing images, data, or models. Be mindful of copyright laws and intellectual property rights, giving proper credit while also getting necessary permissions when using other artists’ work or reference materials.
• Attribution and transparency. Always disclose if your artwork is AI-generated and provide transparency about any AI algorithms and models used. This promotes trust and honesty in the relationship between you, your audience, and the broader art community.
• Bias and fairness. AI is trained and developed using large sets of existing data, and any biases in the training data can show up in the AI’s output. Watch out for any harmful stereotypes or narratives that may present themselves in AI-generated art.
• Consent and privacy. Get consent and respect privacy rights when using personal data or images of individuals in AI art.
• Cultural appropriation. Be cautious of unintentionally appropriating or misusing cultural symbols, styles, or artworks.
• Manipulation and misinformation. Some people use AI technology to create deepfakes for misleading or manipulative purposes. Make every effort to use AI art responsibly.

As AI tools become more accessible, the art world may forever change in a way that makes it harder for artists and creators to make a living. Keep this in mind as you use AI tools, and do your part to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to participate in the world of art.

Steps to becoming an AI artist

Now that you know a little more about the integration between art and AI, perhaps you’re interested in pursuing a career as an AI artist. We cover some steps as you move toward this goal.

1. Understand the fundamentals

Before you dive into creating AI-generated art, you’ll want to get familiar with the core concepts that power this space. These foundational areas will shape your creative process and help you get the most from AI tools.

• Learn the basics of AI and machine learning. Understanding how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks work will give you the technical foundation to build from. 
• Study generative adversarial networks (GANs). GANs are a major breakthrough in AI art. They use two neural networks—a generator and a discriminator—to create increasingly realistic images. Knowing how GANs function can help you use them more effectively in your creative work.
• Explore common AI art models. Familiarize yourself with the AI models and algorithms used in generative art. Even if you don’t use every model directly, understanding what’s out there can spark ideas and guide your experimentation.
• Revisit traditional art concepts. The more you know about classic styles, tools, and art techniques, the more precise your text prompts will be. Use the right terminology to help the AI produce results that align with your vision.

2. Learn how to write effective prompts

Understand the importance of writing clear and specific prompts for AI art generation before creating with AI. Writing effective prompts helps you guide AI to perform how you want.

For example, some AI artists create AI-generated artwork using negative prompts or information about what they don’t want to see in the picture. Others specify what lighting, colors, or pixel count they expect in their finished piece.

Clarifying the people, objects, and location of your piece using descriptive adverbs and adjectives is a great best practice. Using abstract words such as “happiness” or “fantasy” can cause your results to vary, but using clear and concrete descriptors like “tree” or “tomato” will narrow your output.

As you get started, experiment with different writing techniques and understand how prompts influence AI-generated outputs. You’ll learn a lot through experience and trial and error. Once you develop your base image, you can modify and change your prompt to improve the original piece and get closer to your desired result.

3. Explore AI art techniques and tools

More AI art techniques and tools will develop as time goes on. For now, experiment with text-to-image and prompt engineering for generating AI artwork. You might also dive into Stable Diffusion and DeepDream techniques for artistic effects.

Stable Diffusion is based on the concept of diffusion processes, where you gradually add noise to an image over time until it’s unrecognizable, then use a neural network to reverse this process. By controlling this reverse process, you can guide the AI to create specific types of images, which can result in interesting, dream-like, and sometimes abstract visual effects. For instance, the model can create morphing shapes, textures, and colors that seem to “diffuse” into each other, which could be used to create more abstract, fluid, or dynamic pieces of art.

DeepDream is a computer vision program that uses a convolutional neural network to find and enhance patterns in images, resulting in dream-like and psychedelic images. It gives insight into what a deep neural network “sees” when it looks at an image. Artistically, DeepDream can generate incredibly complex and detailed images full of recurring motifs, and it’s often used to create surreal, dream-like, and sometimes hallucinogenic images.

Once you get a feel for each method, you can try combining different AI art techniques and tools to achieve unique results. For example, you might add shading and perspective to your AI-generated art. You can also achieve pointillism effects by training AI models on pointillist art or using post-processing tools. AI models can also be trained on datasets of Old Masters portraits to generate similar art styles.

4. Develop an artistic style

Using AI to create art differs from using a more traditional approach. That said, there’s still plenty of opportunity for your unique style and taste to shine through.

As you explore AI tools, pay attention to different art styles and what pieces from the world of AI art inspire you. Experiment with different parameters as you try to define what your style is (and what it isn’t).

Your artwork might be AI-generated, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate your personal artistic vision or stylistic preferences. By specifying your unique vision and preferences in the prompts you use to create your artwork, you can develop pieces that reflect your style and taste.

5. Showcase and share your AI artwork

Once you’ve created a few pieces, develop an online portfolio or website to display your AI-generated artwork. Consider leveraging social media platforms to share and promote your artwork for increased visibility. Social media also allows you to engage with the AI art community and find out about local exhibitions or contests.

You can also display past work to potential clients who may want to hire you to create pieces for them, such as on Upwork. You can also sell pre-made images through the Project Catalog ™ and include a link to your Upwork profile where potential clients can learn more about the services you provide.

6. Continue education and collaboration

The field of AI art is still very new and constantly developing. Don’t assume what you learn today is all there is to know. Continue to stay updated on the latest developments in AI and art technology. You might find that attending workshops, conferences, and courses can help you enhance your skills.

Collaborate with other artists and researchers to expand your creative horizons. They may share ideas to help with the creative process, and you can learn from their unique style or approach to art.

7. Embrace the evolution of AI art

AI art is a vast and dynamic discipline that can’t be bound by a set of rules or strategies. Don’t be afraid to keep experimenting and pushing the boundaries of AI-generated art. Embrace the evolving nature of AI technology and explore new possibilities.

As you learn and build your experience, contribute to the growth of the AI art field by sharing whatever knowledge and insights you’ve picked up along the way. Communities such as the AI Arts Forum are great spaces to share your knowledge and learn from other creators.

Take a look at the AI image below. It was produced using the same prompt as the image above. Although the image above featured a woman holding a cup with five fingers and a thumb, this picture shows a woman with two oddly colored fingers instead.

Turning AI artistry into a freelance career

The rise of AI-generated art has opened up exciting new opportunities for freelance professionals. Whether you’re creating high-quality visuals with Midjourney or offering prompt engineering expertise for generative AI tools like DALL-E 3 or Stable Diffusion, there’s a growing market for AI-powered creativity.

Many businesses now turn to AI artists for digital assets they can use in marketing, gaming, publishing, and e-commerce. From eye-catching social media graphics to concept art for web3 startups, AI artwork is becoming a mainstream visual solution—and clients are actively seeking freelancers who can produce it.

Freelance AI artists can offer a wide range of services, including:

• Custom text-to-image art. Using prompts to generate AI art that fits a client’s brand or campaign.
• Image refinement and post-processing. Enhancing AI-generated art in tools like Photoshop or Adobe Firefly.
• Style-specific rendering. Generating content in specific art styles using tools trained on unique datasets.
• Prompt writing and tuning. Helping clients get the best results from image generators by writing effective prompts.
• Training data curation. Assisting with sourcing or creating content to improve AI models or refine their outputs.

On Upwork, AI artists are already earning from gigs that include creating NFT art, developing branded image sets, and collaborating with tech companies on machine learning projects. These projects let you apply both artistic and technical skills while building a scalable creative business.

Tips for building an AI art portfolio that gets noticed

To stand out in the growing AI art marketplace, your portfolio should do more than just showcase pretty images—it should tell the story of your process, style, and expertise with AI tools.

Here’s how to build a strong freelance portfolio as an AI artist:

• Show your range. Include a variety of works generated from different tools. Highlight your experience across art forms such as digital art, illustration, or photorealistic renders.
• Include prompt examples. Clients want to know you can control the output. Share side-by-side views of your text prompts and the generated images they created. This shows your skill in prompt engineering and creative direction.
• Explain your process. Briefly describe which AI systems or algorithms you used (e.g., GANs, neural networks, or generative adversarial networks) and how you refined the outputs using tools like Photoshop, PyTorch, or Adobe Firefly.
• Highlight use cases. Make it clear how your work can solve real business needs—branding, advertising, editorial illustration, game assets, etc. Bonus if you’ve already worked on freelance projects and can include testimonials.
• Link to your Upwork profile. Make it easy for potential clients to hire you by linking directly to your Project Catalog or freelancer profile on Upwork.

An effective AI art portfolio blends human creativity with technical fluency—and helps clients understand the value of your work at a glance.

AI art generators to consider

You may have questions about which tools can best help as you dip your toe into AI art. We’ll tell you about a few of our favorites.

Midjourney: best for creating paintings

Midjourney continues to explore new ways to expand human thought and imagination. While version 6.1 remains the default model, Midjourney released version 7 as its latest and most advanced option. To use version 7, you’ll need to unlock your Global Personalization Profile by ranking image pairs—this allows the model to personalize results based on your visual preferences.

Version 6.1, released in July 2024, brought sharper results, improved prompt understanding, and a 25% faster generation time. Version 7 builds on that progress, offering more consistent compositions, better fine details, and personalization that changes over time as you interact with the model.

Users interact with the Midjourney bot on Discord to generate images from simple text prompts. The platform is accessible from desktop, mobile, or browser-based interfaces.

Give Midjourney a try with a limited free trial. Paid plans start at $10 per month.

Hugging Face: best for creating models and systems

Hugging Face remains a go-to hub for building and sharing machine learning models, with a strong focus on transparency, accessibility, and open-source AI. The platform now hosts thousands of pretrained generative AI models, including text-to-image pipelines powered by Stable Diffusion, DeepFloyd, Kandinsky, and others.

Their Spaces feature allows artists, developers, and researchers to host interactive AI apps with zero setup, including custom image generators, training demos, and prompt explorers.

Hugging Face is ideal for AI artists who want to experiment with different datasets, tweak algorithms, or contribute to the broader AI art community. While some tools may have a steep learning curve, especially for beginners unfamiliar with Python or GitHub, Hugging Face’s documentation and forums help make these workflows more accessible.

The platform offers a generous free tier for individual use. Paid plans with more computing access start at $9 per month.

Stable Diffusion: best for creating photorealistic images

Stable Diffusion remains one of the most widely used open-source AI art generators. Built by Stability AI and maintained by a robust developer community, it continues to develop with newer models like SDXL 1.0 and SDXL Turbo, which offer higher-quality images, faster render times, and better prompt responsiveness.

The model runs locally or through various hosted interfaces (e.g., Clipdrop, DreamStudio, or Hugging Face), giving creators full control over customization and image outputs. Artists can fine-tune neural networks, integrate training data specific to their style, or even build entire pipelines for unique artistic expression.

Stable Diffusion is free to use in open-source form, though many front-end platforms offer premium credits for higher resolution or faster generations. You can get started with SDXL-based tools on platforms like Clipdrop or DreamStudio.

Dall-E 3: best for understanding complex language

DALL·E 3, developed by OpenAI, is the latest evolution of the text-to-image tool originally introduced with DALL-E 2. Unlike earlier models, DALL·E 3 is natively integrated into ChatGPT (Pro and Enterprise tiers), allowing users to generate and refine images through a conversational chat workflow. You can now type a prompt into ChatGPT and ask for edits like “make the background a sunset” or “remove the text”—and the model will regenerate the image accordingly.

DALL·E 3 excels at working with complex prompts and accurately capturing stylistic cues, detailed descriptions, and artistic nuances. Its “inpainting” and “outpainting” features let you edit parts of an image or expand beyond the frame to create larger compositions.

Pro access to DALL·E 3 is available through a ChatGPT Plus subscription at $20/month, which includes access to GPT-4o and image generation via DALL·E.

Deep Dream Generator: best for connecting with other AI artists

Deep Dream Generator continues to be a popular choice for creating surreal, AI-generated art with bold patterns and psychedelic visuals. Built on a convolutional neural network architecture developed by Google, it enhances and exaggerates features in an image based on patterns the algorithm “sees,” resulting in dreamlike, often fantastical visuals.

As of 2025, the platform supports three main generation modes:

• Text 2 Dream. Enter a text prompt to generate entirely new images.
• Deep Style. Combine a base image with a reference image to stylize your original.
• Deep Dream. Enhance patterns in existing images to produce layered, abstract effects.

The user interface has improved, and more customizable settings are available to tweak style strength, resolution, and algorithm depth. Deep Dream Generator is especially popular for artists experimenting with visual storytelling, digital art, or creating high-concept compositions for editorial or branding projects.

You’ll need to create a free account to get started. A one-time energy pack starts at $3.99 and allows you to generate 30 images. Subscriptions with higher resolution and faster processing begin at $19/month.

AI artists FAQ

Before wrapping up, let’s answer a few commonly asked questions about creating art using AI.

Is AI art legal?

AI art itself is legal, but there can be legal considerations and complexities surrounding certain aspects of AI-generated art. Artists wanting to copyright their work must be able to prove they put a “meaningful” amount of creative work into its development.

Can artists sell or exhibit AI art?

Artists can sell or exhibit AI-generated art like any other artwork. In recent years, AI-generated artworks have gained recognition and are showcased in galleries, museums, and online platforms. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have provided a new way to authenticate and sell AI art and gained popularity in 2017. The market peaked in 2022.

What role does the artist play in AI-generated art?

The artist plays a critical role in AI-generated art. While AI tools assist in the creative process, the artist provides the initial vision, selects and curates training data, fine-tunes AI models, and applies their artistic sensibilities to guide and refine the output of AI-generated artwork.

Artists also need to critically assess any works produced to determine final client suitability. Remember the artifacts related to the women’s fingers that showed up in the outputs above. AI may streamline the process and provide a creative boost, but AI won’t (and shouldn’t) do all the work for you.

Find the best AI art jobs on Upwork

Now that AI has arrived, the art world may never be the same. At the same time, the creator’s role in developing masterful pieces of art won’t be diminished—even if it may change slightly. Artists must learn how to use AI tools to produce pieces that reflect their style and personality; those who can fully express themselves while using these tools will likely have the greatest future success in the world of digital art.

Perhaps you’re thinking about finding a job in AI art. If so, Upwork can help. Use Upwork to find the best AI art jobs from hundreds of open positions.

You can also search for talented AI artists who can help bring your project to life. Upwork hosts a large database of talented freelancers who bring unique skills and experiences to the table. These individuals know how to produce images using cutting-edge AI systems and datasets.

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Upwork does not control, operate, or sponsor the other tools or services discussed in this article, which are only provided as potential options. Each reader and company should take the time to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.