Midjourney V5.2 "Style Raw" Guide: A Practical 1.5 Workflow — LiliDi…
Master Midjourney V5.2's Style Raw parameter with a step-by-step 1.5 workflow. Get practical prompts and examples for consistent, high-quality AI images.
By lilidi editorial
Master Midjourney V5.2's "Style Raw": A Practical 1.5 Workflow Midjourney V5.2 introduced the style raw parameter, a game changer for creators seeking more control over their AI generated images. If you've felt frustrated by Midjourney's often "opinionated" aesthetic, producing results that all look a bit too similar, then style raw is your solution. This article isn't about hype or high level concepts. It's a step by step practical guide to integrating style raw into your workflow. We'll provide concrete examples and prompts, demonstrating how to leverage this parameter to achieve more nuanced, less "AI generic" outputs. Think of it as a toolkit for breaking free from the default Midjourney look and injecting more of your unique artistic vision. Understanding style raw and Default Stylization Before diving into the workflow, let's clarify what style raw actually does. Midjourney, by
default, applies a significant level of its own aesthetic "style" to your prompts. This is why many images from Midjourney, even with diverse prompts, often share a similar photographic quality, lighting, or compositional flair. This default stylization can be fantastic for quick, aesthetically pleasing results, but it can also stifle creative control and make it difficult to achieve specific, less conventional looks. style raw reduces this intrinsic stylization. It tells Midjourney to interpret your prompt more literally, emphasizing the textual content over its default artistic inclinations. The result is often a more "flat," less processed image initially, which then provides a cleaner canvas for you to apply your own artistic direction through careful prompting. It's not a magic bullet that instantly produces perfect images. Instead, it's a tool that requires more deliberate
prompting, particularly regarding artistic styles, lighting, and composition. This is where the "1.5 workflow" comes in: a methodical approach to building your desired image with style raw as the foundation. The 1.5 Workflow: Building Your Vision with style raw This workflow is designed for situations where you need a specific aesthetic or greater control than the default Midjourney stylization allows. It's a structured approach to generate, refine, and iterate. Step 1: Establish the Core Concept with style raw Your first prompt should focus on the subject, setting, and basic composition. Crucially, add style raw to ensure a less stylized foundation. Avoid overly detailed artistic descriptors at this stage. We want a clean slate. Goal: Generate a visually distinct subject in a desired environment, free from strong default Midjourney stylization. Example Prompt 1.1: /imagine prompt: large
ancient oak tree, deep forest, misty atmosphere, subtle sunlight, focus on tree structure ar 16:9 v 5.2 style raw Why this works: We're defining the core elements (tree, forest, mist, light) and camera angle ( ar 16:9 ). style raw ensures the tree itself isn't rendered in Midjourney's typical hyper realistic, glossy style, giving us room to refine the artistic interpretation later. Step 2: Introduce Specific Artistic Directives and Aesthetic Controls Now that you have a "raw" foundation, you can start introducing more specific artistic styles, lighting techniques, color palettes, and compositional nuances. This is where you layer in the "vibe" or aesthetic you want. Goal: Transform the raw output into a more refined image with a clear artistic direction. Example Prompt 1.2 (building on 1.1): /imagine prompt: large ancient oak tree, deep forest, misty atmosphere, subtle sunlight, focus on
tree structure, by Albert Bierstadt, dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, oil painting on canvas, impasto brushstrokes, earthy tones, cinematic composition ar 16:9 v 5.2 style raw Why this works: We've added an artist reference (Albert Bierstadt), specific lighting (chiaroscuro), medium (oil painting, impasto), color palette (earthy tones), and refined composition (cinematic). Because style raw is active, Midjourney will interpret these directives more directly, rather than trying to overlay its own preferred style. Alternative for 1.2 (for a different aesthetic): /imagine prompt: large ancient oak tree, deep forest, misty atmosphere, subtle sunlight, focus on tree structure, minimalist woodblock print, ukiyo e style, muted color palette, stark contrasts, Japanese aesthetic ar 16:9 v 5.2 style raw Notice how the core subject remains, but the artistic modifiers drastically change the output.
This flexibility is the power of style raw within this workflow. Step 3: Iterate and Refine with Prompt Variations or Rerolls Even with a precise prompt, AI image generation involves an element of chance. Don't be afraid to generate multiple variations of your refined prompt (the "1.2" step). Use Midjourney's "V" buttons to get variations of a promising result, or slightly tweak your prompt for subtle adjustments. Goal: Fine tune the image, experimenting with minor prompt changes or exploring variations to achieve the perfect result. Examples of minor tweaks: Adjusting light intensity: subtle sunlight to divine golden hour light Changing atmosphere: misty atmosphere to dense fog or afternoon light Adding details: small deer drinking from a stream (if appropriate for the scene) Exploring camera angles: wide shot to medium shot or dutch angle Remember, if you're generally happy with the
composition but want to adjust specific elements, Midjourney's Vary (Strong) and Vary (Subtle) functions can be very useful. For more drastic changes while retaining some prompt elements, a fresh imagine prompt is often better. When to Use the 1.5 Workflow (and when not to) This structured workflow isn't for every image. Here's when it excels and when simpler approaches might be better: Use the 1.5 Workflow when: You need a very specific artistic style (e.g., "watercolor painting by J.M.W. Turner" or "cyberpunk anime style"). You're struggling to get Midjourney to not apply its default realistic or cinematic look. You want more abstract or highly stylized results that deviate significantly from typical photographic realism. You're creating assets for a project with a defined aesthetic and need consistency (e.g., game art, comic panels). You find yourself constantly trying to "fight"
Midjourney's default output. Avoid the 1.5 Workflow (or simplify it) when: You just need a quick, aesthetically pleasing image without a super specific artistic brief. You like Midjourney's default realistic/cinematic style. You're performing casual exploration and brainstorming. Your prompt is already producing satisfactory results without style raw . At lilidi.ai, we value tools that give creators more control, and style raw is precisely that. It Related on LiliDi How LiliDi compares to Midjourney