AI Art Inspiration: Artists Most Referenced in AI Image Prompts Revealed

A new study examining nearly 5 million Midjourney Discord prompts has uncovered which artists' styles are most frequently requested by users of generative AI tools. The analysis, published December 22, 2025, provides insights into how AI art creation leans heavily on existing artistic traditions.

The research, conducted by Kapwing and visualized by Visual Capitalist, illuminates how AI art generation technology fundamentally transforms creative processes despite its seemingly limitless creative potential. As users increasingly turn to AI to visualize concepts, they frequently reference established artists to guide the aesthetic direction of their creations.

The Most Influential Artists in AI Prompts

According to the analysis of Midjourney Discord data, several artists consistently appear in user prompts when requesting specific visual styles. While the exact ranking wasn't detailed in the source information, the study examined millions of prompts to determine which artists' names appeared most frequently.

The phenomenon reflects how AI tools function as transformative rather than truly original creative systems. When users prompt an AI with references like "modern city in the style of Monet," they're essentially asking the system to apply recognized artistic techniques to new subject matter.

This reliance on existing artistic styles raises important questions about artistic attribution and intellectual property. Many artists and their estates are now actively seeking to restrict the use of their names in AI prompts, potentially changing how these systems are used in the future.

"Generative AI tools are derivative, in that they can only replicate existing artworks and images to create something new," notes the report. This fundamental limitation shapes how users interact with the technology, often leading them to reference familiar artists to achieve desired results.

For those interested in exploring this topic further, the Smithsonian's articles on AI and art provide excellent context on the historical relationship between technology and artistic expression.

The Intersection of AI and Artistic Tradition

The popularity of certain artists in AI prompts reveals much about contemporary visual preferences and the technical capabilities of current AI systems. Some artistic styles may translate more effectively into AI-generated imagery, while others might be frequently requested due to their cultural prominence.

The research highlights an interesting paradox in AI art generation: while the technology promises unprecedented creative freedom, users often ground their requests in established artistic conventions and familiar visual languages.

This pattern suggests that even as technology advances, human creativity remains anchored in our shared artistic heritage. AI tools expand creative possibilities for businesses by building upon rather than replacing traditional artistic influences.

For digital creators and marketers, understanding which artistic styles resonate with audiences can inform more effective visual communication strategies. The most-referenced artists likely represent aesthetic qualities that continue to appeal to contemporary viewers, even when translated through AI.

Popular Artistic Styles in AI Generation

While the original research didn't specify which artists topped the list, examining current trends in AI art communities suggests that certain styles are particularly prevalent:

• Impressionist and post-impressionist styles that emphasize light and color
• Surrealist approaches that blend reality with dreamlike elements
• Contemporary digital artists known for vibrant, high-contrast works

Understanding these preferences can help content creators develop more targeted prompting strategies that align with both audience expectations and AI system capabilities.

Implications for Creators and the Future of AI Art

As AI image generation becomes increasingly mainstream, the reliance on existing artists' styles raises important considerations for the creative industry. The study provides valuable context for understanding how these tools are currently being used and what that might mean for future developments.

For content creators, the findings suggest opportunities to explore diverse artistic influences when developing AI-generated visuals. Understanding which styles are already well-represented could help identify less-utilized artistic traditions that might provide distinctive visual approaches.

The potential restriction of artist names in prompts could significantly impact how these tools evolve. If major artists or their estates successfully limit the use of their names in AI systems, users may need to develop more descriptive, technically-oriented prompting strategies rather than relying on artist references.

This research arrives at a pivotal moment for AI-generated imagery, as legal and ethical frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological capabilities. The findings underline the complex relationship between AI, artistic tradition, and original creation.

How you can use this information:

1. When creating AI-generated imagery, consider exploring less-referenced artists for more unique visual results
2. Be aware of the growing legal movement to restrict artist name usage in AI systems
3. Develop more technically descriptive prompting strategies that don't rely exclusively on artist references

Like the sampling culture that transformed music in the 1980s and 90s, AI art generation is challenging traditional notions of creation and attribution. Businesses leveraging artificial intelligence for creative purposes are witnessing the emergence of a "remix aesthetic" where the boundaries between inspiration, homage, and appropriation become increasingly blurred.

Additional Considerations for AI Art Creation

For those actively using AI art generation tools, consider developing a personal "prompt library" that includes technical descriptors of artistic elements rather than just artist names. This approach not only helps navigate potential future restrictions but also encourages deeper understanding of artistic principles.

Artists and content creators might also benefit from tracking emerging patterns in AI-generated imagery to identify underexplored aesthetic territories. As certain styles become overrepresented in the AI art ecosystem, distinctive opportunities may exist in deliberately moving against these trends.