Hey friends! I’ve got something really special for you today. If you are into digital art or exploring AI image generation, you are going to love this specific “Pen-and-Ink” style.
We usually see a lot of hyper-realistic AI photos, but there is something timeless about the old-school “Engraving” or “Woodcut” aesthetic—especially when mixed with a cinematic vibe. Today, I’m sharing a prompt that perfectly recreates a 1920s British Gangster look, blending vintage class with a touch of industrial grit.
Why this 1920s British Gangster AI Prompt Works
Here’s the deal: the magic of this prompt lies in the Lighting and Texture. If you look closely at the results, it’s not just boring black and white. The prompt forces the AI to use subtle “Gold” and “Burnt-Orange” accents, which gives the image a royal, yet dark and moody atmosphere.
You can use this in Midjourney, Leonardo AI, or any high-end text-to-image tool. I’ve also tweaked it to help with “Facial Consistency” so the character doesn’t look different every time you generate it.
Key Elements We Are Targeting:
- Style: Victorian Industrial Steampunk
- Technique: Cross-hatching & Etched ink textures
- Subject: 1920s British Gangster (Peaky Blinders vibe!)
- Mood: Cinematic Noir
Copy This: The Master Prompt
Go ahead and paste this into your AI tool. Trust me, the results are insanely detailed.
FOR EXAMPLE :-
The Prompt:
“Ultra-detailed pen-and-ink illustration of a 1920s British gangster, wearing a classic three-piece suit with leather gloves and a pocket-watch chain. He is calmly lighting a cigarette, looking slightly downward with a composed, confident expression. Keep the same facial structure, eyes, nose, and jawline as the reference face; the person should clearly look like the same individual. The style has a Victorian industrial steampunk feel, drawn with fine engraving and woodcut-style linework, including visible cross-hatching and etched ink textures. Behind the head, include mechanical gears, clockwork parts, technical blueprints, and circular schematic designs, arranged decoratively. The illustration is mostly black and white, with subtle gold and burnt-orange accents for highlights and the cigarette ember. High contrast, dramatic lighting, and a cinematic noir mood. In raw pose “
Negative Prompt (Don’t skip this):
“Face distortion, different identity, wrong face, photorealistic style, blur, low detail, anime, cartoon.”
Pro Tips for the Best Results
After testing this multiple times, here is what I learned to get that perfect shot:
- Aspect Ratio: If you want it for a phone wallpaper or social media, use –ar 9:16. For a standard portrait, –ar 2:3 works best.
- Reference Image: If you want the gangster to look like a specific person (or yourself!), make sure to upload a reference photo first, then run this prompt.
- Upscaling is Key: Because this style mimics “etching” and fine lines, standard resolution might look messy. Always upscale the final image to see those crisp cross-hatching details.
FAQ: Common Questions About This Style
1. Which AI tool works best for this prompt?
Hands down, Midjourney v6 creates the best “engraving” texture. Leonardo AI is a close second. DALL-E 3 is good, but it sometimes makes the image look too “cartoony” compared to the gritty feel we want here.
2. Can I use these images commercially?
Yes! If you are on a paid plan with these AI platforms, you generally own the rights. These designs look killer on T-shirts, posters, or even as book covers. Just double-check the terms of the specific tool you use.
3. The face keeps changing, how do I fix it?
If you are struggling with consistency, try increasing the “Image Weight” (iw) if you are using a reference photo. Alternatively, tools like InsightFace usually solve the identity issue instantly.
I hope you guys find this helpful! Give this prompt a try and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I’ll be back with another cool technique in the next post.
Use this 1920s British Gangster AI Prompt in https://www.midjourney.com…”
Happy Creating!….
