How to create stunning cityscape paintings

Exploring the urban landscape through the lens of art has never been more exciting. This collection of 30 cityscape painting prompts spans various art styles, mediums, and techniques, offering endless possibilities for creating stunning urban scenes. From the futuristic and dystopian to the serene and ethereal, these prompts inspire creativity and invite the viewer to experience the energy and character of different cities. With a mix of descriptive terms like liminal, iridescent, and intricate, the possibilities for interpretation are vast. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the beauty and complexity of the urban landscape.”

30 text-to-image urban art prompts

  1. An expansive cityscape painting of a futuristic city at night, showcasing towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and glowing neon lights; Futuristic, Cyberpunk; Oil, Acrylic; A dark, moody lighting with pops of neon; A monochromatic color scheme with shades of blue and purple; Intricate, Detailed, Holographic; by Syd Mead, Simon Stålenhag, and Craig Mullins; Unreal engine 5
  2. A dreamlike cityscape painting of a city floating in the clouds, with whimsical buildings and bridges surrounded by an aura of aurora lights; Surrealism, Fantasy; Watercolor, Gouache; Soft, ethereal lighting with a warm glow; Pastel colors with a touch of iridescence; Ethereal, Elemental, Iridescent; by René Magritte, Marc Chagall, and Remedios Varo; Unreal engine 5
  3. An abstract cityscape painting of a cityscape, with bold geometric shapes and colors, inspired by the low poly art style; Abstract, Modern; Acrylic, Spray paint; Harsh, high-contrast lighting with sharp shadows; A vibrant, colorful palette with shades of blue, pink, and yellow; Geometric, Colorful, Bold; by Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich, and Sol LeWitt; Unreal engine 5
  4. A photorealistic cityscape painting of a bustling city during golden hour, with intricate details of buildings, streets, and people; Realism, Impressionism; Oil, Watercolor; Soft, warm lighting with long shadows; A warm, golden color scheme with touches of pink and orange; Meticulous, Detailed, Expansive; by Edward Hopper, Richard Estes, and David Hockney; Unreal engine 5
  5. An eerie cityscape painting of a dystopian city, with decaying buildings, abandoned streets, and ominous storm clouds looming in the distance; Post-Apocalyptic, Dark; Oil, Charcoal; Harsh, low-key lighting with deep shadows; A monochromatic color scheme with shades of gray and black; Ominous, Stygian, Detailed; by Edward Gorey, Zdzisław Beksiński, and H. R. Giger; Unreal engine 5
  6. A surrealistic cityscape painting of a futuristic city that blends seamlessly into nature; Surrealism, Futurism, Nature; Oil, Acrylic; Golden hour lighting; High-contrast with shades of green and orange; complex, futuristic, ethereal; by Salvador Dali, Umberto Boccioni, and Zaha Hadid; Unreal engine 5
  7. A photorealistic cityscape painting of a bustling city at night seen from above; Realism, Impressionism; Oil, Pastel; Neon lighting; Monochromatic with shades of blue and purple; elegant, mysterious, noctilucent; by Edward Hopper, John Sloan, and Yvonne Jacquette; Unreal engine 5
  8. An abstract cityscape painting of a city that is slowly being taken over by nature; Abstract Expressionism, Nature; Watercolor, Ink; Soft, diffused lighting; Multicolored with shades of green and brown; gossamer, entangled, liminal; by Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, and Joan Mitchell; Unreal engine 5
  9. A hyper-realistic cityscape painting of a city skyline reflecting in a calm body of water at dusk; Realism, Hyperrealism; Oil, Acrylic; Twilight lighting; Monochromatic with shades of orange and pink; expansive, serene, radiant; by Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, and Audrey Flack; Unreal engine 5
  10. An impressionistic cityscape painting of a colorful, vibrant city during a parade or festival; Impressionism, Color Field; Oil, Watercolor; Flickering light and vibrant colors; Multicolored with shades of red, yellow, and blue; joyful, lively, celebratory; by Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Mark Rothko; Unreal engine 5
  11. A post-apocalyptic cityscape featuring towering skyscrapers, crumbling infrastructure, and a red, ominous sky; Dark, Dystopian; Oil, Mixed media; Dark, moody lighting; Grayscale with pops of fiery red and orange; ominous, haunting; by Edward Hopper, Salvador Dali, and Francis Bacon; Unreal engine 5
  12. A colorful, bustling cityscape at sunset, with the sun setting behind a glittering skyline; Impressionism, Pop art; Watercolor, Acrylic; Warm, golden hour lighting; Vibrant, bright colors with neon accents; energetic, dynamic; by David Hockney, Claude Monet, and Roy Lichtenstein; Unreal engine 5
  13. A surreal, dreamlike cityscape featuring warped architecture, floating structures, and a deep blue sky; Surrealism, Fantasy; Digital, 3D rendering; Soft, glowing lighting; Deep blues, purples, and pinks with metallic accents; ethereal, otherworldly; by Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, and M.C. Escher; Unreal engine 5
  14. A vibrant, modern cityscape featuring sleek skyscrapers, a bustling street scene, and a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds; Pop art, Realism; Oil, Mixed media; Bright, natural lighting; Bold, primary colors with pops of pink and turquoise; vibrant, playful; by Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and Edward Ruscha; Unreal engine 5
  15. An eerie, abandoned cityscape featuring decaying buildings, overgrown plants, and a pale, ghostly moon; Horror, Surrealism; Charcoal, Ink; Dim, moonlit lighting; Monochromatic with shades of gray and green; haunting, unsettling; by Edward Gorey, H.R. Giger, and Zdzisław Beksiński; Unreal engine 5
  16. An intricate, futuristic cityscape with towering skyscrapers and bustling flying vehicles; Cyberpunk, Futurism; Digital Painting, Mixed Media; Neon-lit, futuristic lighting; Vibrant, electric colors with a heavy emphasis on blues and pinks; intricate, futuristic, glowing neon; by Syd Mead, Simon Stålenhag, and Peter Mohrbacher; Unreal engine 5
  17. A post-apocalyptic cityscape featuring abandoned buildings and overgrown nature; Dark, Surrealism; Oil, Charcoal; Dim, moody lighting with a strong emphasis on shadows; Monochromatic with muted shades of brown and green; mysterious, dystopian, haunting; by Zdzisław Beksiński, Edward Hopper, and Remedios Varo; Unreal engine 5
  18. A dreamy, fantastical cityscape featuring floating buildings and fantastical creatures; Fantasy, Surrealism; Watercolor, Ink; Soft, glowing lighting with a strong emphasis on highlights; A colorful and vibrant palette with emphasis on warm and cool colors; ethereal, fantastical, dreamy; by Remedios Varo, Max Ernst, and Salvador Dali; Unreal engine 5
  19. An expansive cityscape featuring a grand metropolis with sprawling skyscrapers and bustling streets; Realism, Impressionism; Oil, Acrylic; Natural lighting with a strong emphasis on color saturation and contrast; A colorful and dynamic palette with emphasis on blues, greens, and yellows; magnificent, impressive, grandiose; by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Richard Estes; Unreal engine 5
  20. A liminal cityscape depicting a deserted and eerie urban environment with an abandoned and decaying atmosphere; Dark, Surrealism; Charcoal, Pencil; Low light with a strong emphasis on shadows; Monochromatic with muted shades of gray and blue; creepy, unsettling, mysterious; by René Magritte, Zdzisław Beksiński, and Edward Hopper; Unreal engine 5
  21. A futuristic cityscape of towering skyscrapers and flying vehicles set against a glowing neon skyline; Futurism, Cyberpunk; Digital Painting, 3D Modeling; Low key lighting with glowing accents; High contrast with shades of electric blue and magenta; Futuristic, neon, dystopian; by Syd Mead, Simon Stalenhag, and Sparth; Unreal engine 5
  22. An intricate cityscape of a medieval town with winding cobblestone streets and gothic architecture; Realism, Impressionism; Oil, Pen and Ink; Golden hour lighting with deep shadows and warm highlights; Monochromatic with shades of sepia; Elaborate, detailed, historical; by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Canaletto, and Albrecht Dürer; Unreal engine 5
  23. A whimsical cityscape of a magical metropolis filled with floating islands and whimsical structures; Surrealism, Fantasy; Watercolor, Digital Painting; Soft, diffused lighting with a hint of golden hour; Multicolored with pastel hues and a touch of iridescence; Dreamlike, fantastical, ethereal; by Hayao Miyazaki, Tim Burton, and Chris Riddell; Unreal engine 5
  24. An expansive cityscape of a bustling metropolis at night with a glowing skyline and busy streets; Realism, Hyperrealism; Acrylic, Photography; High key lighting with vibrant colors and reflections; Monochromatic with shades of blue and yellow; Vivid, energetic, modern; by Edward Hopper, Richard Estes, and Andreas Gursky; Unreal engine 5
  25. A mysterious cityscape of a labyrinthine city with winding alleys and hidden secrets lurking in the shadows; Surrealism, Dark Fantasy; Oil, Charcoal; Low key lighting with deep shadows and hints of flickering light; Monochromatic with shades of gray and black; Intriguing, ominous, enigmatic; by M.C. Escher, H.R. Giger, and Zdzisław Beksiński; Unreal engine 5
  26. A surreal cityscape painting of an urban jungle with towering skyscrapers intertwined with vines and roots; Surrealism, Fantasy; Oil, Mixed media; Ethereal, Mysterious lighting; A moody color palette of greens, browns, and blues; intricate, mystical, dystopian; by Salvador Dali, HR Giger, and Zdzislaw Beksinski; Unreal Engine 5
  27. A vibrant and energetic cityscape painting of a bustling city at night; Expressionism, Pop Art; Acrylic, Digital Art; Bright and bold neon lighting; A vivid color palette with shades of pink, blue, and yellow; dynamic, electric, frenzied; by Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, and Takashi Murakami; Unreal Engine 5
  28. A serene and peaceful cityscape painting of a small town on a warm summer day; Realism, Impressionism; Watercolor, Oil; Soft, diffused lighting; A warm color palette of yellows, oranges, and blues; idyllic, charming, tranquil; by Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, and Andrew Wyeth; Unreal Engine 5
  29. An abstract cityscape painting of a futuristic metropolis with towering buildings and flying cars; Abstract, Futurism; Digital Art, Spray Paint; Bold, stark lighting; A monochromatic color palette with shades of gray and metallics; futuristic, sleek, industrial; by Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, and Syd Mead; Unreal Engine 5
  30. A dreamy cityscape painting of a city floating on clouds; Surrealism, Fantasy; Oil, Digital Art; Soft, diffused lighting; A pastel color palette with shades of pink, blue, and purple; dreamlike, whimsical, enchanting; by Rene Magritte, Max Ernst, and Hayao Miyazaki; Unreal Engine 5