How to create mind-blowing fantastic surrealism artworks

This collection of 50 prompts is designed to inspire artists to create breathtaking Fantastic Surrealism artworks that challenge our perceptions of reality and invite us to explore the depths of the human psyche. Each prompt provides a detailed description of the subject to be drawn, along with modifiers such as art genres, styles, mediums and techniques, lighting settings, color settings, and descriptive terms to describe the image. From dystopian cityscapes to ethereal landscapes, and from iridescent forests to spiraling galaxies, these prompts offer a diverse range of subjects and styles to explore. By drawing on the techniques and styles of artists such as Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, and René Magritte, artists can create visually stunning and thought-provoking works that transport the viewer to otherworldly realms.

50 mind-blowing text-to-image prompts for fantastic surrealism art

  1. A scene of a giant chess board with human and animal figures as the pieces, playing against each other; Game, Strategy; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil, Sculpture; Bright, artificial lighting; Contrasting colors of black and white; playful, strategic; by Lewis Carroll, Marcel Duchamp, and Salvador Dali; Unreal engine 5
  2. A portrait of a woman with a fish tail and scales instead of a lower body, sitting on a rock by the sea; Fantasy, Transformation; Fantastic Surrealism; Watercolor, Collage; Warm, sunset lighting; Vibrant colors of green and orange; fantastical, mercurial; by Hans Christian Andersen, John William Waterhouse, and Yayoi Kusama; Unreal engine 5
  3. A landscape of a city with buildings and streets made of books, papers, and letters, creating a sense of literacy and knowledge; City, Literature; Fantastic Surrealism; Pencil, Ink; Dim, natural lighting; Sepia colors of brown and beige; literary, urban; by Jorge Luis Borges, M.C. Escher, and Barbara Kruger; Unreal engine 5
  4. A composition of a human body with wings, horns, and claws instead of arms and legs, flying in the sky; Mythology, Power; Fantastic Surrealism; Acrylic, Digital; Cool, cosmic lighting; Sparkling colors of blue and gold; mythical, powerful; by Homer, Leonardo da Vinci, and H.R. Giger; Unreal engine 5
  5. A sculpture of a tree with human faces and limbs instead of branches and leaves, standing in a forest; Nature, Identity; Fantastic Surrealism; Wood, Stone; Soft, natural lighting; Earthy colors of brown and green; organic, humanlike; by J.R.R. Tolkien, Henry Moore, and Joseph Beuys; Unreal engine 5
  6. A scene of a circus with animals and performers doing impossible feats and tricks, creating a sense of wonder and amusement; Circus, Entertainment; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil, Collage; Colorful, festive lighting; Rainbow colors of red and yellow; whimsical, amusing; by Lewis Carroll, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall; Unreal engine 5
  7. A portrait of a man with a clock face instead of a nose and ears, wearing a hat with numbers on it; Time, Humor; Fantastic Surrealism; Pencil, Ink; Cool, artificial lighting; Monochromatic with shades of gray; quirky, humorous; by Lewis Carroll, Marcel Duchamp, and Andy Warhol; Unreal engine 5
  8. A landscape of a desert with pyramids and sphinxes made of ice, creating a sense of contrast and mystery; Desert, Ice; Fantastic Surrealism; Watercolor, Digital; Bright, sunny lighting; Contrasting colors of yellow and blue; contrasting, mysterious; by H.G. Wells, Paul Klee, and Salvador Dali; Unreal engine 5
  9. A composition of a human skull with flowers and butterflies instead of eyes and teeth, creating a sense of beauty and death; Death, Beauty; Fantastic Surrealism; Acrylic, Mixed Media; Soft, natural lighting; Harmonious colors of yellow and purple; beautiful, macabre; by Edgar Allan Poe, Vincent van Gogh, and Damien Hirst; Unreal engine 5
  10. A sculpture of a bird with a human face and hands instead of a beak and claws, singing in a cage; Freedom, Imprisonment; Fantastic Surrealism; Metal, Fabric; Bright, artificial lighting; Pastel colors of pink and blue; surreal, ironic; by Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, and Banksy; Unreal engine 5
  11. A scene of a castle with towers and walls made of candy, chocolate, and ice cream, creating a sense of sweetness and fantasy; Candy, Fantasy; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil, Sculpture; Colorful, artificial lighting; Vibrant colors of red and green; sweet, fantastical; by Hans Christian Andersen, Willy Wonka, and Claes Oldenburg; Unreal engine 5
  12. A portrait of a woman with a flower bouquet instead of hair and butterflies flying around her head; Beauty, Nature; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil, Pastel; Soft, natural lighting; Harmonious colors of yellow and purple; lovely, floral; by Gustav Klimt, Marc Chagall, and Frida Kahlo; Unreal engine 5
  13. A landscape of a moon with craters and mountains made of cheese, bread, and wine, creating a sense of hunger and humor; Moon, Food; Fantastic Surrealism; Watercolor, Digital; Cool, cosmic lighting; Contrasting colors of yellow and purple; hungry, humorous; by Jules Verne, Salvador Dali, and Wayne Thiebaud; Unreal engine 5
  14. A composition of a human eye with stars and planets instead of iris and pupil, creating a sense of vision and space; Eye, Space; Fantastic Surrealism; Acrylic, Collage; Bright, cosmic lighting; Sparkling colors of blue and silver; visionary, cosmic; by Leonardo da Vinci, Rene Magritte, and David Hockney; Unreal engine 5
  15. A sculpture of a fish with human legs and shoes instead of fins and tail, walking on a street; Fish, Walking; Fantastic Surrealism; Metal, Fabric; Bright, artificial lighting; Pastel colors of pink and blue; fishy, absurd; by Rene Magritte, Meret Oppenheim, and Yoko Ono; Unreal engine 5
  16. A scene of a forest with trees and flowers made of human hair, nails, and skin, creating a sense of horror and disgust; Forest, Body; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil, Mixed Media; Dark, natural lighting; Earthy colors of brown and green; horrific, disgusting; by Edgar Allan Poe, H.R. Giger, and Marina Abramovic; Unreal engine 5
  17. A portrait of a man with a lion’s mane and claws instead of hair and hands, roaring in a jungle; Animal, Power; Fantastic Surrealism; Acrylic, Pastel; Warm, tropical lighting; Vivid colors of orange and green; fierce, wild; by Homer, Henri Rousseau, and Franz Marc; Unreal engine 5
  18. A landscape of a sea with waves and fish made of fire, smoke, and ash, creating a sense of heat and danger; Sea, Fire; Fantastic Surrealism; Watercolor, Digital; Bright, sunny lighting; Contrasting colors of blue and red; hot, dangerous; by Homer, J.M.W. Turner, and Yves Klein; Unreal engine 5
  19. A composition of a human heart with wings, feathers, and eyes instead of valves and veins, flying in the sky; Heart, Flight; Fantastic Surrealism; Pencil, Ink; Cool, diffused lighting; Harmonious colors of blue and white; heartfelt, flying; by Leonardo da Vinci, William Blake, and Frida Kahlo; Unreal engine 5
  20. A sculpture of a bird with a human face and hands instead of a beak and claws, singing in a cage; Freedom, Imprisonment; Fantastic Surrealism; Metal, Fabric; Bright, artificial lighting; Pastel colors of pink and blue; surreal, ironic; by Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, and Banksy; Unreal engine 5
  21. An otherworldly landscape featuring towering crystal formations that seem to pulse with an inner light; Geometric, Abstract; Fantastic Surrealism; Acrylic, Mixed Media; Harsh, angular lighting casting deep shadows; Cool, muted blues and purples contrasted with neon pinks and oranges; ethereal, iridescent, intricate; by Salvador Dali, Zdzislaw Beksinski, and Roger Dean; Unreal engine 5
  22. A dystopian cityscape filled with towering, interconnected skyscrapers and dark, foreboding clouds overhead; Futuristic, Cyberpunk; Fantastic Surrealism; Digital, 3D modeling; Gritty, neon lighting with heavy contrast; Stark, high-contrast black and white with small pops of vivid color; ominous, haunting, complex; by H.R. Giger, Syd Mead, and Masamune Shirow; Unreal engine 5
  23. A vast and intricate machine, composed of interlocking gears and pulsing with energy, set against a backdrop of a starry cosmos; Steampunk, Science Fiction; Fantastic Surrealism; Pen and Ink, Digital; Harsh, angled lighting casting deep shadows; Monochromatic with muted metallic tones; intricate, detailed, cosmic; by Jean-Pierre Serrier, Jakub Rozalski, and Chris Foss; Unreal engine 5
  24. A complex and surreal landscape, composed of intricate tendrils and structures in shades of blue and green, with a glowing red heart at the center; Abstract, Organic; Fantastic Surrealism; Watercolor, Digital; Soft, diffused lighting with a gentle glow emanating from the heart; Monochromatic with shades of blue and green, contrasted with a bright red center; ethereal, entangled, serene; by Remedios Varo, Hieronymus Bosch, and Yayoi Kusama; Unreal engine 5
  25. An otherworldly figure, half-man and half-machine, looming over a cityscape and surrounded by a glowing aura of energy; Science Fiction, Cyberpunk; Fantastic Surrealism; Oil on Canvas, Digital; Stark, angular lighting casting deep shadows; Neon blues and purples contrasted with warm oranges and yellows; futuristic, ominous, radiant; by Alex Ross, Simon Bisley, and Moebius; Unreal engine 5
  26. A futuristic cityscape with towering buildings and flying vehicles, bathed in the glowing neon lights of a bustling metropolis; Cyberpunk, Futurism; Digital Painting, 3D Modeling; Neon-lit, Artificial lighting; High contrast with bold primary colors; complex, intricate, futuristic; by Syd Mead, Masamune Shirow, and Simon Stålenhag; Unreal engine 5
  27. An eldritch, otherworldly creature emerging from a rift between dimensions, surrounded by swirling tendrils of energy and cosmic dust; Lovecraftian, Cosmic horror; Ink drawing, Oil Painting; Dim, eerie lighting with strong shadows; Monochromatic with a splash of color; creepy, unsettling, cosmic; by H.R. Giger, Clive Barker, and Junji Ito; Unreal engine 5
  28. A beautiful and ethereal landscape of a fantastical, alien world, featuring towering rock formations, floating islands, and strange flora and fauna; Nature, Science Fiction; Digital Painting, Matte Painting; Soft, diffused lighting with a touch of sunlight; Pastel colors with hints of metallic shine; gossamer, intricate, majestic; by Roger Dean, James Cameron, and Wayne Barlowe; Unreal engine 5
  29. A psychedelic dreamscape of a surreal, infinite void filled with geometric patterns, fractals, and strange creatures; Psychedelic, Abstract art; Acrylic painting, Digital art; Intense, vibrant lighting with neon colors; High contrast with bold, bright colors and patterns; intricate, trippy, mesmerizing; by Alex Grey, Salvador Dali, and Yayoi Kusama; Unreal engine 5
  30. A hauntingly beautiful seascape of an underwater world, with schools of glowing fish, bioluminescent plants, and ancient ruins; Nature, Fantasy; Oil painting, Watercolor; Deep, moody lighting with dappled sunlight filtering through the water; Monochromatic with shades of blue and green; mysterious, serene, aquatic; by Zdzisław Beksiński, Hokusai, and John Dyer Baizley; Unreal engine 5
  31. A fantastical landscape of an alternate world with floating mountains, upside-down trees, and a giant glowing moon in the sky; Fantasy, Sci-fi; Oil painting, Digital art; Low-key lighting with stark contrasts; A monochromatic palette with shades of blue and purple; ethereal, intricate, mysterious; by Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, and René Magritte; Unreal engine 5
  32. A dystopian cityscape with towering skyscrapers and a looming storm in the background; Cyberpunk, Post-apocalyptic; Charcoal drawing, Photography; High contrast lighting with deep shadows; A desaturated palette with hints of neon; gritty, ominous, urban; by H.R. Giger, Zdzisław Beksiński, and Syd Mead; Unreal engine 5
  33. An otherworldly seascape with a glowing, bioluminescent coral reef and strange, alien fish swimming through the waters; Fantasy, Cosmic Horror; Watercolor, Digital art; Soft, diffused lighting with warm tones; A color palette with shades of green and pink; beautiful, ethereal, alien; by Hieronymus Bosch, H.P. Lovecraft, and Guillermo del Toro; Unreal engine 5
  34. A surreal portrait of a person with an oversized, intricately detailed insect head; Surrealism, Body Horror; Oil painting, Mixed media; Dramatic, chiaroscuro lighting; A monochromatic palette with shades of brown and green; creepy, unsettling, uncanny; by Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, and Dorothea Tanning; Unreal engine 5
  35. A cosmic landscape with a swirling, star-filled sky and a colossal, glowing planet on the horizon; Space Art, Cosmic Horror; Digital art, Sculpture; High-key lighting with vibrant colors; A color palette with shades of blue and orange; expansive, epic, awe-inspiring; by Alex Grey, H.R. Giger, and Moebius; Unreal engine 5
  36. A dystopian cityscape at night with glowing neon lights and towering skyscrapers; Cyberpunk, Futuristic; Oil painting, Digital art; Harsh, artificial lighting; Vibrant, contrasting colors; urban, gritty, futuristic; by Syd Mead, Takashi Murakami, and Simon Stålenhag; Unreal engine 5
  37. An intricately detailed moonscape with a giant, glowing aurora in the sky; Space, Astronomy; Pointillism, Digital painting; Soft, diffuse lighting; Iridescent colors with shades of blue and green; ethereal, cosmic, serene; by Max Ernst, Yayoi Kusama, and Remedios Varo; Unreal engine 5
  38. A twisted, ethereal forest with glowing trees and a mysterious portal; Dark Fantasy, Magic Realism; Ink drawing, Digital art; Crepuscular lighting with flickering light; Golden hour color scheme with a matte background; mysterious, haunting, eldritch; by Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, and Austin Osman Spare; Unreal engine 5
  39. A surreal, abstract seascape with an eldritch creature lurking in the depths; Horror, Oceanic; Oil painting, Digital painting; Thunderstorm lighting with radiant sunshine rays; Iridescent blue and green colors with a liminal space vibe; ominous, mysterious, entangled; by H.R. Giger, Zdzisław Beksiński, and Hieronymus Bosch; Unreal engine 5
  40. An otherworldly, cosmic landscape with strange, alien rock formations and a vast, starry sky; Science Fiction, Astronomy; Digital art, 3D rendering; Glowing neon lighting with a holographic color scheme; Gossamer, atmospheric textures with a low poly style; futuristic, awe-inspiring, cosmic; by Salvador Dali, Alex Grey, and Frank Frazetta; Unreal engine 5
  41. An expansive, otherworldly landscape featuring towering, glowing crystal formations jutting up from a golden-hued desert floor; Cosmic, Dystopian; Oil on canvas, Sculpture; Brilliant, direct lighting; Bold, contrasting colors with a metallic sheen; intricate, detailed; by H.R. Giger, Zdzislaw Beksinski, and Salvador Dali; Unreal engine 5
  42. An elegant, photorealistic portrait of a human-animal hybrid, with features such as a feline snout or pointed ears; Biomorphism, Surrealism; Oil on wood panel, Digital painting; Soft, diffuse lighting with a slight warm tint; Monochromatic with a subtle pop of color; ethereal, iridescent; by Rene Magritte, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo; Unreal engine 5
  43. A dystopian cityscape with towering, spindly skyscrapers and twisted highways leading off into the distance; Futuristic, Post-apocalyptic; Charcoal on toned paper, Digital drawing; Harsh, artificial lighting with cool blue tones; High-contrast black and white with pops of vivid color; gritty, detailed; by H.R. Giger, Ralph McQuarrie, and Syd Mead; Unreal engine 5
  44. A surreal, liminal space featuring a twisted tree growing out of a cluster of geometric shapes floating in a starry void; Abstract, Geometric; Mixed media on canvas, 3D modeling; Soft, glowing lighting with a range of colors; Bold, bright hues with metallic accents; complex, intricate; by Yayoi Kusama, Max Ernst, and Remedios Varo; Unreal engine 5
  45. A radiant, psychedelic dreamscape featuring an amorphous, iridescent creature floating in a colorful swirl of glowing energy; Psychedelic, Elemental; Acrylic on canvas, Digital art; Glowing, neon lighting with warm, vivid hues; Bright, bold colors with a range of textures and patterns; trippy, fantastical; by Alex Grey, Ernst Fuchs, and Mati Klarwein; Unreal engine 5
  46. An ethereal depiction of a floating city in the clouds, with a bridge connecting two buildings; Neo-futuristic, Steampunk; Oil, Charcoal; Dusky, dim lighting; Cool blues with gold accents; complex, elaborate, futuristic; by René Magritte, Salvador Dali, and Max Ernst; Unreal engine 5
  47. An otherworldly landscape of a mysterious planet with a glowing red sky, featuring a mountain range with crystal-like structures; Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi; Digital Art, Oil painting; Eerie, low-key lighting; Iridescent with shades of red and purple; ethereal, intricate, ominous; by HR Giger, Zdzislaw Beksinski, and Boris Vallejo; Unreal engine 5
  48. A surrealist interpretation of an elaborate maze, featuring complex patterns and structures with hidden doorways and passages; Op Art, Kinetic Art; Ink drawing, Digital painting; Stark, high-contrast lighting; Black and white with subtle shades of grey; detailed, geometric, entangled; by M.C. Escher, Bridget Riley, and Victor Vasarely; Unreal engine 5
  49. An unsettling scene of a ghostly apparition emerging from a mirror, with a sinister look in its eyes; Horror, Gothic; Mixed media, Oil painting; Shadowy, low lighting; Monochromatic with shades of blue and green; eerie, creepy, spectral; by Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, and Gustave Moreau; Unreal engine 5
  50. A cosmic depiction of a space nebula with vivid colors and swirling shapes, featuring a floating astronaut exploring the unknown depths of space; Abstract, Space art; Acrylic painting, Digital art; Bright, neon lighting; Vibrant colors with hues of pink, blue, and purple; cosmic, psychedelic, radiant; by Peter Max, Yayoi Kusama, and Jackson Pollock; Unreal engine 5