Holding objects in Midjourney: a comprehensive guide

Are you struggling to generate the perfect image of a character holding a specific object? Let's take weapons, for example, as they're often asked about. In this article, we'll explore tips on how to use Midjourney V5 to generate the perfect image of a character holding a handheld object.

The Describing Method

The traditional method of generating a prompt for a character holding an object is to describe it in detail. For example, "A man wearing furs and leather holding a wooden club." This method is called "describing."

The Invoking Method

An alternative method is called "invoking." Instead of describing the object, you can invoke the character stereotype and let Midjourney V5 decide the rest.

For example, if you want to generate an image of a barbarian holding a club, you can name his stereotype and only minimally describe him. Here's an example prompt:

"Dungeons & Dragons character portrait, a tribal barbarian with massive wooden club, leather suede boots, arm tattoos, 2D game art, concept art, Disney, Pixar."

Archetypes and Stereotypes

Certain archetypes and stereotypes naturally hold specific objects. For example, knights, swordsmen, guardians, barbarians, bandits, archers, rangers, samurai, and vikings typically hold weapons, while mages, magicians, wizards, enchantresses, and warlocks hold wands. Librarians, teachers, scholars, and professors typically hold books.

By using a character stereotype in your prompt, you can let Midjourney V5 do all the work to invoke what they are holding. In some cases, you may not even need to mention the object specifically, as the archetype is always depicted holding it.

The Slider Method

If your archetype is holding an object that they typically don't hold, you can use the slider method. This method involves creating a promptlet out of an exact phrase in your main prompt and giving it a virtual "slider" that you can adjust to increase or decrease its influence.

For example, if you want to generate an image of a tribal barbarian holding a broadsword, you can create a prompt like this: "Dungeons & Dragons character portrait, a tribal barbarian with massive broadsword in his hand, beaded suede boots, arm tattoos, 2D game art, concept art, Disney, Pixar::massive broadsword in his hand::0.5 --ar 16:9."

Avoiding Non-Stereotypical Objects

In some cases, you may want to avoid using certain words that clash with the non-stereotypical object they're holding. For example, you might want to avoid using the word "secretary" when generating an image of a secretary holding a broadsword. Instead, describe someone who looks like a secretary without using the actual word. You can also use the slider method to fine-tune the image to your liking.

By following these tips and utilizing Midjourney V5's features, you can generate the perfect image of a character holding a handheld object, even if it's not something they typically hold.