Exploring Leonardo AI: Features, Uses, and How It Stands Out

The Power of Leonardo AI: Real-Time Image Generation and More!

In this blog post, I'll show you some absolutely mind-blowing functions that Leonardo AI has to offer, such as real-time Canvas or real-time generation, where you're typing things, and it's generating these things and drawing them on your screen.

I also make some comparisons to MidJourney, which is a tool for generating art that I was using before this one, but I'm absolutely mind blown by how good and how user-friendly Leonardo AI is. So, let's just dive straight into it!

If you're new around here, I usually talk about research, but increasingly recently, I have been understandably talking about tools and software and AI tools that can obviously help you maximize the effectiveness of your work in different ways.

If you're one of my regular readers, you're probably wondering why I'm talking about Leonardo AI all of a sudden. Well, some of you asked me to write on the tools that I'm using. I've mainly been using these tools for my b-roll and thumbnail.

A b-roll, if you don't know, is basically an additional footage or visual element you see on your screen. For example, if I'm talking about a vacation in Spain, you likely see something on your screen that's relevant to what I'm talking about. That's b-roll—that's what I've been using these tools for mainly.

So, let's get started and explore what makes Leonardo AI so impressive and user-friendly! 

Why Leonardo AI?

The main thing about Leonardo AI is just how many options it has to offer. Remember, I'm talking from the perspective of somebody who's obviously not a graphic designer or not somebody really involved in this sort of work.

Therefore, this is not a comprehensive guideline or review because there are so many options that I'm sure this tool has to offer. I literally just managed to touch the surface of what it has to offer. There are probably also some things I haven't been using in the right way.

But even though, again, from this perspective of somebody completely new to it, somebody who just needs it for a little bit of work, I'm really impressed. The first thing you see is how user-friendly it also appears. All the options that you previously had to search across different platforms are now all in one platform, which makes it extremely convenient.

For me, the main reason I was really impressed is just how realistic it is—the images, the photography, or whatever you want to call it—that this tool gives me. Again, for my work, I'm usually not interested in abstract concepts. I just want some people, some faces. Sometimes I may use it for thumbnails for my blog or my website.

Prompt: "inventor, 40, wavy dark hair, short beard, thin build, thoughtful eyes, wears a tailored Victorian waistcoat, white shirt, rolled-up sleeves, leather boots, slightly unkempt appearance."

Prompt: "cinematic shot wideangle 16:9 aspect ratio, blonde handsome man 30 years old, trimmed beard, hazelnut eyes, deep eyes, teary eyes but strong personality staring in the middle of the camera, dark weather and very heavy rain, street lights, people running in the background" 

If you don't want it to be photo-realistic—and this is something I only realized after a while—you actually have a range of different styles to choose from. You can make it more into something creative or focus on letting the tool know that you're trying to generate food or some specific item, so it just gets it even more accurately.

As I said before, the main thing I value about this tool is just that it's convenient. Convenience is the number one thing. Here, this convenience relates to all the other related options that you have.

Dashboard Features

The first thing you see in the dashboard is how user-friendly it appears. You can see lots of art—basically, things generated by other users. An important thing about it is that you can also learn from their prompts. You can see what they typed to achieve this result, and apparently, you can also use the models.

The models allow you to reuse ( remix) these models and other art as well as train the tool to create your own models. 

You can decide how many images you want to generate straight from your dashboard. This is something similar to other tools I’ve used, but Leonardo AI also allows you to decide on the resolution—essentially, the size of your image—before generating the prompt.

After you generate the image, you can quickly upscale it, increasing its resolution to make it even better. You also have the option to edit the image. This feature is particularly useful because you can add text to your image, which is a big deal for me.

Most other tools, like MidJourney, aren’t great at understanding text, numbers, or letters. It’s not easy to generate something that contains text with those tools. However, with Leonardo AI, you can generate the image and then add text to it directly within the dashboard.

Additionally, there are options to create a mask, which is useful for those who are familiar with editing tools. A mask helps the tool know which part of the image you want to edit. For example, you can select a specific area and add more elements or details to it.

Realistic Image Generation

The reason I was really impressed with Leonardo AI is just how realistic the images are. Whether it’s the photography or the visuals, the tool provides incredibly lifelike results. One of the standout options is the ability to switch on an additional feature that makes the images even more photo-realistic.

If photo-realism isn't your goal—which is something I came to understand over time—you have a variety of styles to explore. You can opt for more creative outputs or emphasize that you're aiming to generate something specific, such as food or a particular object. This approach helps the tool produce even more precise results.

The ability to customize the level of realism and choose from different styles is one of the main reasons I value Leonardo AI. It makes the tool not only powerful but also incredibly flexible, depending on the type of output you need.

Customization Options

Leonardo AI offers several customization options that make it incredibly versatile and user-friendly. For instance, you can decide how many images you want to generate, something that’s similar to other tools I’ve used. However, it goes a step further by allowing you to decide the resolution or size of your image before you even start generating the prompt.

Once the image is generated, you also have the option to quickly upscale it. This means you can increase the resolution of the image to make it even better. The ability to upscale images easily is a feature I really appreciate.

Another great option is the ability to edit your image. This is a huge advantage, as it allows you to add text to the image. For me, adding text is crucial, as many tools, including MidJourney, aren’t great at handling text, numbers, or letters. Generating an image with text was definitely a challenge with other tools, but with Leonardo AI, you can generate the image and then easily add text to it.

Additionally, you can create a mask for your image. For those familiar with photo editing, a mask helps the tool understand which part of the image you want to edit. You can then add specific elements or modify areas of the image with ease.

These customization options—such as resolution control, upscaling, text addition, and masking—make Leonardo AI a robust and flexible tool for creating exactly what you need, all from one platform.

Special Features

Leonardo AI has some really impressive special features that set it apart from other tools. One of these is the ability to add motion to your images. This feature is especially useful for creating dynamic content without needing a full-scale animation. Once you’ve created an image, you can add motion to it directly within the platform. It’s not a full animation, but it adds that tiny bit of motion, perfect for b-roll or other similar applications.

What makes this feature even more impressive is that the tool adds motion intelligently. For example, if there are people walking in the image, the motion tries to replicate the movement of people walking. If there’s steam rising from a cup, the tool adds motion to that steam in a realistic way. This attention to detail in the motion adds a lot of depth to the generated images.

Another cool special feature is the Real-Time Canvas. In this feature, you're able to draw something, and as you do, the tool helps improve and refine your drawing. This is an incredible tool for users who want to create something on the fly while getting real-time assistance. However, it’s important to note that there is a lot of back-and-forth involved, and you need to understand how the prompts work to get the best results.

For instance, as you’re drawing something, you’ll need to help the tool by typing prompts at the bottom of the screen. If you’re drawing a princess, you should let the tool know you're drawing a princess so that it can improve the accuracy of the image. There's also an option to adjust the creativity strength, so you can decide how much the tool contributes to your drawing.

Another standout feature is the Real-Time Generation. This feature allows you to type prompts and watch the tool generate the image as you type. For example, if you're typing "a hamburger fighting with a cow," you can see how the image evolves in real-time as you refine your prompt. It’s both impressive and fun to watch, especially as you can decide what style the final image should have once you’re done typing the prompt.

Comparison: Leonardo AI vs. MidJourney

Comparing Leonardo AI to MidJourney, I’ve used MidJourney extensively since its release. For me, the main advantage of Leonardo AI is its ability to create highly realistic scenes. While MidJourney can also produce realistic scenes, I often found the results slightly less realistic than I desired. Sometimes, I had to experiment with additional prompts to refine the outcome. I understand that there are many prompts and techniques to work around its limitations, but for an average user like me, I noticed that MidJourney’s output wasn’t consistently as realistic as Leonardo’s.

Prompt: A woman enjoying a relaxing facial treatment at a spa, lying with her eyes closed as a beautician applies a softgreen face mask using a brush. The woman is resting on a white towel, and the soft lighting emphasizes a calm and soothing atmosphere. The scene is designed to convey skincare, pampering, and tranquility, photographed from a close-up angle using a DSLR camera with a 50mm lens. --ar 9:16 --v 6.1

MidJourney AI Output:

Leonardo AI Output:

What impressed me most about Leonardo AI is how lifelike the faces and people in its images appear. They feel almost photographic. This is particularly important to me because I generally prefer realistic outputs over abstract concepts.

The second major advantage of Leonardo AI over MidJourney is its convenience. As I mentioned, Leonardo AI is extremely user-friendly. It doesn’t require memorizing commands or typing specific prompts to get started. For instance, with MidJourney, you need to know the correct commands to adjust the orientation of an image, such as making it horizontal or vertical. In contrast, Leonardo AI provides all these options directly from the dashboard, making it much easier for regular users.

However, when it comes to generating abstract art and concepts, I think MidJourney still holds the upper hand. Leonardo AI doesn’t seem to handle abstract art as effectively as MidJourney. For example, when I tried generating abstract concepts like animals parting or psychedelic scenes with mushrooms, MidJourney produced stunning, creative results. Leonardo AI, on the other hand, created outputs that were much more realistic—impressive, but not what I was hoping for in those cases.

Ultimately, the choice between the two tools depends on your needs. For me, Leonardo AI wins in terms of realistic outputs and user-friendliness. However, if you’re interested in abstract art or psychedelic concepts, MidJourney might be the better choice.

Use Cases for Leonardo AI

Leonardo AI has proven to be incredibly versatile, catering to a variety of use cases. From my personal experience, I’ve mainly been using this tool for my b-roll, thumbnail and images for my website. For those unfamiliar with the term, b-roll refers to additional footage you see on your screen that’s relevant to the topic being discussed. For example, if I’m talking about a vacation in Spain, you would likely see an image or clip that relates to Spain.

Prompt: "High-contrast, low-key lighting divides a scene into distinct sections. A calm man with neutral expression sits in a minimalist room, soft lighting emphasizing his relaxed posture.  Deep shadows create a dramatic ef"

This tool has been perfect for generating realistic images and visuals for my blog and website. Since I typically avoid abstract concepts and prefer realistic outputs, Leonardo AI meets my needs by producing high-quality, lifelike images.

Prompt: "Bright, vibrant colors in a long-exposure photograph. A calm, cute, and charming man sits in a modern minimalist room, his relaxed pose accentuated by motion-blurred lighting trails"

Another great use case is creating thumbnails for blogs and websites. Having the ability to generate photorealistic faces or objects ensures that my thumbnails are engaging and professional-looking. With the added feature of text integration, I can easily customize these thumbnails without needing additional editing tools.

Prompt: "An eye-catching thumbnail featuring a glowing light bulb surrounded by vibrant question marks, symbolizing creativity and ideas. The background is a gradient of blue and purple, giving it a modern and energetic feel. Bold white text overlays the image, reading 'Top 10 Genius Hacks' in a large, clear font. The composition is clean and balanced, designed to immediately grab attention and spark curiosity."

Leonardo AI is also ideal for content creators who want to enhance their projects with personalized and visually appealing assets. Whether it’s adding motion to an image for dynamic content, creating unique visuals for storytelling, or experimenting with real-time drawing features, the tool offers a wide range of applications.

For individuals or businesses looking for customizable and high-quality visuals, Leonardo AI is an excellent solution. It’s particularly valuable for those who need realistic outputs but also want the flexibility of creative options. From b-roll to thumbnails and beyond, the use cases for this tool are extensive and impressive.

Prompt: "Album cover art in the style of 90's era No Limit Records. Photos of the artist mixed with cheap clip art. Blinged out. The title of the album is "Steven's Spooky Hood Rap Slappers" Make sure that the central character is an intoxicated white boy. Key Elements Gold and Bling: No Limit was synonymous with flashy displays of wealth. Gold chains, rings, grills, and even gold-plated cars were prominent features. Gangster/Thug Life Vibe: Many covers featured artists posing with weapons, money, and tough expressions. Southern Backgrounds: Expect backgrounds that evoke the Southern US: mansions, cars, cityscapes, or even swamps. Bold Colors: No Limit covers were not afraid of bright, saturated colors. Group Shots: Often, covers showcased the entire No Limit roster or a specific crew, emphasizing the label's collective power. Specific Details Fonts: Typically bold, large, and often with a graffiti or street art influence. Photographic Style: Photos were often high-contrast and grainy, with a gritty, almost snapshot-like quality. Explicit Content: Some covers might feature suggestive poses, weapons, or drug references. Example Prompts for AI Art Generation "A No Limit Records album cover featuring a group of rappers in front of a gold-plated mansion, wearing gold chains and holding stacks of money. Use bold colors and a gritty photographic style." "A portrait of Master P in a gold tank top, holding a microphone and surrounded by smoke. The background should be a New Orleans cityscape at night." "A No Limit Records album cover with a black background and a gold No Limit logo in the center. The title of the album should be in large, bold, graffiti-style font."

Limitations of Leonardo AI

While Leonardo AI offers impressive features, it does have some limitations that users should be aware of. One notable limitation is its ability to generate abstract art. Compared to tools like MidJourney, Leonardo AI struggles to produce highly creative or abstract concepts.

For example, when I tried generating abstract scenes, such as "animals partying" or psychedelic imagery involving mushrooms, Leonardo AI created outputs that leaned more towards realism rather than the artistic and imaginative visuals I was aiming for. MidJourney, on the other hand, excelled in these areas, delivering vibrant, creative, and highly stylized results that felt more like art.

Another limitation is the tool’s occasional difficulty in creating specific artistic effects or designs. While it does offer a range of styles, the results might not always meet expectations for users who are heavily focused on abstract or surreal projects.

These limitations mean that Leonardo AI might not be the best choice for projects that rely heavily on abstract art or unique artistic effects. However, for users like me who prioritize realism and convenience, this trade-off is manageable. Ultimately, the suitability of Leonardo AI depends on your specific needs and the type of visuals you’re aiming to create.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Leonardo AI is an incredibly powerful and versatile tool that has left me genuinely impressed. From its user-friendly interface to its ability to generate realistic images, it has quickly become my go-to solution for creating visual content. Its wide range of features, including motion addition, real-time generation, and customization options, make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users.

For my personal use, especially when it comes to b-roll, thumbnails, and realistic image generation, Leonardo AI outshines other tools I’ve tried, including MidJourney. The convenience it offers by having everything in one place, without requiring complex commands or setups, is a huge advantage.

However, it’s important to note that Leonardo AI does have its limitations, particularly when it comes to creating abstract or highly artistic visuals. While it may not excel in generating surreal or psychedelic art, it more than makes up for it with its photorealistic outputs and ease of use.

Ultimately, whether Leonardo AI is the right tool for you depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a straightforward, efficient, and realistic art generation platform, Leonardo AI is an outstanding choice. On the other hand, if your focus is on abstract art or highly creative designs, you might find other tools like MidJourney to be more suitable.

This blog post is not sponsored in any way—it’s simply an honest review of my experience with the tool. For now, Leonardo AI stands out as the tool I’ll continue to use for my projects, and I highly recommend giving it a try to see how it fits your own creative needs.