Abstract Expressionism SREF Codes for Midjourney
Bold, gestural abstract expressionism SREF codes for Midjourney featuring dynamic brushwork, raw emotion, and spontaneous mark-making inspired by Pollock and Kline.
Abstract Expressionism SREF codes capture the raw energy and emotional intensity of post-war American abstract art. These codes understand gestural brushwork, spontaneous composition, and the power of color and form to convey emotion without representation.
Quick Start:
Use --sref 2847561930 --sw 140 for bold gestural strokes, or --sref 3294817560 --sw 130 for atmospheric color field expressionism.
Important:
Expressionist codes work best with emotional, action-oriented prompts. Describe feelings, movements, and energy rather than specific objects.
SREF Code Collection
2847561930 - Bold Gestural Expressionism
Explosive brushwork with powerful gestural marks and dynamic energy reminiscent of Franz Kline and Willem de Kooning.
Characteristics:
- Bold, confident brushstrokes
- High contrast black and white or vibrant colors
- Raw, unrefined energy
- Spontaneous composition
Example:
explosive energy, bold black strokes --sref 2847561930 --sw 160
Settings: SW 130-180 | Best with V7, V6.1
Best For:
Perfect for expressing raw emotion, creating dynamic album covers, editorial illustrations, and powerful abstract compositions.
1928374650 - Action Painting Aesthetic
Drip painting and spontaneous mark-making inspired by Jackson Pollock's revolutionary techniques.
Characteristics:
- Drip and splatter techniques
- All-over composition
- Layered complexity
- Rhythmic energy
Example:
dripping paint, chaotic energy, layers of movement --sref 1928374650 --sw 140
Settings: SW 120-160 | Best with V7 + --sv 4
Prompting Tip:
Use active verbs like "dripping," "flowing," "splattering," "erupting" to enhance the action painting aesthetic.
4183927560 - Dark Power Expressionism
Dramatic black brushwork with powerful contrast and emotional weight.
Characteristics:
- Dominant black strokes
- High contrast drama
- Monumental presence
- Architectural gesture
Example:
powerful black brushstrokes, stark contrast --sref 4183927560 --sw 150
Settings: SW 130-170 | Best with V7, V6.1
Inspired By:
Captures the essence of Franz Kline's monumental black and white compositions.
How to Use Expressionist Codes
Choose Your Energy Level
Select a code based on desired intensity:
- Bold gesture →
--sref 2847561930 - Action painting →
--sref 1928374650 - Atmospheric →
--sref 3294817560 - Monumental →
--sref 3746291850
Use Action Verbs
Focus on movement and energy:
exploding energy, bold strokes --sref 2847561930 --sw 140
Specify Colors
Guide the emotional palette:
turbulent red and black, powerful movement --sref 4183927560 --sw 150
Adjust Style Weight
Control the expressionist intensity:
- Start with
--sw 140 - Increase for more extreme abstraction
- Decrease for subtler expression
Prompting Techniques
Abstract expressionism responds best to emotional and action-oriented language.
Action Verbs
crashing, exploding, flowing, erupting --sref 2847561930 --sw 150
Pro Tip:
Active verbs create more dynamic compositions. The SREF interprets these as gestural movements.
Emotional States
feelings of rage and freedom --sref 2847561930 --sw 140
Color + Emotion
passionate reds exploding across canvas --sref 3294817560 --sw 130
Synergy:
Combining color with emotion or action creates the most powerful expressionist results.
Composition Approaches
All-Over Composition (Pollock Style):
chaotic energy covering entire canvas, no focal point --sref 1928374650 --sw 140
Dominant Gesture (Kline Style):
single powerful black stroke dominating composition --sref 4183927560 --sw 150
Color Field Approach (Rothko Influence):
two large rectangles of color, emotional depth --sref 3294817560 --sw 120
Aspect Ratio Recommendations
| Ratio | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
--ar 1:1 | Contained energy | Balanced compositions |
--ar 2:3 | Vertical power | Monumental works |
--ar 3:2 | Horizontal sweep | Panoramic gestures |
--ar 16:9 | Cinematic | Epic scale feeling |
Note:
Tip: Square formats (--ar 1:1) work beautifully for gestural work, while vertical (--ar 2:3) enhances monumentality.
Style Weight Guide
| Range | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 100-130 | Subtle expressionism | Semi-abstract work |
| 130-160 | Strong gestural quality | Most abstract work |
| 160-180 | Extreme abstraction | Pure expressionism |
| 180-200 | Maximum intensity | Chaotic, raw energy |
Note:
Starting Point: Use --sw 140 as your baseline and adjust based on desired intensity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Use Emotional Language
explosive energy, rage and passion --sref 2847561930
Specify Colors
bold red and black brushstrokes --sref 4183927560
Action-Oriented Prompts
dripping paint, chaotic movement --sref 1928374650
Note:
Let the emotional language and action verbs drive the composition. The SREF understands abstract concepts.
Combining Codes
Mix expressionist codes for unique hybrid styles:
--sref 2847561930::2 3294817560::1 --sw 130
This combines bold gesture (2 parts) with atmospheric color field (1 part).
Advanced Technique:
Use ::weight syntax to control each code's influence. Higher numbers = stronger influence.
Note:
When combining codes, start with --sw 120-130 to prevent over-stylization.
Related Collections
- Color Field & Hard-Edge - Pure color abstraction
- Fluid & Organic - Flowing abstract forms
- Abstract Overview - All abstract styles
- All SREF Categories - Explore other styles
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