Forget the Ghibli Trend — Try This Indian Art Form to Convert Your Photo into a Piece of Timeless Art

While everyone’s busy making themselves look like a Ghibli character, there’s something far more meaningful and culturally rooted waiting to be rediscovered — Indian traditional art.
From Madhubani and Pattachitra to Miniature and Gond, these stunning styles aren’t just visually rich — they tell stories. Now, thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT combined with MidJourney or DALLE, you can turn your own image into a unique piece of Indian-inspired art — with zero artistic skills required.

Let’s explore how.

Why Indian Art Styles Are the Perfect Upgrade to the Ghibli Trend

While Studio Ghibli-style edits are dreamy and nostalgic, they come from Japanese animation culture. If you’re someone who values cultural identity, heritage, or simply wants something different on their Instagram feed — Indian art styles offer an authentic and vibrant alternative.

Here’s why it’s worth switching:

• It’s unique. Ghibli filters are everywhere. But how many people do you know with a Pattachitra-styled selfie?

• It’s meaningful. Indian art tells stories — of nature, mythology, rituals, and emotions.

• It supports cultural preservation. Reviving interest in these styles helps keep them alive in the digital age.

Step-by-Step: How to Convert Your Photo into Indian Art Using AI

Here’s how you can easily create your Indian art-style portrait using free or paid tools available online.

Step 1: Choose Your Art Style

Here are four beautiful Indian art forms you can try:

1. Madhubani Art – Originating in Bihar, this style is known for its fine lines, bold patterns, and use of bright natural colors.

2. Gond Art – From the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, Gond uses dots, dashes, and lines to fill figures and create a vibrant look.

3. Miniature Painting Style – Inspired by Mughal and Rajput art, perfect for royal, detailed portraits.

4. Pattachitra – A traditional Odisha art form often portraying mythological scenes with bold colors and intricate borders.

🔍 Tip: Look up examples of these art forms to decide which one matches your vibe best.

Step 2: Use ChatGPT + MidJourney/DALL·E to Create a Prompt

Let’s say you want a Gond art-style image. Here’s an example prompt you can use in MidJourney:

Prompt:
A digital art in Gond painting style, inspired by traditional Indian tribal art, featuring a portrait of a young woman with long flowing hair, surrounded by trees and animals drawn in fine lines and dots. Vibrant colors like red, orange, green, and black, intricate patterns and textured background. Black background.

Or for Madhubani:

Prompt:
Madhubani painting style digital art featuring a smiling woman with long hair and a saree, surrounded by flowers, birds, and fish. Use bright colors like yellow, red, green. Fine lines and repetitive patterns. Traditional borders. Black background.

Make sure to:

• Use a clear photo of your face

• Add culturally relevant accessories (bindi, dupatta, turban, etc.) in the prompt

• Keep background black for printing or T-shirt designs

Step 3: Generate and Refine Your Art

Depending on the platform you’re using:

• MidJourney (via Discord): Paste the prompt, wait for image generation, and upscale the best one.

• DALL·E (via OpenAI or Bing): Paste the prompt and download the result.

You can use tools like Fotor, Remove.bg, or Canva to further enhance or frame your image.

Real-Life Example: Reena’s Pattachitra Wedding Portrait

Reena, a graphic designer from Kolkata, wanted something special for her wedding invitation. Instead of going with the usual couple photo, she used ChatGPT to generate a Pattachitra-style portrait of herself and her fiancé — decked in traditional attire, surrounded by lotus and conch motifs.
Not only did her invite go viral on Instagram, but she also printed the portrait on canvas for her home.

Ideas for How to Use Your AI-Generated Indian Art Portrait

• Instagram DP or reel cover

• Wall frame or gift

• Wedding invites

• T-shirt print

• WhatsApp DP or story

• Raksha Bandhan / Diwali personalized card

• Heritage poster for your room

Expert Tips for Better Output

• Use side profile or high-resolution photo

• Mention accessories and background objects in the prompt (lotus, birds, etc.)

• Try prompts in Hindi-English mix for cultural accuracy

• Run 2–3 variations and choose the best output

• If possible, hire a digital artist to retouch and print it professionally

Still Not Sure Which Art Form to Pick? Here’s a Quick Guide

Final Thoughts

Trends come and go, but culture is timeless.
While Ghibli-style portraits are whimsical and cute, transforming your photo into Indian folk art connects you to something deeper — your identity, your roots, and your story.

So the next time someone posts a Ghibli-style selfie, surprise them with a Madhubani masterpiece.

FAQs

1. Can I use my Indian art portrait for commercial use?

If you’re using AI tools, always check their license. For personal or non-commercial prints like home décor or gifts, it’s usually safe. For T-shirt or product sales, you might need to retouch the art with a licensed artist.

2. Do I need any design skills to create these portraits?

Not at all. With the right prompt and a good AI tool like MidJourney or DALL·E, even beginners can generate high-quality images.

3. How do I print my art on a canvas or T-shirt?

You can download your image in HD and use print-on-demand platforms like Printrove, Canva Print, or local printing shops. Make sure the background is clean (usually black or white) for best results.

Disclaimer:

This article is for creative and informational purposes only. The art styles mentioned are inspired by traditional Indian forms and recreated through AI tools. Always respect cultural integrity and artist copyrights while using or sharing AI-generated content.