Leonardo AI: your first image workflow (2026)

Leonardo.Ai bundles generation, iteration and upscale on the web. This flow takes about 16 minutes and ends with a PNG or JPG you can show in a product mock or on social — not an abandoned test grid. You start from a real format (4:5, 9:16 or 16:9), pick a model that matches the brief and describe a shot, not a vague mood.

1. Steps 1

   Define deliverable and aspect ratio in a note

   Before you open the generator, write one line on where the image goes (4:5 feed, 9:16 stories, 16:9 slide) and what must appear (subject, background, forbidden: invented text, hands in the foreground). That note drives aspect ratio in Leonardo; changing format later usually means regenerating.

   What you should see: A four-line note with format, subject and exclusions. Leonardo with no prompt sent yet.

2. Steps 2

   Open Image Generation and pick a model

   Sign in at leonardo.ai and open image generation (main prompt or Image section per the current UI). In the model picker, choose one that fits the brief: the vendor documents families such as Lucid Origin or Lucid Realism and other models that rotate in news posts. For studio-lit product, favor photoreal; for editorial illustration, a more pictorial preset. Do not switch models on every regen until you have a direction.

   What you should see: Prompt bar visible, model panel open with one model selected and aligned with your note.

3. Steps 3

   Lock aspect ratio and batch size

   In generation controls, pick the aspect ratio from your note (common presets 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 16:9, 9:16 per vendor documentation). If you generate multiple images per request, start with 4 for a manageable first grid. Set privacy or visibility per your plan if the UI offers it before generating sensitive content.

   What you should see: Aspect ratio 4:5, 9:16 or 16:9 selected and quantity at 4 (or the minimum your tier allows).

4. Steps 4

   Write a shot prompt, not a pile of adjectives

   In the prompt describe subject, framing, light and background in short sentences. Product example: «Glass skincare bottle on mossy rock, soft studio key light from left, dark gradient background, no label text, product photography.» Skip chains of «ultra detailed cinematic 8K». If the UI offers automatic prompt enhancement (prompt enhance), turn it off on round one so you know what you wrote; turn it on only if the vendor recommends it and you want to compare.

   What you should see: A 2–4 line prompt in clear English or Spanish, aligned with the deliverable note.

5. Steps 5

   Generate and pick a direction, not just shine

   Hit Generate and wait in the queue. Review the batch: look for subject and light coherence, not the most saturated filter. Mentally mark one thumbnail as direction A. If all four fail for the same reason (chaotic background, warped bottle), edit one variable in the prompt — background or angle — before you raise quantity or change model.

   What you should see: A grid of up to four images in the feed. One thumbnail flagged as keeper candidate.

6. Steps 6

   Iterate on one axis

   With direction A clear, regenerate or use variation tools the UI shows (remix, variation or a new prompt with the same aspect ratio). Change only light or only background: «same bottle, warmer key light, softer shadow». At most two extra rounds this session. If type or hands still fail, do not stack adjectives: tighten framing in the prompt or move to a still without critical copy.

   What you should see: A second batch similar to the first with one visible controlled change, or a variation on the chosen thumbnail.

7. Steps 7

   Upscale the keeper and download from Library

   Hover the final image and click Upscale Image (or open Upscaler from the bar or side menu per guides on leonardo.ai/news). Review mode and multiplier before you confirm; Pro Upscaler offers Precise and Creative types in Help Center documentation. When it finishes, open Library if needed and use download. Name the file with format and date (`bottle-4x5-2026-10-11.png`).

   What you should see: Upscale panel with settings visible, then a file in your system downloads.

8. Steps 8

   Note usage rights before you show it outside

   Open your plan’s terms on leonardo.ai (commercial use, attribution, content with third-party brands or recognizable people). Update the same brief note with plan, generation date and whether use is internal, mock or client delivery. If the deliverable includes someone else’s logo or a real likeness without permission, do not ship to a paid campaign even when upscale is sharp.

   What you should see: Updated note with plan, date and allowed use type from what you read on the site.