Apply Visual Styles to AI Generations Using Image References

Krea 2 has introduced a style reference system, commonly referred to as S Refs, to its image generation platform. This update allows users to upload a single image to guide the aesthetic direction of their generations, ensuring that color palettes, lighting, and textures remain consistent across different subjects. For creators working on projects that require a unified visual language, this feature provides a more predictable way to control the output of AI models.

What's new

The core of this update is a custom-built style transfer system integrated directly into the Krea 2 foundation model. Instead of relying solely on text descriptions to convey a specific look, users can now drag and drop an image into a dedicated style transfer slot within the prompt interface.

The system analyzes the reference image to extract several key stylistic components:

• Color palettes and tonal ranges.
• Specific line work and artistic techniques.
• Surface textures and material qualities.
• Lighting patterns and overall composition language.

Once an image is set as a reference, Krea 2 applies these visual traits to any subsequent prompt. This means a user can define a specific "retro cartoon" or "cinematic noir" look once and apply it to an entire series of character or environment designs without having to re-engineer complex text prompts for every new frame.

How it fits your workflow

For filmmakers and concept artists, the style reference tool addresses the common problem of stylistic drift in AI video generation and image creation. When building a storyboard or a mood board, maintaining a cohesive look is often more important than the individual details of a single shot. By using Krea 2 with a style reference, an art director can ensure that every concept piece for a film project feels like it belongs in the same universe.

This functionality mirrors features found in Midjourney’s style reference parameters but offers a more direct, GUI-based approach. It is particularly useful for pre-visualization and look development. For example, a cinematographer could upload a still from a classic film to use as a style reference, then prompt for their own scene locations to see how those environments might look under similar lighting and color grading conditions. It effectively replaces the trial-and-error process of adding dozens of descriptive adjectives to a prompt in hopes of hitting a specific visual target.

Editors and motion designers can also use this to generate assets that match existing brand guidelines. If a client provides a specific illustration style, the designer can use that as the reference to generate additional icons, backgrounds, or textures that fit the established project aesthetic.

What it costs / how to try it

Style references are available within the Krea 2 interface. Users can access the feature by using the image upload slot in the prompt box on the Krea website.