Leonardo.ai has rapidly become a go-to platform for creatives exploring AI-generated imagery. Its strength lies in offering a diverse suite of models tailored to various artistic needs all in one place. Particularly interesting to me is the recent addition of Black Forest Lab’s Flux.1 Kontext model and the GPT-Image-1 model. These 2 alone greatly enhance Leonardo’s capabilities, providing users with advanced tools for image generation.
I’m a bit of an AI image generation junky, so I burned through my free credits in 10 minutes. But Leonardo.ai offers a reasonable paid plan at $12 a month that provides enough credits to get your feet wet.
Leonardo.ai’s Model Lineup
Leonardo.ai offers a range of models, each designed for specific styles and outputs:
- Leonardo Lightning XL: A high-speed generalist model suitable for various styles, from photorealism to painterly effects.
- Leonardo Anime XL: Tailored for anime and illustrative styles, delivering high-speed, high-quality outputs.
- Leonardo Kino XL: Focuses on cinematic outputs, excelling at wider aspect ratios without requiring negative prompts.
- Leonardo Vision XL: Versatile in producing realistic and photographic images, especially effective with detailed prompts.
- Leonardo Diffusion XL: An evolution of the core Leonardo model, capable of generating stunning images even with concise prompts.
- AlbedoBase XL: Leans towards CG artistic outputs, offering a generalist approach with a unique flair.
Introducing Flux.1 Kontext and GPT-Image-1
Leonardo.ai’s recent integration of Flux.1 Kontext and GPT-Image-1 models marks a significant advancement in AI image generation:
Flux.1 by Black Forest Labs
Flux.1 is renowned for its photorealistic outputs and prompt adherence. Developed by Black Forest Labs, it offers multiple variants:
- Flux.1 Schnell: An open-source model under the Apache License, providing fast and efficient image generation.
- Flux.1 Dev: Available under a non-commercial license, suitable for development and testing purposes.
- Flux.1 Pro: A proprietary model offering high-resolution outputs and advanced features like Ultra and Raw modes, delivering images up to 4 megapixels with enhanced realism.
Flux.1’s integration into Leonardo.ai allows users to generate images with exceptional detail and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for professionals and hobbyists alike.
GPT-Image-1 by OpenAI
GPT-Image-1 introduces a novel approach by enabling multi-image referencing. Users can input up to five images, and the model intelligently combines elements from each based on textual instructions. This capability is particularly useful for creating composite images or blending styles and themes seamlessly.
Both Flux.1 and GPT-Image-1 are accessible through Leonardo.ai’s Omni Editor, offering users flexibility in creation and editing processes.
Why Choose Leonardo.ai?
Leonardo.ai stands out for its comprehensive suite of models catering to diverse creative needs. Whether you’re aiming for photorealism, anime-style illustrations, or cinematic visuals, Leonardo.ai provides the tools to bring your vision to life. The addition of Flux.1 and GPT-Image-1 further enhances its versatility, making it a robust platform for AI-driven image generation.
It’s nice to have a one-stop-shop for image generation. The only thing I’m worried about is burning through my credits in one day!

