Stable Diffusion is an AI system that generates images from text descriptions, also known as prompts. It is one of the leading text-to-image models and can produce high-quality and creative images for a wide range of prompts.
Some key things to know about Stable Diffusion:
- Based on a class of AI algorithms called diffusion models that are particularly effective for image generation
- Can generate 512×512 pixel images, with the possibility to go up to 1024×1024
- Open source and accessible to the general public
- Constantly being improved by an active community of developers
To get the most out of Stable Diffusion, it’s important to learn what makes an effective prompt. Well-crafted prompts lead to better quality and more accurate images. This article provides tips and examples for writing great Stable Diffusion prompts.
Elements of an Effective Prompt
An effective Stable Diffusion prompt has the following key elements:
Subject and Style
Clearly describe the subject – the main focus of the image. Also indicate the desired style, such as painting, anime, pixel art etc.
Example: A majestic wolf howling, digital art
Details
Add relevant details about the subject to guide the image generation. More details typically lead to better results.
Example: A majestic grey wolf with golden eyes, howling at a full moon partially obscured by clouds, digital art
Composition
Specify the desired framing and composition using terms like close-up, aerial view, rule of thirds etc.
Example: A close-up portrait of a majestic grey wolf with golden eyes, howling at a full moon partially obscured by clouds, digital art
Quality
Use modifiers to enhance quality – terms like HD, detailed, cinematic etc. signal high quality.
Example: A beautifully detailed, close-up cinematic portrait of a majestic grey wolf with golden eyes, howling at a full moon partially obscured by clouds, digital art
Prompt Structure
Structure your prompts using the following template for best results:
[Subject] + [Style] + [Details] + [Composition] + [Quality]
Let’s break down the key sections:
Subject
Clearly state the main subject. For example:
- a majestic grey wolf
- a plate of pasta
- a astronaut exploring mars
Style
Specify an art style or medium:
- impressionist painting
- 3D render
- anime digital art
Details
Add relevant descriptive details:
- golden eyes
- howling at a full moon
- wearing a red space suit
Composition
Indicate framing and composition:
- close-up portrait
- aerial view
- set against a backdrop of tall mountains
Quality
Use modifiers to enhance quality:
- cinematic
- intricately detailed
- 8k resolution
Prompt Examples
Here are some prompt examples for Stable Diffusion covering different subjects and styles:
Realistic Portrait
A beautifully detailed, close-up cinematic portrait of a majestic grey wolf with golden eyes, howling at a full moon partially obscured by clouds, digital art
Futuristic Cityscape
A vibrant, intricately detailed aerial view of a bustling futuristic city with towering skyscrapers and busy flying vehicles, digital art
Still Life Painting
An oil painting still life of a bowl of ripe colorful fruit including oranges, apples, grapes, and bananas, with dramatic lighting
Anime Character
A cute anime girl with long pink hair, sparkling green eyes, and a cheerful smile, wearing a blue and white magical girl costume, digital art
Abstract Geometry
A abstract solid geometry sculpture made of triangles and circles overlapping each other seamlessly floating through space, digital art
Advanced Prompting Techniques
You can take your prompts to the next level using these advanced techniques:
Stylistic Blending
Blend multiple styles in creative ways:
A majestic wolf in the artistic style of Van Gogh, reimagined as a vibrant graffiti mural
Directing Focus
Shift focus to specific parts of the image:
A close-up of the majestic wolf’s face and eyes
Show Don’t Tell
Use imagery instead of adjectives for a more “show don’t tell” style:
The wolf’s fur shimmering as if threads of silver and gold
Unexpected Combinations
Fuse disparate concepts into something new:
A phone charging station shaped like a majestic wolf
With practice, you’ll get better at crafting prompts that produce exactly what you imagined. Use these examples and techniques as inspiration for your own unique prompt creations.
Useful Resources
Here are some useful sites for learning more about prompting Stable Diffusion:
- Stable Diffusion Prompts – Prompt guides and examples
- Automatic1111 Stable Diffusion UI – Popular community UI
- Stable Diffusion Paper – Original academic paper
- Stable Diffusion Discord – Active Discord community
- Lexica – Dataset of prompts and images
Start experimenting with prompts for Stable Diffusion and unlock your creativity!