Stable Diffusion is an open-source AI system for creating images from text descriptions. It uses a deep learning technique called diffusion models to generate highly realistic and creative images based on prompt text.
Crafting effective prompts is key to getting good results from Stable Diffusion. A prompt should clearly describe the desired image while providing enough detail and context.
In this article, we will cover best practices and examples for writing Stable Diffusion prompts.
What Makes a Good Prompt
An effective Stable Diffusion prompt has several key elements:
- Clear main subject. Identify the primary object(s) or scene to depict. Avoid prompts that are overly vague or abstract.
- Style/medium specifications. Specify art style (photorealistic, cartoon, oil painting) and image characteristics (HDR, cinematic lighting).
- Descriptive details. Add adjectives and details to set a specific mood/atmosphere. Details make prompts more concrete.
- Imaginative flair. Get creative with metaphorical descriptions and vivid sensory language. This gives the AI more to work with.
Prompt Structure
Stable Diffusion prompts generally follow this basic structure:
[Main subject], [style], [details and descriptions], [image specifications]
Let’s break down the components:
Main Subject
The main subject should be 1-2 primary objects or a scene. For example:
- A frog wearing a top hat
- A astronaut riding a horse on Mars
Style
Specify an art medium or style:
- Oil painting by Rembrandt
- 3D render
- Photorealistic
Details
Add adjectives, imagery, and descriptive concepts:
- Intricate steampunk machine with gears and smoke
- Overgrown with vines, mystical lighting
Image Specs
Provide image directives:
- Cinematic lighting
- Octane render, Unreal Engine
- 4K resolution
Prompt Examples
Below are some examples of effective prompts across different categories:
People
A studio portrait of an old sea captain with a rugged beard, epic pirate hat, faded naval coat, weathered skin, dramatic lighting
Animals
An axolotl wearing a tiny top hat and monocle, highly detailed digital painting
Landscapes
Misty redwood forest in Northern California, cinematic lighting, depth of field, Unreal Engine 5 render
Still Life
Intricate mechanical clock with gears, smoke, oak wood, octane render
As you can see, great prompts tell a story and set a vivid scene. They give Stable Diffusion enough creative details to work with.
Next, we’ll cover some best practices for fine-tuning your prompts.
Prompt Best Practices
Follow these tips when drafting Stable Diffusion prompts:
Be Specific
- Identify a specific main subject rather than general concepts
- Name the exact species, breed, object etc.
Add Imaginative Details
- Describe textures, colors, lighting, atmosphere
- Use vivid sensory language
Specify Medium and Style
- Request a specific art style or renderer
- Name individual artists for stylistic inspiration
Iterate and Improve
- Start broad, then add details incrementally
- Observe results and refine descriptions
Avoid Ambiguity
- Have one clear dominant element
- Don’t overload with too many subjects/ideas
Steer Clear of Bias
- Avoid offensive stereotypes
- Prevent skewed demographic representations
Advanced Prompt Techniques
You can further enhance Stable Diffusion prompts using these advanced techniques:
Stylistic References
[Main subject], digital painting by Greg Rutkowski and Alphonse Mucha
Aspect Ratio
Cinematic widescreen portrait, 2.39:1 aspect ratio
Image Size
8k resolution, extremely detailed
Style Intensity
Very whimsical fantasy landscape, intense vivid colors
Textual Injection (CLIP)
Inject keywords from CLIP model for stylistic guidance.
Prompt Engineering Challenges
Crafting excellent Stable Diffusion prompts takes experimentation. Here are some common challenges:
- Achieving coherent compositions
- Preventing distorted anatomy
- Reducing artifact noise
- Reining in excessive stylization
Carefully analyzing prompt phrasing and making incremental improvements is key.
Conclusion
Writing imaginative prompts is crucial for generating great AI art with Stable Diffusion. Specify a clear main subject then creatively embellish with expressive descriptions and style details. Iterate on prompts while observing results. With practice, you can learn to reliably craft prompts that produce jaw-dropping images showcasing the creative potential of AI.