Prompt Basics
The Art of Effective Prompt Writing
Anatomy of a Prompt
A successful prompt typically consists of four main elements:
Subject
The main object or person in the image — What should be depicted?
Style
The artistic representation — How should it look?
Context
The environment or situation — Where and when does it take place?
Details
Additional descriptions that enrich the image.
Important to know:
Not every prompt needs to contain all four elements, but the more specific your prompt is, the more targeted the generated image will be.
Order & Clarity
The order of elements in your prompt influences the result. A recommended structure is:
Subject
What is the main motif?
Properties
What does it look like?
Environment
Where is it located?
Style & Details
Artistic elements
From Simple to Detailed Prompt
a castle
→ Very general, many interpretations possible
a medieval castle on a hill
→ Basic details, but still open to many styles
a medieval castle on a hill, surrounded by a foggy forest, at sunset, photorealistic representation, detailed architecture
→ Clear motif with style, context, and details
Medieval castle | on a hill | surrounded by foggy forest | sunset | photorealistic | detailed architecture | cinematic lighting | 8k
→ Well-organized with separators for better readability
Common Style Keywords
Style keywords are crucial for defining the look of your image. Here are some common categories:
Photorealism
Art & Illustration
Graphics & Design
Example Applications
A portrait of an elderly man with a beard, detailed facial features, photorealistic, studio lighting, 8k, professional photography
A landscape with mountains and a lake, oil painting style, impressionistic, bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors
A futuristic car, isometric vector illustration, clean lines, flat colors, minimalist style
Practical Exercise
Create your own structured prompt
Try to develop a prompt according to the following scheme:
Subject | Properties | Environment | Style | Details
Example for a nature scene:
A majestic waterfall | tall and powerful, turquoise blue water | in a tropical rainforest | photorealistic | morning mist, golden sunlight, detailed vegetation, 8k
Learning objective achieved:
You should now be able to write a structured prompt that includes all important elements and delivers a predictable result.