PROMPT GUIDE
Stable Diffusion Prompt Guide for AI Illustration
Free guides on writing prompts for AI illustration — quality tags, expressions, outfits, poses, lighting and more, with copy-paste tag lists.
GUIDES
All guides
Total reading time approx.123 min
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Prompt Writing Basics: Tag Order, Emphasis, and Tips
The basic rule: write English tags separated by commas, and put the most important ones first. A prompt is like a letter telling the AI what kind of picture you want it to draw. You don't need any difficult technical knowledge. In this article, Rinka shares the exact basic template she actually uses in her everyday work.
approx. 2 min
Illustrious and NoobAI Prompt Order
The short answer: the basic order is number of people -> character name -> series name -> art style -> general tags -> quality tags. Illustrious-based models were trained on Danbooru tags in a specific order. That's why simply keeping your tags in a consistent order makes images more stable, even with the same tags. Here's the exact order Rinka normally uses.
approx. 3 min
How to Use Quality Tags (masterpiece / best quality)
Quality tags placed at the start of a prompt are a standard technique for raising the overall finish of an image. But adding more of them doesn't keep making things better. Learn what they mean and how well they pair with your model, and use a set that suits it.
approx. 1 min
Recommended Negative Prompts and a Copy-Paste Template
If you're not sure where to start, paste the base set below straight into the negative prompt field. Then add tags to match whatever goes wrong (fingers, text, number of people). The negative prompt is where you tell the AI what you don't want drawn, and just tidying it up dramatically reduces the usual mishaps.
approx. 2 min
Facial Expression Prompt List (Smile, Blush, Crying)
It's no exaggeration to say a character's appeal comes down to their expression. Build expressions in two layers, "emotion tag + eye/mouth part tags," and the expression you're aiming for becomes much easier to get.
approx. 1 min
Hairstyle and Hair Color Prompt List
Hair is the star of character design. Specify it in the order "length -> tied style -> bangs -> color -> details," and you can accurately reproduce the character in your head.
approx. 1 min
Outfit Prompt Tag List (School Uniforms, Dresses, Casual Wear)
The basic way to build outfit tags is to add them in this order: main garment, then color, then details, then accessories. Learn the go-to tags for each category and you can play dress-up endlessly.
approx. 1 min
Add Movement with Pose Tags
Pose tags are the shortcut to moving beyond stiff, standing-still images. Build them in three layers, whole-body posture, then hand gestures, then head direction, and you get natural, lively poses.
approx. 1 min
Composition Prompt Tag List (Framing, Camera Angles, Foreground Blur)
Even with the same character and the same outfit, composition and camera change the impression of an image dramatically. Just decide two things, how much to show (framing) and where to view from (angle), and 80% of your layout is done.
approx. 2 min
Control the Light with Lighting Tags
The difference between a good image and a great one is usually the light. Just adding one or two lighting tags completely changes the atmosphere of the same prompt.
approx. 1 min
Background and Location Prompt Tag List
The background is the stage for your character's story. Instead of stopping at a single location tag, write a three-part set of location + time of day + props, and the background will convey the very atmosphere of the place.
approx. 1 min
Give Your Images a Signature Look with Color and Mood Tags
When you think "I just love this artist's work," the secret is usually a consistent color palette. Use color and mood tags deliberately and your images will develop a signature look of their own.
approx. 1 min
Season and Weather Tags: Capturing "That Moment" in AI Art
Seasonal art is powerful precisely because it can only be drawn in that season. When you line up the season's motifs, weather, outfit and lighting, you get an image that connects to the viewer's own memories.
approx. 1 min
AI Art Troubleshooting Guide (Look Up Fixes by Symptom)
When something feels "off," the fastest fix starts with naming the symptom. This guide is organized so you can look things up by symptom. Each one is covered in three steps, cause, fix tags and avoiding it with composition, so you can fix today's image right away.
approx. 3 min
The Complete Pre-Posting Checklist for AI Art
It's a shame when a great image loses half its appeal to a missed error or a badly cropped thumbnail. Go through the five sections of this article from top to bottom and your final pre-posting check takes just five minutes.
approx. 2 min
Tag Combination Dictionary (What to Add to Each Tag)
Tags work many times better paired with a compatible partner than on their own. This dictionary is written in a "for this tag, add this" format and collects 10 go-to combos Rinka uses often. You can copy and paste them as-is.
approx. 2 min
Prompts by Theme (Scenes and Situations)
A collection of complete prompts by scene for those "what should I draw today...?" days. All 8 themes can be copied and pasted as-is. We recommend generating one first, then swapping the hairstyle and outfit for your own character.
approx. 2 min
The Complete Guide to Accessory and Prop Tags
Hi, it's Rinka! Accessories and props are a magic spice that really boosts a character's charm. In this article, I've collected the prop tags I use all the time plus tips on how to make characters hold things, with copy-and-paste prompt examples.
approx. 3 min
Eye Tags Guide: Eye Color, Eye Shape and Gaze Prompts
Hi, I'm Rinka! I honestly think about 90% of a character illustration's first impression comes down to the eyes. In this article I've gathered every eye color, eye shape and gaze tag in one place, plus Rinka's own tricks for making eyes sparkle and stand out.
approx. 3 min
Art Style Tags Encyclopedia: Mediums, Retro and Art Movements
Hi, I'm Rinka! Change just one art style tag and the same character can turn into a soft watercolor piece or a 90s anime look. In this article I've organized the style tags I've tested into an encyclopedia, and I'll also share tips on adjusting weights when a tag won't take.
approx. 3 min
Effect and Particle Tags Encyclopedia
Feel like your image looks a little empty? That's when effect tags come in. Rinka often finishes a character piece by adding sparkles or petals at the end. In this article I'll introduce the standard light, particle and magic effect tags, along with tips for not overdoing them.
approx. 3 min
Fantasy Tags Encyclopedia: Races, Body Parts, Gear and Worlds
Rinka loves worlds of swords and magic. An elf's long ears, an angel's white wings, a witch's pointed hat... Fantasy is a genre where simply stacking up the right parts with tags makes the world feel much deeper. In this article I'll show you how to build fantasy illustration prompts in four steps: race, body parts, gear and background.
approx. 3 min
Kemonomimi and Animal Motif Tags Encyclopedia
Kemonomimi (animal ears) might be the motif Rinka gets the most requests for. It's a do-anything genre where just adding ears and a tail makes a character way cuter, but there's also a famous pitfall: both human ears and animal ears showing up. In this article I'll cover everything from the standard tags to fixing that problem.
approx. 3 min
The Complete Guide to Prompt Weight Syntax and BREAK
"I'm using the same tags, so why isn't the image what I expected?" When that happens, the first thing Rinka reviews is the weight syntax. Just learning the rules for numbers and brackets lets you freely control how strongly each part of your prompt works. This article covers all of the syntax in one place.
approx. 3 min
How to Fix Bad Hands in AI Art: The Complete Guide
Hands are the eternal struggle of AI art, right? Rinka has seen hundreds of pictures with six fingers... But don't worry: with a four-layer approach of negative prompts, composition, poses and fixing afterwards, you can cut broken hands way down. Today I'm putting it all together in one place.
approx. 3 min
Kimono and Japanese-Style Tag Guide for AI Art
With kimono AI art, a single tag choice changes the whole result. Rinka loves kimono motifs and has kept making Japanese-style illustrations every season. Today I'm opening up my whole "drawer of Japanese-style tags" that I've built up along the way.
approx. 3 min
Water, Glass and Translucency Tag Guide for AI Art
Clear water, sparkling glass, shimmering light. The moment Rinka first thought "AI is amazing!" was seeing this kind of translucency. There's a knack to combining water and light tags, so today I'm sharing plenty of recipes that come out beautifully.
approx. 3 min
Chibi and Super Deformed Style Guide for AI Art
Round, roly-poly chibi characters are so fun to make. But just specifying the proportions tends to break them. Today let's look at the tricks for making them cute without falling apart.
approx. 2 min
Food, Drink and Cafe Tag Dictionary for AI Art
Just adding some delicious-looking food makes an illustration's world feel so much richer. Today let's collect food tags together, from sweets to cafe props.
approx. 2 min
Sci-Fi, Mecha and Futuristic Tag Dictionary
A night city glittering with neon, a towering robot, holograms floating in the air. Just imagining sci-fi worlds is exciting, right? Today let's collect futuristic prompts together.
approx. 2 min
Flower, Plant & Nature Motif Tags for AI Illustration
Just one flower in the frame can make an illustration feel instantly brighter. Today let's gather flower and plant prompts season by season, from roses and cherry blossoms to sunflowers and ivy.
approx. 2 min
Hairstyle Arrangement and Hair Detail Tags for AI Art
Hi, I'm Rinka. Today, instead of basic hairstyles, I've collected tags for arrangements and details: braids, buns, the way the hair ends curl, and so on. Adding these alone makes a character's look feel so much more alive.
approx. 3 min
Hand and Finger Gesture Tags for AI Illustration
Hi, I'm Rinka. Did you know that adding just one hand gesture can convey emotion so much better? Today I've gathered tags for hands you draw on purpose, like the peace sign, finger heart and waving. Let's look at them together.
approx. 3 min
Interior and Room Tags for a Lived-In Indoor Background
Hi, I'm Rinka. The character came out great, but the background feels empty... When that happens, let's add some furniture and props to the room. Just one sofa, window or bookshelf brings a sense of everyday life. Today I'll introduce lots of indoor tags.
approx. 3 min
How to Set the Mood with Sky and Celestial Tags
Hi, I'm Rinka. Changing just the sky in an illustration's background can completely transform the mood. Today let's look at sky and celestial tags together.
approx. 3 min
How to Draw Music Scenes with Instrument Tags
Hi, I'm Rinka. Just giving a character an instrument makes them look so much more picturesque. Today let's look at music and instrument tags, and how to draw different kinds of performance scenes.
approx. 2 min
Duo Composition Tags That Show the Relationship Between Two Characters
Hi, I'm Rinka. Put two characters side by side and a story starts all on its own, doesn't it? Today let's look together at wholesome two-character composition tags and tips for drawing them without things falling apart.
approx. 2 min
Vehicle Tag Guide for AI Illustration
Scenery streaming past a window, a station platform, the walk home pushing a bicycle. Adding just one vehicle gives an illustration a sense of a story heading somewhere, doesn't it? Today let's gather vehicle tags together.
approx. 2 min
Sports and Exercise Tag Guide
The instant a racket swings through, the peak of a jump, the moment water splashes up. The appeal of sports illustrations is capturing a moment in motion, isn't it? Today let's gather energetic exercise tags together.
approx. 2 min
Gemstone and Mineral Prompt Guide
Sparkling gemstones are enchanting just to look at, aren't they? Today let's gather gemstone and mineral tags together, from diamonds and rubies to crystals, and make an image full of clarity and shine.
approx. 2 min
Ocean and Underwater Prompt Guide
Glittering light streaming in and blue that goes on forever. The underwater world is dreamlike and magical all on its own, isn't it? Today let's gather ocean and underwater tags and make a cool, crystal-clear image.
approx. 2 min
Seasonal Event and Holiday Tag Guide
Just adding the decorations unique to a special day turns an illustration into something special, doesn't it? Today let's gather seasonal event tags together, from Christmas to New Year.
approx. 2 min
Architecture and Building Tags for AI Art: A Visual Guide
Just putting a grand building in the background makes the world of an illustration feel so much bigger. Today let's gather architecture tags together, from castles all the way to skyscrapers.
approx. 2 min
Japanese-Style Motif Prompts: A Tag Guide
A stone path leading through a torii gate, the cool tinkle of a wind chime, light falling into a tatami room. Japanese motifs carry a quiet, beautiful atmosphere that is uniquely Japanese. Today let's build those scenes together.
approx. 2 min
Fairytale and Storybook Prompts: A Tag Guide
A glass slipper, a magic mirror, a castle that looks like it stepped out of a picture book. Fairytale motifs carry a mysterious magic that makes your heart feel light. Today let's paint that dream world together.
approx. 2 min
Stationery and Desk Prop Prompts: A Tag Guide
Just a few pieces of stationery lined up on a desk creates the feeling of "someone's time," doesn't it? Today let's gather tags for props that bring work scenes to life, like notebooks, fountain pens, and sticky notes.
approx. 2 min
Garden Prompts: A Tag Guide for Lush Garden Scenes
A garden surrounded by greenery just makes your heart relax, doesn't it? Today let's gather tags for building garden scenes, like fountains, flower beds, and greenhouses, along with ways to bring out light and depth.
approx. 2 min
Library, School Library, and Classroom Background Prompts
The easiest approach is to build a library around library and bookshelf, a classroom around classroom and chalkboard, then add light from the window. A single location tag tends to give a vague background, so Rinka recommends stacking three layers in the order "location -> furniture and props -> light." Feel free to use the tag lists and copy-paste templates as they are.
approx. 2 min
Letterboxed (Black Bars) and Cinematic Composition Prompts
letterboxed is a Danbooru tag that draws black bars (a letterbox) at the top and bottom of the image, and just adding it makes your picture look like a scene from a movie. Add wide shot, depth of field and film grain on top, and it really starts to feel like a single frame from a film. On the flip side, if the bars keep showing up when you don't want them, putting the tag in your negative prompt gets rid of them.
approx. 2 min
Prompts for Wind-Blown Hair, Flyaway Hair and Hair Length
When you want hair blowing in the wind, the most reliable approach is to add two tags: floating hair and wind. In Illustrious and NoobAI, writing it as Danbooru tags is more stable than a sentence like hair blowing in the wind. This article focuses only on "hair movement" and "hair length" and lists the tags for each.
approx. 2 min
Anime Background Prompts for a Sunset Street Corner at Dusk
For a street corner at dusk, the basics are to set the time with sunset or evening, the place with street or crosswalk, and the direction of light with backlighting. Just lining up these three, sky, street and light, gives you an evening background that looks like a scene from an anime. Copy the tag lists and templates and use them as they are.
approx. 2 min
School Uniform Prompts (Sailor Uniform, Blazer, Gym Uniform, Track Suit)
For school uniforms, the most stable approach is to first pick either serafuku (sailor uniform) or blazer, then add parts like the collar, ribbon and skirt. With school uniform alone you get a different uniform every time, so use part tags to make it clear which uniform you mean. This article lists tags you can use as-is in Illustrious and NoobAI, organized by uniform type.
approx. 2 min
Prompts for Work Uniforms and Costumes (Nurse, Police Officer, Maid, Suit, Idol)
The trick to job outfits is writing "the job tag + that job's signature props" as a set. Adding nurse cap rather than just nurse, or police hat rather than just police, gives you an image where the job is obvious at a glance. This article lists common job outfits, split into clothes and props.
approx. 2 min
Shoes and Socks Prompts (Shoe Types and Sock Lengths)
For shoes and socks, the basic approach is to get the feet into the frame with full body, then write one shoe type and one sock length. If the composition stays on the upper body, no amount of shoe tags will get them drawn. This article lists shoe types and sock lengths as tags you can use as-is.
approx. 1 min
Seasonal Outfit Prompts (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Clothes)
The easiest way to show a season through clothing is with the outer layer and accessories. Spring means a cardigan, summer a sundress and straw hat, fall a sweater and beret, and winter a coat and scarf. This article lists, season by season, the clothing tags that make the season come across as soon as you add them.
approx. 1 min
Casual Fashion Style Prompts (Jirai Kei, Ryousangata, Gothic Lolita, Streetwear)
Fashion styles come out most reliably when you take the style tag itself (such as jirai kei) and add two or three colors and accessories typical of that style. That's because the style tag alone can be weak depending on the model. This article puts popular fashion styles into tables of tags and combinations.
approx. 1 min
Full-Body Standing Art, Turnaround and Character Sheet Prompts (Plus Expression Variants)
For standing character art (tachie), putting in full body, standing and simple background gives you an image where the whole body stays in frame and the background is easy to remove. For turnarounds and character sheets, the basic approach is to line the views up in one image with reference sheet and multiple views. For expression variants, fix the seed and change only the expression tags to keep the same face.
approx. 2 min
Mouth Prompt List (Fang, Cat Mouth, Omega Mouth, Sharp Teeth, Frown)
The basic approach to mouth shapes is to decide first between open mouth and closed mouth, then add one shape tag. A cat mouth is :3, a single snaggletooth fang is fang, and shark-like teeth are sharp teeth. Many of these tags look like emoticons, so write them exactly as they are, symbols and all.
approx. 1 min
Sitting Pose Prompts (Wariza, Hugging Knees, Cross-Legged, Yokozuwari, Seiza)
For sitting poses, add one tag for how she sits, not just sitting, and you'll get the pose you want. The W-sit (girl sitting) is wariza, sitting hugging the knees is hugging own legs, cross-legged is indian style, and side-sitting is yokozuwari. Writing where she sits (chair, floor, stairs, etc.) as well makes the leg shapes more stable.
approx. 1 min
Night Background Prompts (Night City, Night View, Night Park)
The trick for night backgrounds is to set the time with night and always include at least one thing that glows at night, like city lights or lamppost. Without something glowing, you just get a dark image. Here are tags and combinations by location: night city, night view, night park and more.
approx. 1 min
Coloring Style Prompts (Anime Coloring, Galge Style, Painterly, Flat Color, Lineart)
For anime-style coloring use anime coloring or cel shading, for glossy visual-novel (galge) style coloring use game cg, and for flat coloring with few shadows use flat color. The trick is to narrow coloring tags down to one or two and not mix them with other art style tags. There's no exact tag for a thick painterly style, so you get close by combining paint-medium tags with a tag that removes the lines.
approx. 2 min
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Put it into practice
Browse tags by category (with Japanese meanings):
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these guides free?
Yes, all of them are free. No sign-up is needed, and you can copy the tags as they are and use them in your own work.
Which AI image generators do these guides cover?
They assume anime models trained on Danbooru-style tags (Stable Diffusion / SDXL / Illustrious / NovelAI, etc.). With natural-language services like Midjourney, you can still apply them by working the tags into English sentences.
Can I use the prompts and tags in these guides for commercial work?
Yes. Tags and prompt examples themselves carry no rights, so feel free to use them. How you may use the generated images depends on the terms of the generator you use.
In what order should I read the guides?
If you are new, we recommend the prompt basics guide, then quality tags, then negative prompts. After that, pick whichever theme you want to draw (expressions, outfits, composition and so on).
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