Lesson 1. What is image generation? Core models and how they work
If you are searching for 'AI image creation', 'what is Midjourney', or 'how DALL·E works' — this lesson will give you the right starting point. You will understand which model suits what, how they work, and where to begin.
Topic breakdown
AI image generation is the technology of creating visual materials from a text description. You describe with words — the model creates an image.
Core models on the market: Midjourney (via Discord, high aesthetic quality), DALL·E (OpenAI, integrated into ChatGPT), Stable Diffusion (open source, local use), and Leonardo.ai (balance of price and quality for business).
Each model reacts to different prompt styles. Midjourney works well with short comma-separated keywords. DALL·E better understands detailed natural descriptions. Stable Diffusion requires broader parameter control.
In this course, you will learn the principles of working with all core models — how to write a prompt that gives the desired result.
What you'll learn
- Understand the technical principle of AI image generation
- Know the difference between Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, and Leonardo.ai
- Understand which prompt style suits each model
- Successfully write and submit your first visual prompt
Deep dive
The model does not understand the object in the image like a human; it restores statistical relationships between text and visual patterns. Therefore, each specific signal in the prompt narrows the result and increases control.
At the start, it's useful to choose one model and work only with it for at least a week. This makes it easier to understand which formulations, syntax, and parameters actually lead to the desired result.
The first goal is not a perfect picture, but a sense of control. If you can intentionally change the lighting, angle, or style and explain why the result changed, the rest of the course will be noticeably easier.
Lesson plan
How diffusion models work
AI generators are trained on billions of image-text pairs. The model converts a text description into code, then builds the required image from pixel noise.
Four core models: pros and cons
Midjourney — aesthetic quality; DALL·E — accuracy of text understanding; Stable Diffusion — flexibility; Leonardo.ai — balance of price and quality.
Prompt styles differ depending on the model
Midjourney prefers comma-separated keywords. DALL·E reacts well to natural, detailed descriptions.
First prompt: test and iteration
The first image is rarely perfect. Make sure the main element is conveyed correctly — then change one or two parameters and observe the improvements.
Weak vs strong prompt
a beautiful woman
portrait of a woman in her 30s, professional headshot, soft studio lighting, neutral background, sharp focus, Canon 85mm f/1.4, photorealistic, high detail
The second prompt specifies the camera, lighting, background, focus, and technical parameters. The result is much closer to a professional portrait.
Ready visual prompt template
Copy and adapt[subject], [details], [art style], [lighting], [color palette], [composition and angle], [model parameters]
Why it works
Subject — the central element of the image, describe it as specifically as possible.
Art style sets the aesthetics: photography, oil painting, digital art, concept art.
Lighting creates the mood: golden hour, studio lighting, dramatic shadows, soft diffused.
Color palette controls the overall tone: warm tones, muted palette, high contrast, monochrome.
Model parameters: for Midjourney — --ar, --v 6, --stylize; for SD — negative prompt and CFG scale.
Practice
- Open Midjourney or DALL·E (a free trial is available).
- Send a simple prompt: 'a cup of coffee on a wooden table, morning light, photography'.
- Evaluate the results — lighting, color, and composition.
- Now change the style: add 'oil painting' or 'digital art, concept art' and compare the difference.
Checklist
Common mistakes
- choosing the first model you come across without considering the task
- writing a prompt that is too general and short: 'a cat' instead of 'a sleek black cat on a rooftop at dusk'
- ignoring lighting and color parameters
- stopping at the first result instead of iterating
Lesson FAQ
Which models are free?
DALL·E is available through ChatGPT (with limits), Leonardo.ai gives free tokens every day. Stable Diffusion (Automatic1111) is completely free for local use.
What language should I use for prompts?
English gives the best results across all models. Russian works too, but the quality is usually lower. Use English for key visual terms.