Stable Diffusion for Artists – Full Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Stable Diffusion

1.1 What is Stable Diffusion?

• The concept of text-to-image AI generation
• How it differs from DALL·E, Midjourney, Leonardo AI
• Why it’s popular among artists and developers

1.2 The Artist’s Edge with Stable Diffusion

• Full control over your creative style
• Privacy, offline generation, customization
• Open-source power + freedom to train your own models

1.3 Setup & Tools Required

• Google Colab vs Local Installation
• Using AUTOMATIC1111 WebUI
• Required specs (RAM, GPU) for offline work

Module 2: Getting Started with Stable Diffusion

2.1 Access Methods

• Web-based access (Hugging Face, Clipdrop, Mage.space)
• Installing WebUI: Step-by-step tutorial (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Understanding model versions (1.5, 2.1, SDXL, etc.)

2.2 Understanding the Interface

• Prompt box, Negative prompt box
• Sampling method & steps
• CFG scale, Seed, Width & Height

2.3 Your First AI Art

• Writing your first simple prompt
• Decoding the output
• Saving, comparing, and improving

Module 3: Mastering Prompt Engineering (Artist-Focused)

3.1 Anatomy of a Strong Prompt

• Subject + Style + Medium + Environment + Emotion
• Example: “A cyberpunk samurai cat, oil painting style, glowing neon background, dramatic lighting”

3.2 Using Art Styles & Mediums

• Realism, anime, sketch, pixel art, surrealism
• “Oil painting,” “watercolor,” “digital 3D render,” etc.

3.3 Negative Prompts (What to Avoid)

• Preventing ugly faces, multiple limbs, blur, distortion
• Sample negative prompt templates

3.4 Prompt Hacks for Artists

• Using artist names (e.g., “in the style of Van Gogh”)
• Prompt chaining: Repeating styles, combining themes

Module 4: Upscaling, Enhancing & Refining

4.1 Image Upscaling

• ESRGAN, RealESRGAN, 4xUltraSharp
• When to upscale: Posters, prints, merch

4.2 Face & Detail Fixers

• CodeFormer, GFPGAN, RestoreFormer
• Fixing messed-up eyes, hands, mouths

4.3 Batch Generation & Comparison

• Try 4–6 prompt variations at once
• Choose the best frame with guidance

Module 5: Inpainting, Outpainting & Editing

5.1 Inpainting (Fix or Add Details)

• Fixing specific image parts (face, clothes, background)
• Adding elements: A sword in the hand, flowers in background

5.2 Outpainting (Extend Image Borders)

• Zooming out your creation
• Creating posters, wallpapers, and wide banners

5.3 Using Masks & Brushes

• Painting over the part you want changed
• Smart editing without losing image quality

Module 6: Custom Models for Unique Style

6.1 Model Checkpoints (CKPT/Safetensors)

• Using art-style models (e.g., AnythingV5, DreamShaper, Realistic Vision)
• Where to find safe & high-quality models

6.2 LORA & Hypernetworks

• Injecting micro-styles (e.g., clothes, anime, themes)
• Combining base model + LORA for best results

6.3 DreamBooth & Custom Training (Intro)

• Training AI to replicate your style or face
• Create custom avatars or mascots

Module 7: Artistic Storytelling with Stable Diffusion

7.1 Scene-by-Scene Image Creation

• Telling visual stories (comics, children’s books, short films)
• Creating consistent characters across images

7.2 Prompt Consistency & Image Referencing

• Re-using seed + similar prompt structure
• Using img2img to evolve a base image

7.3 AI Art for Concept Development

• Thumbnails for animations
• Early-stage concept art for games, books, or branding

Module 8: Animation & Motion with Stable Diffusion

8.1 Intro to Frame-by-Frame Animation

• Using multiple AI frames to simulate movement
• Tools: Deforum, EbSynth, AnimateDiff (overview)

8.2 Smooth Transitioning between Frames

• Keyframing, interpolation & video output
• Use-case: music videos, shorts, transitions

8.3 Bringing Your Art to Life

• Animate your illustrations, stickers, posters
• Share as reels, GIFs, or short films

Module 9: AI Ethics, Credits & Safe Practice

9.1 Artist Credits & References

• Should you credit artists in prompts?
• Ethical ways to use “inspired by” styles

9.2 Legal Rights & Usage

• Can you sell AI art?
• Commercial usage rules, copyright gray areas

9.3 AI vs Traditional Art Debate

• Collaboration, not replacement
• Building your unique signature with AI help

Final Project + Certificate

Capstone Project:
Create a mini art series (3–5 images) with:

• A defined style
• A theme/storyline
• Use of inpainting, model switching, and upscaling

Certificate of Completion (On submission)

Bonus Module: Stable Diffusion for Monetization

Freelancing with AI Art
Selling on Etsy, Redbubble, ArtStation
Designing for Merch (t-shirts, posters, stickers)
Building a Social Portfolio (Instagram, Pinterest)