Why Make a Character Sheet?
A character reference sheet is a document that shows a character from different angles. These angles usually include front, back, side, and 3/4 views. This visual guide is essential for keeping proportions, personality, and clarity in illustrations or animations.
More than a stylistic exercise, a well-executed character sheet:
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- Ensures design consistency
- Saves time during production
- Improves visual storytelling
- Acts as a reference for collaborators or clients
- Builds confidence when drawing the character repeatedly
Step 1: Finalize Your Character Design
Before you begin constructing a model sheet, your character design must be finalized. This includes developing their silhouette, features, and overall style. Here is a recommended process for developing your character:
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- Conduct a loose brainstorming session with sketches
- Develop silhouette and thumbnail variations to explore form and style
- Choose a direction based on what aligns best with your goals or narrative
- Refine the chosen design into a neutral pose (arms at side or T-pose)
Opt for a 3/4 pose if your character relies heavily on stylization or attitude, as it communicates depth and volume more effectively.
Want to learn how to create characters in a variety of styles? Check out our character style guides for rubber hose, 1960s Hanna-Barbera, and retro comic book style.
Color Consideration: Having a good understanding of color theory as an artist is priceless. Define your character’s color palettes early on. Choosing colors early helps maintain a consistent look in later illustrations.
This practice is beneficial even if the colors are not in the final model sheet. For an authentic retro look, experiment with vintage-inspired tones and textures. RetroSupply’s Phantom Paper provides an excellent canvas for testing your color ideas.
Step 2: Set Up Your Canvas
In your digital illustration software (we used Procreate), set up your canvas. Duplicate your finalized sketch into five key positions:
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- Front View
- 3/4 Front View
- Side View
- 3/4 Back View
- Back View
Arrange these poses horizontally, ensuring there is enough space between each for labeling and visual clarity. Next, add horizontal guide lines to establish consistent landmarks such as the eyes, shoulders, elbows, waist, and knees. These guidelines are essential for maintaining proportion across views.
In Procreate, turn on Drawing Assist. Use the grid tool to make straight, horizontal lines on a new layer. Use a low-opacity color that contrasts with your sketch lines.
Step 3: Construct the Five Views
With your canvas prepared, begin sketching each pose using your finalized character design as a base.
Front View: Mirror your 3/4 sketch to establish symmetrical structure. It serves as the character's technical foundation.
3/4 Front View: Often the most expressive and dynamic angle, this view should emphasize personality while retaining accurate proportions.
Side View: Use human or stylized anatomy as a guide. Look at the face's profile, the spine's curve, and where the limbs are placed.
3/4 Back View: This is often the most challenging view to master. Utilize image references, flip the canvas frequently, and take breaks to evaluate your progress.
Back View: Use symmetry tools to reflect the front view. Make sure to adjust key details to reflect back-facing anatomy or costume elements.
These five views create a full and dependable character sheet. It will help you with every future character drawing.
Looking for inspiration or technical examples? Explore this character sheet resource on Pinterest.
Step 4: Refine and Ink Your Artwork
Once you are satisfied with the construction sketches, reduce the opacity and create a new layer for inking. Focus on clarity and line consistency without over-polishing. Retro-inspired model sheets often embrace subtle imperfections that convey character and charm.
Recommended Brushes:
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Dry Fountain Pen from the Standard Pens Pack: Offers textured, vintage-inspired lines.
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Classic Ballpoint Brush: Provides a smoother, monoline appearance for clean technical drawings.
Using textured paper backgrounds can make your work look more real and better. You can find these backgrounds in the Phantom Paper collection.
Step 5: Layout, Labeling, and Exporting
With all character poses inked, proceed with organizing your layout for presentation:
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- Ensure even spacing between poses
- Clearly label each view (e.g., “Front,” “Side,” etc.)
- Include the character’s name, a project title, or a faux studio label
- Optionally, add flat colors or accent tones to key elements
Export your final reference sheet in high-resolution formats such as PNG or PDF. Store both layered and flattened versions for flexibility across different use cases.
Advanced Tips for Stronger Character Sheets
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Silhouette Strength: Test each pose in solid black to verify the character reads clearly in silhouette.
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Asymmetry for Personality: Incorporate small, deliberate differences from side to side for a more natural, lived-in feel.
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Volume Awareness: Think in 3D as you draw—visualize your character as a sculptural form.
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Canvas Flipping: Regularly mirror your canvas to catch anatomical or proportional issues early.
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Zoom Out: Periodically zoom out to assess the design holistically and maintain balance.
Additional Resources
Maintain clear layers, follow your guides meticulously, and let your character shine through every angle. With the right tools and a clear process, you can make a character sheet. This will improve your work and show your creative vision.
