Character reference sheet prompts you can copy
A character reference sheet shows the same character from several angles, with expressions and outfits, so an image or video model can keep them consistent. Below are prompt templates for the four sheets most workflows need, each in a realistic, anime and 3D version. Replace the [brackets] with your character and keep that description identical across all four sheets.
How to use these templates
- Write one fixed character description first (age, build, face, hair, outfit with colors) and paste it into every [character] slot.
- Generate the full-body turnaround first, then use it as an input image for the face, expression and outfit sheets if your tool accepts reference images.
- Keep the background plain and the lighting even: references with busy backgrounds leak into later shots.
Full-body turnaround (front, side, back)
The core sheet: same pose height, same scale, so a video model can read the proportions.
Character turnaround reference sheet of [character]. Three full-body views side by side at the same scale and height: front view, left side view, back view. Neutral standing pose, arms slightly away from the body, feet visible. Identical outfit, hairstyle and proportions in every view. photorealistic studio photography, 85mm lens look, soft even softbox lighting, natural skin texture. Plain light-gray background, no text, no labels, no props.
Character turnaround reference sheet of [character]. Three full-body views side by side at the same scale and height: front view, left side view, back view. Neutral standing pose, arms slightly away from the body, feet visible. Identical outfit, hairstyle and proportions in every view. clean anime cel shading, crisp line art, flat colors with one shadow tone, model-sheet style. Plain light-gray background, no text, no labels, no props.
Character turnaround reference sheet of [character]. Three full-body views side by side at the same scale and height: front view, left side view, back view. Neutral standing pose, arms slightly away from the body, feet visible. Identical outfit, hairstyle and proportions in every view. stylized 3D character render, soft global illumination, subtle subsurface skin, clay-like clean materials. Plain light-gray background, no text, no labels, no props.
Face angles
Close-ups help with lip-sync and close shots, where the face drifts first.
Head and shoulders reference sheet of [character], four views in a row: front, three-quarter left, profile left, three-quarter from behind. Same face, eye color, hairline and hairstyle in every view, neutral expression, eyes level. photorealistic studio photography, 85mm lens look, soft even softbox lighting, natural skin texture. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Head and shoulders reference sheet of [character], four views in a row: front, three-quarter left, profile left, three-quarter from behind. Same face, eye color, hairline and hairstyle in every view, neutral expression, eyes level. clean anime cel shading, crisp line art, flat colors with one shadow tone, model-sheet style. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Head and shoulders reference sheet of [character], four views in a row: front, three-quarter left, profile left, three-quarter from behind. Same face, eye color, hairline and hairstyle in every view, neutral expression, eyes level. stylized 3D character render, soft global illumination, subtle subsurface skin, clay-like clean materials. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Expression sheet
Six expressions in one grid, so emotion changes without changing identity.
Expression sheet of [character], 2 rows of 3 head-and-shoulders portraits, all facing the camera: neutral, warm smile, laughing, surprised, angry, sad. Identical face shape, hairstyle and outfit collar in every portrait; only the expression changes. photorealistic studio photography, 85mm lens look, soft even softbox lighting, natural skin texture. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Expression sheet of [character], 2 rows of 3 head-and-shoulders portraits, all facing the camera: neutral, warm smile, laughing, surprised, angry, sad. Identical face shape, hairstyle and outfit collar in every portrait; only the expression changes. clean anime cel shading, crisp line art, flat colors with one shadow tone, model-sheet style. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Expression sheet of [character], 2 rows of 3 head-and-shoulders portraits, all facing the camera: neutral, warm smile, laughing, surprised, angry, sad. Identical face shape, hairstyle and outfit collar in every portrait; only the expression changes. stylized 3D character render, soft global illumination, subtle subsurface skin, clay-like clean materials. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Outfit sheet
Separate outfits on the same body, for stories where the character changes clothes.
Outfit reference sheet of [character], the same person shown three times in a row, front view, same pose and scale: (1) [everyday outfit with colors], (2) [work outfit with colors], (3) [formal outfit with colors]. Face, hairstyle, height and body shape stay identical; only the clothing changes. photorealistic studio photography, 85mm lens look, soft even softbox lighting, natural skin texture. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Outfit reference sheet of [character], the same person shown three times in a row, front view, same pose and scale: (1) [everyday outfit with colors], (2) [work outfit with colors], (3) [formal outfit with colors]. Face, hairstyle, height and body shape stay identical; only the clothing changes. clean anime cel shading, crisp line art, flat colors with one shadow tone, model-sheet style. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Outfit reference sheet of [character], the same person shown three times in a row, front view, same pose and scale: (1) [everyday outfit with colors], (2) [work outfit with colors], (3) [formal outfit with colors]. Face, hairstyle, height and body shape stay identical; only the clothing changes. stylized 3D character render, soft global illumination, subtle subsurface skin, clay-like clean materials. Plain light-gray background, no text.
Turn the sheet into video
Once you have the sheets, split them into single views and upload them as reference images. Step-by-step guides:
- Kling 4.0 Character Consistency Guide
- Grok Imagine 1.5 Character Video Guide
- Seedance 2.5 Character Consistency Guide
- MiniMax H3 (Hailuo) Character Consistency Guide
- Read the full character consistency guide
Or skip the prompting: every character in our library comes with a finished turnaround sheet, full-body image, expressions and outfits. Browse character turnaround sheets