Character Design Sheet

Turnaround Views

The Five-Point Turnaround

Position the character on a consistent horizon line across all views:

1. Front (0°): Primary design view. All symmetry visible.
2. Three-quarter front (45°): Most dynamic, shows depth and form
3. Side (90°): Silhouette test — readable in complete profile
4. Three-quarter rear (135°): Reveals back design, hair, costume details
5. Back (180°): Back costume, hair, and rear silhouette

Turnaround Technical Rules

• All views on the same baseline (feet touch the same horizontal line)
• All views at the same scale
• Eyeline consistent across all views
• Shoulder width, hip width, and head size identical in equivalent views
• Use perspective guidelines if showing 3/4 views

Common Turnaround Mistakes

• Head size inconsistency between views (most common error)
• Feet not on shared baseline
• Hair volume changes between views without justification
• Costume details that are physically impossible across views

Expression Sheets

Core 6 Expressions (minimum)

1. Neutral — resting state, base reference for all others
2. Happy — genuine smile, engaged eyes
3. Angry — the character's anger, not generic rage
4. Sad — their specific vulnerability
5. Surprised — reaction intensity appropriate to personality
6. Determined / Focused — their "hero moment" expression

Extended Expression Set (12 expressions)

Add to core 6: 7. Disgusted 8. Fearful / Scared 9. Laughing / Delighted 10. Confused / Skeptical 11. Shy / Embarrassed 12. Smug / Confident (personality-specific)

Expression Sheet Guidelines

• Heads should be at identical scale across the sheet
• Ears and overall head shape remain constant — only features move
• Eyes, brows, and mouth are the primary expression vehicles
• Avoid extremes that distort the head shape (unless that's the style)
• Each expression should feel like THIS character, not a generic face

Eyebrow and Eye Movement Reference

• Brows move independently of each other for nuanced reads
• Inner corners raise = sadness/worry
• Inner corners lower = anger
• Outer corners raise = happiness
• Wide eyes = surprise/fear
• Squinted eyes = anger/suspicion/focus

Proportion Guides

Head-Based Measurement System

Use the character's own head height as the unit of measure.

Common proportions:

• Realistic adult: 7–8 heads tall
• Heroic/Action: 8–9 heads tall (elongated, powerful)
• Stylized/Cartoon: 4–6 heads tall
• Super-deformed (chibi): 2–3 heads tall

Proportion Annotation

On the front view, draw horizontal guidelines marking:

• Top of head
• Chin
• Shoulder line
• Chest/bust line
• Waist
• Hip line
• Crotch/mid-body
• Knee line
• Ankle line

Label each with its head-unit measurement (e.g., "Waist = 3.5 heads from top")

Width Proportions

• Shoulder width: typically 2–2.5 head widths for adults
• Hip width: typically 1.5–2 head widths
• Note any asymmetry intentionally in the sheet

Color Palette

Palette Structure

Each character needs a complete, named color system:

• Base colors: Primary skin, hair, costume colors (4–6 colors)
• Shadow colors: Pre-defined darks for each base (1 shadow per base)
• Highlight colors: Pre-defined lights or specular hits (1–2 per base)
• Accent colors: Small but important details (pupils, accessories)

Color Documentation Format

For each color, document:

• Hex code (for digital): #F2C89B
• RGB values: R:242 G:200 B:155
• Pantone (for print): Pantone 7507 C
• CMYK (for print): C:0 M:17 Y:36 K:5
• Descriptive name: "Warm Peach Skin Base"

Color Harmony Rules

• Characters in the same universe should share at least one color
• Primary characters: 3–4 base colors maximum (readable silhouette)
• Secondary characters: Can have busier palettes
• Villain vs. hero: Often use opposing temperature colors (warm hero, cool villain)

Lighting Reference Swatches

Include a small sphere or cylinder rendered in:

• Flat color (no lighting)
• With standard 3/4 top-left light
• With ambient/environmental light variant This helps artists apply shading consistently.

Style Consistency Framework

Style Anchors

Define the stylistic rules that apply to ALL characters in this universe:

• Line weight: Uniform? Varied? Tapered? What weight range?
• Face simplification level: How many lines describe a nose? An ear?
• Rendering approach: Flat, cel-shaded, painterly, textured?
• Eye style: Anime-influenced, western cartoon, realistic?
• Anatomy stylization: Exaggerated which direction (long limbs? big head?)

Cross-Character Consistency Tests

When designing multiple characters, verify:

• They look like they exist in the same world
• Scale relationships are correct when placed side-by-side
• Line weight approach is identical
• Level of detail is consistent

Silhouette Test

Every character should be immediately recognizable as a solid black silhouette. Test this on your design:

• Cut out the silhouette shape
• Can you tell who it is without any internal detail?
• Is the silhouette unique from other characters in the cast?

Special Elements

Accessories and Props

Dedicated studies for:

• Weapons (multiple angles, grip position)
• Bags, armor, pouches (open and closed states)
• Signature objects (a character's hat, cane, specific tool)

Costume Variations

On a single sheet or supplemental sheets:

• Casual / alternate outfit
• Formal / special occasion
• Action / equipped state
• Seasonal variants (if applicable)

Age Variations (if applicable)

For characters shown at different ages:

• Proportion shifts per age (children have larger heads relative to body)
• Consistent identity markers (birthmark, eye color, hair shape)
• Height chart showing growth stages

Sheet Layout Best Practices

Arrangement

• Front turnaround: center or left-center, largest element
• Profile and back views: same row, same scale
• Expressions: grouped grid, below or beside turnarounds
• Color palette: bottom or right margin, clearly labeled
• Notes/callouts: use leader lines, never obscure the art

File Organization

• Background: white or neutral gray (never pattern)
• 300 DPI minimum for print
• RGB for digital distribution, CMYK for print
• Layer organization: Linework / Flats / Shading / Annotations / Background

Title Block

Include in corner of every sheet:

• Character name
• Project/property name
• Version number (v1.0, v2.1)
• Artist name
• Date

Final Checklist

• All turnaround views on same baseline and scale
• Head size consistent across all views
• Minimum 6 expressions completed
• Color palette fully documented with codes
• Proportion guide with measurements annotated
• Silhouette test passed
• Costume details physically consistent across views
• Style anchors documented for cross-character consistency
• High-res export suitable for production handoff