Reference Sheet Template

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What a character reference sheet is

A character reference sheet — often called a ref sheet or model sheet — shows one character consistently from several angles, with the details another artist needs to draw them the same way every time. Animation studios have used model sheets for decades so that dozens of artists could keep a character on model. Today illustrators, comic artists, game developers, tabletop players and people commissioning art of their original characters use ref sheets to communicate a design clearly.

What the template includes

• Turnaround — front, side and back views (or up to five angles) standing on the same baseline, with vertical centre lines.
• Proportion guide — horizontal lines dividing the height into head units, so every view has the same height, shoulder line and waist line.
• Expression boxes — squares for facial expressions such as neutral, happy, angry, surprised, sad and thinking.
• Palette swatches — squares to colour in, each with a line to write the hex code or paint name.
• Notes area — for accessories, markings, clothing details, height and personality notes.

How to use it

1. Choose the number of views. Three views — front, side and back — cover most designs; add a three-quarter view for faces and hairstyles that change a lot with angle.
2. Pick a proportion. Realistic adults are around 7 to 7.5 heads tall, idealised heroic figures 8, teenagers and stylised characters around 6, children and cartoon characters 3 to 4, and chibi characters about 2.
3. Print it, save the print output as PDF, or download SVG for an application that supports that format. Procreate does not import SVG directly; its documented PDF import places pages on separate layers.
4. Draw the front view first, then carry key heights across using the guide lines: top of head, chin, shoulders, chest, waist, hips, knees, feet.
5. Fill in the palette and notes last, once the design is final.

Proportion guide explained

Measuring a figure in “heads” is a centuries-old drawing convention: the height of the head from crown to chin is used as the unit for the whole body. On an 8-head figure, for example, the chin sits at 1, the nipples near 2, the navel near 3, the crotch at 4, the knees near 6 and the feet at 8. Real people vary, and styles exaggerate freely, but using a consistent unit across views is what keeps a turnaround believable. The template labels each unit so you can see where features should line up across every angle.

Worked example

An illustrator designing a game character chooses four views, 6 heads tall, six expression boxes and eight swatches on a landscape page. The template draws seven horizontal lines dividing the turnaround area into six equal head units, four evenly spaced columns labelled Front, ¾ view, Side and Back, a two-column block of expression boxes and a row of swatches on the right, and a notes box beneath. She sketches the front view, extends the eye line and belt line across all four columns, and the other views fall into place at matching heights.

Tips for a clear ref sheet

• Draw the views at the same scale and on the same ground line.
• Keep the pose neutral — an A-pose or relaxed T-pose — so costume details are not hidden.
• Show both sides if the design is asymmetric: a scar, a badge or a different sleeve.
• Use flat colours on the main turnaround; save shading for a separate illustration.
• Label anything that could be misunderstood: materials, what is attached, what moves.
• Include height or scale next to another character or an object if size matters.

Using ref sheets for commissions

If you commission art of your own character, a clear reference sheet saves time and money: artists can quote accurately, and you get fewer revisions. Include the character's name, pronouns if relevant, the key features that must not change, colour codes, and any details that are optional. Many artists also appreciate a note on personality and typical expressions. Keep the file at a good resolution and avoid busy backgrounds so the design reads clearly.

Digital workflow

Download the SVG and it stays sharp at any size. Import into an application that supports SVG, or save a PDF from the print dialog for apps that support PDF. Layer and blend-mode controls depend on the application. For a clean final sheet, hide the proportion lines before exporting, or keep them faint as a professional touch that shows the construction.