Character reference prompts
Dylan J. Harris — September 12, 2026

Adapted from M. Asif’s methods:
https://x.com/meAsifAi/status/2097949170594193427
https://x.com/meAsifAi/status/2098345090573873640

These are our reusable adaptations, not verbatim copies.

1. Illustration to portrait

Create a realistic portrait of the fictional character
in the attached illustration.

Keep the recognizable face, hair, colors, clothes,
and prop. Use natural human proportions.

Character: [age, build, face, hair, distinguishing traits]
Clothes: [garments, colors, patterns, shoes]
Prop: [object and which hand holds it]
Expression: [resting expression]

Use soft studio light and a plain off-white background.
Show the whole head, both arms, and the prop.
Make one portrait. No panels or labels.

2. Broad production board

Make a character reference sheet for [NAME].
Use the attached portrait to define this character.

Keep these traits in every panel:
[age, face shape, eyes, hair, facial hair, skin tone,
body build, clothes, patterns, shoes, accessories].
Prop: [object, color, size, left or right hand].
Style: [photographic, illustrated, or another style].

Use a wide 16:9 sheet with an off-white background.
Use even studio light, clear spacing, and short labels.

Include these sections:

1. Main portrait
One large face view with a calm resting expression.

2. Views around the body
Five standing views: straight ahead, angled toward us,
side-on, angled away, and directly from behind.
Show each at the same size. Align the eyes, shoulders,
waist, knees, and feet. Keep the whole figure visible.

3. Expressions
Six face views: resting, pleased, focused, determined,
surprised, and sad. Keep the face size and light fixed.
Change the expression without changing the person.

4. Poses
Six poses: standing casually, gesturing, walking,
sitting, using the prop, and [a signature action].
Keep the outfit and body build fixed.

5. Close details
Show the hair, face, collar, cuffs, shoes, and prop.
Keep seams, patterns, and left/right details correct.

6. Materials
Show small samples of the actual surfaces:
[skin, hair, cloth, denim, ceramic, or other materials].

7. Colors
Show the main colors from the portrait as swatches.
Separate skin, hair, clothes, and prop colors.

8. Shape and proportions
Include a plain silhouette and body alignment guides.
Match the portrait's proportions.

9. Face check
Repeat the face from the front, an angle, and the side.
Each must match the main portrait.

Keep figures separate. Do not crop heads or feet.
Do not add accessories, change outfits, or swap hands.
Keep labels brief. Do not add scenery or claim a
resolution that the output does not have.

3. Detailed face sheet

Make a photographic reference sheet for [NAME].
The attached portrait defines the identity.
Keep the face, age, eyes, nose, mouth, jaw, skin,
hairline, hairstyle, and build consistent.
Do not beautify or replace the face.
Infer unseen angles without adding new traits.

Fixed outfit and accessories: [DETAILS].

Use a wide studio board with a large main portrait,
soft even light, thin dividers, and short labels.
Include these 24 studies in clear groups:

Identity: 1 large front face.
Head: 2 front; 3 left three-quarter; 4 right three-quarter;
5 left profile; 6 right profile; 7 rear.
Body: 8 front; 9 three-quarter; 10 side; 11 rear.
Expression: 12 neutral; 13 natural smile; 14 slight smile;
15 gaze left; 16 gaze right.
Details: 17 eye; 18 brow; 19 nose; 20 mouth; 21 hair;
22 accessory; 23 outfit; 24 skin and clothing colors.

Keep full-body figures at equal scale, head to shoes.
Show natural skin, hair, and fabric. Keep the same light.
Avoid altered faces, plastic skin, wrong proportions,
cropped feet, overlapping figures, and extra limbs.
Change the expression without changing the person.

4. Cartoon cast sheet

Create one cartoon character sheet for [CHARACTER].

Reference 1 defines this character's appearance.
If it contains several people, use [which person].
Reference 2 defines only the drawing style and layout.
Do not copy its face, age, hair, body, or clothes.

Keep: [face, hair, build, outfit, colors, shoes].

Show front, angled, and side full-body views,
plus two close-up expressions. Use one plain background.
Keep every view consistent. Show all hair and shoes.
Keep hands empty so the outfit stays visible.
Use clear outlines, flat colors, and simple shadows.

5. Focused repair

Edit this character sheet. Change only [specific trait]
in every view and close-up to [exact description].

Preserve the face, proportions, poses, clothes,
other colors, outlines, shading, and page layout.
Do not change anything else. Apply the fix to every panel.