Reference list (turnaround sheet) of a brand character
Model sheet, reference sheet, turnaround — confusion in terminology
In briefings and tender applications, these three terms are used as synonyms, although in fact they are different documents with different levels of detail. Model sheet — historically broader term from the animation industry, which includes turnaround plus facial expressions, gestures, and proportional schemes. Turnaround — a narrow term denoting character rotation from different angles, without additional information. Reference sheet, or reference list — a working name that is now more often used in branding and AI production; it usually includes angles, as well as technical metadata for generation.
| Document | What is included | Where used |
|---|---|---|
| Turnaround | Only circular angles (5–9 views) | Illustration, comics, simple 2D animation |
| Model sheet | Turnaround + emotions, gestures, proportional grid | Classic animation, studio production documentation |
| Reference sheet | Angles + palette + accessories + technical prompts | Brand characters, 3D, AI generation |
How many minimum angles — 5, 8 or 9
There is no universal number here — there are three usage scenarios, and each dictates its own quantity.
- 5 perspectives — front view, 3/4 front, side view, 3/4 back, back. This is sufficient for an illustrator who draws characters by hand for a comic or static graphics. More — is excessive if 3D and AI are not planned.
- 8 perspectives with mirroring — used in 3D-modeling and games where model symmetry requires separate views from the left and right, rather than simply flipping one image.
- 9+ perspectives — face, two profiles, two 3/4 views, back, plus top and bottom. This is the standard for working with neural networks: such a set improves character consistency when using tools like IP-Adapter or ControlNet (which require pre-configuration); basic generation without additional calibration gives lower stability.
What else is included in the reference list besides the viewpoints
The mistake of beginners is to make five beautiful viewpoints and decide that the document is ready. In fact, a full reference list for a brand character is structured as a visual hierarchy, not just a set of images.
- The key pose — 40–50% of the list area, this is the frame that everyone working with the character will recognize;
- Additional viewpoints — 20–30% each, arranged around the key frame;
- Color palette — 6–8 circles with exact shades, usually with HEX or Pantone codes, at the bottom of the list;
- Accessories and costume details — in a separate block, also at the bottom;
- Mimicry — for video and animation, add 4–5 basic expressions: happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear.
How to avoid proportion discrepancies between viewpoints
Rule of guiding lines
The most common problem is that the character 'floats': the head is slightly larger in profile, and in 3/4 the shoulders are already bigger. This is solved by a simple rule — horizontal guiding lines at the level of the crown, eyes, chin, shoulders, waist, knees, and toes, drawn through the entire list across all viewpoints. This technique significantly reduces consistency errors, and it is exactly this that is often skipped in tutorials, limiting themselves to the advice 'draw carefully'.
Order of fixing the design
- First, one frontal view is established — on it the proportions, style of the face, and line thickness are captured;
- Any design change at this stage means redoing all other angles, so rushing to rotate before final approval of the front view is a direct path to extra work;
- Only after approval of the front view does the character 'rotate' according to guides to profile, 3/4, and back.
What is needed for AI character generation
For working with generative models, the minimum set is 8 main angles: front, back, left, and right full body, plus two 3/4 views from each side. But just images are not enough — the neural network poorly holds the form without technical framing around the sheet.
- A single neutral background (usually white or grey 50%) — without it, the model confuses the character's contour with elements of the environment;
- Consistent scale and equal distance of the 'camera' to the character from all angles — otherwise proportions will jump during generation;
- A textual description of the appearance next to the reference sheet — height, body type, clothing materials, distinctive details that the model should anchor as 'anchors';
- A separate large frame of the face and hands — these areas are most often confused by neural networks; a close-up reduces the percentage of distortions;
- Indication of the style anchoring tool used in the project — LoRA, ControlNet or IP-Adapter, because without them even a perfect reference sheet only gives partial matching between generations.
In practice, even with a full set of 9 angles and all technical setup, character consistency across different scenes will not be one hundred percent — when using professional tools (IP-Adapter, ControlNet, LoRA) 75–95% matching by facial features is considered a good result; basic generation from a reference sheet often yields lower stability, and this should be accounted for in client expectations in advance.
What to order for your task
The mistake that costs the most — ordering five angles 'just in case', and then discovering six months later that the character is being handed over to 3D or for generation, and having to redo the reference sheet from scratch. It's simpler to ask the team once where the character is going next, and order the document accordingly.
Model sheet, reference sheet, turnaround — confusion in terminology
In briefings and tender applications, these three terms are used as synonyms, although in fact they are different documents with different levels of detail. Model sheet — historically broader term from the animation industry, which includes turnaround plus facial expressions, gestures, and proportional schemes. Turnaround — a narrow term denoting character rotation from different angles, without additional information. Reference sheet, or reference list — a working name that is now more often used in branding and AI production; it usually includes angles, as well as technical metadata for generation.
| Document | What is included | Where used |
|---|---|---|
| Turnaround | Only circular angles (5–9 views) | Illustration, comics, simple 2D animation |
| Model sheet | Turnaround + emotions, gestures, proportional grid | Classic animation, studio production documentation |
| Reference sheet | Angles + palette + accessories + technical prompts | Brand characters, 3D, AI generation |
How many minimum angles — 5, 8 or 9
There is no universal number here — there are three usage scenarios, and each dictates its own quantity.
- 5 perspectives — front view, 3/4 front, side view, 3/4 back, back. This is sufficient for an illustrator who draws characters by hand for a comic or static graphics. More — is excessive if 3D and AI are not planned.
- 8 perspectives with mirroring — used in 3D-modeling and games where model symmetry requires separate views from the left and right, rather than simply flipping one image.
- 9+ perspectives — face, two profiles, two 3/4 views, back, plus top and bottom. This is the standard for working with neural networks: such a set improves character consistency when using tools like IP-Adapter or ControlNet (which require pre-configuration); basic generation without additional calibration gives lower stability.
What else is included in the reference list besides the viewpoints
The mistake of beginners is to make five beautiful viewpoints and decide that the document is ready. In fact, a full reference list for a brand character is structured as a visual hierarchy, not just a set of images.
- The key pose — 40–50% of the list area, this is the frame that everyone working with the character will recognize;
- Additional viewpoints — 20–30% each, arranged around the key frame;
- Color palette — 6–8 circles with exact shades, usually with HEX or Pantone codes, at the bottom of the list;
- Accessories and costume details — in a separate block, also at the bottom;
- Mimicry — for video and animation, add 4–5 basic expressions: happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear.
How to avoid proportion discrepancies between viewpoints
Rule of guiding lines
The most common problem is that the character 'floats': the head is slightly larger in profile, and in 3/4 the shoulders are already bigger. This is solved by a simple rule — horizontal guiding lines at the level of the crown, eyes, chin, shoulders, waist, knees, and toes, drawn through the entire list across all viewpoints. This technique significantly reduces consistency errors, and it is exactly this that is often skipped in tutorials, limiting themselves to the advice 'draw carefully'.
Order of fixing the design
- First, one frontal view is established — on it the proportions, style of the face, and line thickness are captured;
- Any design change at this stage means redoing all other angles, so rushing to rotate before final approval of the front view is a direct path to extra work;
- Only after approval of the front view does the character 'rotate' according to guides to profile, 3/4, and back.
What is needed for AI character generation
For working with generative models, the minimum set is 8 main angles: front, back, left, and right full body, plus two 3/4 views from each side. But just images are not enough — the neural network poorly holds the form without technical framing around the sheet.
- A single neutral background (usually white or grey 50%) — without it, the model confuses the character's contour with elements of the environment;
- Consistent scale and equal distance of the 'camera' to the character from all angles — otherwise proportions will jump during generation;
- A textual description of the appearance next to the reference sheet — height, body type, clothing materials, distinctive details that the model should anchor as 'anchors';
- A separate large frame of the face and hands — these areas are most often confused by neural networks; a close-up reduces the percentage of distortions;
- Indication of the style anchoring tool used in the project — LoRA, ControlNet or IP-Adapter, because without them even a perfect reference sheet only gives partial matching between generations.
In practice, even with a full set of 9 angles and all technical setup, character consistency across different scenes will not be one hundred percent — when using professional tools (IP-Adapter, ControlNet, LoRA) 75–95% matching by facial features is considered a good result; basic generation from a reference sheet often yields lower stability, and this should be accounted for in client expectations in advance.
What to order for your task
The mistake that costs the most — ordering five angles 'just in case', and then discovering six months later that the character is being handed over to 3D or for generation, and having to redo the reference sheet from scratch. It's simpler to ask the team once where the character is going next, and order the document accordingly.
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