Hello!

I recently started to make more detailed reference sheets, however, I feel like they have been rather messy/crowded and I have been struggling in making them look nice while also maintaining the information that I want to be displayed on the references to show the character design. This is why I was hoping to get some help and/or critiques on the current ones I have just finished - alongside hopefully some tips on how to make a good reference sheet.

When I make the reference sheets, it also depends on the species of the character of what I will actually include, but I try to always include the following: - Front and back view - Color palette - Alternate form - Close up on any important details (eyes, markings, etc)

These are an example of what I have recently done but rather unhappy with how they turned out due to the above reasons. Please do not mind the black blobs, that is just testing how I want to display the characters - if you wish to see the full, in-color versions, I can share those as well. :)

test3.png?width=1015&height=676 test2.png?width=1127&height=676 test.png?width=1127&height=676

I have even tried splitting information up into different sheets, but I largely do not like that because I feel it can cause some confusion. https://toyhou.se/14238256.meira-solovyov is a character with that example (first 4 images in her gallery)

What are some things that I can do to improve how my reference sheets look? What are some tips that you do that help you with your reference sheets?

Thank you so much for helping and taking a look! :)

Strix

The main thing i noticed immediately is that the spacing of the text is all weird - generally its more comfortable and more clean looking if theres a sufficient margin around the text itself, before any images or other elements start breaching the space. Try to align the text into a block as well.

I also think all of the background photos are redundant and just create a more distracting noise around the character. Imo reference sheets should be clean and simple, since youre trying to show off the design first and foremost. Trying to fit in several poses, expressions, forms, etc is just overdoing it, id say. 

Id recommended looking at magazines, encyclopedias, portfolio books and character sheets from animation concept art to get a feeling for how the page could be put together.

I think the first page is the closest to a neat reference sheet, but the others have a lot of strange decisions; for example the second one has a giant empty space in the middle, seemingly 2 colour charts, a height comparison where the anthro form is the biggest even though its smaller than the human on the page itself? Tldr simplicity is key in these things id say, you can always add in more detail and pizzazz later

ionightarts

Strix

Ah, thank you so much for that! Once you pointed out the points about the second sheet I could definitely see what you mean.

I'll be sure to remember all this information for when I start to piece all the reference sheets together and also look at some time to study magazines, encyclopedias, portfolio books and character sheets from animation concept art to also get a feeling like suggested.

Thank you again so much for taking the time to respond! I really do appreciate it! ☺️

Strix

yess i did a quick google to make sure my recommended examples Are findable and i wanted to share these two pages that caught my eye! x, x, notice how much space the text has around it (albeit it is not actually lined up in a block so thats probably just my personal preference), how the individual images have enough space between each other but also make sure to almost compliment each other like little puzzle pieces - also notice the page margin! leaving a border around things makes them feel more neat and not as cramped. also you can see that the background detail is minimal if theres any at all (though i do feel like a character sheet thats supposed to introduce the character as a whole can probably bear more funky detail to show their personality, it depends whether its supposed to be an introductory card or an art/design reference)

ionightarts

Strix

Oh yes! Both those images really do help a lot in getting me to visualize exactly what you were talking about! Thank you so much! Those are all very good and important points that I haven't thought about before so that helps me a lot in figuring out what to look for in examples and also in doing my own. :) Thank you again so much! You have been a lot of help! ^^