| name | ai-character-sheet-generator |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a character sheet", "build a character reference", "design a consistent character", "generate character angles", "lock character appearance", or mentions character consistency, multi-angle references, or reusable character designs for AI video or image generation. |
AI Character Sheet Generator
Overview
A structured workflow for creating comprehensive character reference sheets that maintain visual consistency across AI-generated images and video clips. The character sheet locks every visual attribute — face, build, clothing, accessories — so that any future generation of this character matches the original.
Without a locked character sheet, AI tools generate a different-looking person in every frame, destroying continuity instantly.
When to Use
- Before generating any multi-shot AI video sequence
- When a character must appear consistently across multiple images
- When building a cast for an AI short film or ad
- When establishing a visual identity for a recurring AI character
Character Sheet Structure
Every character sheet must define three sections: Identity, Visual Attributes, and Reference Angles.
Section 1 — Identity
Name: [Character name or identifier]
Role: [Brief narrative role — protagonist, antagonist, bystander]
Age Range: [Apparent age bracket]
Archetype: [Visual archetype — corporate exec, street artist, soldier, etc.]
Section 2 — Visual Attributes
Lock every attribute explicitly. Ambiguity causes drift between generations.
| Category | Attributes to Lock |
|---|
| Face | Face shape, skin tone, skin texture, eye color, eye shape, eyebrow thickness, nose shape, lip shape, facial hair |
| Hair | Color, length, style, texture (straight/curly/wavy), parting direction |
| Build | Height impression (tall/average/short), body type, shoulder width, posture |
| Clothing | Exact outfit description — fabric, color, fit, layers, accessories |
| Distinctive | Scars, tattoos, piercings, glasses, birthmarks, jewelry, watch |
| Hands | Ring details, nail style, gloves, visible veins/calluses if relevant |
Section 3 — Reference Angles
Generate four canonical views using identical prompt attributes:
1. FRONT VIEW — Face-on, neutral expression, arms relaxed at sides
2. SIDE VIEW — Full profile (left or right), same pose
3. BACK VIEW — Full rear view showing hair and clothing from behind
4. 3/4 VIEW — Three-quarter angle, slight turn, most natural pose
All four must share: same lighting, same background (neutral gray or white), same clothing, same lens (85mm portrait).
Image Prompt Template
Use this template for each of the four reference angles:
[ANGLE] view of [IDENTITY SUMMARY].
[FACE ATTRIBUTES]. [HAIR ATTRIBUTES]. [BUILD DESCRIPTION].
Wearing [EXACT CLOTHING DESCRIPTION]. [DISTINCTIVE FEATURES].
Neutral gray studio background, soft diffused lighting,
85mm portrait lens, photorealistic, high detail, no motion blur.
Example — Front View
Front view of a 30-year-old East Asian man with a sharp jawline.
Warm olive skin with natural texture, dark brown almond-shaped eyes,
thin eyebrows, straight nose, clean-shaven. Black straight hair,
medium length, side-parted left. Athletic build, broad shoulders,
upright posture.
Wearing a fitted dark navy crew-neck sweater over a white t-shirt,
black slim-fit jeans, silver wristwatch on left wrist.
Small scar above right eyebrow.
Neutral gray studio background, soft diffused lighting,
85mm portrait lens, photorealistic, high detail, no motion blur.
Repeat for SIDE, BACK, and 3/4 views — changing only the angle line.
Output Format
When generating a character sheet, always return:
## Character Identity
[Name, role, age range, archetype]
## Locked Visual Attributes
[Full attribute table — face, hair, build, clothing, distinctive]
## Reference Angle Prompts
### Front View
[Complete image generation prompt]
### Side View
[Complete image generation prompt]
### Back View
[Complete image generation prompt]
### Three-Quarter View
[Complete image generation prompt]
## Usage Notes
[Tips for maintaining consistency when using this sheet in scenes]
Consistency Rules
- Never improvise attributes — every generation must reference the locked sheet
- Same lighting across all angles — soft diffused, neutral background
- Same lens across all angles — 85mm portrait for consistency
- Same clothing in every reference — outfit changes get a separate sheet variant
- Copy attributes verbatim — when using the character in scene prompts, paste the locked attributes directly rather than paraphrasing
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|
| Vague face description ("attractive man") | Lock every facial feature explicitly |
| Different clothing between angles | Copy exact clothing string across all four prompts |
| Fancy backgrounds in reference shots | Use neutral gray studio — backgrounds add visual noise |
| Missing distinctive features | Always include scars, tattoos, accessories — they anchor identity |
| Paraphrasing attributes in scene prompts | Copy-paste the locked attribute strings verbatim |
| Forgetting hand details | Rings, watches, gloves are continuity anchors — lock them |
Integration with Other Skills
This skill feeds directly into ai-cinematic-video-director and ai-storyboard-to-video:
- Generate the character sheet FIRST
- Reference it in every start frame prompt and animation prompt
- Store as a reusable asset for the entire production
Additional Resources
For expression variants, wardrobe changes, and multi-character ensemble sheets, consult references/advanced-character-design.md.
