How to Make a Great Character Reference Sheet!
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- Опубликовано: 7 авг 2024
- Hey guys! Thanks so much for checking out this video, I really hope what I had to say was helpful and let me know if I missed anything you think is important!
I am aware that in the video I also talk about designing the character, and some people feel this isn't just a "How to Make a Ref sheet" video. But I felt like designing a character goes along with the making a reference sheet part, because to make a reference sheet you need to know what character you are drawing/making. So you don't have to tell me, I understand what you mean, and hopefully I clarified my reasoning. Thank you!
If you feel like the video doesn't work because it's from a furry perspective, go try another tutorial if you don't like it, that's okay! No need to stay here and complain in the comments.
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The art program I use is Paint Tool SAI
My Twitter: / itsgerce
My Instagram: / itsgerce
My Website: www.itsgerce.com/
My Patreon: / gerce
NEW INTRO! Thanks to Nikki M. for the wonderful animation!
Nikki M. 's Twitter: / floatingliights
Nikki M's Website: www.nikkisketches.com/
![MAKE YOUR FURSONA! 5 Steps - No art skill required ✅ [The Bottle Ep65]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HIc2c86fDB0/mqdefault.jpg)
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Hi guys, sorry I didn't post it in a more clear spot, but the program I use is Paint Tool SAI!
thanks!!
Would you possibly be open to doing a commission for a reference sheet? I'm not in any way an artist and could never do this haha! Love your art style!!!
Hope you're doing well
I use the same program
As a young dumb artist this is really useful
Thank you very much for making this
When i saw your profile i said TOKOYAMI
Sorry I don’t speak anime
@@Angelectric_609
Some Animes have a English version its called dub a sub is a Japanese one i just wanted go tell you that
oof ur not the only young dumb artist xD
@@avimchi
Me? Yeahhhh we both dumb artist's :D
My go-to tips when someone asks about ref sheets is:
- don’t shade it, causes confusion with markings/colours
- show important angles (ie back, front, that spot on the back of their arm or w/e)
- keep the written info to a minimum. If you’re using a ref sheet for art (commissions and such) then most people don’t need to know much past base personality and specific traits that would affect art (poses, expressions etc)
- list the age, species and gender, it really helps artists. It’s especially difficult to draw something when you can’t tell what the person was trying to draw based on their style alone because people tend to stylize things differently
- colour palette, views of inside of mouth, paw pads etc really help.
- clear, large enough text without crazy fonts. Simple background that contrasts with text and doesn’t distract.
- any alt designs, optionals or outfits.
Hope this helps anyone in the comment section, thought I’d put my two cents in haha.
very helpful! I think I'll use this info next time I make a ref sheet lol
I really dont wanna tell the age due my character ageing over the story.
A little side note I wanna leave, this is optional but you can put shading in your reference sheet, just don't make it too complicated, make the shading simple and importantly, put the colors that you used to shade in the reference sheet and the opacity you used for the shading layer
Again, this is optional, it's your decision if you wanna do it, but just wanna leave this here
Great tips!!! I even screenshot es them so I can follow them when I draw 😂
@@sinisterquestionmarkinacti2801This comment’s 4 years old but I’ll comment for other people reading too: I use age categories (ex. Teen, Young Adult, Adult) for my characters rather than specific ages. From a purely reference perspective, specific ages are most useful when a character is a minor, especially a young child, because that’s when they’re growing (and changing the proportions they’d be drawn with) most rapidly.
“Most neutral pose possible “
Me:T-pose
fumikage tokoyami me too- always using t pose for my ref sheets
Same-
That's a bit more Chaotic Neutral, you gotta bring it down to True Neutral
pretty neutral if I say so my self
if you dont care about redesigning your chatacter and just want to know what to do with a reference sheet and how to lay it out or what to include here we go:
- if a marking(s) has a specific shape or placement, write that down or draw it plainly so people can see
- if hair covers facial markings, point it out
- a shot from the back is not always necessary unless you have unseen markings from the front
- dont be afraid of a t-pose with marking references
- long written portions are discouraged unless its a roleplay character
- if you're bad at color theory, go with a white or light tan background. neon backgrounds arent always bad, but unless they contrast with your artwork, please dont use them
- DONT SHADE YOUR PIECE even if you include color swatches elsewhere, DONT USE SHADING please oh please.
T-poses aggressively
@@kevinsmorguns8796 T-poses with more passion and anger
@@kevinsmorguns8796 ?
Yes! Please do this, someone once commissioned me and they didn't really have a ref, just other ppls art of the character.
Anyways, all of them had one eye covered but I didn't notice, I assumed that it would just be another eye under it...
It wasn't, and I made a total of 7 different drawings trying to get what was under the hair correct...
So yeah, please do this, it helps a lot!
The character with the blue in her fur is very beautiful
"Keep the design simple"
*Gives fursona a shit ton of scarring and a bionic arm*
Can relate.
it's giving bucky barnes
I didn't even think about the color code thank you.
6:34 glad I'm not the only one who can't spell tongue
Who else was motivated to draw a ref sheet while watching this? Edit: holy crap.jpeg this is my most liked comment ever :0 Tysm guys!
Same XD
YAAA
me
mez
Meh, but I’m sat in the bath so I can’t rip
Really helpful!
Hi, Yosh!!!
Henlo
@@kevinsmorguns8796 everyone is gonna ignore the haters.
Kevins Morguns no
Hmm I thought you said you where not a furry
my one tip: DRAW IT LIKE YOU INTEND TO DRAW IT AGAIN
(Basically no hand breakingly complex designs.)
Wow, this character you're using as an example is adorable. I absolutely love their colors.
SUDDENLY ORANGES WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE💀💀💀💀💀💀💀
Thank you! I once made a ref sheet for my dnd character and one person was like "it looks too flat, why don't you add some shading" and I was like "...this is a reference sheet"
No offense but this seem to be a more of "how to make a good character" more than "how to make a good reference sheet" but this was helpful nonless
Also she forgot to say this but if you're making a reference you should add key interests and personalities and stuff of what they like so if you're getting a commission done the artist can capture the character better, also if it's an animal you should add paw pads separately some where else instead of keeping it hidden and a separate eyes and mouth (fully open) so the commissioner or other people can see and understand better, these are some of my tips
@@apollodied6891 so the reason I did the video this way is because 1. I got this information from a PROFESSIONAL that makes reference sheets all the time, not just for furry stuff. 2. In the furry world writing personality on the sheet seems to be normal, but isn't always necessary. 3. Same thing with putting the paw pads separately, unless theres information that needs to be seen that you need it shown for, there is no reason to put more clutter onto the reference sheet.
I made this video for those trying to make professional reference sheets for characters, so yes, that will include tips for designing a good character. Thank you.
For me it seemed like both
@@evaatheria you got some salt
@@v0idspamz636 because both are necessary in making a good character reference sheet!
I’ve been doing art for a while, but I just now got better equipment and now I’m drawing over 60 references that I came up with over the years. Thank you, this will help me a lot.
"Hm? YT recommended me this video, yeah sure..."
Me, 2 seconds in the video.
"BoI the art though... Teach me the ways of amazingness..."
Tip: You should put a white background for your ref sheet, because the makers printer ink will just go ↘️↘️↘️📉📉📉📉
I'm disappointed...
Because you don't have enough subs for such high quality videos you make!
*subs*
Wow you must really wanna feed people
@@imagenationtown1290 wut
@@w0rddissasociation im joking XD
*These are all valid points!*
As with simple designs, this is varied as there are plenty of well-known fursonas that are complicated, keep a note of these things if you think yours is complicated!
In this case: Give the artist some artistic liberty on random markings (if your species is like that, and you don't have to do this either!)
Or, if your species is like mine, (panda german shepherd hybrid of sorts) make sure the markings make sense/are attached to lore. (doesn't have to have lore related markings or any lore at all, this just helps you stay attached to them)
Scenario: *if you look at most purebred german shepherd fursonas' you'll see that most of them have a saddleback pattern down to their thighs and to their tails with certain face masks, (which defines them as a german shepherd most times) colors vary of course.
BUT, my fursona is a PANDA german shepherd, which adds white to where white should not be, which is something that is passed down from one or two panda shepherds, going on and on to at least one puppy. therefore I still have the saddleback markings with white splotches (and some blue ones, for creativity). This makes logical sense because most panda german shepherds have a semi-complicated design (you don't have to relate/revolve your sona' around what the species stereotype is, but doing so would make your fursona more recognizable.
Remember that you shouldn't refrain from having a crazy and wild fursona/fursuit like a sparkle dog, this is just a fair warning that it can be a rocky road along the way, including fursuit expectancy, often broken seams pricing, and artist troubles and pricing, but as said before, you can give the fursuit maker/artist some artistic liberty if you aren't too strict with your pattern choice and not being simple is still okay!
To leave this on a higher note, don't worry about too much~ It's okay to be wild and creative, but remember to make the species look similar to what it is supposed to be, being mindful of artists (because the price will go up significantly for quality art/custom design) and your choice of colors and other markings is up to you!
(though some stick to natural markings, this is still up to you too)
You like what you like,
Sailor
Gracias Gerce I’ll try those tips and see if I can do my pictures right it’s gr8 to get tips from someone who went to art classes
Can you do drawing tutorials?:)
i would like to!
Please?????
You mentioned that in an animation that characters usually are drawn in the same style so they don't look out of place, but have you seen the Amazing World of Gumball? Every character besides the main family is in a different style and it's a good show.
That works because it's meant to happen, but if 99% of the characters are in the same style and then one is different, it'll for sure look out of place
You see wildly-differing character styles in disney films all the time. Have you seen the style difference between The Red Queen and Alice? Or Ariel and pretty much every other character?
I know this comment is probably really late, but I'm a newer member of the furry / fursona community, and this was very helpful! Your content is very underrated and I appreciate this a whole lot! Thanks for making this! You earned a new sub!
welcome to the club!
I really like the furry oc you've drawn here! She's really cute!
Do you think you could do a tutorial on anthro muzzles?? I can never get them done right so, i'm scared to become a proper furry bc i can't draw good muzzles yet >.
What you're supposed to do that most of us aren't very good at is using references. It's better to reference photos of the actual animal in nature than stylized art.
For mythological creatures, reference old Greek paintings and sculptures and stuff, as well as anatomically correct art online.
That’s ok. I can’t draw very good furries let alone animals anyway. I’m still a dedicated furry tho! Although I don’t have a fursuit. •_•
@@sebastian_tyler just wanna warn you that not *every* furry need a fursuit,most the community doesnt have fursuits,
but....if you want to have one,then its ok.
Its not obligatory to have one.
to be a furry,you just need to:like anthromorphics animals, and be ok with being called a furry,so its is fine if you dont have money to buy, or not have motivation to make one.
just chill,be happy, cuz its alright.
@@justsomenoobnothingtoseehe5319 thank you. by now I've already made my sona into a 3/4 partial
@@sebastian_tyler no problem, i hope that you have a very nice experience with the fandom btw, and have a nice day! :)
"Just think about that before you go throwing 40 colors of the rainbow onto your fursona"
PocariRoo: *Already did that*
X^
wow. already 2 likes XD more likes tan I've ever recieved for being a comment :')
Pocari has two colors. Blue and white.
@@fallen_vague28 R/wooooosh
@@nefbrite6866 what does that mean??? I've seen that dozens of times.
@@fallen_vague28 Basicly just when you don't get a joke and the "woooosh" Is it going over your head xD
@@nefbrite6866 oof. Yep. I do not get the joke.
Also don't forget to write on the reference who made the character design, who made the reference, and who the character is owned by. Even if it is really obvious if you are the one who made the character and art, it will help keep art and character thieves at bay.
You should also add "SFW only" on it if you are afraid someone will steal your character to roleplay with it in adult situations, or commission nsfw art of it without your consent.
*Dont add 40 colours of the rainbow onto your design or make it to complicated*
Sparkle dogs: o-o
Hey I really appreciate a calm collective video of really explaining all this stuff. Helped me understand easy and you gave really good examples.
I am a noob artist, and I usually I want as much wisdom from more experienced artists as possible. I find some (not all) who refuse to share their wisdom just to stay more experienced and don't want competition. So I say, this honestly is VERY helpful and I am grateful. Thank you so very much.
Your tips are very helpful! Thank you! I look forward to your future videos.
I love and now adore this video! Thank you for helping me and also you have an amazing art style!
This is SO HELPFUL! I never even knew about the increment tool or adding hex codes! Your voice is also super clear and the way you say things is so helpful ^.^
This video is really really useful! I've struggled with making usable ref sheets before (someone who tried to draw gift art for me even told me mine weren't useful >.
Thank you so much for your advice, Gerce. They're gonna help me a lot with improving my characters designs. 😁
Thank you for the tips! I'm currently working on character designs for an upcoming webcomic and this really helped out with the character sheets!
Correction: DO copy others. It's a good way to learn new techniques if you have a specific thing you are focusing on. Just don't try to pass it off as your own
Oh my goodness, your linework and colors are so crisp and clean!
This video helped me out a lot when I was making my reference sheet, Thank you so much Gerce!
Okay, this was very helpful and it already inspired me to make my fursona a reference sheet after watching the whole video! :) _And yes, this was very helpful in my opinion._
Great video! The intro is so cute looking too! awww!!!!
Thank you, I found this extremely helpful. Personally, my biggest issue is finding a background I like that compliments the character I'm drawing, isn't too simple, yet isn't too busy. Often this will take me the longest to work on and I usually end up unsatisfied with the outcome.
I thought this was a really good tutorial :D it helped me nail down what I needed!
Thank you for the advice! I usually do flat colour for actual design that I would be referencing off, but then I have a little pose or headshot that is shaded, just to add a nice pop of colour, and is helpful for commissioning artists and or they have glowing features.
Congrats on passing 3.000 subscribers!
I think it's so cool that you graduated from an art school!!! You are a very great artist and thanks for the video!!
Thanks for creating this video it had helped me so much I don't know what I would do for a reference sheet without this video.
love this! it helped me so much thank you for helping me on my art journeys!
This was a very well put together video with a lot of good points. Especially for someone like me that is new to the fandom
Gosh, this video was so helpful! it really helped me with my OC's designs ^^
I love your art style!
this helped me a lot! I didn't know what to do when I was drawing a ref. Thank you!
This is really good. It helped me learn more of the basics! Keep it up!!!!
I made myself a new ref sheet just now! Thanks for the tips :D
I’m only new to gerce, and I already love her intro, her oc, her voice, and her art style.
thats very nice thank you! :D
Aaahhhh your character is so pretty!
This was actually the greatest video I've ever seen, thank you for making it!
OttahSqueesh I’m glad you think so!! It means a lot to hear it.
oHH MY GODD i love your art style!!!
Hi Gerce. This video help so much thank you. Your art inspires me to get better with my own and you art style is so cute. 😊💖
Cute! I love her! She looks cute and colorful!
Thanks! This Was VERY Helpful! Great Video!!
Woah, this is really helpful! Thank you for these, and holefully I’ll be able to commission you someday!
This helped out a lot! Thanks for this
thanks so much,, that speedpaint was adorable as well❤
I've been struggling with making ref sheets for my human oc's and furry oc's so thanks for the helpful video!
This is really helpful! Tysm! I'm now going to make good refs of Swift and Kona! Kona isnt known to anyone but myself but imma change that!!!
"You dont need horns, wings or a fancy tail."
Well shit.
this video helped so much!!! thank you. I'm def subbing for more art videos like this
ALSO I ASK FOR A DIFFRENT REF IF ITS SHADED..I CANOT HANDLE SHADED MARKINGS IM LIKE WHAT WHERE WHO WAT
Ugh
I love your art i really aspire to be as great as you *sigh* i hope i forever get to see your adorable art
This is really helpful! Thank you so much!
Watching you draw is so nice 🥰
Thanks for the sai selection tip!
After me attempting to redesign Viper again, I came to watch this video so i can see the tips i need!
Thank you, this was really helpful! I've been wanting to do a referance sheet myself OwO
Thanks for making this, it helps a lot!
Lovely how this is the first thing that pops up when I was looking for a video to watch while making a ref sheet, lol. 😸
This is very helpful, thank youuu
Omigosh thank you so much I was just making a ref sheet and I was looking for help thankss
That's a super cute video! Thank you for being so sweet such Good Work ♥♥♥!
This helps a lot. I appreciate it!
This is really helpful, thank you!
This is very useful and interesting love the idea method I will give this try
Thank you so much!! This actually did help alot and made it look better.
this was very helpful! Thank you!
Your voice is so soothing 💜
This helped me sooooo much! Thank you!
As a first timer for making a ref sheet this was very helpful thank you! OwØ
This is very helpful, Thank you!!!
This is so helpful! thanks!
Awesome Video! I learned so much and you inspired me to change my fursona easier for fursuit makers 😄
Thank you! This is super useful!
This is so good!I'm gonna take some inspiration!
I shade in the refsheet to some clients, because "the light reacts diferent".
Nice video
This is really helpful :D
This is so helpful! :)
This is really helpful! I’m not even a furry but this is still great advice for my OC’s refs!
this is extremely helpful!
I really liked the points you made in the video!! I’m terrible when it comes to reference sheets, so this helped me a lot :)
Could you do a tips and tricks video for the program Sai?
I didn't realize who's channel this was until I came to comment. That's a really cute character too.
This was really helpful! I wanted to remake my reference for the new year and maybe create a new fursona aswell!
Haven't drawn a while so I'm planning to make reference sheet, thanks for the advice.