Character Design Patterns

The skill Copy

Reusable prompt templates for character turnarounds, expression sheets, outfit variants, and collectible/card formats. Each pattern uses `{variables}` for customization. Default model: GPT Image 2 (5-slot format) unless noted.

---

## Character Turnaround Sheet (3-View)

Use for game or animation pre-production — front, side, and back views of a character on a single white canvas with color callouts and height reference lines.

<!-- Source concept: character model sheet / turnaround sheet for 3D modelers and animators -->

```
Scene: clean white background, flat even lighting with no cast shadows, thin horizontal height reference lines in #CCCCCC spanning the full width at head, shoulder, waist, knee, and foot level
Subject: {character_name} — {character_description} — shown in three views arranged left to right: front view (facing camera), three-quarter side view (turned 75 degrees right), back view (facing away)
Important Details: all three views share identical proportions and vertical alignment along the height lines, feet on the same baseline, arms relaxed at sides for clear silhouette reading, color callout annotations — small circles of each key color ({color_1} {hex_1}, {color_2} {hex_2}, {color_3} {hex_3}) connected by thin #999999 leader lines to the corresponding material on the front view, fine line weight for height markers, clothing folds and seam lines consistent across all three angles
Use Case: game character pre-production, animation model sheet, 3D reference handoff
Constraints: no background elements, no props in hands, no dramatic poses — neutral standing pose only, all three views must depict the exact same character with identical outfit and proportions, no drop shadows, no gradient backgrounds
```

**Key levers:** `{character_name}`, `{character_description}` (age, build, hairstyle, outfit — be specific), `{color_1}`/`{hex_1}` through `{color_3}`/`{hex_3}` (key palette colors for callouts, e.g. jacket navy #1B2A4A, skin warm beige #D4A574, hair auburn #8B3A2F)

**Recommended model:** GPT Image 2 (`quality: high`) — height reference lines and color callout text require precise rendering

---

## Expression Sheet

Use to produce a grid of 6–9 facial expressions for the same character — consistent head angle and art style, with emotion labels under each face.

<!-- Source concept: character expression/emotion reference sheet for animation or visual novel production -->

```
Scene: white background, 3x3 grid (or 3x2 for 6 expressions) with thin #DDDDDD divider lines, each cell contains one head-and-shoulders portrait
Subject: {character_name} — {character_description} — same head angle (three-quarter left), same hairstyle, same lighting across all cells
Important Details:
  Cell 1: neutral — relaxed brow, closed mouth, calm eyes. Label: "NEUTRAL"
  Cell 2: happy — genuine smile reaching the eyes, raised cheeks. Label: "HAPPY"
  Cell 3: angry — furrowed brow, clenched jaw, narrowed eyes. Label: "ANGRY"
  Cell 4: sad — downturned mouth, glistening eyes, slightly lowered head. Label: "SAD"
  Cell 5: surprised — wide eyes, raised eyebrows, open mouth. Label: "SURPRISED"
  Cell 6: disgusted — wrinkled nose, upper lip raised, squinted eyes. Label: "DISGUSTED"
  {extra_expressions}
  Labels in small {label_font} beneath each cell, #555555 text
  Consistent {art_style} rendering across all cells — skin tone, line weight, shading approach identical
Use Case: animation expression reference, visual novel sprite guide, game character documentation
Constraints: same character identity in every cell — no variation in hair, accessories, skin tone, or clothing between expressions, head angle stays fixed, no hand gestures, labels must be legible
```

**Key levers:** `{character_name}`, `{character_description}` (face shape, skin tone, hair, distinguishing marks), `{art_style}` (clean cel-shaded anime, painterly semi-realism, flat vector illustration), `{label_font}` (condensed sans-serif, monospace, rounded sans), `{extra_expressions}` (add cells 7-9: e.g. "Cell 7: smirk — one corner of mouth raised, knowing look. Label: 'SMIRK'")

**Recommended model:** GPT Image 2 (`quality: high`) — text labels and consistent facial identity across 9 cells need precise control

---

## Outfit Variant Grid

Use to show one character in multiple outfits or costumes — for fashion exploration, game skin concepts, or wardrobe design.

<!-- Source concept: character costume/skin variant sheet for fashion or game design -->

```
Scene: light neutral background ({bg_color}), {grid_layout} grid, thin white gaps between cells, soft even front lighting in every cell
Subject: {character_name} — {character_description} — same pose ({pose_description}) in every cell, only the outfit changes
Important Details:
  Cell 1: {outfit_1_name} — {outfit_1_description}
  Cell 2: {outfit_2_name} — {outfit_2_description}
  Cell 3: {outfit_3_name} — {outfit_3_description}
  Cell 4: {outfit_4_name} — {outfit_4_description}
  Cell 5: {outfit_5_name} — {outfit_5_description}
  Cell 6: {outfit_6_name} — {outfit_6_description}
  Outfit name in small bold sans-serif centered below each cell, #333333 text
  Character body proportions, face, hairstyle, and skin tone identical across all cells — only clothing and accessories differ
Use Case: game skin lineup, fashion mood board, costume design exploration
Constraints: same character identity and pose in every cell, no background scenery — character only, outfit labels must be readable, no overlapping garments between cells, {grid_layout} layout must be uniform
```

**Key levers:** `{character_name}`, `{character_description}` (build, face, hair — anchor identity), `{bg_color}` (#F0F0F0 light gray, #FFF8F0 warm cream, #E8EDF2 cool blue-gray), `{grid_layout}` (2x3 or 3x3), `{pose_description}` (hands on hips, relaxed standing, one hand raised), `{outfit_N_name}` / `{outfit_N_description}` (e.g. "Street Casual" — oversized denim jacket, white tee, black cargo pants, chunky sneakers)

**Recommended model:** GPT Image 2 (`quality: medium`) — character consistency is the priority; `high` only if outfit labels need fine legibility

---

## Chibi / Mini-Me Collectible

Use to transform a realistic character into a cute 3D collectible figurine — oversized head, compact body, multiple poses performing different activities.

<!-- Source concept: chibi/super-deformed vinyl collectible figurine with consistent identity across poses -->

```
Scene: soft gradient background ({bg_gradient}), studio product lighting with rim light from behind and soft fill from front, subtle ground shadow beneath each figurine
Subject: chibi-style 3D collectible figurine of {character_name} — {character_description_simplified} — large head (roughly 1:2 head-to-body ratio), rounded limbs, smooth matte vinyl surface, {num_poses} poses arranged in a row
Important Details:
  Pose 1: {pose_1_description}
  Pose 2: {pose_2_description}
  Pose 3: {pose_3_description}
  {extra_poses}
  Face retains recognizable features from the original character — {face_markers} — simplified into the chibi style with large round eyes and small nose/mouth
  Outfit matches the original: {outfit_simplified} — colors preserved ({color_palette}), details reduced to clean shapes
  Each figurine sits on a small circular base ({base_color} matte finish)
  Vinyl toy aesthetic — visible seam line at sides, slight glossy highlight on forehead and cheeks
Use Case: merchandise concept, social media avatar set, fan collectible design
Constraints: consistent face and outfit across all poses, chibi proportions must stay uniform (no realistic proportions creeping in), no text on bases, smooth render — not cel-shaded, matte vinyl material throughout
```

**Key levers:** `{character_name}`, `{character_description_simplified}` (key outfit and hair only), `{face_markers}` (e.g. round glasses, scar on left cheek, green eyes), `{color_palette}` (hex values for 2-3 dominant colors), `{bg_gradient}` (#F5F0EB to #FFFFFF warm, #E0E8F0 to #FFFFFF cool), `{num_poses}` (3-5), `{pose_N_description}` (e.g. sitting cross-legged reading a book, waving with both hands, holding a coffee cup), `{base_color}` (white, black, matching character's main color)

**Recommended model:** GPT Image 2 (`quality: medium`) — smooth 3D vinyl surfaces render well at medium; `high` for marketing-ready close-ups

### Nano Banana version:

```
A row of {num_poses} chibi-style 3D vinyl collectible figurines of {character_name}, each in a different pose. Large head (1:2 head-to-body ratio), rounded limbs, smooth matte vinyl surface with visible seam lines and subtle glossy highlights on the forehead. Face retains {face_markers} simplified into chibi proportions with large round eyes. Outfit: {outfit_simplified} in {color_palette}. Poses left to right: {pose_1_description}, {pose_2_description}, {pose_3_description}. Each figurine on a small circular {base_color} matte base. Soft gradient background ({bg_gradient}), studio product lighting with rim light from behind and soft fill from front, subtle ground shadow. Format: 16:9.
```

---

## Anime-Style Character Card

Use for a full character reference card with portrait, full body, key items, and color palette — organized on a white background in a professional concept art layout.

<!-- Source concept: anime/game character reference sheet with stats, items, and palette swatches -->

```
Scene: white background, organized reference card layout divided into clear sections with thin #CCCCCC separator lines
Subject: {character_name} — {character_description} — anime-style rendering with clean line art and flat cel shading
Important Details:
  Left section (40% width): full-body standing pose, front-facing, arms slightly away from body to show full outfit, feet visible, confident neutral expression
  Upper-right section: portrait bust — head and shoulders, three-quarter angle, detailed face rendering showing {face_details}
  Mid-right section: {num_items} key items arranged in a row — {item_1}, {item_2}, {item_3} — each drawn at consistent scale with thin outline, labeled in small text below
  Lower-right section: color palette — {num_swatches} rectangular swatches in a horizontal strip showing the character's key colors ({swatch_colors}), hex code below each swatch
  Bottom strip: brief stat block or bio text in clean sans-serif — "Name: {character_name} | Class: {class} | Height: {height} | Affiliation: {affiliation}"
  Consistent line weight and shading style across all sections
Use Case: game character documentation, light novel illustration guide, animation production reference
Constraints: unified anime art style across all sections — portrait and full body must be the same character with identical design, items must match what the character wears/carries in the full body view, no decorative borders or ornamental frames, text must be legible at screen resolution
```

**Key levers:** `{character_name}`, `{character_description}` (detailed: hair color/style, eye color, outfit layers, accessories), `{face_details}` (distinctive facial features — e.g. heterochromia, facial tattoo, sharp jawline), `{item_1}`/`{item_2}`/`{item_3}` (signature weapon, accessory, artifact), `{swatch_colors}` (e.g. midnight blue #191970, cherry red #C41E3A, silver #C0C0C0, warm skin #E8B89D), `{num_swatches}` (4-6), `{class}` / `{height}` / `{affiliation}` (stat block fields)

**Recommended model:** GPT Image 2 (`quality: high`) — text-heavy layout with hex codes, labels, and stat block requires precise rendering

### Nano Banana version:

```
An anime-style character reference card for {character_name} on a white background. Left side: full-body standing pose, front-facing, clean cel-shaded anime rendering — {character_description}. Upper right: portrait bust at three-quarter angle showing {face_details}. Mid-right: key items laid out in a row — {item_1}, {item_2}, {item_3} — each drawn consistently and labeled. Lower right: horizontal color palette strip with {num_swatches} rectangular swatches ({swatch_colors}). Clean layout with thin gray separator lines between sections. Professional concept art quality, consistent line weight throughout. Format: 3:4.
```

---

*Author: Serge Shima ([t.me/aimastersme](https://t.me/aimastersme) · [sergeshima.com](https://sergeshima.com) · [aimasters.me](https://aimasters.me)) · License: CC BY 4.0 — attribution required · Source: [smixs/visual-skills](https://github.com/smixs/visual-skills)*

How to install it Copy

Gemini

1. Open Gems → New Gem.
2. Paste the text below into the instructions field.
3. Save. The Gem appears in the sidebar and keeps the instructions
   across conversations.

In Google AI Studio the same text goes in System instructions.

Did it work for you?

Where it came from