1# Character Definition Template
2 
3## Character Document Format
4 
5Create `characters/characters.md` with the following structure:
6 
7```markdown
8# Character Definitions - [Comic Title]
9 
10**Style**: [selected style]
11**Art Direction**: [Ligne Claire / Manga / etc.]
12 
13---
14 
15## Character 1: [Name]
16 
17**Role**: [Protagonist / Mentor / Antagonist / Narrator]
18**Age**: [approximate age or age range in story]
19 
20**Appearance**:
21- Face shape: [oval/square/round]
22- Hair: [color, style, length]
23- Eyes: [color, shape, distinctive features]
24- Build: [height, body type]
25- Distinguishing features: [glasses, beard, scar, etc.]
26 
27**Costume**:
28- Default outfit: [detailed description]
29- Color palette: [primary colors for this character]
30- Accessories: [hat, bag, tools, etc.]
31 
32**Expression Range**:
33- Neutral: [description]
34- Happy/Excited: [description]
35- Thinking/Confused: [description]
36- Determined: [description]
37 
38**Visual Reference Notes**:
39[Any specific artistic direction]
40 
41---
42 
43## Character 2: [Name]
44...
45```
46 
47## Reference Sheet Image Prompt
48 
49After character definitions, include a prompt for generating the reference sheet:
50 
51```markdown
52## Reference Sheet Prompt
53 
54Character reference sheet in [style] style, clean lines, flat colors:
55 
56[ROW 1 - Character Name]:
57- Front view: [detailed description]
58- 3/4 view: [description]
59- Expression sheet: Neutral | Happy | Focused | Worried
60 
61[ROW 2 - Character Name]:
62...
63 
64COLOR PALETTE:
65- [Character 1]: [colors]
66- [Character 2]: [colors]
67 
68White background, clear labels under each character.
69```
70 
71## Example: Turing Biography
72 
73```markdown
74# Character Definitions - The Imitation Game
75 
76**Style**: classic (Ligne Claire)
77**Art Direction**: Clean lines, muted colors, period-accurate details
78 
79---
80 
81## Character 1: Alan Turing
82 
83**Role**: Protagonist
84**Age**: 25-40 (varies across story)
85 
86**Appearance**:
87- Face shape: Oval, slightly angular
88- Hair: Dark brown, wavy, slightly disheveled
89- Eyes: Deep-set, intense gaze
90- Build: Tall, lean, slightly awkward posture
91- Distinguishing features: Prominent brow, thoughtful expression
92 
93**Costume**:
94- Default outfit: Tweed jacket with elbow patches, white shirt, no tie
95- Color palette: Muted browns, navy blue, cream
96- Accessories: Occasionally a pipe, papers/notebooks
97 
98**Expression Range**:
99- Neutral: Thoughtful, slightly distant
100- Happy/Excited: Eureka moment, eyes bright, subtle smile
101- Thinking/Confused: Furrowed brow, looking at abstract space
102- Determined: Jaw set, focused eyes
103 
104---
105 
106## Character 2: The Bombe Machine
107 
108**Role**: Supporting (anthropomorphized)
109**Appearance**:
110- Large brass and wood cabinet
111- Dial "eyes" that can express states
112- Paper tape "mouth"
113- Indicator lights for emotions
114 
115**Expression Range**:
116- Processing: Spinning dials, humming
117- Success: Lights up warmly
118- Stuck: Smoke wisps, stuttering
119 
120---
121 
122## Reference Sheet Prompt
123 
124Character reference sheet in Ligne Claire style, clean lines, flat colors:
125 
126TOP ROW - Alan Turing:
127- Front view: Young man, 30s, short dark wavy hair, thoughtful expression, wearing tweed jacket with elbow patches, white shirt
128- 3/4 view: Same character, slight smile, showing profile of nose
129- Expression sheet: Neutral | Excited (eureka moment) | Focused (working) | Worried
130 
131BOTTOM ROW - The Bombe Machine (anthropomorphized):
132- Bombe machine as character: Large, brass and wood, dial "eyes", paper tape "mouth"
133- Expressions: Processing (spinning dials) | Success (lights up) | Stuck (smoke wisps)
134 
135COLOR PALETTE:
136- Turing: Muted browns (#8B7355), navy blue (#2C3E50), cream (#F5F5DC)
137- Machine: Brass (#B5A642), mahogany (#4E2728), emerald indicators (#2ECC71)
138 
139White background, clear labels under each character.
140```
141 
142## Handling Age Variants
143 
144For biographies spanning many years, define age variants:
145 
146```markdown
147## Alan Turing - Age Variants
148 
149### Young (1920s, age 10-18)
150- Boyish features, round face
151- School uniform (Sherborne)
152- Curious, eager expression
153 
154### Adult (1930s-40s, age 25-35)
155- Angular face, defined jaw
156- Tweed jacket, rumpled appearance
157- Intense, focused expression
158 
159### Later (1950s, age 40+)
160- Slightly weathered
161- More casual dress
162- Thoughtful, sometimes melancholic
163```
164 
165## Best Practices
166 
167| Practice | Description |
168|----------|-------------|
169| Be specific | "Short dark wavy hair, parted left" not just "dark hair" |
170| Use distinguishing features | Glasses, scars, accessories that identify character |
171| Define color codes | Use specific color names or hex codes |
172| Include age markers | Wrinkles, posture, clothing style matching era |
173| Reference real people | For historical figures, note "based on 1940s photographs" |
174 
175## Why Character Reference Matters
176 
177Without unified character definition, AI generates inconsistent appearances. The reference sheet provides:
1781. Visual anchors for consistent features
1792. Color palettes for consistent coloring
1803. Expression documentation for emotional portrayals
181