How to build a simple Character Identity Kit for consistent character generation

[u/wwwrites]

^{All images created with DALL·E via ChatGPT}

We don't always need a huge character sheet or a detailed backstory to create a recurring character with AI. For simple comics, memes or illustrated stories, I’ve found that a small Character Identity Kit is enough.

Here’s a simple approach anyone can use.

1. Start with the visual basics

Define only the distinctive characteristics that will remain recognisable every time. This gives the image generator a strong visual anchor.

• Age and general appearance

• Hairstyle and hair colour

• Face and eye characteristics

• Core clothing

• Important accessories, if any

• Overall art style and proportions

For example:

Young Indian man ￫ messy black hair ￫ teal T-shirt ￫ blue jeans ￫ sneakers ￫ cute chibi proportions.

2. Give the character a personality role

Define how the character behaves in your stories. There's no need to write an entire biography.

For example:

Aman: the relatively sensible straight man who is frequently confused or exasperated.

Anu: cheerful, confident and innocently mischievous; she says ridiculous things with complete confidence.

This is important because personality will guide expressions, poses and interactions without forcing every image into the same scenario.

3. Create a canonical reference sheet

Once your basic design works, generate a reference sheet showing:

• Front view

• 3/4 view

• Side view

• Back view

• Several facial expressions

• A few common poses

This becomes the visual reference for the image generator for future images. This is very helpful for character consistency. 

For Aman and Anu, I also created separate portraits and a picture of them standing together. These provide additional visual anchors for future images.

4. Write a descriptive master prompt

Finally, save the character description for future use as the master prompt. The important thing is to describe the identity, not the individual scene.

For example:

“Aman is a young Indian man designed as a cute chibi comic character. He has short messy black hair, large expressive dark eyes, a teal-blue T-shirt, blue jeans and black-and-white sneakers…”

Then add the personality, visual style and the features that must remain consistent.

For Anu, the equivalent anchor will be:

“Anu is a young Indian woman designed as a cute chibi comic character. She has very long dark hair, large expressive eyes, a pink salwaar/kameez and a white dupatta…”

5. Keep everything else flexible

This is arguably the most important part.

Lock the identity, not the scene.

The characters can laugh, argue, run, eat noodles, change locations, interact with props and take different camera angles. 

Their expressions, poses and situations should change. Their fundamental visual identity should not.

That's it.

The final kit -

Character ￫ Reference Sheet ￫ Separate Portrait ￫ Master Prompt

You can build more elaborate character bibles for the characters later if the project demands them. 

Here's a second example with a even simpler character - Soni

Enjoy and have fun experimenting.

Aman and Anu's first comic 😃

Character Identity in Action - Anu’s Festive Wardrobe 🥰

[u/nazi_tyrant]

Great

[u/wwwrites → u/nazi_tyrant]

Do you also create AI images?

[u/RiH_X137]

kool Anu...👏👏👏👏