Keep a character consistent across multiple images

Step 1 - Character sheet (write once, reuse unchanged):
CHARACTER: [NAME], a [AGE/TYPE, e.g. "small fox mascot", "woman in her 60s"] with [FACE AND BODY: 3-5 fixed, specific features, e.g. "round amber eyes, white tip on the left ear only, short stocky build"], wearing [OUTFIT: fixed items and colours, e.g. "a mustard-yellow knitted scarf and a teal backpack"], drawn in [STYLE, e.g. "soft 2D children's book illustration, thick clean outlines, flat colours with light grain"].

Step 2 - Reference image:
[CHARACTER SHEET], character turnaround: front view, side view and back view, neutral pose, plain light grey background, full body, even lighting.

Step 3 - Scene template (one per image):
[CHARACTER SHEET], [ACTION], in [SETTING], [TIME OF DAY AND LIGHT], [SHOT TYPE AND ANGLE].
Keep: same face, same markings, same outfit and colours, same art style.
Avoid: [e.g. "different outfit, extra accessories, realistic fur, text"].
Aspect ratio: [RATIO]

Tool settings (use what your tool supports):
- Attach the Step 2 image as a character or style reference.
- Reuse the same seed while testing to compare changes.
- Keep the model version and style settings identical for the whole series.

Example scene prompt:
Pip, a small fox mascot with round amber eyes, a white tip on the left ear only and a short stocky build, wearing a mustard-yellow knitted scarf and a teal backpack, drawn in soft 2D children's book illustration style with thick clean outlines and flat colours with light grain, reading a map on a mossy tree stump, in an autumn forest, late afternoon golden light, medium shot at eye level.
Keep: same face, same markings, same outfit and colours, same art style.
Avoid: different outfit, extra accessories, realistic fur, text.
Aspect ratio: 3:2

When to use it

Use this approach for storybooks, comics, brand mascots, course illustrations, storyboards and social media series where the same character appears many times. Character consistency is one of the hardest things to get from image tools, because each generation starts from random noise. A fixed description plus a reference image is the most practical method available without training a custom model.

How to customize it

• [NAME] is a label for you; the model relies on the description, not the name.
• [FACE AND BODY] should list a few distinctive, unusual features. “A white tip on the left ear only” is easier to keep consistent than “cute”.
• [OUTFIT] should be simple, with fixed colours. Outfits are often what drifts first between images.
• [STYLE] must stay identical across all prompts. A change in style words changes the character too.
• [ACTION], [SETTING] and [SHOT] are the only parts you change from image to image.

Why it works

Diffusion models do not remember earlier images, so every prompt has to describe the character again. Copying the same character sheet word for word gives the model the same starting description each time. Distinctive details act as anchors that are easy for both the model and the viewer to recognize.

Reference images are the most effective tool. Several image generators let you attach a character or style reference, and the turnaround sheet from Step 2 gives them a clear, neutral example to follow. Fixing the seed while testing helps you see what a prompt change actually did. For a deeper look at the underlying technique, see how diffusion models generate images.

Tips and variations

• Expect some drift; choose the best result of several generations and fix small details by editing.
• For a long project, consider training a small LoRA on approved images of the character, if your tool supports it.
• Keep a master document with the sheet, reference image and settings.
• Simple shapes and flat styles stay consistent more easily than detailed realistic faces.
• Do not create characters that imitate real people or existing copyrighted characters.