Mmm The term character. :D

Disclaimer in the introduction pretty much states this guide doesn't cover every single issue. 'Describing your otherkin self' would be a much longer guide.

I know. I was just poking fun where I deem it fits. It's cool Silvixen.

Oh you.

I can't help it. :3

Aww this is awesome! Perfect guide to help newbie furries :3

Thanks! And not even just the newbies, also the ones with too many character to count.

Oh yes that too, that's basically me, way too many characters XD

Awesome ref sheet tutorial. Very good indeed.

Thank you! That's pretty much all I've done all day... *facedesk*

Fine advise and il be honest ive made some mistakes mentioned here even on my so far newest reference sheet of Darou that pretty much includes everything to my character but like/dislikes and personality...

PS: Dont no about you but not a single artist ive commissioned reference sheets from so far have outlined the fur markings prior to finishing the flats. and some of those have already done quite a hand full of good ones for others prior to me coming along... but i guess il ask that for future reference, sence as obvious as it may seem the idea of asking for the outline of the Markings prior to the flatcoloring or painting never came to my mind till now.

thanks again for this^^

I usually do a 'rough colour' during the sketch stage so that marking and colours can be checked. However I usually work in such a way that changing flats isn't a big deal anyway. I hope there are better ref sheet experiences in your future.

My wife was asking me what my character looked like and I was having a hard time describing him. (I think she want's to get me a ref sheet for the holidays.) This is perfect!

Glad I could help :D

This is very good! I'm gonna make sure to get this to the next person who asks for something rediculously vague and without reference. (I love the adorable doodles too btw XD) Karma +1 for you for doing this!!

Thanksies!

Well done! A guide like this is sorely needed!
One time, I was asking a friend how he looked because I wanted to draw me hugging him, but because he didn't have a ref sheet, and saying he was a fox was not a good description, I never got the chance. If only this had existed back then!
Thank you for letting me avoid such situations in future by having this handy guide to link people to! o3o

So many people think 'I'm just your basic red fox' is an ample description. These are people who've only ever seen one photo and think they all look alike.
I'm glad I could help! Thank you!

OMG! I love this. Spot on, dear, spot-freaking-on.

I would love if a commissioner would do this if they have a description reference for their character. It makes it a lot easier and they would get their sheet the way they want it and in a timely manner each time. If you have this in a .txt file or something of that nature, I would like to ask if you would be so kind to send it my way so I can upload it into a journal for their reference on descriptive commissions. If you don't, that is perfectly fine lol I can do it myself -with your permission, of course, since you took the time and effort to make this for not just commissioner but artists a well. If you do not want that then I can also link to this image. You would be credited either way.

Sorry for any misspellings, etc. It's really cold right now and my hands are jittery. Very nicely done, none-the-less, I enjoyed this image and your description.

While I'd prefer you link to this image, if you really want the text blob you can find it here http://www.silvixen.com/character-r.....nce-guide.html

I'll be safe about and just link it :) That way they can see the image and will be linked to your page as well. Thank you for making this, dear. It will help a lot with some of my friends who would like a character made :)

This is really helpful ^^

I'm glad!

Gonna link this to anyone asking for a ref sheet from now on. VERY awesome guide!

Do eet! ALL THE LINKS!

Very well done! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Most welcome, I enjoyed making it!

Just being a beginner artists I've done a few ref sheets from characters that hadn't been created yet. I can't even begin to tell you how much this would have helped back then. I accepted to make these ref sheets and then got stuck when I came to some of these issues, and communication was horribly slow so it took forever.

This is very very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do this. It will help so many artists and commissioners in the long run. :D

Well I hope for many speedy ref commissions in your future!

definitely a great guide!

Thank you thank you! so much for posting this!

Question for you. Can I have your permission to post this elsewhere? Specifically, /r/furry on reddit. Of course, I would give you credit for the guide since I'm sure you put a lot of thought and effort into this.

It's already been posted to r/furry twice by me

Oh, I didn't know.

That's okay. You can do whatever you like with it. It's there to help people.

This is like my favorite thing ever, just so you know. <3 Thank you for doing this.