#character reference
Meet new man!
To be honest, his real name is actually Alexander, but for some reasons everyone call him Konstantin.. and for what reasons you’ll find out later in his story, what I’m working on!
Ahh i already love him
Also, Konstantin spits blood a lot ;(
EYES/BROWS
- his eyes widened
- her eyes went round
- her eyelids drooped
- his eyes narrowed
- his eyes lit up
- his eyes darted
- he squinted
- she blinked
- her eyes twinkled
- his eyes gleamed
- her eyes sparkled
- his eyes flashed
- his eyes glinted
- his eyes burned with…
- her eyes blazed with…
- her eyes sparked with…
- her eyes flickered with…
- _____ glowed in his eyes
- the corners of his eyes crinkled
- she rolled her eyes
- he looked heavenward
- she glanced up to the ceiling
- she winked
- tears filled her eyes
- his eyes welled up
- her eyes swam with tears
- his eyes flooded with tears
- her eyes were wet
- his eyes glistened
- tears shimmered in her eyes
- tears shone in his eyes
- her eyes were glossy
- he was fighting back tears
- tears ran down her cheeks
- his eyes closed
- she squeezed her eyes shut
- he shut his eyes
- his lashes fluttered
- she batted her lashes
- his brows knitted
- her forehead creased
- his forehead furrowed
- her forehead puckered
- a line appeared between her brows
- his brows drew together
- her brows snapped together
- his eyebrows rose
- she raised a brow
- he lifted an eyebrow
- his eyebrows waggled
- she gave him a once-over
- he sized her up
- her eyes bored into him
- she took in the sight of…
- he glared
- she peered
- he gazed
- she glanced
- he stared
- she scrutinized
- he studied
- she gaped
- he observed
- she surveyed
- he gawked
- he leered
- his pupils (were) dilated
- her pupils were huge
- his pupils flared
NOSE
- her nose crinkled
- his nose wrinkled
- she sneered
- his nostrils flared
- she stuck her nose in the air
- he sniffed
- she sniffled
MOUTH
- she smiled
- he smirked
- she grinned
- he simpered
- she beamed
- her mouth curved into a smile
- the corners of his mouth turned up
- the corner of her mouth quirked up
- a corner of his mouth lifted
- his mouth twitched
- he gave a half-smile
- she gave a lopsided grin
- his mouth twisted
- he plastered a smile on his face
- she forced a smile
- he faked a smile
- her smile faded
- his smile slipped
- he pursed his lips
- she pouted
- his mouth snapped shut
- her mouth set in a hard line
- he pressed his lips together
- she bit her lip
- he drew his lower lip between his teeth
- she nibbled on her bottom lip
- he chewed on his bottom lip
- his jaw set
- her jaw clenched
- his jaw tightened
- a muscle in her jaw twitched
- he ground his jaw
- he snarled/his lips drew back in a snarl
- her mouth fell open
- his jaw dropped
- her jaw went slack
- he gritted his teeth
- she gnashed her teeth
- her lower lip trembled
- his lower lip quivered
SKIN
- she paled
- he blanched
- she went white
- the color drained out of his face
- his face reddened
- her cheeks turned pink
- his face flushed
- she blushed
- he turned red
- she turned scarlet
- he turned crimson
- a flush crept up her face
WHOLE FACE, ETC.
- he screwed up his face
- she scrunched up her face
- he grimaced
- she winced
- she gave him a dirty look
- he frowned
- she scowled
- he glowered
- her whole face lit up
- she brightened
- his face went blank
- her face contorted
- his face twisted
- her expression closed up
- his expression dulled
- her expression hardened
- she went poker-faced
- a vein popped out in his neck
- awe transformed his face
- fear crossed her face
- sadness clouded his features
- terror overtook his face
- recognition dawned on her face
Here’s some considerations for the tiny little details that can add a lot to a character. Figuring out these mannerisms can do a lot for conveying character traits through their normal actions rather than just their thoughts, dialogue, etc.
- How’s their posture? There are more options than just sitting up straight or slouching a lot. What’s their most comfortable sitting position? Do they have a consistent posture or does it change depending on situation / present company?
- How’s their etiquette? Do they hold the door for people behind them? How do they handle handshakes and other kinds of typical contact? Does their language change or become more formal when speaking to strangers? To their elders? To their superiors?
- In a crowded space, do they get out of people’s way, or do people get out of THEIR way?
- How do they point something out? Pointing their finger? Nodding their head? A flippant wave of the hand?
- What are their comfort gestures or self-touch gestures? Common comfort gestures include rubbing the back of the neck or gripping their own arms. Can they suppress these gestures or do they do them often?
- Also consider the character’s common reactions to common emotions. Do they whoop when they’re excited? Do they tremble when angry?
- What parts of the body are the most expressive? Do they shuffle and stomp their feet a lot when agitated or excited? Are they a hand talker? Do they have an impressive range of motion with their eyebrows?
- How do they sound? Do their car keys jingle as they walk? Do they drag their feet? Do their heels clack resoundingly on hard floors? Do they breathe loudly? Do they fidget in ways that make a lot of noise?
- How do they handle eye contact?
- Any behaviors they reserve for moments when they’re alone? (Or possibly among family/friends that don’t care?) Do they pick their nose? Do they bite their toenails? Do they sniff their armpits? Or do they not care if people see behavior like this?
- Apart from comfort gestures, what else do they do to comfort themselves in trying times? What’s their go-to self care? What’s their comfort food? Where’s their safe space?
- What are they doing with themselves as they’re suppressing emotion? Lip biting, fist clenching, and avoiding eye contact are common methods of coping with strong emotions.
References for my naga and mermaid couple! Man tattoos are hard to design for characters
currently working on making outfit sheets for all my OCs, here’s the first one with Nela ✨
Nela’s an older sister, an anxious risk-taker, obsessed with proving herself, and a witch, obviously
Here is another commission! I love how all her colors look together
Fun fact, I got my cousin the hold up the family dog for a refrence picture. Has anyone else had their pets help them in their art?
Astra redesign #92816
TETRA
So sometimes I make 3D poses as references for commissions. I don’t use them all so I figured I’d post them here for to use if you want them:
Follow Tag “MTCposes” to find all relevant posts