Model sheet

Not to be confused with ModelSheet Software LLC.
A sample model sheet from the DVD tutorial 'Chaos&Evolutions'

In visual arts, a model sheet, also known as a character board, character sheet, character study or simply a study, is a document used to help standardize the appearance, poses, and gestures of a character in arts such as animation, comics, and video games.[1]

Model sheets are required when multiple artists are involved in the production of an animated film, game, or comic to help maintain continuity in characters from scene to scene. In animation, one animator may only do one shot out of the several hundred that are required to complete an animated feature film. A character not drawn according to the production's standardized model is referred to as off-model.[2]

Model sheets are also used for references in 3D modeling to guide proper proportions of models.[3]

  1. ^ Marx, Christy (2007). "Backgrounds and character design". Writing for animation, comics & games. Amsterdam; Boston: Focal Press. pp. 28. ISBN 9780240805825. OCLC 70230693.
  2. ^ Beiman, Nancy (2013) [2007]. Prepare to board!: creating story and characters for animated features and shorts (2nd ed.). New York: Focal Press. pp. 218, 334. ISBN 9780240818788. OCLC 779740447.
  3. ^ Chaudhuri, Parag; Kalra, Prem; Banerjee, Subhashis (2007). View-dependent character animation. London: Springer-Verlag. pp. 3–12, 31–56. doi:10.1007/978-1-84628-762-6. ISBN 978-1846285912. OCLC 71285570.