Character Reference Generation Skill

Domain: Visual character consistency across multiple professional scenarios using AI image generation

Purpose

Generate consistent visual reference images for book characters across diverse scenarios, poses, and contexts. This skill creates professional reference sets that maintain character identity while showcasing them in various narrative-appropriate situations.

Core Knowledge

Character Reference Requirements

Consistency Factors:

•Physical appearance (hair, features, build, age)
•Style/aesthetic (noir detective, fantasy, contemporary)
•Character essence (personality visible through expression/posture)
•Narrative context (professional scenarios, story settings)

Variation Factors:

•Poses (standing, sitting, gesturing, action-specific)
•Attire (scenario-appropriate clothing)
•Environment (setting, lighting, atmosphere)
•Mood/emotion (character state)

AI Image Generation Best Practices

Flux 1.1 Pro Documentation Insights:

•image_prompt parameter = Flux Redux composition guidance (NOT character consistency)
•prompt_strength parameter does NOT exist in Flux 1.1 Pro API
•Character consistency achieved through detailed text descriptions
•Pose variation requires explicit pose descriptions in prompt

Prompt Structure:

code

{CHARACTER_DESC}, {attire}, {scenario}, {pose}, {environment}, {lighting}, {mood}, {STYLE_BASE}

Anti-Patterns:

•❌ Using image reference + vague prompts = repetitive poses
•❌ Assuming image_prompt provides character consistency
•❌ Generic pose descriptions = same pose repeated

Correct Approach:

•✅ Detailed character description in text
•✅ Specific pose per scenario ("leaning forward analyzing data", "standing gesturing toward display")
•✅ No image reference unless using Flux Redux for composition

Character-Agnostic Workflow

Input Requirements:

•Character profile (characters/{name}.md)
•Style guide (prompt templates)
•Scenario list (appropriate to character's narrative role)
•Output directory structure

Script Structure:

javascript

// Configuration
const CHARACTER = {
  name: "Character Name",
  description: "detailed appearance from profile",
  age: number
};

const STYLE = "aesthetic appropriate to narrative";

const SCENARIOS = [
  // Array of scenario objects with:
  // - id, title, scenario, attire, pose, environment, lighting, mood
];

const OUTPUT_DIR = `assets/character-reference/{character-slug}/{collection-name}`;

Character-Specific Adaptations

Alex (21, detective noir, professional):

•Corporate/tech/investigation scenarios
•Navy/charcoal suits, casual professional
•Monitor glow, noir shadows, dramatic lighting

Iris (13, Wonderland native, fantasy):

•Garden/magic/Wonderland scenarios
•Living plant clothing, iridescent features
•Soft pastels, magical glow, nature lighting

Maya (15-16, contemporary teenager):

•School/social/casual scenarios
•Contemporary teen fashion
•Natural daylight, casual environments

Mom/Bell-keeper/Shimmer:

•Role-appropriate scenarios
•Character-specific styling
•Context-matched environments

Implementation Steps

1. Extract Character Profile

javascript

// Read characters/{name}.md
// Parse: physical description, age, personality, role
// Build CHARACTER_DESC constant

2. Define Style Base

javascript

// Match narrative aesthetic
// Alex → "professional anime illustration, detective noir"
// Iris → "fantasy illustration, magical wonderland aesthetic"
// Maya → "contemporary anime illustration, slice-of-life realistic"

3. Create Scenario List

javascript

// 15-20 scenarios
// Each with: id, title, scenario, attire, pose, environment, lighting, mood
// Scenarios match character's narrative role

4. Configure Output

javascript

// Directory: assets/character-reference/{character-slug}/{style-variant}
// Naming: {id}.png (e.g., "01-scenario-name.png")
// Report: generation-report.json

5. Generate Images

javascript

// For each scenario:
//   Build prompt = CHARACTER_DESC + scenario details + STYLE_BASE
//   Call Replicate API with text-only prompt
//   Handle rate limiting with exponential backoff
//   Save image and metadata

6. Validate Results

•Visual consistency check across set
•Pose variety confirmation
•Style adherence verification
•Report success/failures

Success Metrics

Consistency:

•Same character recognizable across all images
•✅ Facial features match
•✅ Hair color/style consistent
•✅ Build/age appropriate

Variety:

•No duplicate poses
•✅ Different body positions
•✅ Varied hand gestures
•✅ Diverse scenarios/settings

Quality:

•Professional illustration quality
•✅ Clear details
•✅ Proper lighting/atmosphere
•✅ Style consistency

Efficiency:

•100% success rate (all scenarios generated)
•Minimal retries (rate limit handling)
•Cost tracking ($0.04/image)

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Same pose in all images Cause: Using image_prompt without detailed pose descriptions Solution: Remove image_prompt, add explicit pose details to text prompt

Issue: Character looks different across images Cause: Vague character description Solution: Detailed, consistent character description in every prompt

Issue: Rate limit errors Cause: Too many concurrent requests Solution: 2s delay between requests + exponential backoff retry

Issue: Wrong style aesthetic Cause: Style not matching character's narrative Solution: Define STYLE_BASE appropriate to character (noir/fantasy/contemporary)

Resources

Documentation

•Flux 1.1 Pro: https://replicate.com/black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro
•Flux Redux (image_prompt): For composition guidance only
•Character profiles: characters/*.md

Examples

•Alex professional noir: assets/character-reference/alex/professional-noir-scenes-v2/
•Script template: scripts/generate-noir-professional-scenes.js

Cost

•Model: black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro
•Rate: $0.04 per image
•Typical set: 17 images = $0.68

Synaptic Connections

Related Skills

•[.github/skills/creative-writing/SKILL.md] (High, Integrates) - "Character consistency in narrative"
•[.github/skills/wonderland-worldbuilding/SKILL.md] (Medium, Enables) - "Visual representation of settings"
•[.github/skills/book-character-engine/SKILL.md] (Critical, Bidirectional) - "Character profile source"

When to Activate

•"Generate character reference images for {character}"
•"Create visual reference set"
•"Need consistent character illustrations"
•Before illustration work requiring character consistency

What This Enables

•Consistent character illustrations for chapters
•Cover art with accurate character depiction
•Marketing materials with recognizable characters
•Character design documentation