Heyyy guys!
Doing character ref sheets is quite a fun thing to do for me yet an important thing as well since it will serve as a guide for drawing your characters consistently in your comic so they wouldn't go out of model, etc. Plus it feels so goood having an official character ref sheet for your ocs. Especially if you have tons of 'em and you don't have the good memory to draw them all from your head.
Here are some advice that I learned from some people I could probably give that can be useful?? Somehow.
Create model sheets of your comic characters and place some character information (FOR yourself only and not for the readers to see so they wouldn't be spoiled). Provide the color palette, back, side and front views. That way these sheets will help you draw your characters consistently in terms of height, facial structure, etc in your comic. And know who the heck they are (if you have a large cast going on) It doesn't have to be all neat looking, as long as you can pick up their features easily yourself. Do it your own way.
Here's a great video by LavanderTowne
LavanderTowne: Once your model sheet(s) are done, print them off and pin them above your desk! It gets your eyes used to how you want them to look, and it makes your workspace look so professional and legit.
Create character ref sheets that will be seen by the public/ audience. Include the very basic info, like their name, age, height, position and that's it. Provide the color palette as well. This way your readers can get a glance/basic knowledge of your characters in the comic, this could also act as a guide if you want to art trade or commission with some people of drawing your characters. Or generally anyone who just wanted to make fanart. You can only create the character ref sheets of the main characters of the comic if you want~
For the public eye, always make sure to layout them properly and make them organized.
Another tip, release your character ref sheets publicly at the right time for the audience to see. For example, don't give out the character ref sheet of the villain before they even appeared in the comic lol. Major spoiler.
I think most professional comic creators and Cartoon shows do their character sheets just to make them consistent in drawing/animating so it's a best way to make 'em. However if you don't have the time, find time to do it, at least for your characters which is the most relevant in your comic.
Also I am not saying you have to make a model sheet for yourself and another character sheet for the audience. Just do what you prefer as long as you're happy and it could improve your ways of staying consistent with your characters in the comic ^^ In other words if you prefer not to release your character ref sheets to the public to maintain a smooth and enjoyable comic without knowing anything on who will appear. I recommend doing this lol.
But for now, I am fine releasing these two character ref sheets of mine since they have already appeared in my comic cover. Though no one knows how their personalities would exactly appear in the comic yet. I am just interested to see your character's designs ya'll. Post your updated character ref sheets ONLY if you want to, to avoid spoilers in your comic.
Have fun!
If you have your own opinion and tips on doing character ref sheets,, feel free to share them!
and here's my comic; https://tapas.io/series/Hidden-Time