In MidJourney v6 the character design and illustration, mastering poses and character references is crucial for conveying emotion, narrative, and personality.
Character Reference & Poses in MidJourney V6
Here’s a breakdown of essential character references and poses to enhance your MidJourney images:
1. Catalog Pose:
The catalog pose serves as a foundational pose, showcasing the character in a relaxed and natural stance.
It’s commonly used for character sheets or introductions, allowing viewers to get a clear view of the character’s design from head to toe. Keep the pose neutral yet engaging, providing a solid base for further exploration.
2. High-Fashion Pose:
For characters exuding elegance and style, the high-fashion pose is your go-to. Think elongated limbs, graceful posture, and confident expressions.

This pose adds brightness and glamour to your character, perfect for fashion illustrations, editorial work, or portraying charismatic personas.
3. Dramatic Pose:
When drama and intensity are paramount, the dramatic pose comes into play. This pose is all about exaggeration, emphasizing dynamic movement, tension, or emotion.
4. Headshot:
As the name suggests, the headshot focuses primarily on the character’s face, capturing expressions, features, and personality. It’s a close-up portrait or a character emoting for a scene, the headshot provides a window into the character’s soul.
5. Profile Pose:
Sometimes, a side view offers a unique perspective on the character’s silhouette and features. The profile pose highlights distinctive facial profiles, hairstyles, and body contours.
It’s ideal for showcasing character uniqueness or capturing subtle nuances in posture and expression.
6. Action Pose:
Dynamic and energetic, the action pose injects movement and vitality into your character illustrations. Pay attention to anatomy, perspective, and fluidity to ensure the pose feels natural and impactful.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Shot:
- Experiment with different angles, lighting, and perspectives to add depth and dimension to your poses.
- Study real-life references, anatomy, and motion to enhance the authenticity and believability of your character poses.
- Iterate and refine your poses, paying close attention to balance, proportion, and gesture.
- Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and explore unconventional poses to infuse personality and originality into your characters.
20 MidJourney Character Reference & Pose Prompts Examples
1. Heroic Warrior: A dynamic stance with a raised sword and billowing cape, muscles tensed mid-battle, detailed armor under a rising sun.
2. Mystic Mage: Levitating with outstretched arms, swirling arcane symbols and glowing energy around, intense focused gaze.
3. Stealthy Assassin: Crouched atop a shadowy rooftop, poised to leap, with a hooded cloak and piercing eyes in a neon-lit urban setting.
4. Expressive Bard: Mid-performance with a lute in hand, head tilted in passion, surrounded by a bustling medieval market atmosphere.
5. Cyberpunk Rebel: Striking a defiant pose in futuristic armor, neon reflections on chrome surfaces, set against a dystopian cityscape.
6. Nature Druid: Arms extended toward a flourishing forest, leaves and vines swirling around, with soft, natural diffused lighting.
7. Sleek Android: Standing confidently with smooth metallic lines, reflective surfaces catching ambient light, exuding a futuristic aura.
8. Fluid Dancer: Captured mid-twirl with flowing garments, body contorted gracefully in motion, blurred background enhancing movement.
9. Soaring Superhero: Mid-flight with clenched fists and determined eyes, a dynamic perspective above a sprawling cityscape with dramatic clouds.
10. Serene Samurai: In a meditative stance, katana sheathed, surrounded by falling cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese architecture.
11. Inventive Engineer: Posed with intricate steampunk gadgets, animated hand gestures amid a cluttered Victorian workshop, gears and steam in motion.
12. Space Explorer: Standing defiantly on an alien planet, futuristic suit and helmet detailed against a surreal, otherworldly landscape.
13. Whimsical Fairy: In a delicate pose with translucent, iridescent wings spread wide, set in a magical forest illuminated by sparkling light beams.
14. Gothic Vampire: Leaning seductively against crumbling castle ruins under a full moon, with a mysterious gaze and elegant Victorian attire.
15. Valiant Knight: Standing triumphant with raised shield and sword, shining armor reflecting battle scars against a rugged, war-torn backdrop.
16. Covert Spy: In a sleek, low-profile pose with a billowing trench coat and subtle smirk, set in a dimly lit urban alley.
17. Adventurous Youth: Mid-leap with an exuberant smile, dynamic posture captured against a vibrant, rugged wilderness landscape.
18. Wise Elder: Seated in a commanding pose with crossed arms, ancient temple ruins in the background, exuding calm mysticism and authority.
19. Agile Acrobat: Suspended in mid-air with a contorted, dynamic pose, set against a colorful circus tent and energetic stage lighting.
20. Swashbuckling Pirate: Striking a confident, swaggering pose with a tricorn hat and weathered features, stormy seas and crashing waves behind.
In conclusion, mastering character references and poses is a continuous journey of exploration and refinement.
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Demi Franco, a BTech in AI from CQUniversity, is a passionate writer focused on AI. She crafts insightful articles and blog posts that make complex AI topics accessible and engaging.