I would say there are three main steps for building a good reference sheet:

1) Generate a clear picture/understanding of what your fursona will be like.
- Decide on SFW or NSFW. Everything flows from that decision.
- I recommend trying to create them. This may involve drawing, creating a collage based on picture found on the internet, or something more complicated. For humanoid fursonas I suggest checking out hero forge. They make D&D figurines, but they offer a figurine maker that has several common furry animal bases. I do not know how dragon you want to go, but maybe worth a look.
- Generate elements of there personality. Creating a backstory is not important for building a reference, but establishing a main theme, esthetic, or mood for the furson will be very helpful for the artist.
- Generate a list of most-have physical attributes. Are there any distinct markings, do you want their head/skull shaped a certain way, do they have claws or hands, and all those details. It can be helpful to identify what you do not care much about. For example, if your furson has spots does it matter where they are on the body? Is there one or two important spots?
- Gather a pile of reference materials. These are picture examples of what you are looking for. You can have references body parts, color, fur/scale texture, whatever. If possible, I suggest selecting a base animal to work off of. That will inform the artist about the physiology and will help with establishing the furson's form.


2) Find an artist.
- See if the artist specializes in your fursona species. Many artists can do wolfs/dogs/foxes, but few really know how to draw a bird fursona, or a feral dragon. It also helps to note if they have any OCs that share with your fursona's species.
- Keep an eye for style. Artists eventually settle on a recognizable style that they carry throughout their work. Keep this mind, if you commission an artist they will render your fursona in their style. Pick one that is pleasing to you.
- Find an artist that does reference commissions. Do not push an artist into making you a reference. It is a special process were the artist is bringing your character to life. Not all artists are good at doing this, so do your homework or ask them about their comfort level with making references.
- Look for a basic reference. This would be a flat colored front, back, maybe a headshot with an expression, and a color pallet. Do not shade your reference! That makes it difficult for artists to match the colors. Remember, the reference is a functional art piece. You can worry about making bad-ass commissions later.
- Be patient in waiting for the artist to open their comms. It is better that they are ready to work with you opposed to you pushing your way through.

3) Work with your artist and trust the process.
- Keep in mind each other's role: the artist has the technical skill to create your fursona, but they have no idea who or what they are. You know your fursona but do not have the skill to render them. You have to work together to make it happen.
- Give them clear instructions about what you are looking for. Write out the details that are important to you, as well as any other details that you do not know/do not care about. It is fair to tell them something like, "I know I want them to have fins/webbing at the end of its tail, but I have no idea what would look good with the rest of the character." That tells them that you are interested in their opinion and are giving them artistic freedom to figure it out.
- Be kind: remember, they only know what you have told them. The artist will do their best to make it come true. Just be courteous when you have corrections or having them do extra work.
- Be patient: References take a great deal of effort because the artist has to gather information from you, read and think through your references, and begin putting things together fully knowing it could be revised. Expect your reference sheet to take maybe a month to make (depending on the complexity of the furson & the workflow of the artist.

...and that should get you started. Note me if you have any questions. Best of luck!
-Edwin