This is something I see FAR too often. A ref sheet doesn't have to be perfect but it has to show everything!

A fursuit is a MAJOR purchase. With that in mind, you don't want any of your markings to get lost in translation when your fursuit maker turns it into a tangible item.

The best fursuit refs are simple clear and to the point. You don't need any bells or whistles (Like shading, high lighting or brushy stroked markings)

Here are some examples of what a great ref sheets looks like!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15679639/  chomperbee Does some amazing ref work. As you can see, the markings are consistent from front to side to back. All of the lines are clean but it also shows fluffier areas in a -not too busy- way.

http://www.furaffinity.net/full/17096236/  neonslushie Has a whole bunch of knowledge on how fursuits work. It's no surprise that they know what can and can't work for a fursuit. I see extremely complicated characters ALL the time but never with a Slushie ref sheet. Some of the best character/suits are pretty darn simple so keep that in mind! It's how you bring the character to life that matters when getting a suit :3

Here are just a few more people who do some amazing ref sheets! (I always get excited for nice looking ref sheets~)

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18121912/  misheru-san
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18142294/  Jinxsis
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14097859/  Pure-Ruby-Dragon
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18150318/  wintersnowolf
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16833330/  Nekoshiba
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18241488/  irishthorns

There are also lots of free ref sheet line arts out there!
http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....folder/28995/-
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/9534987/
(these are my faves~)


What to avoid when getting/making a fursuit ref sheet:
-GRADIENTS (This is pretty much no man's land for me. I don't touch large gradient areas)
-Brushy stroke lines (Some times it's hard to tell if markings are meant to be jagged or if it's just the artist's style of coloring)
-TONS of tiny/itsy bitsy spots or markings. If it's a darker color on a lighter color of fur, then you may just be able to air brush it but if it's white spots on black fur, ALL of those need to be hand sewn which may not be in your budget.There are even some cases where they're just TOO tiny to be sewn at all.

I hope this helps guys. Be sure to put some good thought into your ref sheet before looking into getting a fursuit, it could make a huge difference :3