---
title: Character looks — reusable illustrated characters on Onceling
description: How to save a character once, design an illustrated look for any story style, and reuse or restyle them in future Onceling books.
locale: en
canonical: https://www.onceling.com/guide/character-development
---

# Character looks — reusable illustrated characters on Onceling

Onceling's [character library](/characters) lets you save a person once, design an illustrated "look" for any story style, and reuse that look in every book sharing that same style — for one [generation credit](/guide/glossary#generation-credit) per look.

## What is a character in Onceling's character library?

A saved character is a name, role, and a few reference photos you keep in your account so you don't need to re-upload them for every new book.

## What is a character "look"?

A look is an illustrated version of a saved character in one specific art style. You design a new look whenever you want that character to appear in a book using a different style.

## Why does a character need a different look for each style?

Illustration styles vary enough that a look made for one style won't match the artwork of a book using a different style, so a look only works in books sharing its exact style.

## How many generations does a new look use?

Designing a [character look](/guide/glossary#character-look) uses one [generation](/guide/glossary#generation) from your free monthly allowance or purchased [generation credits](/guide/generation-credits).

## What should I check before approving a new look?

Look through every angle the look generated — front, full-body, and any left or right views. If the person wears glasses (or another accessory they always wear), it needs to appear on every angle that shows their face; if a side portrait is missing it, any book page drawn from that angle will draw them without it too, so don't approve it — try the look again instead.

## Does designing a new look change my existing books?

No. Once a look is ready, it stays exactly as it is. Designing another look, or deleting one, never changes the artwork in a book you've already made.

## What happens to the photos I upload?

Reference photos are only kept because you chose to save them for reuse. You can remove a character or a single photo at any time from your [character library](/characters).

## Can I add pets, animals, or objects as reusable characters?

Not yet. Reusable character profiles are for people right now — you can save a name, role, and photos for anyone you want to illustrate, then reuse them across future books.

## What if I run out of generations for a new look?

You can buy a [generation pack](/guide/glossary#generation-credit) from your account to keep designing new looks.