Morning Balcony Reflection

A serene anime scene captures a man at dawn on his balcony, clad in a cozy oversized cardigan. His unique hair and facial features mirror those from a provided reference, creating an intimate moment as he enjoys a warm beverage against the backdrop of a softly emerging city.

prompt

FACE MATCH IS THE TOP PRIORITY. This is the exact man in the attached reference photo - not a lookalike. Copy the reference face feature by feature - hairline, hair, brows, eye shape and spacing, nose, lips, jawline, cheek structure, skin tone - every proportion identical, so anyone who knows him recognises him instantly; do not beautify, slim or genericise. From the reference keep only the face and hair.

ART: a clean 2D anime film still - crisp line work, cel shading, painted background - but his face and hair drawn on model from the reference, every feature and proportion exact, the hairline unchanged, eyes their real size, never anime-enlarged. His hair must closely preserve the reference hair: thick, dense, naturally curly and wavy dark black-brown hair, with abundant volume and a slightly tousled texture, fuller curls through the crown and sides, the natural curl pattern clearly visible, the same hairline and overall silhouette as the reference; do not straighten, smooth, thin, shorten, reshape, tie back, or place the hair in a bun.

A painted balcony at first light - pale gold sky, potted plants along the rail, a sleepy city soft below, no readable signage anywhere. He stands at the rail in an oversized grey cardigan over pyjamas, a steaming mug held in both hands at chest height, fingers countable, the drawn steam curling sideways and kept off his face. Hair remains loose and naturally tousled exactly in the reference style. Expression: a small, subtle, warm morning smile - gentle closed-mouth smile with only a slight upward turn at the corners of the lips, relaxed cheeks and eyes, natural and understated, not a broad grin or exaggerated smile; eyes to the viewer with drawn catchlights. He stands angled at the rail so the rising sun sits off-frame camera-right ahead of him; its dawn light keys his face brightest and soft. Vertical 3:4, chest-up. Only this one person. No text anywhere.

LIGHT LAW: the face is lit only by this scene's own light - same direction, same colour temperature, same softness, with shadows falling exactly as the environment dictates - never a pasted studio face.

FINAL CHECK: compare the face, hairline, hair texture, curl pattern, hair volume and overall hair silhouette against the attached reference - the identity must match exactly; if any feature differs from the reference, it is wrong.

This image was generated with AI.

About this look

The composition showcases crisp line work and cel shading, infusing the art with vibrant colors typical of anime. The early morning light enhances his features, with shadows that reflect his natural surroundings, adding depth and realism to an otherwise stylized scene. He holds a steaming mug close to his face, emphasizing his relaxed demeanor during the quiet hours of the morning. Sharing this artwork is ideal for conveying calm and reflective sentiments, suitable for platforms like social media or personal art collections. It beautifully illustrates the peacefulness of morning routines, making it perfect for anyone wishing to celebrate simple, tranquil moments or capture the essence of character in day-to-day life.

How to use this prompt

Reference photos must include a clear image of the man's face, capturing all features to ensure accuracy. The prompt stipulates a clean 2D anime style focused on the character's likeness but transformed into an anime aesthetic. Ensuring that the hair resembles the reference's unique characteristics is crucial, and adjustments may be needed if the likeness is not exact—pay attention to the proportions and details of both the hair and face.