Latest Posts by bigangrybutch - Page 2

The deity Dolodea from my homebrew D&D campaign! They're the deity of Joy, Laughter, Entertainment and Playfulness. He takes the form of a clown and travels with a circus to bring joy and laughter to the places they all travel to. (They go by Doodle when not addressed as a deity! I posted a modern au art of him previously)

This is so cute I fucking love these two!!! 😭🥺🎪 Doodle my little fella

Still trying to figure out digital. Friends i colored this one three times 😭 😭 😭

Anyways this is Peter and Doodle (in the star jammies). They're a queer platonic nightmare duo. Doodle belongs to @bigangrybutch

Here's a colored version blagh. Digital coloring is a blight upon my existence

Still really happy with how these two turned out 🥺🖤

Kuma and my friend @swampymiasma character Avery (Avreya Bilbija)

They're butch4butch and so real for it

Nolan sketch that I really like! Nasty rat man. I wish I was as cool as it 😔

Found this drawing of myself I made like, almost three years ago. I'm like 80% cooler now but the vibes remain the same. Anyways, stay awesome butch gang

Merry Christmas Swampy! I love you very much, so here are some cute butch dykes for the holidays 🖤

Nalia is on the left (mine)

Sonny is on the right ( @swampymiasma )

Drew my character Doodle. They have BPD and often experiences feelings of loneliness, abandonment, depression, anxiety. Desperately wish more people understood BPD, and wish they understood that we're not evil people with some agenda to ruin your life.

He's also aroace, which already makes him feel a bit lonely, like he's missing something in his life that everyone else gets to experience.

Anyways. Love Doodle and he's relatable. Clown is also his gender, no, I won't answer questions. Thanks!

Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

Standard Description

Basic Colors

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

Complex Colors

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

Modifiers

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool

Warm - Medium - Tan

Fair - Light - Pale

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

Undertones

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver. 

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

Creative Description

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

Natural Settings - Sky

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

Flowers

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

Assorted Plants & Nature

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone." 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

"Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

Wood

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

Metals

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

Gemstones - Minerals

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

Physical Description

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

General Tips

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I 

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

I wanna post my D&D art but I feel like it'd be so out of place on this account. Debating on making a new one for D&D nerdy shit

Kuma and her ex gf Tish. Tish was always an adrenaline junkie and pressured Kuma into purposely stirring up shit/endangering herself. At this point in her life Kuma was struggling with a heroin addiction and everytime she thougut about/brought up that she wanted to try and get sober Tish always pressured her to keep using. they're not dating anymore, Avery is Kuma's gf.

Below is my lineart because I like it a lot!

I learned how to make these so I'm gonna be more of a menace moving forward

Just a silly cute doodle I made of Kuma and Gage. Kuma's always had a hard time with physical affection for multiple reasons, but her and Gage are really close and she's learned to trust her a lot. She's one of Kuma's closest friends.

Gage is Sev's girlfriend, I posted a picture of him and Kuma a while ago.

(Sev belongs to @swampymiasma btw)

Made a Nym ref for myself too! Tumblr it's not supposed to be sexy she's just naked okay thank you

I decided to make a Kuma ref for myself. (Dunno why I didn't do it before) I wasn't sure if an uncensored one would get nuked by Tumblr or not so I censored it and the link below is to the full reference (She's got piercings lets gooo) we'll see if the link actually works. (The outfit is the sort of style she wears. Industrial goth esq.)

(Nvm link isnt working rip)

This drawing of Sonny is dope af I didn't realize I hadn't reblogged it 😭😭😭

I've always really loved your unique lineart and shading style!

Got myself a second hand tablet to give digital art another go even though it drives me bonko. I don't know how y'all do this 💀

Anyways, this is my gal Sonny. She hunts monsters :) here she is fishing for a ghost

I'm constantly improving/trying to improve my art, and it can be so fucking frustrating! Like I hate some pieces I made around a month ago. How is that fair?? Wtf? Anyways. New Kuma art is coming soon. I'm editing old stuff because the anatomy sucked, but I'm gonna upload new works too for a sort of ref sheet for myself.

shout out to hairy dykes. dykes with a bush, dykes with hairy armpits, dykes with a happy trail. shout out to dykes with a happy trail and uhhh yeah dykes with happy trails. shout out to butches with happy trails and

Have this don't ask any questions

Big pup muscle butch dyke is all I have to provide that's it that's all take it and leave

doodle of Nalia and Kuma. This was their dynamic for a long time (still is sometimes lmao)

Either you're an awkward dyke or an oblivious dyke lets be real

Nym staying at Cecco's because she got trashed AF the night before. Butch dyke with her designated cishet guy friend. The worst happens to the best of us

(Cecco belongs to @swampymiasma )

Some shitpost drawings because I think all of the originals are really fucking funny

(Characters from left to right)

Nolan Jones he/him/it/its/they/them

Nym Pennetenium she/her

Tish Brennan she/her

Kuma Ayutthaya (she/her/he/him)

Quinn Davies (they/them)

Eremoz Anastasopoulos (he/him)

Avery (featuring Kuma lmao): she/her/whatever she doesn't care

(As always, Avery belongs to @swampymiasma )

When Kuma and Avery met they were the definition of toxic Yuri. They quite literally got into a bar fight because their friends started one. I think i might draw it next for giggles

I fucking love this meme I couldn't help myself

Why did I put in so much effort?? I literally have no idea

Anyways

Max/Nolan

Elisaveta/Nym

Kuma/Avery (belongs to @swampymiasma )

My character Maeve König! Not entirely sure what I can and can't say about her on here hahaha

Kuma, Avery, and Kuma's twin boys (left) Pichit and (right) Sarawut. Long story regarding Kuma and her kids, so I'll upload about it at some point. Long story short, she had them for a few months before giving them up for adoption and being reunited when they were 15.

(These are their accurate heights btw)

As always, Avery Bilbija belongs to @swampymiasma

Naming the female razor brand Venus is so personally offensive to me....you think Venus the goddess of love and sex and beauty was shaving her PUSSY? Go kill yourself

Nym running a marathon after she's able to go sober and gain some weight. Love this gal! Also, I like drawing shoes a lot. I think they're fun

Yahoo! Here are references for both gals. I thought it would be fun to make one with both of them in it to show their height/build differences. Kuma's built different

Nym and her dad Manmohan and her mom Prisha. Her parents are Sikh, but she isn't. They all love each other so much and their family dynamic is probably one of the healthiest ones I have lmao

Young Nym, Ama, and Elisaveta when they went to an all girls school. Nym and Ella have been in love for 5ever

Elisaveta, Taffy, and Gage! I wanted to draw them in cute fall fits ♥️