Dark Side of Fixtion

Writing with Color: Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

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.

So let’s get to it.

S T A N D A R D  D E S C R I P T I O N

B a s i c  C o l o r s

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.

C o m p l e x  C o l o r s

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.”

M o d i f i e r s 

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

D a r k - D e e p - R i c h - C o o l

W a r m - M e d i u m - T a n

F a i r - L i g h t - P a l e

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)

U n d e r t o n e s

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.

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.

C R E A T I V E  D E S C R I P T I O N

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.

N A T U R AL  S E T T I N G S - S K Y

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.

F L O W E R S

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?”

A S S O R T E D  P L A N T S &  N A T U R E

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.

W O O D

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.”

M E T A L S

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.”

G E M S T O N E S - M I N E R A LS

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.” 

P H Y S I C A L  D E S C R I P T I ON

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…

G E N E R A L  T I P S

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

Things that are Brown (blog)

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 3 2 1

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!

ANGST

FLUFF

CRACK

AND… *AHEM*

Hey! Grim here.

So, werewolves. Where to begin? (Did I just write that? My apologies for terrible punnage.)

Most werewolves (or lycanthropes) are probably based on grey wolves, though many authors fail to do their research and get their facts wrong. I don’t expect people to get quantum physics or advanced chemistry correct - I took chemistry for my Leaving Cert, and that stuff’s hard - but I do expect people to be able to do an internet search! 

My apologies for any uncaught typos, my tablet-laptop thing (It was a gift) is against correct spelling and loves to randomly open the console on me.

Listing, because I love lists! They’re easy to read!

1. Wolf pack hierarchy

Most authors seem to be under the mistaken impression that wolves have a leadership structure that has one all powerful alpha at the top and an omega at the bottom whose job is to be the pack’s personal butt monkey.

In actuality, packs are structured more like a family unit: the mated alpha pair (who bond for life) can order the rest of the pack (composed of their children) around, but beyond that it’s a case of A can beat B, B can beat C, C can beat A, D can beat B and A but is tied with C - each wolf can boss around wolves that he or she can best. There is no “omega”. So A can order around B, but not C, despite B ordering around C - make sense?

2. Communication

The packs contain about ten individual wolves, who the others can identify by howl. Howling is used to communicate over long distances, as is scent.

Dogs are descended from grey wolves, so feel free to describe the scent communication the same way dogs use it. Depending on the chemicals in their urine, dogs can leave messages for each other. Nothing too complex, but they can communicate things like “I just had pups”, “I’m happy”, “Danger!” and so on - which could be pretty useful and interesting. Dogs tend to save up their urine for walks so that they can leave messages at specific areas. Now you know why Chica always pees at that lamp-post.

3. Biology

Grey wolves are the largest dogs in the world, weighing between 30 and 80 kg (66 - 175 lbs) and measuring at 1 - 1.6 m. They reach maturity at 22 months of age, living for 16 years and can breed once a year.

In many stories, the werewolves bones are described as breaking during the transformation. While it wouldn’t be comfortable, the bones probably would not break - too much risk of infection and the bones would probably just need to be resized a bit. The tailbone would have to grow, and you might wind up with five toes instead of the typical doggy three, but it’s mostly just changing length. Take a look at an x-ray of a dog and a diagram of a human skeleton - different shapes and sizes but basically the same structure, spine, skull, ribcage, legs. Some organs might be adapted during the transformation to better suit a wolves diet.

The above applies even to a more typical half-wolf, half-human depiction - the bones are still mostly just going to be resized. Think of the growing pains you may have had, just all at once.

Also, most animals once assumed to be completely colorblind can see colors, the colors are just slightly different to what we would see - try looking it up to see the differences between wolf and human vision.

4. Hunting

During the summer, the pack tends to hunt alone for small animals such as beavers or hares, while in winter they wok together to bring down moose, elk, oxen and reindeer. They hunt by smell and chase their victims down, taking turns to bite at the flanks and face until their kill collapses from exhaustion.

Werewolves are often depicted as the mortal enemy of the vampire - they could use these same tactics to bring down vampires, just go for the legs and avoid the teeth.

Grey wolves can run up to 200 km (125 miles) in one night, so a werewolf waking up halfway cross country/state after a night on the prowl wouldn’t be outside of the realm of possibility. 

5. Weaknesses

Werewolves were believed to be weak to aconite (also known as monkshood or wolfsbane), a plant that was used in wolf hunts for it’s poison. this is often believed to be part of the cure, but if a human consumed some it would disagree with them sooner rather than later. Witnessing aconite bloom during an Autumn full moon was believed to cause lycanthropy.

The weakness to silver is a twentieth century addition made by early monster movies. If you include it, remember that silver can be very expensive, so a full magazine of silver bullets may not be entirely practical. A silver knife might be even less so however, given the bite of a werewolf is believed to pass on the curse. Your characters will have to walk a fine line between affordability and safety.

6. Describing the transformation

One of the most commonly used words to describe the act of transforming would appear to be “phase”. Personally, I prefer “shift”, but you can use whatever word you wish. 

There are a few things you need to consider about werewolf transformations. Is it voluntary? If you are writing about someone’s struggle with the beast inside, involuntary shape shifting may be the way to go, but if you are writing a story about vampire hunters then voluntary transformations might make more sense. Some stories have the werewolf able to change shape outside of the full moon or even partially with enough practice.

If you intend to have the full moon involved and for your story to be set in a specific year you may find it useful too look up the dates of the phases of the moon that year or even purchase a lunar calendar. (EDIT) I forgot to mention this(I was half asleep, lol); you need to consider where their clothes will go during the transformation. At least one writer had them tie clothing to their legs before transforming, but take a look at a picture of a wolf or a large dog. Now look at your own leg. Pretty big difference in circumference, huh? Using that trick could easily result in circulation being cut off or the clothes dragging through the dirt. I’d suggest having a hollowed out log or something; your werewolves could put their clothes in a waterproof rucksack and then stuff it in the log. Concealment and protection from the weather in one!

oOo

That’s all I can think of for now, folks. I will write a post about Mary Sues on Thursday, but as always I will be checking the blog between then and now, so feel free to ask questions or leave a comment, i will get back to you as soon as I can.

Might do some posts on Celtic (Irish) and Norse mythology next week.

Presented without comment.

GILES: How was your summer? JENNY: Extreme. I did Burning Man in Black Rock, ohhh, such a great festival, you should’ve been there. They had drum rituals, mobile sculptures, raves, naked mud dances, you would’ve just… hated it with a fiery passion! GILES: I can’t imagine finding any redeeming, uh… Naked? JENNY: Hmm. And you probably spent all summer with your nose in a book. GILES: Yes. I suppose you’d consider that frightfully dull. JENNY: Depends on the book.

~~When She Was Bad~~

Happy Jenny Calendar Day! [Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Divination (Spike/Drusilla, G) by the_moonmoth

Wanting in the Wings (Angel/Cordelia, E) by GeckoGirl89

Funfetti (Spike/Xander, M) by cherrypinup

It’s All My Fault (Spike/Xander/Anya, M) by cherrypinup

Just Do It (Spike/Xander, E) by cherrypinup

Neither Here, Nor There (Spike/Xander, E) by cherrypinup

Road Rage (Spike/Xander, T) by cherrypinup

Chocolate Toffee (Gunn/Wesley, M) by cherrypinup

What Dreams May Come (Gunn/Wesley, M) by cherrypinup

Sweet Dreams (Angel/Faith/Spike, E) by cherrypinup

Ranged Weapons (Giles/Jenny, T) by ageleia

Family (Jenny, Ensemble, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Don’t We All (Willow, Jenny, T) by rosenbury

Untitled (Jenny, Buffy, T) by thattallnerdybean and agntreginaskywalker

(Anya, Jenny, T) by buffyanon

Untitled (Giles/Jenny, T) by bisexualbvffy

manipulative & seductive (Jenny/Giles, Ensemble, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Antiquated Familial Obligation (Jenny, Angel, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

caring (Jenny/Giles, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

manipulative & seductive (Jenny, Willow, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

the sunnydale high mortality rate (Jenny, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

simplicity (Jenny/Giles, T) by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Exhausted Bones (Jenny, T) by callistofisto

[Chaptered Fiction]

Out Of Sight Ch. 1 (Buffy/Spike, M) by sbyamibakura

Everyone has Secrets 1 Ch. 1-3/? (Buffy/Spike, M) by lilachigh2

Faith: The Vampire Slayer Ch. 1 (Faith, T) by xenre

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: BtVS!Verse icons by sweet-lyri

Artwork: Fanged Four by kaoribriefs

Artwork: Jenny Calendar by yulyrosa

Artwork: Jenny Calendar by enigmaticagentalice

Fanmix: That Dreadful Calendar Woman by whedoncon

[Recs]

Top 5 Stories to Fulfill a Classic Recs Wishlist by baudown

[Community Announcements]

Challenge #9 Reminder Post at lims-btvs

Halloween Challenge 2016 Stat Post 4 at sb-fag-ends

[Fandom Discussions]

Jenny Calendar Day Meta by callistofisto

Jenny Calendar Day - Fashion Meta by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Jenny Calendar Day - Character Dynamics Meta by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Xandelia Meta by luscious2

The evolution of Jenny Calendar by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Jenny Calendar As the Slayer Headcanons by catty-words

Chocolate Toffee

Rated: M ~ Gunn/Wes This was written for Isabeau who’s name I got for Secret Slasha. Originally posted on 01-01-2002

Sweet Dreams

Rated: E ~ Angel/Faith/Spike Angel listens to the Eurythmics. Warning: Slight Cordelia stupidity. Written sometime in 2001/2002

What Dreams May Come

site:<url of site where you read the fic> <a line you remember from the fic or character names plus a unique detail>

for example:

site:http://archiveofourown.org/ Todd Margo pedicure

Yey for Tyler!