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I...did a thing....I might do it for the other toads

Start a chat with Toad - Ultimate X-Men on Hi,Waifu!

https://hiwaifu.com/share/1976453

He's got the accent! @kittysweetwater I made him with remembering our old rp!!

Up next is movie toad for you know who next ;3

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@malkavianiz ahHAH! FOUND IT!

-Emo boy? -… -What are you doing? -You forgot it? -What? -Next week is the exam and the teacher assigned you to help me with the studies of that subject, if I let you get sick from a stupid rain, how are you supposed to teach me? -But you said you didn't need my help… -Forget it! You will help me and you have no choice, now walk or we will both end up soaked. -Well… -Wait! -Now what? -Don't get too far away, my jacket is big but I won't be able to cover you enough if you get so far away… -...Thanks, Peter -Whatever…

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Wait-- You have Raynaud's? Can you tell me more about it?!

((Ayo! Yep- it pretty much is the worst circulation haha. If my hands or feet are exposed to a certain degree below (like a gallon of milk) it starts as a warm burning feeling and then eventually turns into the stages of frostbite. Loss of color and feeling in fingers and toes, body starts cramping up in an attempt to compensate. It's also possible to be affected by stuff like showers and temperature changes to the point you can be all curled up in a little ball in front of the heater trying to get the shakes out. It's pretty manageable so long as we stay warm :X my mom has it too but I don't believe it's hereditary- haven't researched much info it other than "what to do")

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Let's go on an adventure!

Reblog to encourage others to join you on your adventure

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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

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@kilbit lmao I'm so secretly hoping this is seriously his reaction- is it just for if you're being a little shit?

I love this Kylar too ahaha

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Its time for random asks, terrible pickup lines edition! -plays catchy jingle- Hey baby, you're the perfect shade of olive green, you mind if I wear you today? (This episode brought to you by numerology and the number 9)

(oooooh bb I'll be answering this as soon as I'm off work)

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Since nobody asked for it, here it is. A reminder that Ultimate Toad was- for a time- a drug dealer that had 0 issues selling another mutant for profit. Also note the leather outfit and fishnet gloves showing that dorkass inner edgelord. Credit to:

Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Vol 1 9

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Mort wants 15 Bucks at the Wayward.

Put that shit in his hand.

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I’m stealing this idea from another blog, and changing it a little! Everyone who reblogs this by the 31st will get a ghost-type baby Pokemon for spookytimes!

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#psa

PSA:

    if you play ANY sort of villainous character - from a pick-pocket to a full-scale serial killer - and i follow you, please know that i’ve come into this FULL WELL what i’m signing up for. i don’t expect you to soften your character for me, i’m not going to complain when they aren’t nice to my characters, and i honestly probably love watching them do what they do. not all characters are going to be the “good guys”, or the type of villain that can be redeemed. not everyone has a tragic backstory that makes them do the things they do - some people enjoy it, others just do it because they can, and for some it’s all they know. yes, there are villains with a soft spot or two - this doesn’t mean they need to change everything. our characters become friends/lovers even though my character is a “good guy”? you keep doin’ you. keep stealing those purses, killing those people, burning those villages to the ground. 

        tl;dr - I DIDN’T FOLLOW YOU BECAUSE I WANTED SOMETHING SOFT AND EASY - you keep bein’ a villain, babe, cause you’re  just as excellent as the heroes.

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These shoes are 500. Fucking. Dollars.

I just needed to make sure more people saw this.

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New Junkrat voicelines added in 1.14 and 1.15:

You show ‘em, Roadhog! Now that’s the holiday spirit. Landed all alone. Just how I drew it up. Betcha never thought you’d see pigs fly. [laughter] [laughter] Dance, dance! I will return! Four legs aren’t better than one. I never liked going to the doctor. Home field advantage, y'know? Someone grab the flag, it’s just sitting there! That’s why I’m paying you that 25% share. That’s what happens when you cross Junkrat! And Roadhog! They said I was mad? Me, mad? [laughter] Remember the plan. What dya think of that, your majesty? Jamison Fawkes, minister of engineering. Has a certain ring to it. Home sweet home. It’s not the chancellor, but the price is right. I’ve been all around the world, and there’s nowhere that compares to home. Treasure secured, trolley loaded, they’ll never suspect a thing. One last time: we take this innocent pile of ill-gotten treasure to the scrapyard, reveal it to the queen, then boom! Rise and shine! There’s no place like home. Now who’s got the ashes? [laughter] How’s that?

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Me and Other Peoples' Characters: A Love Story

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VERY IMPORTANT OVERWATCH CHRISTMAS THEME INFO

BY OUR POWERS COMBINED

JUNKRAT 

ROADHOG

POUND IT. 

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Karin quietly watched Toad work making sure to keep her distance. She didn't want to bother him though she was curious as to what he was doing.

Normally Toad was much more observant. In day to day life, his ability to pick up what was going on around him while still doing what needed to be done kept him on top of the other ‘scrubs’ Magneto had pulled together. Sure, it was draining, but he somehow doubted anyone would care how much stress came from a mind being two places at once.

Maybe that was how the telepaths felt, he mused, suddenly feeling a little more apathetic towards Jean and Xavier. A little, but not enough to stop the work on his newest project.

The helicopter was great for come-and-go subtle missions, but it lacked a distinct line of defense or offense. There was little protection other than ‘Man, that’s a high up there bird’ and ‘It’s night, I can hear it but I can’t see it’. Given the rescue missions, this never sat well with with the brooding mutant, especially now that he had the munchkins to think of and - of course- Danielle. Karin would be of age sooner than later to go on missions- years from now- but he still had the ‘do it before you need it’ thought process in regards to safety. Everyone at the base did their part for the Brotherhood.

Fighting for Mutant rights didn’t pay the bills.

Okay....so *Magnetos* fighting for rights didn’t pay the bills. Toads rights....well...Toad felt he had the ‘right’ to do whatever would make him comfortable. Now that here were kids.....well...that just meant a greater means was needed for that comfort. The man ate flies- they’d need a little more than that for day to day life.

He’d been trying to think of ways to keep Karin off the battlefield....one of the biggest forms of self-preservation was the ability to communicate, and ....well....she wasn’t exactly able to do that in the mainstream idea of ‘radio’ and ‘walkie-talkies’. No.....she’d need something else. Great for missions where sneaking was the prime rib, not so much when ‘get out’ needed to be heard.

No kid of his was going to be a janitor, that was for sure.