#downland

[rherlotshadow]

Marlborough downs, cloudy skies

[winx-reimagined]

Masterlist

Princess Amentia of Downland (Queen in 4Kids dub), first appearing S2E4, is the ruler of a small kingdom of people called Trog (which I have a few problems about that we’ll talk on later). She is a dominant, perfectionist that falls madly in love with Brandon, Stella’s boyfriend. She serves as a minor conflict and minor ally to the Winx against Darkar. And while I think Amentia is a unique character that should’ve been explored more, she is also written off as a pitch poor portrayal of women in positions of power and borders on racist stereotypes. It’s unfortunate that I’ve yet to see any posts or articles talking about the inappropriate portrayal of her character and her people.

Not only is she a powerful ruler, she is also an impressive warrior, and so are many of her people. Despite their impressive nature, she and her soldiers are written as brainless brutes. Especially the soldiers. This is a common portrayal of unfortunately several brown people, but especially Indians & Arabians (also Natives, with how they’re written as savage and uncivilized) All of these cultures are stereotyped as being controlling, the same way Princess Amentia is. But I specifically want to talk about her being a woman in a position of power first.

In the world of Winx we don’t often get female rulers, which is strange as the Magic Realm has various societies and cultures but for some reason they’re all Kingdoms? Another rant for another day. But my point still stands, she is, other than the Queen of the Earth fairies, the only female ruler and indisputably the only female warrior. Yet, she’s controlling and doesn’t understand the idea of consent. She’s selfish, self-centered, and uses her position as a way to, frankly, just be a bitch to everyone. While she has good qualities, like being a strong strategist and, of course, fighter. She’s written so shallowly for the sake of being a low-stake conflict instead of a fully-rounded character. It’s sad to see the only woman in power to be written in such a bitchy way as many women with positional power are viewed.

It’s also gross with the way they solved this conflict by forcing her to fall in love with someone else without her consent nor the work necessary to make a happy couple. I know one of the dubs made it where she realized Sponsus is her soulmate instead of falling in love with him on the spot, but I’ve always hated the soulmate trope because, in this case, it just feels like an easy fix.

Now onto the stereotypes, it was always something I noticed even as a child. It’s clear the Trog is a weird mix of Aztec & Orientalist aesthetics. Amentia wears what looks like a dupatta in her military outfit (a strange contrast to her immodest outfit which goes against the usage of the dupatta). She also wears a bindi or a Tilaka, which personally I think it is more of, which isn’t specifically a problem but helps to prove the Trogs are pulling from Indian asesthetics. Her and the other female Trogs dress in what looks like bellydancing costumes or vaguely Aztec costumes. And while I don’t have a problem with her or the Trogs being inspired by various cultures, the fact that they’re portrayed as savages leaves a sour taste when paired with their outfits being poor, sexualized versions or shallow depictions of real cultures.

Not to mention the forced marriage conflict, is strange. I get using arranged marriages as conflict, this happens in several series, it literally happens multiple times in Winx alone. But it feels downplayed for how uncomfortable Brandon was and for how often Amentia forced herself on him. And while this may be a stretch, it just looks like they’re minimizing female-initiated sexual assault and harassment.

Lastly, the name Trog. This is literally an insult in the english language, it being a shortened version of Troglodyte. It’s already a shitty move to name a species after an insult but to have these stereotypes on top of it, is so much worse.

Amentia deserved to be taken seriously as a character and not a gross interpretation of women in power, her being aggressive and forceful are not what make a powerful woman powerful. She deserved to learn how to fall in love and not to pick a suitor based on looks or her perfectionist ideas. Her people deserved to stand as interesting characters without being stereotypical or shallow. Also it would’ve been great to see her pop up again in later seasons, especially S3. As one of the only kingdoms that doesn’t use magic it would’ve been interesting to see where she stood against Valtor.

There is so much that could’ve been done with her personality and a character in her position, yet they threw them in for low-stake conflict and filler content.

In short, Princess Amentia deserved better.

[downloadthumbnail]

Boost Your Content Creation: The Ultimate Guide to YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders

1. Understanding the importance of YouTube thumbnails for increased views

1. Understanding the Importance of YouTube Thumbnails for Increased Views

The importance of YouTube thumbnails cannot be overstated when it comes to increasing views on your videos. Thumbnails act as the virtual billboards that give potential viewers a glimpse of what your video is about. In a platform with more than 2 billion monthly active users and hundreds of videos on similar topics, a captivating thumbnail separates your content from the sea of options available. This tiny yet powerful visual element plays a significant role in attracting more viewers and boosting your video's credibility.

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2. How to create an attractive video thumbnail in six easy steps

2. Creating an Attractive Video Thumbnail in Six Easy Steps

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3. Examples of the best video thumbnails on YouTube for inspiration

3. Examples of the Best Video Thumbnails on YouTube for Inspiration

When it comes to creating YouTube content, having an eye-catching and engaging thumbnail can significantly impact your video's views and success. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words, and a great thumbnail does just that by grabbing the audience's attention at first glance. Let's take a look at three examples of outstanding YouTube video thumbnails to inspire your content creation journey.

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3. TechSmith – As a company specializing in video editing software, their YouTube channel's educational content is always paired with clean and minimalist thumbnails. TechSmith's thumbnails often feature a simple background with bold text highlighting the tutorial or topic, accompanied by relevant icons or images. Content creators in the educational or tutorial space can borrow from this design style to create easy-to-understand and informative thumbnails that convey the video's topic instantly.

4. The role of colors in creating an effective video thumbnail

4. The Role of Colors in Creating an Effective Video Thumbnail

Colors play a significant role in designing captivating and engaging video thumbnails. They not only make your content visually appealing but also contribute to communicating your brand’s message effectively. Considering the importance of video thumbnails in attracting viewer attention and encouraging clicks, it is essential to understand the role of colors in creating an effective video thumbnail.

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5. The power of facial expressions in video thumbnails and how to use it

The Power of Facial Expressions in Video Thumbnails and How to Use It

The importance of video thumbnails cannot be overstated, as they offer a sneak peek into the video's content, pique viewer interest, and encourage more views. One significant element to consider when designing a video thumbnail is the use of facial expressions. Here is an overview of the power of facial expressions in video thumbnails and how to use them effectively.

Studies have shown that human faces in thumbnails tend to draw more attention than those without faces, as our brains are wired to recognize and respond to them. Facial expressions, in particular, can create an emotional connection with viewers, making them more likely to watch the video. In fact, research from Google reveals that thumbnails featuring expressive faces can increase the click-through rate by 30%.

To leverage the power of facial expressions in video thumbnails, follow these tips:

1. Choose an expressive face: When selecting a thumbnail image, opt for one with a clear, emotional facial expression that conveys the theme or mood of the video. Be it happiness, surprise, or anger, the emotion should resonate with viewers and entice them to click.

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6. Highlighting main content in video thumbnails for increased curiosity and views

6. Enhancing Thumbnails to Spark Curiosity and Boost Views

Creating a visually appealing thumbnail for your YouTube video holds immense significance in grabbing your audience's attention and increasing views on your content. A captivating thumbnail not only sparks curiosity but also plays a vital role in encouraging users to click and view your video. With such importance placed on thumbnails, it is essential to ensure that the main content of your video is highlighted effectively to garner maximum engagement.

Focusing on the key elements and utilizing high-quality images are crucial in designing attention-grabbing thumbnails. Use strong visuals and contrasting colors to make your video stand out amongst the multitude of other content available on YouTube. Moreover, incorporating clear and bold text that summarizes the main topic of your video in just a few words not only piques interest but also improves user comprehension of your content.

Incorporating your brand logo or a specific theme resolution in your thumbnail is an excellent strategy to establish brand consistency and ensure viewers recognize your content at a single glance. Moreover, maintain a consistent font style and size for text in thumbnails, making it easier for users to associate the visual elements with your brand.

7. Importance of including brand identity in video thumbnails

The importance of including brand identity in video thumbnails

In today's digital age, branding has become a crucial aspect of marketing and promotion for any business, as it creates a distinct and lasting impression in the minds of potential customers. When it comes to YouTube, video thumbnails play a significant role in determining the success of your videos by attracting viewers and generating interest in your content. Therefore, it is imperative to incorporate your brand identity into your video thumbnails to create a consistent and professional look, which will, in turn, lead to increased engagement and viewership.

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8. The dos and don'ts of using clickbait thumbnails for increased views

8. The Dos and Don'ts of Using Clickbait Thumbnails for Increased Views

When it comes to designing clickbait thumbnails that can increase your video views, it is essential to follow some do's and don'ts. By adhering to these guidelines, you can avoid any negative repercussions and ensure that you're attracting the right audience.

Do: 1. Create an eye-catching design: Your thumbnail should be visually appealing and grab the viewer's attention. Make use of bold colors, contrasting text, and clear imagery that relates to your video's content.

2. Keep it relevant: Though clickbait is known for its exaggerated nature, your thumbnail should still accurately represent your video's content. This will help prevent disappointment or viewer drop-off when users realize that the thumbnail is misleading.

3. Test different thumbnail designs: Experiment with various styles, layouts, and themes to determine which ones yield the best results.

4. Optimize for different platforms: Ensure that your thumbnail image is properly optimized for various viewing devices to maintain its visual appeal and readability across all platforms.

Don't: 1. Mislead your audience: Avoid using clickbait tactics that create false expectations for your viewers. This can lead to disappointment and mistrust among your audience, harming your engagement rates and your long-term success.

2. Overwhelm with text: Too much text on your thumbnail can make it hard to read, causing users to pass over your content. Choose a concise, relevant title that complements your thumbnail's imagery.

3. Use low-quality images: An unprofessional or poorly executed thumbnail can discourage users from watching your content. Invest resources into creating a high-quality and engaging image.

4. Violate platform guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the thumbnail and content guidelines on the site where you're posting your video, as violating these rules could result in penalties or removal.

9. The best video thumbnail practices for virtual selling

9. The Best Video Thumbnail Practices for Virtual Selling

In the world of virtual selling, a video thumbnail is a crucial element that can make or break viewer engagement. To ensure the maximum reach and impact of your marketing videos, it's essential to follow the best practices when designing your video thumbnails. Here are some of the most effective strategies for creating compelling and click-worthy thumbnails:

1. Focus on high-quality visuals: A well-designed thumbnail can elevate your video content and pique the interest of potential buyers. Use high-resolution images, vibrant colors, and bold typography to create an eye-catching visual that will stand out in a sea of content.

2. Showcase your product: Make it clear what your video is about by featuring your product prominently in the thumbnail. This helps viewers understand the content at a glance and sets accurate expectations for what they will see if they click on the video.

3. Implement branding elements: Including your brand logo or color scheme in the thumbnail can help create consistency across all of your marketing materials and establish a recognizable identity for your business.

4. Utilize text overlays: Including a brief, informative text overlay can further clarify the video's purpose and entice viewers to click. Keep the text concise and ensure it's easily readable against the background.

5. Opt for custom thumbnails: While platforms like YouTube may offer automatic thumbnail options, it's best to create custom thumbnails for your videos to ensure they align with your brand and accurately represent the content.

6. Test different versions: Experiment with various thumbnail designs and monitor their performance to identify which elements resonate best with your target audience. Continually fine-tuning your thumbnail strategy can maximize viewer engagement and ultimately, drive more sales.

10. Top YouTube thumbnail downloaders to simplify the creation process

10. Top YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders to Simplify the Creation Process

Creating eye-catching and engaging YouTube thumbnails is essential for attracting more viewers to your channel. To help you simplify this process, we've compiled a list of the top 10 YouTube thumbnail downloaders that can assist you in creating the perfect thumbnail for your videos.

1. TubeBuddy: A popular YouTube channel management tool, TubeBuddy also offers a thumbnail generator feature that lets you create custom thumbnails using templates, images, and text.

2. Thumbnail Blaster: This powerful thumbnail creator is designed specifically for YouTube and offers numerous templates and customization options to create the perfect thumbnail.

3. Canva: A user-friendly design tool that offers a wide variety of templates for YouTube thumbnails, which can be easily customized to suit your needs.

4. Snappa: With a plethora of YouTube thumbnail templates, Snappa allows you to create professional-looking thumbnails without any design experience.

5. Fotor: This online tool provides attractive templates and easy-to-use customization features for creating eye-catching YouTube thumbnails.

6. Adobe Spark: A comprehensive design tool, Adobe Spark allows you to create custom thumbnails using stylish templates, images, and texts.

7. Visme: Visme offers a range of YouTube thumbnail templates and a user-friendly interface, making it easy to create stunning thumbnails.

8. PicMonkey: With its intuitive interface and vast template library, PicMonkey is a great choice for creating unique YouTube thumbnails.

9. Crello: Offering hundreds of YouTube thumbnail templates, Crello is a popular choice for those looking to streamline their thumbnail creation process.

10. FotoJet: FotoJet is a simple yet powerful tool for creating YouTube thumbnails, with a wide selection of templates and customization options.

By using one of these top YouTube thumbnail downloaders, you can ensure that your thumbnails stand out while simplifying the creation process. Choose the tool that best suits your needs and preferences to create engaging thumbnails that will boost your content and channel's success. [19][20]

[wvyld]

saviour

[silverfoxstole]

Although in my head it’s a bit bigger, with a larger kitchen as well as an extra room on both floors and one in the attic, and it’s (obviously) nowhere near as bare, the eighteenth century Tindalls cottage at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum is pretty much how I envisage the Bush home in my fics.

ETA: I should have mentioned that appropriately the museum is very close to Chichester.

[lucishell]

i miss them

[lemuseum]

[everythingpuddle]

what do you dislike about the Downland arc?

My main objection is that it’s resolved through a guy coercing a woman into marriage (and presumably a sexual relationship) via pixie magic.

My secondary problems with it revolve around it being a weird b plot that I didn’t feel really added anything. The downlanders come back for final confrontation but… they’re hardly clutch in the battle, so it feels like it’s just there for padding. Also, how come a dead(?) god was living above them and they never cared much about it?

Plus, at least in the dub I last watched, the jokes are very much “wife bad, sex please” and making mother-in-law punchlines. Which is a sense of humour I despise.

Generally I try to keep a consistent, more grounded tone with my rewrite (you be the judge as to if I manage that!) but I couldn’t wrap my head around a way to apply that to Downland without me wanting to yeet my laptop into the sun and never write again.

I’d be interested to hear what people liked about this arc. I’ve not seen much discussion of it come across my dash.

[ramblewheels]

My Visit to Scarland

This is the first thing I did when I got the Hermitcraft season 9 world downland. It was so much fun that I thought I'd turn it into a story. Not sure if there will be a part 2, but maybe.

I'm super excited to explore the rest of the server.

[oddeyevibes]

Will never get over that in deciding which Winx will go to Shadowhaunt, Faragonda made good points about Musa and Flora not being able to go and then proceeded to send the one fairy that NEEDS sunlight to a place with no access to it.

[falderaletcetera]

something sweet for tumblr in general and @tamlin-the-ninth and @trivalentlinks especially, if either of you want it:

we don't get fireflies where I live. except that we kind of do.

when I was a kid, my dad had the occasional slightly unusual idea for family fun. he's a wine-maker, so one time he took us all out to the downs to pick gorse, which is a lot like picking blackberries (complete with pricks) except that you don't get to eat them along the way (which I don't anyway, so I appreciated the novelty.) I don't know how it was for my siblings, but he successfully tricked me into thinking it was the best fun ever, and collected the several gallons of tiny gorse flowers he needed.

(it's still one of my favourite places in the world - the cliff just ends right by the sea, which stretches on forever, so it feels like the edge of the world.)

then there were the times, always at a certain time of year, always at night - making it exciting already - where we'd be driven out somewhere special for a walk. we didn't use torches, and sometimes we'd have to pick our way around the quiet looming shapes of cows, which anyone who's seen one cow get curious and start a stampede can tell you is a slightly tense affair. and we went there to spot glowworms.

with the species here, it's the males that fly and the females that glow. some years the grass hadn't been cut in a while, so the tiny lights of them were much harder to spot; other years it was easier. always there would be bits of chalk standing out brightly in the grass that you'd squint at and think might be a glowworm until you get closer. always the first time you really see one, you'll know it for sure.

so we'd walk, and we'd call them out as we spotted them for the others to see too, and sometimes we'd catch a glimpse that would be immediately hidden behind shifting grass and we'd end up craning our necks on the spot in an effort to find it again; and sometimes the more sure-footed of us would walk out from the path - careful of both glowworms and cowpats - to spot them closer up. we didn't take anything, didn't do anything, just called them out excitedly to each other and kept count.

and it was magic.

(in the first year of the pandemic, as one of my healthier coping strategies, I started going for night-time walks along a route I wasn't familiar with. it turned out to lead to the sea if I kept on long enough, and there was a cat along one road who was friendlier than any cat should be at three in the morning. the route also ran right past a few farmer's fields.

until then I'd only seen glowworms in the place my father took us, and the streetlight glinted off the grass at the edge of this field in a way that made it easy to second-guess myself the first few times, but after a week or so there were more. they were real and they there and they were glorious. it was an unexpected and welcome gift from the world.)

they don't tend to photograph well, or at least my dad hasn't managed it with his much fancier camera. here's my best attempt so far.

I looked it up, and their family is Lampyridae, which wikipedia does call fireflies. colloquially, I tend to say that we have glowworms instead of fireflies, and that seems accurate too. but we do have these, and we hunted down and plotted out the constellations in the grass with the love and the wonder they warranted.

[rherlotshadow]

Big summer sky over the Marlborough Downs

[lacnunga]

I understand that the natural evolution of language sometimes results in funny little coincidences, but at some point someone should have looked at where the OE word 'dun' was going and slammed the breaks. The fact that 'downs' are hills is so fucked up.

[wvyld]

hm

[jontycrane]

West Sussex

The sunniest county in Britain, West Sussex is an understandably popular holiday destination, with epic beaches and plenty of history. The coastline is home to near continuous seaside towns, while the interior is mostly rural. West Wittering is one of the best known beaches, an epic stretch of sand with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and plenty of wind for windsurfers and kite…

[graphicpolicy]

Get a look at Downlands from Norm Konyu

Get a look at Downlands from Norm Konyu #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel