Character Descriptions

[Beaver Dude]

So. I had written a good five-hundred words on this topic.

And then I realized my question was rather simple. Facial feature wise-

1. What's a 'delicate' feature?
2. What's a 'sharp' feature?
3. What's an 'average' feature?
4. Etc. etc. etc.

Shera's profile is eating my soul. And I can't figure out how to describe her face. Help would be appreciated in the Shera-specific context, but this is largely the result of me realizing that if asked, I could not be able to describe my face beyond: 'asian, glasses, looks different in contacts, sexy in the 'run-over-by-a-FedEx-truck' way.

And then I realized I wouldn't be able to describe anyone specifically unless they had a scar, a ridiculous mustache or a facial tattoo. And high cheekbones. That's a little clearer to me on the whole description side of things.

So, help figuring out what all the usual descriptions of faces actually means would be awesome.

Edit: I dunno where to put this so I put it here. Move to wherever ya think appropriate.

[nascent]

Ah, visual character descriptions... easily one of the most difficult aspects of character creation, especially for those of us without a strong artistic/visual aptitude (like myself). Your questions are good ones, and our more artsy members are probably better qualified to answer than I am... but I'll give it a shot.

From what I can tell, the facial descriptions you're asking about are based on how well the "lines" of the face blend together; in other words, whether individual parts are prominent or if they all "mellow out" in relation to the face overall. Generally speaking, "delicate" features walk a thin, balanced line between rounded and straight facial lines while keeping everything aspect in proportion to the others.

This is an extreme generalization, not only because I couldn't find any hard-and-fast definition but also because everyone has a different idea of what "delicate features" are. Just do a Google image search with the words and you'll turn up quite a diverse selection. Alternately, delicate features can be described as "gentle", "soft", or "warm".

In contrast, "sharp" features suggest sharper facial lines. This is generally more masculine in nature; strong chin, prominent cheek bones, the features themselves vary widely. The best example I can give of an extremely "sharp" facial structure is that of Magus from Chrono Trigger. Other adjectives for "sharp" facial features might include "strong", "fierce", "brave", "keen", and the like.

I know it's not much help, but hopefully I was able to clarify the basic ideas a bit. We REALLY ought to get an artist in here, though.

[ophelia]

Something that I find helps me describe characters (whether canon or original) is thinking of them as a "food" or an "animal". And then you compile a list of qualities that relate to these categories. For instance, if your character is a boring do-goody, who follows the rules, but regrets their cowardly lifestyle (or some other random thing) they would be a boring cowardly food. Such as...oatmeal?

Oatmeal is a pale tope color, maybe the color of the character’s skin, or eyes.
Oatmeal is grainy and slimy. So maybe this character has acne and does not often shower.
Oatmeal is luke warm and thick, suggesting maybe, wooly frumpy clothes (tope colored) and coke-bottle glasses.
Oatmeal can also be pipping hot and stirred with cinnamon, suggesting warm features or warm expression. Or curly cinnamon colored hair.
Or, going the “animal route”, maybe this character would be something like a possum or a sheep. Wooly, wet, and taciturn.

Just find a “food” (or an animal) that “matches” Shera’s personality (if she is fiery= salsa, if she is seductive = chocolate mousse, if she is gluttonous = cheese or red meat) then incorporate descriptions you would use for this food into her physical description.

[Beaver Dude]

Thank you both for your input. I like that both comments diverged sharply in intent and purpose - I'm afraid I did end up using Ophelia's advice a bit more than yours Nas, but it *does* feel a bit like a cop out, if I can put it in such a way. x3

I'm still interested in other suggestions/comments/and so on. =D