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Face claims or descriptions?

Faceclaims all the way. A picture is worth a thousand words after all, and RPing on the net should really be a multi-media experience.
 
I do both. You can't always find 100 % what you're looking for so both goes. Picture for person's visual and description if I want to change something in outfit for example or if I want to accentuate what I want my partner to look at
 
Honestly, I think both are good! But for descriptions, it depends on how well you portray your characters appearance, how you write it so the reader can imagine it. ^^
 
I use both in my writing. Facial expressions and clothing choice usually, to aid in my written description. I might change minor things, such as the color of an outfit or I’ll go a little further in the description of a facial expression, such as the expression started out like this....and morphed into this or that. Then again, sometimes you just can’t find the best image or gif to convey a particular expression or your face claim isn’t wearing something even similar to what you have them wearing, so, description it is.
 
I like to do my own renders for such things. Take a description and make something out of it.
 
Descriptions are better as everyone has their own mental image of a "girl next door" type or super hot chick or whatever it is.

at times in the past people have sent face claims that are just plain wrong for their character. Character described as middle aged house wife, face claim sent to me was of a 25 year old playboy model.

Shy wallflower? Face claim received was of super busty chick with boobs spilling out of too small bikini top.

And don't even get me started on anime etc face claims.
 
Dirty Fingers said:
Descriptions are better as everyone has their own mental image of a "girl next door" type or super hot chick or whatever it is.

at times in the past people have sent face claims that are just plain wrong for their character. Character described as middle aged house wife, face claim sent to me was of a 25 year old playboy model.

Shy wallflower? Face claim received was of super busty chick with boobs spilling out of too small bikini top.

And don't even get me started on anime etc face claims.
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I totally understand what you mean but somehow faceclaims work better for me (if done right and not in the way you described, on which I totally agree)

The reason is very same that you mentioned - everyone has their own mental image and THAT'S WHY I want them to know how my character looks EXACTLY the way I picture it myself.

Because I am my character in particular role play and I want him to see me 100 % same as I see myself.

At the other hand, I don't care if they don't want to show face claim and just describes. That works for me fine... Just not with MY characters. And yeah, Anime totally breaks immersion for me.
 
Mtvarisa said:
I totally understand what you mean but somehow faceclaims work better for me (if done right and not in the way you described, on which I totally agree)

The reason is very same that you mentioned - everyone has their own mental image and THAT'S WHY I want them to know how my character looks EXACTLY the way I picture it myself.

Because I am my character in particular role play and I want him to see me 100 % same as I see myself.

At the other hand, I don't care if they don't want to show face claim and just describes. That works for me fine... Just not with MY characters. And yeah, Anime totally breaks immersion for me.
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I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree. I just had a look at your RT and I didn't feel enticed by any of your face claims. As mentioned I and many other readers would prefer to visualize their own image.

Fair enough you want them to see your character as you see them but you aren't writing these things alone. Also in the end you only need them to know certain things, hair colour, height, build, race etc. That is enough to build a mutual image together without taking away all elements of imagination and personal interpretation.

Just my thoughts.
 
Dirty Fingers said:
I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree. I just had a look at your RT and I didn't feel enticed by any of your face claims. As mentioned I and many other readers would prefer to visualize their own image.

Fair enough you want them to see your character as you see them but you aren't writing these things alone. Also in the end you only need them to know certain things, hair colour, height, build, race etc. That is enough to build a mutual image together without taking away all elements of imagination and personal interpretation.

Just my thoughts.
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I'm always (or in most cases) am willing to change faceclaim if my partner doesn't like it but in some cases I want to play PARTICULAR face claim. For example in my porrnstar adventure rp I particularly want to play a character which looks exactly like who I have as faceclaim there. Same with Sofi Lasko but in other rps those faceclaims are just orientational.

Yes I do understand that can put someone off but there are many people on here with different tastes, we can't please them all.
 
I prefer face claims. If my partner doesn't, I'm fine with descriptions or if they wanted to use anime or drawings, I prefer descriptions.

I've regretted asking for face claims a few times, if you know what I mean. Lol
 
I can never find a faceclaim for what I want, so I guess either descriptions that I later get turned in to art by commissioning someone, or I purchase designs for use in roleplay. That way you avoid running in to the awkward moment when you and your rp partner have chosen the same FC.
 
I like having both. I'm a super visual person, professional designer and hobby artist, so I love the explicit visual. I think the written part is also necessary to conform the visual to the character, in terms of things like posture, mannerisms, etc. Also, it's so rare to find a photo of someone dressed as you want.

I sometimes will make art of my own characters. As an artist, I have a high standard for art faceclaims. I hate where someone grabs a sci-fi image and then says "Oh, but they're in medieval armor". I also am sensitive to that some artists don't want their art used, especially for RP, and I know that no one who uses others' art as RP faceclaims checks with the artist, first. So, for me, there's also usually an ethical component to not wanting someone throwing someone else's art at me for a faceclaim. On rare occasion, partners have given me their own artwork, and I was thrilled. I'm not anti-art faceclaims.
 
I would prefer descriptions. One problem I keep noticing is that often I find the face claims chosen by aren't really indicative of the character or vibe of the RP. For example, one of my interests is older women doing porn. Now, I actually want the woman to look like an average suburban type yet often the face claim will be some younger model. That takes away from the idea of the whole thing for me. I want to explore this older woman being nervous, feeling like her body and/or age is wrong for this kind of thing.

If I am meant to believe she looks like a 20 something model than it loses it's power.
 
Faceclaims for me. Descriptions are fine but I find an image sets thing up better for me.
 
I’m fine with either, but pictures stick for me more. When I’m given a description, I feel like I still imagine something different than what the op may be trying to describe.
 
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My only problem with faceclaims is the number of people who post them on pinterest with no more information.

Then when you reverse google search it the image comes back with generic tags like Male Fashion or Streetwear. That part sucks.
 
I am usually fine with both. I have always said that as long as you give me a semblance of an idea of what your character looks like then I can work with you.

But I have a leaning towards written descriptions. When it comes to my own characters, I always get a particular look in my head for them. And then I can never find an actual faceclaim or piece of art that 100% matches it so I just end up frustrated with a bunch of photos that are almost my vision but not quite.

The same goes with my partner. With a description, I get an idea in my head of what they look like and more or less tailor it to be 100% to my liking. Sometimes they give me a faceclaim and uh... it kinda ruins what I was imagining the guy to look like haha.

So I would say I lean towards descriptions overall. I feel like they give us more freedom to fully visualize exactly what we want to see.
 
Face claims I prefer photo-realistic by far but for high fantasy DnD and GOT type of stories the I can go with more well done artist renderings or computer generated but I just cannot deal with Anime for any stories. Sorry Anime fans, just not my thing.
 
Personally, I think faceclaims have their time and place. Images give a more solid concept of a character, but writing allows room for flexibility and imagination. You won't always be able to find a gentleman that is both poc and sporting blue eyes and eccentric hair. The features you like here are not present in this fc there. It's a lot more restrictive in a way for people with more open character designs.

That said, I'm a firm advocate for both.
 
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