\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/forums/message_id/2892045
Rated: 13+ · Message Forum · Writing · #1474311
A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore.
<< Previous  •  Message List  •  Next >>
Reply  •  Post New
Oct 13, 2015 at 8:17am
#2892045
Re: Re: New Reference Books!
Foods apparently have the most identifiable colors. Check out the color names on any major line of paints, and you'll see lots of examples.

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-c...

http://www.behr.com/consumer/colors/paint#

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-gallery#&ce_vm=0

Colors like Brookline Beige, Rich Clay Brown and Thanksgiving don't evoke clear visuals in my mind, but tell me the color is Raisin, Chocolate Mousse, Cherry Cola, or Mocha, and I know almost exactly what color you're talking about. It could in part be the consistency: colors in nature vary wildly (oak leaf green? maple bark brown?) but when you blend things in a kitchen (raspberry smoothie, mashed sweet potato, tomato sauce), the end result is a consistent color that can always be identified no matter where you got the raspberries, sweet potatoes, or tomatoes.

Also, Caucasian people are often described with food analogies: peach, milky.

I read an article once that suggested people don't like having their skin tones compared to food. I think that's just the author's opinion, which is probably shared by some but it's not a matter of general offense. It's done all the time in literature, and I've never seen a book boycotted because of the author's skin color descriptions.

However, if you're looking for alternatives, this article might help. I like how it suggests using standard colors mixed with modifiers and undertones: warm tawny with golden undertones; light beige with rose undertones.

http://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/post/96830966357/writing-with-color-descripti...

Cheers,
Michelle
MESSAGE THREAD
New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:17am
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon
Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:28am
by Eric the Fred Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:36am
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:46am
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:52am
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon
*Star* Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 8:17am
by BrandiwynšŸŽ¶ Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:25pm
by Eric the Fred Author IconMail Icon
Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:57am
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 1:10am
by Eric the Fred Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: Re: New Reference Books! · 10-13-15 12:31pm
by Patrece ~ Author IconMail Icon

The following section applies to this forum item as a whole, not this individual post.
Any feedback sent through it will go to the forum's owner, BrandiwynšŸŽ¶.
Printed from https://writing.com/main/forums/message_id/2892045