PB 'realism'

[marsmrsmars]

@Arkandel said in PB 'realism':

Since we're discussing PBs in general lately here's a question from me.

When you pick PBs do you care about 'realism' or do you go for the general fit between the picture/artwork's looks and your character?

Generally I either get inspired to make a character based off of a PB's picture or artwork, or I find something particularly fitting after the fact. If it doesn't click, I just do not use a PB.

And when you see others using a specific type of PB does that influence your responses if there is a perceived discrepancy?

Even though I am picky about what PBs I use myself, I don't really look at other peoples' PBs that much. Generally I get a mind's-eye thought of what each character looks like, but I am impressed when their PB lines up with what I thought originally.

@Derp said in PB 'realism':

@tek said in PB 'realism':

I won't play with someone with an anime pb. Full stop.

This, but fucking chibi.

#SorryNotSorry

@Ominous said in PB 'realism':

My reply to all this hate of the anime PBs:

I'm fine with art PBs, but if the art looks like it's just a still from some show then it gives me weird vibes. If I were to ever see a chibi PB, I'd probably not even try to make up an excuse to leave. That's just weird.

[Derp]

@Tinuviel

The crust thing, yes, but also the texture. It's like -- table salt vs. sea salt.

Here, check this out:

[Goblin]

I spend hours trying to find the perfect PB for my characters (and I never really feel entirely satisfied), but a lot of the time I never even look at other people's PBs. I read their descs and an image sort of forms in my head. Sometimes that image does not at all fit with their PB when I look later. But, it doesn't bother me either. In the end, I don't care what their characters look like as long as they're fun to RP with.

[Darren]

I guess I'm one of the few left that prefer text descriptions. I've never used a PB in 20+ years of MU*ing.

[L. B. Heuschkel]

@Darren Nope. I put up a profile pic because most places require it, but I've often preferred to sketch it myself, and I'd much rather be allowed to use words. When I have had to use somebody's actor photo from the web I've usually done some heavy photoshopping to get it closer to what's going on in my mind's theatre -- in part because if you toss up a photo of Chris Hemworth then people are going to associate that character with Thor no matter how you actually play it.

[Tinuviel]

@Darren said in PB 'realism':

I guess I'm one of the few left that prefer text descriptions. I've never used a PB in 20+ years of MU*ing.

Most places sort of expect it, and I often intend on presenting a character wiki page like an actual wikipedia page... but then I get lazy and forget, so my PB is often set-and-forget. My @desc is more important.

[Coin]

It depends almost entirely on how I go about my character creation process for that character.

I do it in several ways:

1. I want to play a specific type of character; I visualize, conceptualize, and then find a PB that more of less fits and don't worry about it (I worry a little more if part of the concept is the character being a specific ethnicity);
2. I see a PB, get an idea for a character for them, and use them, because the character built itself around the PB in my brain. This is obviously the best one for the 'find the perfect PB'.

[reversed]

This post is deleted!

[Pyrephox]

I always make the text description first, then look for a PB that fits it - which often means doing a google image search for things like 'young woman freckles' or something. Even once I find a potential person, I try to find a picture that gets across the character - I've had PBs where I can only really use ONE image of them, because it fits the personality of the character, but none of the others do.

That said, I don't really care about other people's PBs, and will usually go from the written description. Anime or drawn PBs don't bother me at all, but doing nothing but linking a picture in your desc, or having some incredibly generic and unhelpful desc like 'this is a person' drives me up the wall.

[Ominous]

@Tinuviel said in PB 'realism':

@Derp Is panko different to 'traditional' breadcrumbs?

I believe that Panko is made by coating metal mesh in batter then electrifying the mesh so the batter flash fries.

[Grayson]

I made and @desced a character. Then PBs became a thing on games that weren't Aether, and people came unto me and said 'I have the perfect PB for your character!' And lo, I told them to bugger off, no way.

Then lo, wikipages became a thing, and people came unto me and said 'I have the perfect PB for your character!' And lo, I agreed that Rutger Hauer was awesome, that the replicant was close enough, and this was permitted.

Then lo, I fell in with a new crowd, and they came unto me and said 'I have the perfect PB for your character!' And lo, it was Loki, and it was so perfect that I could doubt no more.

[zKraken]

@Pyrephox said in PB 'realism':

I always make the text description first, then look for a PB that fits it - which often means doing a google image search for things like 'young woman freckles' or something. Even once I find a potential person, I try to find a picture that gets across the character - I've had PBs where I can only really use ONE image of them, because it fits the personality of the character, but none of the others do.

That said, I don't really care about other people's PBs, and will usually go from the written description. Anime or drawn PBs don't bother me at all, but doing nothing but linking a picture in your desc, or having some incredibly generic and unhelpful desc like 'this is a person' drives me up the wall.

I tend to go in the opposite direction; I'll make my character, but before describing them, I'll find a PB and then describe that with some minor details changed. I used to put much more effort into my descriptions when I was younger, so much so that I could never find a PB. Now I feel like I'm cheating, but I've also learned less is better in most cases as far as description, so keeping it short and sweet has been beneficial.

[RavenGirl]

@mietze said in PB 'realism':

I prefer drawn art PBs rather than photographic/live ones, but I feel even worse about using someone's art without permission in a way that I strangely do not feel when using movie stills or photo editorial shots.

As an artist myself, I can say that I (and most of my artist friends) don’t mind this at all. Under one condition. Do not crop out our watermarks / web addresss / signatures. If you absolutely have to crop then put the artists name in a caption under it. You get extra bonus points if you leave a little active link to our websites too.

[Arkandel]

@RavenGirl On the flipside it really bugs me sometimes when I find some artwork that blows my mind and I have no idea who the artist is to find out if they've made more.

Reverse image lookup sometimes helps but not always.

[RavenGirl]

I agree that’s very frustrating. Sometimes we just forget to watermark the work, but if it is work done for hire like for games / movies etc often the artist is required to leave their name off it as part of the contract. I think most artists assume a good faith stance that you’ve tried your best to credit. And if we happen to see our work and drop the person a note all it takes is a “sorry, I’ll add your credit. Thanks for letting me know.”

[Misadventure]

This person does not exist dot com

[Packrat]

I am rather a luddite when it comes to PBs and tend not to use them, but one thing I tend to do if trying to find one for a character who is supposed to be super athletic/strong/whatever is to not look at actors or actresses.

Instead I look for pictures of Olympic athletes, as an added bonus you can then find people who are ethnically diverse pretty easily, plus they are going to be as close as you can get if you want to have your character look like they really do have those maxed out physical attributes.

[eye8urcake]

@RavenGirl said in PB 'realism':

@mietze said in PB 'realism':

I prefer drawn art PBs rather than photographic/live ones, but I feel even worse about using someone's art without permission in a way that I strangely do not feel when using movie stills or photo editorial shots.

As an artist myself, I can say that I (and most of my artist friends) don’t mind this at all. Under one condition. Do not crop out our watermarks / web addresss / signatures. If you absolutely have to crop then put the artists name in a caption under it. You get extra bonus points if you leave a little active link to our websites too.

Also, if you can patron artists they can usually really use it.

Especially the ones who are softy suckers and draw for their friends for free. Or help encourage people's kids to keep practicing their art. Or act as the sounding board for tentative would-be artists to bounce ideas, stories, sketches off of.

Rare birds, those.

[Ganymede]

@RavenGirl said in PB 'realism':

I agree that’s very frustrating. Sometimes we just forget to watermark the work, but if it is work done for hire like for games / movies etc often the artist is required to leave their name off it as part of the contract. I think most artists assume a good faith stance that you’ve tried your best to credit. And if we happen to see our work and drop the person a note all it takes is a “sorry, I’ll add your credit. Thanks for letting me know.”

This time I drew a picture of Thenomain for Insomnia, but I never finished it, and it is at home and my girl was, like, "who is that with the evil cat?"

And I laughed.

[Goldfish]

A face can set my creativity on fire. PBs often come before or right alongside a concept. Occasionally, I will be lazy and just pick my favorite thirst trap of the moment but a lot of the time, PB choice is as important as the background and stats.