Character Design: Physical features and Conditions

Blind Hemingway

Ancient Iwaku Scum from 2006.
Original poster
MYTHICAL MEMBER
Posting Speed
  1. Slow As Molasses
Online Availability
NEVER
Writing Levels
  1. Adept
  2. Douche
Preferred Character Gender
  1. Primarily Prefer Female
Genres
Surrealism, Surreal Horror (Think Tim Burton), Steampunk, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Spaghetti Westerns, Mercenaries, Dieselpunk, Cyberpunk, Historical fantasies
Workshop written by RORY

This is a central competent to any character, without having an idea of what your character looks like they remain a two dimensional creature lacking any life. This is often one of the hardest parts to come up with. If you are like me, I have to take a gander at people that surround me in my everyday life. The intention of this model is that it gives you a basic idea of what to look for in physical conditions. You can always add more or less. The whole idea is create more information than you need to know, to make the character seem more real.

Let's use this Victorian Gentleman as our model:

<center><img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b40/ReignofHeroes/MrG.jpg"></center>

Age: Later 50s, early 60s
Height: Roughly 5 foot eight inches
Body Type: Slinky and strong
Conditions: He is fit for a man of his age, due to his wealth he is much healthier than the poor men that work for him.
Eye Color: Medium Azure
Hair Color and Style: It is starting to grey and it is kept short, due to the fact that long "Custer" like hair is not popular amongst the wealthy in this society.
Distinguishing Features:
1. He has a scar over his right eye, from a duel back in his youth.
2. He is rarely seen without a full set of facial hair due to the face that he likes the way it looks.
3. He is starting to form dark bags under his eyes, due to a lack of sleep.

Physical Imperfections:
1. He is bow legged and cannot walk without a cane.
2. Needs glasses to see.
3. Can only stand for several minutes at a time.

Race: European
Ethnic Group: Welsh

As you can see, with a little bit of work you can gain a better understand of your character's looks. Next time, I will be focusing on a character's background.