Friday, January 20, 2012

Studio Update: Mixing Skin Tones

Today I started a fresh palette for a fresh painting, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to do a video to share with you of me mixing the skin tones I use for my portraits.

Work in Progress (WIP)

I've touched on mixing skin tones previously in this post, this post, and this one

My Palette

 But let me go further into it, I use my brush to mix the paint, though I have many palette knifes, I find it nicer to mix with the brush. Before a painting session I like to mix up the mid, light and dark tones of the colours I'm planning to use, and also the warm and cools {particularly for skin tones}.



Here's the list of Colour Combos I use in the video:

Master Recipe: Cad. Yel lt. + Yel. Ochre
Light Values: M.R. + white + Naps. Yel.
Med. Values: M.R. + white
Dark Values: M.R. + Warm shadow / Cool Shadow
Highlight Value: White + Naps. Yel.
Warm Shadow: Burnt Sienna + white + M.R.
Cool Shadow: Raw Umber + White + M.R.


 Linking with:



30 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing!! love the portrait.. happy PPf!!

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  2. This looks intriguing. Is that an owl in her lap?

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  3. Beautiful and thanks for sharing your "recipe" I'm always interested in how other artists get their skin tones. Can't wait to see more of your now painting- so far, it's wonderful (as always ;))
    PPF Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  4. Great info ~ always good to have ~ thanks ~ Loving your W.I.P ~namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ^_^

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  5. Beautiful so far...it will be interesting to watch how she progresses.

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  6. Thank you for sharing your tips Tracey - it is always a joy to see how you create...

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  7. Oh how interesting. Loved your mini video. Great tips, thank you. Your piece is coming alive and yes it does look like she will be holding an "owl" in her arms? Nicely done.

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  8. neat video, and your WIP is off to a great start!

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  9. Nice video, Tracey, and I love the WIP you've begun. I'll be watching to see how that turns out.

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  10. Well, I can't thank you enough!!!!!
    Well done!!

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  11. Thanks for sharing, and the portrait is adorable! Happy PPF!

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  12. The video wouldn't play for me. :( A great idea, though.

    Your WIP looks like it will be wonderful. And the palette is beautiful.

    Happy PPF!

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  13. I enjoyed watching you create your palette and your art is awesome to see.

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  15. Oops let me try that again. I really enjoyed seeing your skin tone methods. ~Happy Paint Party Friday! #56 Robin Panzer Art Studio 33

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  16. Great vid Tracey and can't wait to see more of this piece... this is going to be a great piece I am sure...xx

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  17. Great video of mixing skin tones! Your WIP looks wonderful, can't wait to see how you develop it. Happy PPF!
    Helen @ Natures Walk Studio

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  18. Thanks for all your lovely comments, You are all so supportive and encouraging. The quick sketch of the animal in her hand does look like an owl at the moment, but it will be a hen :) Can't wait to get on with this one!

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  19. Beautiful portrait...and thank you for sharing your insights on mixing skin tones.
    I am your newest blog follower! Follower #70! :)

    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  20. Looks complicated! But very interesting! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  21. I love your WIP. It's quite interesting as it is now, with part of it very finished, and other areas lightly sketched in. Thank you for sharing the skin tone information -- very helpful and generous of you.

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  22. Looks like it's going to be a stunning piece! Can't wait to see it finished!

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  23. Love your WIP and thanks for sharing your skin tone recipes. :-)

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  24. Love your WIP. I really liked seeing your palette...thanks for sharing.

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  25. thankyou for sharing your knowledge...your wip is looking amazing...xxx

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  26. lovely share, thank you! happy PPF!

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  27. Love seeing your color choices.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Happy PPF!
    Sheri Cook/HappyHorseStudio

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  28. Thanks for sharing this. Your portraits are stunning. What is in her lap?

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  29. Wow! How fascinating! I would never have thought of those colours to make skin tones. I definitely learned a lot.

    Lovely WIP!

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    Replies
    1. Eva, I can't take credit for this wonderful mix, It comes from a 'Color Mixing Recipe for Portraits' book:

      http://www.amazon.com/Color-Mixing-Recipes-Portraits-Combinations/dp/1560109904

      A great resource with recipes for eyes, hair and all different skin tones. It even has a section on the nose and lips!

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