This is definitely early stages, and is in danger of being wiped! EVERY time I try to do people I wipe it because of the skin tone....I cauldn't get the picture to show the true color in the arms and legs. It is much orangier/pinker. I can't seem to get it right...I ' am not sure if I should just throw in the towel again....
Can anyone tell me a good mixture of colors to use for a decent flesh tone? Any thoughts or advice. THanks in advance! :-)
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Hi Katie, I came here from Amy Sullivan. I hear your cry about flesh tones, my dear. You and every other artist beginning to paint skin tones. I must have 7 different books on painting portraits and every one of them has a different opinion about it with all sorts of color palette choices. It can be so daunting. But this is what I've discovered, no matter whether you simply blend white with burnt sienna or some elaborate recipe with terra rosa and yellow orche with a touch of veridian, it's comes down to value and light source and it's temperature (which then determines your shadow temperature). Another thing that has been consistant in the books I have is that there is always a touch of more saturated, warm color where the form turns from light to shadow (the core).
I would keep experiementing and find out what works best for you, but I also know that you must be patient with your painting. Wait until you are further along before wiping anything off. Try to get rid of the fear of making a mistake and stop listening to that little negative voice yammering away in your noggin. You're doing great!
Yeah, Katie, there are a thousand theories... I use (and here you're going to probably roll your eyes) cad red light (a touch), cad yellow light and cobalt blue, with white! Basically you keep fussing with it till you get it. For cheek, nose, ears, fingertips, knees, I add a touch of rose, quinacridone or permanent. I would suggest #1) taking a figure class, and/or #2) painting figures from life for a loooong time before you try painting them from a photo! Skin is so complex, just look at your hand right now - parts of it are highlighted and are either warmer (are you in the sun?) or cooler (in a darkened room) than the mid-tone, and then there's the shadow area. You could study this for EVER! (But don't throw in the towel, just don't! :)
Don't wipe it out! Keep experiementing, paint what you see, then it will be your original style :)
Kimberly
p.s. I love MA! I lived in Worecester MASS for 2yrs
Hi Katie! Just stopping by! This has a neat perspective on this painting! I have problems some times with skin tones but you'll get it...just keep going! Love all your still life below!! Very colorful...great stuff!!
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