Creating a realistic complexion is a useful skill for portrait painters and all aspiring painters. Over time you will be able to develop the color combinations that best suit your needs. Mixing colors, in fact, is a real art. Everyone has a different skin tone. Once you have mastered creating realistic skin tones, you can experiment with surreal colors and contexts.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Create a Clear Skin
Step 1. Get a set of colors
You will need to experiment with various colors. To achieve a light skin tone, get the following colors:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- White
Step 2. Join them
Use a palette to mix colors or any surface you have available. A good alternative to the palette is a sturdy piece of cardboard. Apply a nut for each color.
Step 3. Mix them in equal parts
Using the brush, mix the red, yellow and blue in equal parts. Clean the brush in a cup full of water after collecting a small amount from each color. Combine the three primary colors to create the base.
The result should be dark, but that's your goal. It is easier to lighten a gradation
Step 4. Compare the colors
Keep close to the skin color you are trying to reproduce. Compare the base you created with the skin tone you want to achieve. If you are using a photograph, consider the light within the image.
Step 5. Lighten the color
If you need to make adjustments to lighten the base, use a combination of yellow and white. White lightens the base, while yellow creates a warmer tone. Incorporate the color into the blend in small amounts. Mix all the colors well before adding more.
Step 6. Add the reddish tones
Use the same base lightening method, this time using red. If you've already got the color you want, skip this step. Keep in mind the red characteristics present in the complexion you are observing. This color intervenes at times in the skin tone.
Don't add too much, unless you're trying to reproduce tanned skin
Step 7. Continue making changes
Pay attention to the color you are trying to reproduce. Correct it gradually. You risk having to start over if you get a color that deviates too much from the original. If it's too light, add red and blue a little at a time.
Create various skin tones and use the one closest to the original for your painting
Method 2 of 3: Create a Medium Complexion
Step 1. Get a set of colors
You will have to experiment with different combinations because the medium skin tone contains more color variations. Have the following colors on hand:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- White
- Burnt umber
- Sienna
Step 2. Join them
Use a palette to mix them (or whatever surface you have available). A good alternative to the palette is a sturdy piece of cardboard. Apply a nut for each color.
Step 3. Mix red and yellow
Create orange by mixing red and yellow in equal parts. Clean the brush in a cup full of water after collecting a small amount from each color.
Step 4. Add the blue
Mix the blue slowly, in small increments. Depending on how dark you want the complexion to be, consider using a small amount of black.
Step 5. Compare the colors
Keep close to the skin tone you are trying to reproduce. Compare the base you created with the skin tone you want to achieve. If you are using a photograph, be aware of the light within the image.
Step 6. Add red as needed
If absolutely necessary, add the red in small doses. It is always easier to incorporate small quantities than to start over.
Step 7. Create a darker olive tone
Mix the burnt umber with the sienna in equal parts. This combination will create a rather dark concentrate. Slowly add this combination to your base as you see fit. Use it as an alternative to blue. To enhance the olive effect, incorporate a small amount of yellow mixed with green.
Step 8. Experiment until you are satisfied
Keep creating different skin tones until you have roughly five different skin tones that you like. It may be easier to choose from multiple shades than to limit yourself to just one.
Step 9. Paint your picture
Use the color or colors you created for the skin tone.
Method 3 of 3: Create a Dark Skin
Step 1. Get a set of colors
To be able to reproduce a dark complexion more realistically, you will have to experiment. Get the following colors to use on the palette:
- Burnt umber
- Sienna
- Yellow
- Red
- Viola
Step 2. Join them
Use a palette to mix colors (or whatever surface you have available). A good alternative to the palette is a sturdy piece of cardboard. Apply a nut for each color.
Step 3. Create the base
Mix the burnt umber and sienna in equal parts. Separately, combine the red and yellow in equal parts. Then slowly add the mixture of red and yellow to the first.
Step 4. Compare the colors
Keep close to the skin tone you are trying to reproduce. Compare the base you created with the skin tone you want to achieve. If you are using a photograph, be aware of the light within the image.
Step 5. Create a darker complexion
If you want to darken it, add the purple gradually. It's best to use a dark purple and incorporate small amounts of dark gray or black to achieve this. Stir until you are satisfied.
Black can quickly ruin the base you got. Use it in very small doses. Experiment to find the best combination
Step 6. Create a warmer tone
To get a dark complexion that looks warmer, mix burnt umber instead of purple. Use this combination in small amounts to gradually evaluate the color you are working with.
Step 7. Lighten if needed
You can add a lighter touch by adding orange, as it keeps the complexion more realistic and lightens at the same time. Therefore, you can combine yellow and red to create this color. Remember that white changes hues significantly.
Step 8. Paint your picture
Once you have the skin tone you want, paint the picture. Keep gray handy to adjust the play of light and shadow. It is also worth having the different skin tones you have chosen for your painting.
Advice
- A touch of red makes the color more rosy.
- A touch of yellow makes the color warmer.
- By combining red and yellow, you get orange.
