Hobby Hint

In mixing a basic flesh tone, I'm often guilty of violating the rule of "keeping it simple". I really enjoy adding various pigments until I feel I've achieved a good basic mix, and I may use such colors as Rembrandt's Naples Yellow Reddish Ext., Naples Yellow, Titanium White, Flesh Tint, Cadmium Red, Mars Brown, a tad of Burnt Sienna, Jaune Brilliant, and the like until I achieve the color I want. For different races and complexions I will add for example more Mars Brown, Venetian Red and /or burnt sienna. I doubt I've used the same flesh mixture twice, but there is nothing wrong with the tried and true Burnt Sienna, Gold Ochre and Titanium White combination!

For medium shadows I like to add some Burnt Sienna and Mars Brown to the basic mix, and for the darker areas Brown Madder Alizarin is applied directly to the figure. Be careful with Burnt Sienna, however, as too much of it will spread into your base color and give it an Orange cast resulting in the dreaded "Pumpkin Head". Using Mars Brown instead prevents this, but used by itself it is kind of neutral, dead color without real life to it. That is why I might add some Burnt Sienna or even Cadmium red, especially around the cheeks. The trick is to be careful in your blending and not to muddy things up

In the later stages I use Rembrandt's Sepia Extra for the darkest areas between the eyes, under the chin and behind the ears, but I'll apply it wet on wet (very dangerous, perhaps). A dab under the lower lip can help, too. As the final step, I apply final highlights with pure Titanium White. Be real careful here, as too much white will "wash out" the figure and this is VERY hard to correct. Better to use not enough white and slowly add more than to over do it. I seldom go back to repaint or add to a face once it has dried unless I made some mistakes or am unhappy with it.

Here's my basic mix:

Base: Naples Yellow Reddish Extra (Rembrandt)+White+Mars Brown

Medium Shadows: Mars Brown+Burnt Sienna

Deeper Shadows: Brown Madder Alizarin

Deepest Shadows: Sepia Extra (Rembrandt)

Highlights: Titanium White+Jaune Brilliant+Naples Yellow Light

Highest Highlights: Titanium White

Cheeks: Add a little cadmium red

Lips: Add a little Alizarin Crimson