5 Tips For Painting Skin Tones for Portraits in Watercolor

In this video I share 5 tips to help you master your skin tones and portrait colors in watercolour!
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Here are the supplies used in this video (US Links):
1) Watercolors
🎨 Daniel Smith Ultramarine ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110141-...
🎨 Daniel Smith Burnt Sienna ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Daniel Smith Quinacridone Rose ➡️
www.tkqlhce.com/click-9110141-...
🎨 Holbein Gamboge Nova ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-91101...
🎨 Winsor & Newton Transparent Orange ➡️ www.jdoqocy.com/click-9110141...
2) 📜 Arches Watercolor Cold Press 300lb Paper ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
3) 🖌️ Rhapsody Kolinsky Sable Round Brush Size 4 (from the set of 5) ➡️ amzn.to/3pCcEIf
4) Porcelain Flower Palette 7 wells ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110141-...
UK/Worldwide Shipping (Jackson's Art Supply)
1) Daniel Smith Watercolors
🎨 BURNT SIENNA ➡️ bit.ly/3hnOuuJ
🎨 ULTRAMARINE ➡️ bit.ly/2YuwMyj
🎨 QUINACRIDONE ROSE ➡️ www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
2) 🎨 Holbein GAMBOGE NOVA ➡️ bit.ly/2LFms3p
3) 🎨 Winsor & Newton Transparent Orange ➡️ www.jacksonsart.com/winsor-ne...
3) 📜 Arches 300lb Cold Pressed Paper 1/4 sheet (Comparison pack of 12 quarter sheets of paper from Jackson's)➡️ bit.ly/3b5afNX
4) Ceramic Daisy Palette 7 Wells ➡️ bit.ly/34vw1c7
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- Canon EOS R Plus RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM Lens Kit ➡️ amzn.to/3pC8mR9
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- Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod ➡️ amzn.to/3sNshi8
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- RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3vIfgbb
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- Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
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[@KimberlyCrick]

A lovely list of tips! It is truly SO important not to mess with drying paint. The backruns/blooms/cauliflower effects that can happen could really ruin a piece. It's ok to do tons of layers after each has dried, but one thing I really struggled with when I was a beginner was accidental lifting of previous layers. You always have to be gentle with your brush to some degree, but this is where I wish I had known some papers have more sizing/gelatin coating. I love Arches so much for letting me layer all day, as it's a more absorbent/easier to stain paper than some that promote easy lifting.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great comment! Thank you, Kimberly!

[@phyllisconnolly5807]

Thank you. Great reminder to do a color sample of what you expect to use and watch how colors react with each other

[@LipsitaArt]

Amazing tutorial teaching skin tones in watercolor. Thanks for sharing

[@susananfreitas]

Always thought you had to mix the colours before painting skin, instead of just layering them. Thanks for the tips!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad the video was helpful!

[@noodlelicious.]

Thank you. I do alot of sketching portraits but to paint them makes me nervous because I just don't want to ruin my sketches. I just don't have enough experience in watercoloring skin tone (as I come from digital art background) so this exercise is perfect for me.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad I could help!

[@sandjune2753]

very informative information , thats so much , good to know they have to be transparent, and best to be only one pigment. certainly will have a go with some lessons.

[@JaredCullum]

You're so articulate with techniques- I always struggle to put it into words and have to edit out a lot of studdering haha Really enjoyed the demo. Very concise and well-worded.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I appreciate that!

[@chameemunasingheprasadika3944]

Thank you teacher....I think what you told will make me rised again in competitions...❤❤❤

[@myrnalandersartist]

Watching this makes me so excited to try!!! I will definitely check out your website!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hope you like it!

[@indic_brush]

Really informative. Thank you ❤

[@rudylorenzo9722]

Hi Emily, I learned from you some time ago that wet on wet was a better approach for painting skin. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, the approach does work!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I'm so glad!

[@tracybrusman9538]

Thanks for sharing these tips Emily ; so helpful! Have a great week!💕

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure! Thank you for the comment!

[@snailmailmagic1133]

I have watched 100s of videos on watercolors. This is definitely a high quality video with good recommendations. Will try it out today. Thank you :)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@dalazyartist]

😍amazing explanation needed this

[@AlessandroZir]

thanks!! 🙏🙌

[@stephaniescholten7698]

This is so helpful! I’ve been so drawn to portraits, but I’ve been struggling. My family all has an olive skin tone and I’ve been at a loss for how to match them without going too brown. Thank you so much for all the insight you’re so freely sharing with us

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NaomiCoutureArt]

This is so perfect! My next "art" goal is to get better at people portraits, specifically with watercolor.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That's a fantastic goal!

[@jakea1035]

Thank you, this is now clear for the first time!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it helped!

[@pattiartiste1450]

Thanks so much Emily! I just joined your membership. You are such a talented artist ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Welcome, Patti! So glad you've joined!

[@pattiartiste1450]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Thank you ❤

[@lishar2573]

This is so helpful!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fuzzydragons]

very helpful tips 😀 i dont paint people, too difficult lol but i might start trying now

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You can do it!

[@lada7539]

🌹🌹🌹

[@artiskalai1970]

What makes you choose these colours for skin tones? (I guess they are : ultramarine blue, burnt Sienna, quin rose, gamboge nova and transparent orange)? are these the colors you would recommend if one paints a lot of dark rich skin tones?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes I use these colors for all ranges of skin tones! They’re just colors I’ve worked with, but there is an infinite range of ways to paint skin.

[@rebeccasartcorner]

Do you have a substitute to suggest to Holbeins Gamboge Nova? Holbein isn't sold in my country and I would like to find something that is easier to get a hold of.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Any transparent warm (leaning orange) yellow will work--Indian Yellow or Nickel Azo Yellow are good substitutes.

[@rebeccasartcorner]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Okay, thank you! Looking forward to try out this method. I have tried mixing skintones like other people have shown in their videos but it just looks muddy when I do it.

[@emanelnemr6466]

👍👍👍🙏🙏💕💕💕💕

[@ArtsiRosi]

Emily, I love your videos and your classes on your website! Skin color in watercolor has always been so challenging for me. I'm always researching and learning. I'm very curious about the Holbein's Gamboge Nova color choice. It has 3 pigments (PY154, PY150, PY110). (I'm a pigment junkie/nerd! LOL) Why this color as your yellow?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hi Rosi! I am so glad you are enjoying! I like the color and transparency and mixing capabilities of Gamboge Nova. I don't usually look at pigment numbers, and I choose colors based on quality, how much experience I have with them, etc. :)

[@ArtsiRosi]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Super interesting! It must be a good choice as the mixes you made with it don't look muddy at all. I'll have to pick some up to play with. Thanks much!

[@shwaridhiarts]

Hi Emily, this is Shyam. How are you? Thanks for your video. It will help me as well as others to understand how to paint the skin tones in watercolors. Thanks again.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@charlottewells2135]

Such great info…I just wish you would speak slower.

[@katja7899]

You can always slow down the video in the settings.

[@stephensmalldridge9504]

Geeeje, what about painting my fair skined wife