Color Mixing Oil Paint | How I Paint Realistic Skin Tones

In this oil painting tutorial for beginners, I show you my process for mixing realistic flesh tones with oil paint. This tutorial demonstrates color-mixing for both dark and light tones. Portrait painting is so much fun, and I hope you find my video a little bit helpful!
LONGER COLOR MIXING DEMONSTRATION: / 26494271
UNDERPAINTINGS EXPLAINED: • Oil Painting Basics | ...
Oil painting tutorial for beginners: • Oil Painting Basics Tu...
I am an artist residing in sunny, warm [humid] florida! My paintings are heavily inspired by nature and its beauty. I work primarily in oil paint, and sometimes watercolor. I prefer to work in a mostly realistic style and occasionally experiment outside of that. I post oil painting time lapses, painting lessons and tutorials, drawings, art tips, and occasionally artist vlogs where I share bits of my life as an artist. Creating art is my greatest passion and I'm thankful for the chance to share it with you. ♥
☾ My Links:
⋆ Patreon - I post real-time oil painting videos with voiceover of my oil painting techniques and process for several realistic paintings, royalty free art references of my own photography for you to use, postcards, q&a podcast, and more!: / lenadanya
⋆ Art Store- Original paintings and fine art prints available: lenadanyastore.com
⋆ Instagram - works in progress, my art studio, and many more: / lenadanya
⋆ Facebook - my official facebook art page: / lenadanyapage
⋆ Tumblr: / lenadanya
Art Playlists of my channel and art videos:
Oil painting time lapse / Speed painting:
• ♡ Art Timelapses ♡
Water Series | oil painting time lapses of my realistic, figurative, portrait paintings involving realistic water: • ♡ Water Series ♡
⋆ Sketchbook Sunday | Casual series where I paint and draw sketches in my moleskine sketchbook while and chatting with you about artist life and many topics of that nature:
• Playlist
⋆Learn to paint - Art help, oil painting tips, oil painting basics tutorials for beginners:
• Oil Painting Basics | ...
⋆Lena's Art Diary | Vlog series where I share some of my life as an artist. Traveling, adventures, art museums, art galleries, nature, follow me around, lifestyle:
• ♡ Lena's Art Diary ♡
Music: All music in this video are songs by Amarante, used with permission.
/ amarantemusic
amarantemusic.com
/ amarantemusic

[@lex_explained]

Here's a tip! I learned this in my art class and it really works. Strare at a "shade of colour" for a while and then squint your eyes and you'll see where that exact colour is everywhere on the photo. I hope I explained it right

[@simoneosei130]

Studio A you just made my life 10x easier

[@autumnsadventures]

WHOAAAA i see it i think lol!

[@mediocreslife2869]

"Shape of color" mean?

[@mayabradley4950]

Studio A do you mean a certain color shade? Like a color of paint you’ve already mixed?

[@SuperXrunner]

Neat trick. I hate squinting. Not worth the wrinkles but sounds good

[@KashaeSlay]

Very detailed video. I'm definitely subscribing. Thank you

[@jameshendershott2170]

Ah, tightened up my game. Very helpful.

[@TriniRoyQuiReyes]

Súper 😃

[@yugalart4676]

Realy great yr

[@ingridoconnor6251]

Hi Lena, I became a Patreon today so I could see more in-depth info on blonde girl portrait as I’m working on something similar. I can’t fine the blonde video on your Patreon feed. Can you let me know where I can find it please.

[@essaart3987]

Any tip to start creating portraits?🧡

[@trojanette8345]

How long did JUST the color mixing process take for this particular portrait?

[@shawnroberts3320]

SO EDUCATIONAL!!! I love how you didnt edit out the strenuous activity of constantly mixing colors until you found the perfect color!! Shows your viewers even pros like you have to take their time as well!!

[@aspenisthebest]

fr when i first tried oil painting it took me so long to mix colors and i felt so overwhelmed cause a face has sooooo many different shades and colors and id always see videos on youtube of artists making it seem like it only took them a minute to do a whole palette

[@harleyquinn8225]

me in the beginning of the video: ok so that's the reference picture oh.. no that's.. the painting

[@carissamontier2263]

HAHAHAHA YESS

[@lilyraimey3499]

Really appreciate this video.

[@LenaDanya]

Thank you! :]

[@taklahirobuthan3420]

Love the fact that you included both dark and light skin shades

[@stark_editing_industries9544]

*Me watching the video* : "I could do that I think." (grabs materials) 4 hours later oh no...

[@freyaegrey]

The dark skinned model is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. Who is she?

[@LenaDanya]

She really is! Loved painting her ❤️ her name is Zaza and I got the reference from a site called posespace which has references specially for artists, be warned there is a lot of full nudity for anyone sensitive to that content or children 😅

[@cartist5523]

A lot people think that we are stealing from the references and that we need to give the models some credit but it’s obviously not true people have lost sight in how much artist play a role in our lives

[@erenjaeger091]

Lena Danya omg yesss I need references

[@paulalopera3118]

Hola! Buenas👨‍🎨👩‍🎨🎨🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌👩🖼🖼🎨🖌🖌🎨🖌👩💖🖼🎨🖌🖌

[@grishagarg2640]

@@LenaDanya l am a child but l love painting , l can't find any references and l didn't visit that website so can you suggest some websites made for children?

[@nerdysimmer9742]

Her paintings are so realistic that in the beginning I couldn’t tell the difference between the painting and the reference photo ❤️ So so talented!

[@devernepersonal3636]

You are inspiring me to be ready to learn to paint. I'll be going to a film school for a bit though. But yourself and bob ross will be the reason i end up painting.

[@sarafinamariebeauty7666]

I’ve been painting thru my depression and isolation and this video is the MOST HELPFUL thing I’ve discovered. Thank you thank you thank you

[@21Darkdeath]

I learned this from my art teacher when I took the class to learn how to paint. One day a women came in and taught us how to mix skin color, when I was painting a Christmas gift for my mom I forgot how to mix the colors so I went up to my teacher and asked how to do it again, she told me just to use Burnt Sienna and a lot of white , this will give you a good base then you just adjust it by mixing in other colors to get the tone you need. Since then I have never really changed the way I mix my skin color. Also a tip; I would suggest a paper or picture sleeve for your references, this way you can dab the paint on the sleeve and wipe it off with a paper towel to check the color without fear of getting it on your reference photo.

[@siobhanwhite4981]

Yay first comment!! I love your videos, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve adopted you as my art mom.

[@ampm92]

got ihm lol

[@LenaDanya]

Aw yay! Hello my art child??

[@siobhanwhite4981]

Lena Danya 🙋🏾‍♀️😍 hello art mom!!

[@ampm92]

@@LenaDanya i want to meet you :)

[@idk-kq7yu]

@@ampm92 me too....

[@Ace_xD999]

Your paintings are incredibly detailed. Keep up the good work!:)

[@artsygreendayfan]

Oil paints intimidate me so much, like I don’t even know why. Your paintings are so beautiful and inspiring, and informative. One day I’ll be brave enough to try this myself, thanks to your videos.

[@jaymaig8556]

I love that you shared how you mixed the colors and the struggles you had to make it match. I seriously was feeling like I couldn’t get the skin tones right on my painting so I decided to walk away from it, then I found your video and now I’m inspired to try again. Thank you soooo much for your videos. Looking forward to your other instructions.

[@hannahb5992]

What do you prefer to paint? As in people or landscapes

[@LenaDanya]

Both! it's hard to chose which I like more :]

[@jandom9008]

People and animals no good.. Landscape very good.

[@cartist5523]

I’m not good with animals

[@bamabev79]

Wow! I have SO MUCH to learn about color mixing but, this video taught me a LOT!! I will definitely become a patreon member as soon as I am ready to start doing portraits! Thank you so much!!

[@savannahlevy97]

Didn't know you could make black pigment with other colors. I need to try that

[@jorey4565]

Great paintings Lena,there is also the flake white or call "Blanc d'argent "from Blockx,who helps a lot for skins tones, i see you used two gel mediums on your palette,is it Maroger or Rublev oleogel ..?

[@LenaDanya]

I was using the solvent-free gel from gamblin :]

[@powermom74]

You are such an amazing artist! Thanks for explaining everything so well

[@nuanced8225]

Is your palette a piece of glass or acrylic? Thank you for a very helpful video

[@JonnyChaos]

I'm a professional illustrator but i'm colourbind and use mainly digital as I can sample colour. Been comissioned to do an oil paiting though so muchly appreciate this thanks. People don't realise how lucky they are to be able to see colour accurately. I paint skin green if I have'nt been advised on what to mix.

[@mrswray]

I’ve searched the web like crazy trying to find info like in this video! This is incredibly informative and I can’t thank you enough for making this. And as an after thought from someone who can’t stand ads..I would’ve put more ads in! You should be getting paid for this!

[@LenaDanya]

thank you!

[@jrose93]

I watched several of your oil basics videos thank you for your info! im not sure if i missed it but do you have any information on how you store your used rags and solvent-dirty items?? i’ve heard a coffee tin is enough but i’m still paranoid thanks in advance!

[@jkart]

Thank you so much Lena Danya you're one of the reason why I started my KZbin channel I learn so much from your videos (tutorials like this). Every time I feel tired of making art or drawing I will recall what you say in one of your video "live and breathe art, create art every single day"... :D Thanks again Lena you inspired me a lot more power to you.

[@mrsallisonturcios]

This is the most helpful skin tones video I’ve seen!! I’ve been painting for years but have never painted people and I was so lost when I went to paint a portrait of my niece, which prompted me to research. This is so perfect for me, thank you!

[@vivikachugh]

Do you think paint thinner is necessary for oil painting??

[@arielburrow9433]

vivika chugh Absolutely not. It’s super cool and I recommend trying it if you can (the daler rowney is good and cheap) but it’s not necessary (:

[@vivikachugh]

@@arielburrow9433 Okkk I'll probably give it a try! Thank you btw :)

[@emilatk5944]

I love this! It helped me understand how to mix colors in a way that really makes sense. I look forward to utilizing some of these methods in my future paintings.

[@LenaDanya]

so glad to hear that!

[@MissLauren41]

This was the most helpful painting video I’ve seen. I’ve learned so much about creating a pallet, color matching, and mixing. Thank you so much!

[@michaelbarclay3814]

An excellent introduction to the process of colour mixing for skin tones! As someone returning to portrait painting after quite some time, and reflecting on the lack of good tuition during five years at Art College in the 1970's and bad practices as a 'back drop artist ' for a theatre in the 80's, it is refreshing and of-course informative to be able to see your video on skin tone colour mixing and colour toning for the canvas! Many thanks --- I look forward to your future videos --- particularly any advice you like to share on backgrounds that reflect a mood for a portrait!

[@ssaraarts7489]

Thank you so much for helping and learning us how to create those colors I appreciate your help 🤗🤗☺️😇❤️

[@charbelibrahim8137]

I love your paint and i love your video

[@5Nunes5]

Do you have prints of the first model with the darker skin tone? Would love to purchase

[@JonathanBrown1]

I think I must be missing the point. The models are covered in makeup, the photographs are professionally lit and possibly touched up, and you are trying to imitate the pictures exactly in paint. What is the point of an effort like that? Easier to just print the pictures, maybe onto fabric if you want the result to "look like" an oil painting... My painting instructors--and many other KZbin experts--all harp on "don't not paint the colors you see, paint the contrasts and the values." In an age that has photography, digital imaging, software for image manipulation, fancy printing technologies, and now AI image-generation, there are still reasons to paint portraits by hand with 500-year old oil painting techniques--but precisely imitating a digital photo with invisible brush-strokes does not strike me as one of them.

[@charbelibrahim8137]

Thank you for this vedeo

[@eliseh7095]

I'm working on my first portrait in oils right now so I'm excited for this video!

[@LenaDanya]

Awesome! :] happy painting!

[@c4ne]

i LOVVEE how you broke down the process of mixing and finding colors ! other videos just barely mention it 😭

[@oguchelinus1641]

Then I add up a little bit off.... Lolzz I really love the way you mix and arrange your colors, I guess you are my new mentor 🤗

[@manalh444]

I was looking for color mixing videos for days .this video was very helpful thank you so much

[@colombepetite]

This is such an amazing video. Not only do you show what “a little” is in color mixing but you show that it is not a quick task. I appreciate the struggle you show in color matching. Thank you SO MUCH!

[@hearttoheart6384]

"So if you see...I'm not absolutely perfect with getting the right..." *BRUH*

[@burntt999]

Ooh! Ooh! I know example #3! Transparent iron oxide red and flake white. P.s.1. for anyone wanting to reply and tell me I should stop using all the different lead whites, this was a joke. P.s.2. If you don’t care about the toxicity of lead paint, this totally works for many skin tones! (Good luck finding those lead whites :))

[@brandongarcia1696]

i love these paintings how did you find your Style??? they are so pretty and realistic.

[@JoyceAnderson-ChristianMusic]

Fantastic tutorial! Now I'm getting the feel of mixing flesh tones for the first time as you share your reasoning as you mix colors. This is going to make my portraits from photos much more fun to paint and it will take the pressure off when trying to mix a perfect duplicate color. If I goof, now I know how to fix it. Wheeeee ! Thanks.

[@jessicashilts9154]

Please add more non time lapse paintings we need a new bob Ross love your work

[@H4me7215]

Hi: I am so new to oil paints. I have used acrylic paints so far..I have a question: you mentioned titanium white. Question: Is that universal for oil paints n acrylic paints too..is that the one???thank you❤

[@rajeevirajeevi6118]

I am an ARTIST I am using only main 7 oil colours White Lemon yellow Burnt chenna Red Black Crimson red Prussian blue Otherwise I have not Ready made lot of tone colours

[@rolandlemus203]

Outstanding work! and class! Thank you for sharing your expertise, and explaining your process, and your humbleness on when you have to adjust colors and don't get them right everytime, I have never used Gamblin paints, but they seem fluid and easy to use. I subscribed too:)

[@Lawiah0]

*Behold the Christian Race* ... Cush (Greek: Ethiopia), means sun-burnt face Phoenicians described by the Greeks, as fair-haired, fair-skinned people Persia means Lord of the Aryans now renamed IRAN Zimbabwe once known as Rhodesia Chicongo once known as Chicago ... 12 Tribes passed through the Caucasus Mountains (i)ssac's Sons / Saxons / Anglo-Saxons / Europe / Australia / New Zealand / North America / Christian First World / "We the People" ... 38 For as in those days before the flood, *they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,* until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, *so will be the coming of the Son of Man.*

[@LunaSmithArt]

Awesome painting. It was a pleasure to watch 👍 Stay connected 🔔

[@Heatherbailey1]

Lena, I can’t, for the life of me, scrape paint off a palette so cleanly with a palette knife! Nor, wipe such tidy piles of mixed paint OFF of a palette knife. HOW!? How do you do this? Is it the brand of knife? Can you share your input on this basic skill? I’m baffled.

[@MariaRevArt]

This was a great video and way more in depth than I had expected. I like how it showed that there is no exact formula for mixing skin tones, while still fully demonstrating a method to mixing any skin tone one can come across. Great job. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@LenaDanya]

thank you, Maria!

[@MariaRevArt]

@@LenaDanya You're so welcome. Thank you for the video.

[@vktwins6645]

Super realistic painting..

[@felsal20]

Do the descriptive names matter? Example: cadmium red vs permanent red/ Ivory black vs black matte, etc.? thanks.

[@divadoll55]

You're awesome Lena and a VERY GOOD TEACHER. THANK YOU!

[@LouIchioustheWerewolf]

For dark skin I use transparent oxide brown and titanium white and you get the whole spectrum

[@ChandrewsArt]

Thank you for sharing this!!!!! I've definitely been rushing through the color mixing part of the painting process XD

[@paulalopera3118]

Hola! Buenas🖼🖼🎨🖌🖌🖌👨‍🎨👩‍🎨🎨🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖼👩💖

[@essaart3987]

Have you used the grid method to create the portrait and accurate features?🌺

[@JacobsArt100]

I was curious if you studied / learned oil painting professionally ? Or mostly self taught ? Was also curious what mediums/solvents your using here

[@CristinaArriolaart]

Amazing thank you for your teaching tips so good 💃🏽🔥❤️🥰😘

[@ajf369]

For larger projects, how do you prevent the paints from drying? I use acrylic ❤

[@naturevishwakarma4616]

this video helps a lot ..it really looks like magic when you mixed it and painted it .. thank you so much for sharing this

[@grapefruit9911]

Hmm I think I'll watch the intro to painting. I don't think I have good enough observations skills yet to know when I have the right tone. Do you have any tips on identifying color easier or is it just a guess and check thing?

[@onlyinsouthafrica1918]

How do you get the perfect features drawn of the face. If the drawing is not exact , there is no way I will be able to have such an exact replicate. Thank you for your video it was very helpful.

[@casperthegm741]

I need to find a printer that prints out a quality picture so that I can compare the paint tones I mix. Anyone know of quality printer that isn't going to break the bank?

[@garyburns8040]

It is bad luck for the dude that commits a crime with you present . After you paint him, he should be apprehended within 15 minutes.

[@zarouraa7192]

oh god around 1 hour for making colors??!? I'm working with watercolors I would die there with oil😫

[@alexandrebelinge8996]

makes me want to try oil ! thanks for sharing your expertise .

[@art_sunflower_me]

Amazing!! What colours you have up,lizard?

[@Iam.Dwnn1]

CAN you do a oil painting tutorial without a timelapse?

[@madhuagarwal6186]

What if I don't have alizarin crimson,how can I make this colour

[@thequinndallsfamily1775]

Lena, thank you! How long does the color mixing phase take you?

[@LenaDanya]

ashley crandall it depends, usually around 1-3 hours 😅

[@goldfish1871]

Thank you for this video!!!!!!! It’s always so helpful to see how ppl mix skin tones

[@AshokSingh-c6g9n]

Foundit special group fake hai My job no pay Unlike

[@heenashafiq7265]

Please provide skin colour chart with paint name .for dark skin and light skin

[@ryannaellerbee4577]

Have you thought about painting Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn?

[@thekappap]

co -worker ask maybe me maybe to do a portrait of the family or just the daughter but not sure what the skin tone color might be .?

[@babybkids2236]

❤Very nice video, I love to watch Eram's video and want to see more of his video and more videos ❤❤❤

[@jimmyc.1947]

I would like to see a list of those colors used so I can buy them I am having to back track the video goes by really fast. Great job though

[@umitgeerts795]

I have question: before you going to paint your portret, wat kind of photo you are using? Or it is not a photo bug your sketching?

[@hengly2659]

thank you for your incredibly detailed, I have leaned a lot from your videos

[@elizabethimperiale2430]

what if u mix a color and it's great but I need more of it, like what if u don't remember how u got that exact color?

[@abhaypasalkar9074]

Tip of the day: if you want to learn oils, just START!

[@acinova9895]

Wait I thought those were pictures when I saw them in the thumbnail... 0_0

[@sudhanshugupta1793]

So beautiful painting Love from india ❤️🇮🇳

[@mechiel_7]

This is so helpful. Thank you for uploading this. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@essaart3987]

I am the first one🧡

[@thekappap]

what oil paints and arcylics to use on the canvas when painting a human face skin tones colors .?

[@jrb4935]

Why do female painters only paint pictures of women?

[@DeloDelo-z7u]

❤جميل

[@bezalema6472]

I hope this colour theories are the same with real human flesh (i mean to use it for coumaflage sars)

[@soarpurpose]

The luminosity of these portraits is amazing.