Mixing Flesh Tones Easily with Color Theory :: Painting Skin Tones and Colors

Mixing flesh tones is easy and straightforward once you understand two primary objectives of colour mixing. Once you have the correct flesh color mix, painting skin is just a matter of applying the paint. In no time you'll be painting skin tones and colors as if it was second nature.
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Timecodes:
0:00 Introduction
0:09 What to Know about Skin Tones
0:23 Waht this Video Covers
0:53 Middle Eastern Skin Tones
3:12 African Skin Tones
5:30 European Skin Tones
6:33 Asian Skin Tones
7:43 Comparing All Skin Tones in this Video
7:56 What you Need to do First
8:03 Temperature Ajustment in Key
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[@chris.n.wales.2432]

Hi Michael, I'm just starting painting at 62 of age. Have viewed "many" other contributors on utube. In my humble opinion, your explanation is the best I've seen.Much more concise, easy to understand and ,in under 10minutes, blew all others away.Many thanks & best wishes.Chris, U.K.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Chris. N.Wales. That is fantastic. I appreciate you taking the time to make a comment. I'll aim to keep it up.

[@user-fk8hr6gv6g]

I agree

[@Mimi127]

Really helpful. I haven't seen someone do all cultures. People usually just do European. Thanks

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nohemi Morales Thank u.

[@Mimi127]

MichaelKingArtWorks I was also wondering if you would do Latin american

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nohemi Morales I'll dig around and see if I can find some reference photos.

[@3dgiftz]

I am making human miniatures and trying to paint them But u wasn't able to paint😓😓😓

[@myrkobabyaa]

We need this guy making foundation for makeup artists lol. Amazing job now I know how to adjust some of my makeup foundation

[@MichaelKingArt]

😊👍🏻

[@aenna3058]

😁Definitely

[@illmeeillmee9373]

exactly

[@MrJpm1989]

I had many thoughts àbout this video and I sent a message and the deleted it. my final thought is this. Isn't it great that we are all made from the same basic colours. WONDERFUL VIDEO

[@damemarthafalker6738]

I'm still paying for my student loans and while I was in Art School, I had actually calculated down to the very minute what I was being charged for class. It is not lost on me what this would have cost in Color Theory so I am much obliged for your generosity. I need to get back to basics ever so often so these kinds of videos are a Godsend. Even better yet, someone like you who can effectively communicate the lessons. Much success. Cheers!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Martha Falker Thank you. It is comments like yours that let me know how well I am getting the information across.

[@reneapellido4320]

"Dont focus on the color but the value and the temperature" advice made it so much easier to understand what exactly is going on wrong with the paint mixture and how to correct it .Thanks!

[@kimberlyrobinson3992]

This tutorial helps enormously! How generous you are to share your knowledge with those of us just starting out. Thank you!

[@tomoyopop]

Thank you SO much for showing different ethnicities than just European! It's been so hard to find tutorials for other skin tones. Very helpful and you explained it in such a succinct and simple way. Adding this to my favorites to refer to later.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+tomoyopop You're welcome and I appreciate the feedback.

[@Dsworn]

This is exactly what I been looking for. Needed someone to explain it. Thank you.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Dsworn That's fantastic! Glad it was a help.

[@922Virgo]

This was really informative... I was surprised with how fast I was catching on! Amazing work!!!

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

Awesome...very well explained..thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@jessweiner8211]

This is the best skin tone tutorial I've ever seen. I'd also like to note how COOL it is that we all have the same basic colors.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Jess Weiner That is very nice of you. Thanks!

[@howlingwind1937]

Thank you for your video, I've learnt something and you're very good with your explaination, now I just need to practise. Cheers!

[@sandytyner1]

Thank you soo much, your tutorial was very easy to comprehend. Can’t wait to get to my work area to try this out❤️

[@MichaelKingArt]

That’s fantastic. I hope it goes well.

[@annaday5646]

Love this tuition. Thank you so much. Just what I needed 😊

[@MichaelKingArt]

Perfect. So happy it helped.

[@ronmcknight5300]

thank you for being so generous with you r knowlage of skin tones

[@arunimas6809]

Simply WOW👍.. Ofcourse it needs a lot of practice.. You just simplified the whole 'skin tone' section :) Thankyou..💐

[@drstevenaigen]

really puts things in proportion. Thanks!

[@Declan-pg8cg]

That was concise and as detailed as need be. Excellent video.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Much appreciated.

[@happystar7777]

You are a teacher thank you! Clicking this video was the best decision I've made in a while lol.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Skysurfer 777 That is a big compliment. Thank you.

[@fullermoments]

Awesome...Oh my skin color can be so intimidating. In a few minutes you so eloquently opened up a who new world for me( and others I'd venture to say)sharing your insightful approach.

[@MichaelKingArt]

So happy it has helped!!

[@StanleyKowalski.]

i bought a booklet about flesh colors. your video made much sense and saved me time and mumbo jumbo. thanks a lot

[@MichaelKingArt]

I love hearing that. Thanks!!!

[@doralevitt2879]

Thank you- great video!!

[@godsbackhand8098]

Great informative video. Thank you

[@barnbre2]

Excellent, excellent, excellent!

[@ferreirafineartsmariaferre7848]

awesome and helpful video! just what I needed

[@MichaelKingArt]

+ferreirafinearts mariaferreira Excellent. So glad to hear.

[@soullaavouri6101]

PERFECT VIDEO.YOU EXPLAINED VERY VERY GOOD.THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@alatinaa9068]

This was great, first try and it came out to the exact color I needed.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Alatina A Woohoo! I hope it continues to pay off for you.

[@abi.m.salami]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+amsalami You're most welcome.

[@reneantich7481]

Thank you Michael....veeery helpful!!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Rene Antich Exceleeent. :)

[@MalenkyGoblin]

This is very useful for makeup artists too.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+MalenkyGoblin How great is that! Didn't event think it may help anyone beyond painters.

[@nikualewilliams3864]

I know this is really old but i wanted to comment how I’m using this to MAKE makeup, which is another use for this video 🤗

[@TheOrchidSaGa]

really helpful! thank you so much!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Eelke Jan Wiersma My pleasure. Glad it has helped!!

[@Mimi127]

Btw if anyone doesn't have these paints, you can still make these colors with red, blue, yellow, and white. For rich, dark browns I suggest mixing yellow (I used primary yellow, but I think cadmium yellow will work fine too) with a bit of purple (which is ultramarine blue and cadmium red). For lighter skin tones I suggest mixing an red-orange (half yellow, and half orange) with blue. Most of these combinations are complementary colors. Leave suggestions so I can try out some more mixes.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nohemi Morales Yup, having exact colours is not important, learning how to mix them is. Interestingly your mix of a yellow and purple is a great way to get a mixed version of yellow ochre. :). Thank you for adding to the thread. Keep painting!

[@romeoa.6634]

Nohemi Morales thank you

[@noorhusam4315]

wow this is great, i like painting a lot. but im always afraid when it comes to painting a face cuz of the skin tones. but now i feel that i kinda understand how it works. kinda confident , salute SIR ;) from middle east.

[@brachialplexus2832]

It really works for me...sir thank u..

[@ajnbin]

Short and right to the point. Best guide to mix flesh tones... Congratulations @MichaelKingArt

[@MichaelKingArt]

Much appreciated!!

[@Oldmasterspainting]

Thanks for sharing!👍👍

[@C3andMommy]

Randomly found your video and it helped me a lot on this portrait I'm working on

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Dyra HeyDyra Yay! Glad it has helped.

[@hellaluigi5252]

thanks for this! I'm going to try making a skin tone palette with your advice :D

[@MichaelKingArt]

+hellaluigi My pleasure. I hope it works out.

[@realhelathylifestyle]

Great stuff. And you sold me on mixing on glass too.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Great!

[@toolite100]

Great video thank you

[@sunnystardust1008]

Thank you so much for this. I like when you say we're all pretty much the same. 👊

[@tajminder21]

.

[@TheLoveweaver]

Me too! :)

[@mischabe3]

I like the way you spread the white paint on the palette to keep contamination to the minimum.

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Being rather new at this, I'm surprised to hear that a warm light requires a cool shade.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Vernon Steinkamp Keep in mind that it is cool only in relation to the warm side.

[@Uniquejagruti_patil888]

thanks 2 shown it .i use its value in pestal chocks and i got nice result thanks 1s agen sir .i am so happy

[@dedrickkalonji405]

Excellent tutorial!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Dedrick Kalonji Thank u

[@ebonye79]

great tutorial , thanks !!!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+ebony79c A -Glad it was helpful.

[@alanwoodland2967]

Micheal, very helpful!!!!!! Thanks

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Alan Woodland Excellent!

[@rwp-artartinthedark3538]

marvelous teaching skills well understood. (basically warmer is more red or orange...) and cool is blueish and or green. By the way awesome pallet knife skills, makes me want to paint a whole new way.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Robert Pearse Thank you. Yes, essentially that is the breakdown of warm and cool.

[@tehmaszohra9445]

Thanks. I'll help a lot.

[@willdixon9525]

This will help me a lot on my next painting. Thanks

[@MichaelKingArt]

+SoloArt Studio That is great to hear!

[@lauranilson7426]

Excellent teaching

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you. Please share with your friends. :)

[@christinaclifton9257]

Thank you so much

[@MichaelKingArt]

My pleasure.

[@harveydent1731]

I might just stick with back and white but this has helped me a lot.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Awesome!

[@thereseatikian3783]

BEAUTIFUL THAKS😍👍

[@moosasanani]

Very Help ful And Best Tutorial

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Moosa Sanani Thank you

[@moosasanani]

Welcome

[@steffilazarus8047]

Thanx a ton ☺

[@MichaelKingArt]

Glad it was helpful.

[@kofukuebisu7568]

This is very informative. When I first tried mixing skin tones, they end up looking grey and muddled.

[@corinaskunst]

Wow thank you very much!!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Corinas Kunst So glad it has helped you!

[@corinaskunst]

MichaelKingArtWorks yes it helps me a lot :) i‘m so happy that i found you :)

[@oma53409]

Corinas Kunst Isi

[@lauriebear7]

thank you for this video!!!!! would you mind letting me know what you are mixing the paint on? I can't seem to find a big mixing surface anywhere!

[@MichaelKingArt]

My pleasure. I am mixing on a large piece of glass painted with a 50% black (a neutral grey) on the back.

[@LindaCantor602]

Thank you - so helpful. Flesh tones problem for me as the acrylics dry darker.

[@MichaelKingArt]

My pleasure. Yay, that is one of the reasons I don’t enjoy acrylics. Best u can do is anticipate it and mix lighter.

[@carlosvarela9686]

Great video

[@elaine4415]

lot of help thank you

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Cynthia Brand Fantastic to hear.

[@avancerartgroup1614]

Very informative

[@MichaelKingArt]

Excellent!!

[@emmanuelokyere2286]

Please thanks very much we need another tutorial

[@avancerartgroup1614]

Awesomeness

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Avancer Art Very appreciates.

[@graemesingleton2604]

Hi What reds are you using? Is it Cad Red and Alizarin red? Your great at making it simpler, which is brilliant. thanks

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Graeme Singleton Good eye, those are the two I am using. However, any warm or cool red will work. Heck, even just a warm red would work as you can cool it with blue or green.

[@graemesingleton2604]

Thanks for that. Im starting my very first portrait, pleased soo far but hadn't used Alizarin red. I'm doing a course and have to paint a portrait but also pushing myself a little by choosing portraits as a theme for a set of paintings I have to do. Was nervous about the colours and your video is of great help. Thanks again. I've subscribed and thumbs up! :=)

[@snez1012]

Hi great video! Could you please tell me the names of the other paints you use? (The yellow and the darker red) thank you :)

[@MichaelKingArt]

+snez1012 Thank you. I use Hansa Yellow Medium and Permanent Alizarin Crimson.

[@yogeshmehra1984]

Hello Again!! Feeling Good to see ur reply!! Can you please help me in making acrylic colors wet for a long time. As I m a beginner, So when I make a skin tone it takes time. When I try to fill it in my painting other colors gets dry. So because of my slowness all my colors which I put on my pallate getting waste. Can you please suggest what should I do. Thanks a lot.

[@MichaelKingArt]

You can add a slow dry medium to your paints or you could put your paints on a wet paper towel but that doesn’t help with mixes. There is something called a ‘Stay Wet’ palette. You could see if it is available where you live. Hope that helps.

[@typeonegative13]

cheers from brazil

[@saadrzqy3182]

شكرآ

[@MichaelKingArt]

على الرحب

[@gailtosvn.6816]

Can i use Prussian Blue, Vermilion and Yelow Ochrea(?) instead of those cuz I'm a beginner and I'm still study color theory so i might pronounced things wrong

[@MichaelKingArt]

+That Missing Hair On Yoongi's Scalp :v Absolutley, those colours will work great.

[@dalvartworktv4838]

Thks for making things simple .

[@MichaelKingArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@chelseasfunlife9305]

How do you avoid skin looking muddied/dirty or ashy...I find this happens occasionally when do skin. And I always seem to go too dark, even on fair skin. Any advice?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Chelsea's Fun Life If you find the mix getting muddy add some warmth to it and test it on the painting and it should come to life more. If too ashen then it is either needs more warmth or more chroma (colour intensity). As for going too dark, I find this is common, it comes down to understanding values in colour which takes time. But if u know you paint skin tones too dark try again but force yourself to paint lighter. I hope that helps.

[@CulturedGem]

I met a woman from Nigeria. Her skin absolutely beautiful and is so African dark it almost looks blue. She wants a portrait painted, but I am having issues with the mother color. I would appreciate any suggestions.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I would start with a base of two part transparent red oxide (or burnt sienna) and three parts ultramarine blue and possibly half part cad red or something similar. You’ll most likely have to add white to it to see the bias of cool or warm. If too cool add some red or possibly yellow ochre. When too warm add some cobalt blue or some sort of green. Don’t be afraid to shift it to the green spectrum if you see it. Hope that helps.

[@ZahraAlquimia]

I am fascinated by yhe mixture of colours and how they result on skin tones! When we "learn" how to paint, usually we are told to buy the prefab colour, we don´t learn how to achieve the skin tones. Would you mind telling the tons of yellow ( one I see it´s ocre, but the others?? ) and the red ( China? Cadmium? ), as well the purple ( alizarin ? ) Thank you so much!!!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Patrícia Fernandes That's great! More instructors need to teach colour mixing. Pre-made colours are so bad in so many ways. Please share the video with friends. :)

[@ZahraAlquimia]

Yes....I have already shared indeed! :)

[@marylouniebrugge9174]

How do you get from one tone to another in a face without it looking patchy?

[@qtsm_coloring_art]

I'm just learning about painting. What kind of paint are you using?

[@MichaelKingArt]

I am using oil paint, a brand called Gamblin.

[@qtsm_coloring_art]

@@MichaelKingArt thank you very much.

[@louisecowling6689]

Have you ever been given the task of painting a black and white picture in colour? (This is my first attempt at a portrait too 😬) I feel like I’m almost getting there except everything either looks brown or grey, I don’t feel like I’m able to get bright enough highlights no matter what I do. Any tips? 🙏

[@MichaelKingArt]

In that case I’d make up the colours. :D That being said, if you are not getting your highlights bright enough it is because the values around the highlight are too light. Darken you’re values appropriately. Hope that helps.

[@marylouniebrugge9174]

Is cooler the blues and warmer the reds?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Yes. Keep in mind there are also warm/cool blues and warm/cool reds as well.

[@elim7026]

Question...Why didnt you use purple or green to lower the chroma?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Lizz Mancera I had to rewatch the video to find the chroma reference but couldn't find it. :( That being said, u could easily use green or violet to lower the chroma of a specific mix but I don't use either of those colours on my palette so I generally go for my blues. If violet is needed I go for my ultramarine blue, if green would be needed I'd go for my cobalt blue. Close enough for me. :)

[@Uniquejagruti_patil888]

hi.how i start portrait painting on canvas? i am little scared.plz help me .how i star its

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Sony Patil First, don't be afraid to have it not work out. You will have many. Do it and learn from it and move on to a new one. I would recommend sketching it on canvas first then painting. As u get more experienced you will find u sketch less and paint more. Hope that helps.

[@youtubeseller9010]

R they are arcylic colors or oil paints Which brand you used

[@MichaelKingArt]

Oil paints. I use Gamblin mostly but have a mix of Rembrandt and M Graham as well.

[@araeshkigal]

When you say "pretty close" are you visualizing what the paint will finally look like when dry? I am curious because your "pretty close" for the wet dots is a bit farther away (by small degrees, but still...) than would satisfy me. I am wondering if it's a difference of degree between male and female ability to see very subtle variations.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I don’t think there is a difference in ability to see based on gender, I think it has more to do with time being an artist and training yourself to see. That being said, when I say ‘pretty close’ I mean ‘Ya, it’s close, I’m not going to waste my time getting it perfect’. I’d rather paint than spend hours mixing. Close enough is good enough. :) I match based on wet paint as I use oils that do not shift when dry (just make sure you varnish the work after). If you are using acrylic you will have to let paint dry before evaluating it or mix a lighter value knowing it will dry darker. Acrylic is a pain like that. Hope that helps.

[@Mimi127]

I was wondering where you got those high quality photographs from

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nohemi Morales You can find those images on pixabay.com. It's a great resource for copyright free images.

[@Mimi127]

MichaelKingArtWorks did you use your printer or did you get it printed at a shop

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nohemi Morales Printer on a colour laser printer at my office. A copy shop with a modern colour printer would do an equal job.

[@grandma.p]

Can you do a watercolor video like this?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Pam H With watercolour you can do amazing things in portraits. I would recommend you look up Stan Miller.

[@grandma.p]

Thanks,

[@zorincortes]

What happened to the latino skin tone? it is a great video...Thanks for sharing

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Zoraida Cortes Thank you. I wanted to keep the video short so couldn't include every culture. Focus on the value first then temperature and you will have no problem getting what you want.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Good news. Livestream on Oct 28, 2021 at 7ppm PST I'll be painting Latin American.

[@hallieshouse13]

how would you mix a dusty rose ?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+hallieshouse13 Off the top of my head.. red, white, cobalt blue, small touch of yellow and some burnt sienna. I'll try to remember to actually try it later today and re-comment.

[@hallieshouse13]

Thanks Michael, that's really kind of you !

[@MichaelKingArt]

+hallieshouse13 Sorry for the delay. No need for any yellow really. Just white, cad red or any warm red, cobalt blue and burnt sienna. The burnt sienna will help to grey the pink-ness of the mix and make it more dusty. Remember that the value is mor important than the exact colour. Ultramarine blue works just as well.

[@username2987]

I want to mix some flesh

[@Twinzma]

Mediterranean olive tones?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Easy. Find the right value in a colour that is close, then start adjusting the temperature of the mix.

[@macmckulis7440]

What dose he say at 5:30 "...... European" what?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Nothing, I pause at the end of European.

[@dinakarassane4123]

I'm not a native English speaker so could someone explain to me what value means? Plz that would help me out a lot

[@MichaelKingArt]

+HeyHeyHeyyy Value means the lightness or darkness of the colour.

[@vaderetro264]

Four different 'cultures'?...

[@ORMA1]

Art without history. I respect your choice, but I prefer to compare ancient Italian tecniques

[@MichaelKingArt]

Sure.

[@ORMA1]

@@MichaelKingArt i just wait for a work (your work) about it!

[@MichaelKingArt]

Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean.

[@ORMA1]

@@MichaelKingArt I hope you may explain flesh colours comparing with ancient school..sorry for my english, i.m from Italia

[@MichaelKingArt]

Ah, I understand. I do not know ancient school ways so I could not compare.

[@jayashreeshenoy1166]

Awesome......but I don't know why... your voice was very feeble and hence I found it a little difficult to follow. Thanks 😊

[@MichaelKingArt]

Lol, I’ll have to work on that. 🤔

[@Walperion_Music]

All the pc-people will explode from the top-notch racism in this video! :)

[@SpudGun146]

Yokky how is this video racist ?

[@MrJpm1989]

Yokky I see what you mean. people from the areas he spoke about are not all the same. colour. But we are all made from colours on the board. 😊

[@hamedalotaibi6464]

Thnx, It is funny how you chose a handsome model for The European and Poor street people for the other races!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Hamed AL Otaibi You read too much into it and assume just as much on their financial situation. But you are free to do so. Finding copyright images is difficult at the best of times but looking for ones with good lighting is even harder, thus the ones in the video. Personally I don't find the European handsome, more just a cliche of what a 'model' looks like. The two women are amazing and the man in the turban is so fascinating, would love to meet them all if I could. Thanks for the comment, though.