Quick Tip 362 - Identify and Mix Skin Tones

Mixing paint to create skin tones starts with knowing at what you're seeing. Artist/art teacher Dianne Mize shares how to do that and how to find the right mixture.
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[@mountainsno]

Thank you. Ive downloaded and printed your saturation colour wheel and lots more. Thank you for making them free. I purchased a picture frame and under the glass I have painted the paper to medium value grey. I plan to mix my paint on it to give me a middle value. Also I stuck your notan value scale down one side under the glass. So actually the mixing space has the middle value but I have your scale there to compare as well. You have changed my painters life and experience and I cant thank you enough for such patient quality teaching.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks so much, Maretta. Enjoy working on your new palette.

[@gerrianderson6397]

I love how you simplify painting. Whereby a person can troubleshoot themselves. Another brilliant video! Thank you xx

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you, Gerri. My take on teaching is that it should be giving tools not forcing formulas.

[@lindasuemac]

This is such an excellent, well-explained and demonstrated lesson! Thanks Dianne!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@springgee9763]

The best art teacher ever!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wow, thanks!

[@pamelabritton1230]

I'm making a foray into oil painting and attempting simple portraits. This is very valuable for me right now. Have color wheel and making notes! Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@sallysmiles6088]

This is so WONDERFUL, for ppl that can paint people, but so far I have just gotten good at the smiley face.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

😊

[@rubyrida5481]

Too much love and too much appreciation ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks!

[@gorditothebunny8250]

Having the 2 holes to compare the colors is such a great idea! I’m sure this method will save my current portrait painting. Thank you for this very helpful video.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun using it.

[@brendahill5087]

I've watched so many youtube tutorials about portraits. This is by far the most informative and easy to understand approach to color matching. Thank you so much. So glad I found you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I'm so glad. Enjoy the journey.

[@hougrel9514]

Dear Dianne at the end of each tutorial not only have I learnt something valuable but I have a sense of well-being too - Thank you

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wow! That is fantastic! Thanks.

[@moreirix77]

Thanks for the colour wheel I would still stick with the masters and egg tempera technique with verdaccio first and then you mix your pinks with the verdaccio to make the skin tones darker or lighter and spare yourself to mix so many colours. Yoy can use egg shell to check values.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for the info.

[@belindaroca4577]

Thank you Dianne. Fantastic video! 😊

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome!

[@sarachauvot7677]

Thank you! Love the multiple color isolation holes!!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Give them a try. Thanks for watching.

[@mariecrowe8843]

Fantastic, I can’t tell you how helpful I found this video ❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I'm so glad! Thanks for being a subscriber!

[@debrahoffman9056]

Thank you so much, I love that u place the tools in our hands to figure it out instead of producing mini me's!! 😀

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Yep, creating is a lot more fun when it's got your handwriting on it rather than somebody else's formula. Thanks for watching.

[@InLawsAttic]

Thank you so much! I did print out lots of your helps from your website, and I did cut that wheel like you have- so helpful- thanks again!! Your teaching is wonderful and a blessing!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I am delighted. Thanks for watching. Enjoy your color wheel!

[@denisemangan1413]

Fascinating. I just loved this process🇦🇺🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@merenlongimchen2691]

The best teacher ❤

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks!

[@paulaofarrell774]

Very helpful. The tip of punching holes in an index card is so smart and will start using it today. I also really liked the tip of the test strips and now use that tip every day. I also realized that I was mixing paints incorrectly and not value correcting a color before mixing it. Just wanted you to know that you are making a HUGE difference in the quality of my paintings. You rock!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Paula, I am delighted. Enjoy the journey!

[@LillieRuby101]

This was an excellent lesson. I learned a lot! Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Give it a try and have fun with it.

[@matta6817]

You are one of a great teacher ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. And thanks.

[@coltwarren]

Thank you Dianne. Colourmixing is always a favourite

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

It IS fun, isn't it!

[@janet4900]

Thank you. This is really helpful. 1. Determine the hue 2. Add complement to desaturate 3. Adjust for value - light/dark. I had forgotten about the whole complement thing, and your color wheel makes it so easy !

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Excellent! Have fun with it.

[@FreyadeVries98]

Hello Dianne, do you have some favorite books when it comes to painting books? Would love to know what your favorites are.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I have two favorites: Alla Prima II by Richard Schmid, and Color and Light by James Gurney.

[@MrJohnd1951]

Another excellent crystal clear explanation of what took me years to grasp. Well done!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@Factasy360]

Thanks for the lesson. Very helpful!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@kathyharry4122]

Such a wonderful and interesting lesson. Thank You

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@JonathanDKearney]

Dianne you are a frigging LEGENND!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wow! Thanks, Jonathan!

[@janahopefloyd]

I desperately need this demonstration for an upcoming project. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great! Enjoy the journey.

[@amandagermany5933]

Thank you for this! I've been trying to do this by eyeballing it but I think tools are definitely the way to go. I don't trust my eyes when moving from a screen to the canvas.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Tools like these are an excellent way to train your eye.

[@kevinjones7777]

Instructive and fascinating, enjoying the journey.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@debrademoulin3667]

Thank you!!! This was so helpful, you are a wonderful teacher!!! ☺

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@morestoriestotell]

Very beautiful explanation. I couldn't thank you enough. I really require this. Thank you!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it.

[@Argyll9846]

Portraits from Life is an excellent recommendation. I have a copy (before watching this video) and it really gives some great mixes for skin tones though that is only a small part of this book

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Totally agree!

[@Vri_ag7219]

Awesome tutorial! A bigger problem I have is to identify the colour values. So I will need to get that right first, before I proceed. Very informative! Thanks for sharing!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Vrinda, it's a matter of training your eyes how to see it. One good way is to get a value scale like the one shown here ( www.jerrysartarama.com/gray-scale-and-value-finder ) and hold it up so that you can see those colors through the openings within each value, then squint and find which value the color best falls into.

[@Vri_ag7219]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction Thanks for the help! Will do this!

[@judykatchen1834]

Super helpful video!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great. Give it a try!

[@delmar5652]

Thank you, your help is always wonderful.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're most welcome!

[@hougrel9514]

I have just downloaded the free colour wheel - thank you. It occurs to me that one can combine the little card with the punched holes and the wheel with cutouts by printing the wheelon stiff paper and then punching the round holes directly in the middle of each hue/saturation sector. Only a small modification from what you did.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Great idea!

[@marionfinney7933]

you are brilliant. Thank you🤩

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you too!

[@lisafred1362]

Thank you for doing a skin tones tutorial. Others may have taught this, but your tutorial is best. Now, how do you locate colors from life? Hold the intensity wheel up and compare to the model?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Sure, why not! Any method that helps you see what's there is a good idea. When working with a live model, using my test strips works great. Just cut strips of paper, mix a color you're trying to see, brush the mixture on the tip of the strip, hold it at arm's length aligned with the subject, close one eye and compare.

[@winnyfangmichael2941]

Thank you very much for this. It helps a lot.❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome 😊

[@aekorfker]

Thank you!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@BabciCathy]

You are amazing! Thank you...

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you too!

[@Whitakerboys]

Thanks. Was a good lesson

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Glad it was helpful! Give it a try.

[@ricardoflummiremus]

Thank you for showing your work and explaining- well done, I’ve understood everything super clear! Also kudos for using these mixed media for a super cool effect! Ps: have you tried MOLOTOW CHROME? It’s super shiny, maybe even more so than the W&N Metall Ink?! Have a great holiday!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure, Recardo. I haven't yet tried the Molotow Chrome. I'll check it out.

[@thesilverpen]

I have "olive skin" which seems hardest for me to mix convincingly. I gave up trying to buy foundation makeup. So I watch every skin tone video I can find.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You can do it!

[@meghanworkman6449]

I love smarty-pants Dianne. 😉

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

That works! 😉

[@graceful6894]

Thank you

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@kaytownsend5349]

What type of paint brushes do you recommend

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Kay, I recommend the best quality paint brushes you can afford. I am partial to Rosemary brushes. As to their composition, I prefer artists grade hog bristle for bristle brushes, and badger hair for softer ones.

[@wendyneilson8422]

I tried to get your Color wheel but it won’t go thru

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Wendy, please email Ed at [e-mail] and describe to him what is happening. He will help you get it working.

[@dangrossheider7304]

You’re awesome

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks!

[@claudeduda3607]

I am a little late for this lesson but thank you👌

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure.

[@jaimehernandelgadoquintero4539]

Gracia

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You bet.

[@kimstepney9370]

Great colour wheel- thanks!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You bet!

[@rubyrida5481]

Too much love and too much appreciation ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks!