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Karin Wells · 12-07-2001, 10:01 AM

Hmmmm....I'm not sure that I understand your comment John and I'm not really sure that we disagree. Of course light and shadow play on all shades of skin tone for sure. I have seen your work and you certainly get it right.

In general (and I do mean general), I paint people of color the same way as people with lighter skin tones. The difference is that the value is darker (according to the sitter) and darker shades, can take more warmth (I use yellow ochre) into the mixture.

Basically what I am trying to say is that the pale skin tones (i.e., the "caucasian baby" reference) can not handle a lot of hot colored paint. When a skin tone begins to look "orangey" (either in light or shadow) the artist needs to cool it down.

"Orangey" skin tones are such a common mistake...

12-07-2001, 10:01 AM	#10
Karin Wells FT Pro, Mem SOG,'08 Cert Excellence PSA, '02 Schroeder Portrait Award Copley Soc, '99 1st Place PSA, '98 Sp Recognition Washington Soc Portrait Artists, '97 1st Prize ASOPA, '97 Best Prtfolio ASOPA Joined: Jun 2001 Location: Peterborough, NH Posts: 1,114	Skin tone range Hmmmm....I'm not sure that I understand your comment John and I'm not really sure that we disagree. Of course light and shadow play on all shades of skin tone for sure. I have seen your work and you certainly get it right. In general (and I do mean general), I paint people of color the same way as people with lighter skin tones. The difference is that the value is darker (according to the sitter) and darker shades, can take more warmth (I use yellow ochre) into the mixture. Basically what I am trying to say is that the pale skin tones (i.e., the "caucasian baby" reference) can not handle a lot of hot colored paint. When a skin tone begins to look "orangey" (either in light or shadow) the artist needs to cool it down. "Orangey" skin tones are such a common mistake... __________________ Karin Wells www.KarinWells.com www.KarinWells.BlogSpot.com