Cool colors at the 'turning edge'?

Minh Thong · 12-19-2002, 07:09 PM

My very limited painting education has been almost entirely from 'The Students Guide To Painting' by Jack Faragasso, which generally emphasizes nine values of flesh colors for an entire portrait or figure. There are only a couple sections on 'vibrating a fleshtone' by using a cooler mixture, and no demonstrations of the practical application of this.

However, I have read in other texts about using a cool color (Viridian was mentioned specifically) right at the edge of the shadow. But I'm not quite clear on actually DOING this nor what the effect is supposed to be.

In the cropped section of a self-portrait below you can see that my 'turning edge', especially at the nose, is rather blah and doesn't flow into the shadow. Can someone comment on how a cool color would help here, and possibly the best method of application?

Do I lay in a stripe of my home value fleshtone mixed with Viridian and then just blend it into the flesh and shadow? Should the flesh and shadow be repainted at the same time so I can blend wet-into-wet?

Thanks, in advance, for any help at all.

Thich Minh Thong

Jim Riley · 01-10-2003, 10:48 PM

Thich,

I have no idea where the suggestion to add green to help value transitions comes from and given the fairly monochromatic treatment of flesh color in your painting so far, I would not advise its use. A new hue will look entirely out of place I believe.

The hard edge running the length of the nose is not likely in reality. There are usually several areas where the form is more rounded and softer such as the space above the nose bridge and the full shape at the tip.

I would suggest blending these areas so the edge is softer at these points. Also carry some of the shadow under the nose.

You have a nice reflected light on the shadow side cheek and a little of that same reflected light should show in the shadow area of the nose and nostril.

Some reflected light might help define the upper lip on that side also. I see little or no form so far.

A little more shadow to define the chin will help. The same strong light that causes the nose shadow would also be evident on the chin.

Jim

Minh Thong · 01-10-2003, 11:15 PM

Thanks Mr. Riley, that's a tremendous help. I've tried a few things to finish it up but I just haven't nailed it yet, and since the painting has been varnished I can easily try a few new things and wipe it down if they don't work out. I'll give this a shot.

Thanks again, I really appreciate the feedback.

Minh Thong