Traditional/Academic Flesh Palette Works Well

[Michael Georges]

Hello Betty - welcome to the Forum!

The Verdaccio undertone referred to is a gray-green mixture made with Chromium Oxide Green, Mars Black, and Lead White.

I typically mix equal parts of COG to Mars Black to get a value 2 (Munsell scale) - this is my base pile from which I mix all others. I then darken some of it with MB to create value 1, and lighten the rest with flake white to create values 3-9.

You can also experiment with Yellow Ochre, Mars Black, Red Ochre, and Lead White to create a variant. You would mix the YO and the MB to create a green, and use the RO to knock it down in intensity.

Here are the approximate values:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/imag...ccioValues.jpg

Here is an example of a completed verdaccio:

http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Cu...0Verdaccio.jpg

The imposition of the cool undertones next to the warm flesh tones creates a real vibrancy in the flesh that works well. I don't usually use any blue as the verdaccio adds the proper cool tone.

Hope that helps!