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Published: 2009-11-21 15:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 578696; Favourites: 16743; Downloads: 18309
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Description
UPDATE 7/31/2011: I've uploaded a slightly revised version. Content is still the same._
This tutorial is very extensive and will be published in (at least) four parts.
Skin basics: A simple but in-depth look that expands beyond the usual shadow-midtone-highlight formula, and how to use each tonal range most effectively.
COMING SOON:
__
This tutorial uses mostly digital work as examples, but the theory behind it should apply to ALL mediums. But of course it goes without saying that this is hardly the end-all-be-all of skin painting tutorials. Just my way of thinking about it.
I tried to make this accessible for artists of all skill levels. Intermediate artists will probably benefit the most. Beginners will probably find some of the principles discussed difficult to put into practice. But don’t be frustrated! The only “secret” to being a good painter is practice.
Also-- this should go without saying, but I will say it anyway: the ONLY WAY to learn how to paint/draw anything well, let alone realistically, is to STUDY COLOR THEORY AND FORM. All the stuff I blather on about in this tutorial is meaningless unless you take the initiative to learn the fundamentals of color and figure drawing.
Please, any questions, concerns, criticisms, etc: comment below.
Thanks so much for the DD!
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Comments: 734
konginchains [2012-05-30 18:18:40 +0000 UTC]
thanks for sharing.. looking forward to part 3 and 4
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Ramani-Rayne [2012-05-25 04:10:22 +0000 UTC]
This is great reference! I've been meaning to work more on how I shade skin...
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Elsy123 [2012-05-14 11:44:37 +0000 UTC]
Thankyou so much for your gorgeous tutorials, and your work! I've used your skin tutorials for a recent piece of mine and have linked you in the description. :3 [link]
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RobertStudio22 [2012-05-12 22:27:11 +0000 UTC]
this is really helpful thank you for making this lovely tutorial
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boke-chan [2012-04-30 17:25:10 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for this, now i can put to words what it is that I'm doing, and the way you described each different color type really helps me plan out my colors so much better, thank you thank you thank you!
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lonesomeyes [2012-04-30 07:42:22 +0000 UTC]
awesome tutorial! I will try this for my digital painting assignment!
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chelseaMay [2012-04-22 04:14:59 +0000 UTC]
Very helpful! Can't wait to try out your tips in practice- thank you
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SwanFeathers [2012-03-18 17:31:23 +0000 UTC]
this is wonderfull! I am going to start a piece right now to try this out! thank you so much for posting this!
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dragonhart1476 [2012-02-23 10:06:36 +0000 UTC]
wow awsome tutorial I really learned alot and cant wait to put this to practice good job
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Wind-Bandit [2012-02-10 17:45:34 +0000 UTC]
This has been a very useful tutorial which I've been reading and re-reading over the past few days. My only question is this- how do you know where to use different mid-tones, highlights, or shadows? Especially with mid-tones, I've been having trouble handling them because I keep treating them like less-contrasting versions of highlights and shadows, which they aren't. Any advice?
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navate In reply to Wind-Bandit [2012-02-16 15:57:27 +0000 UTC]
The mid-tones are what color theory calls "local color"--the actual perceived color of an object. Basically, that means the mid-tones should be the most "skin like" (though as I mention in the tutorial, the pure mid-tones are generally less saturated than you'd think; the appearance of warm and life in skin comes from the warmth colors brushes over the mid-tones.)
As to where to use each tone--this is something I can't really teach you, because it has to do with the form of the object/figure and the lighting direction. Study form, do cast drawings, render figures in grayscale until you get the hang of it. It's basically a matter of understanding anatomy and how light interacts with 3D objects.
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Wind-Bandit In reply to navate [2012-02-17 19:15:12 +0000 UTC]
Thank you! That was really useful.
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onifansu [2012-01-26 13:14:12 +0000 UTC]
thx alot for taking your time to make these great tutorials, very interesting and helpful
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Erikimmy [2012-01-11 21:37:43 +0000 UTC]
This was a very wonderfully thought out and (tedious for you I bet , wow!) detailed tutorial, it has made me go off and start studying color theory as I hadn't before because I want to be this great or even better.
I look forward to the next sections you are a gifted artist.
*gonna go stubbornly sift through toots on form and other things now*
thank you!
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Fire-away [2011-12-25 18:11:51 +0000 UTC]
As a traditional painter, I have found moving onto digital painting to be very difficult. But this tutorial has been very helpful for me! Thank you!
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paukOFF [2011-12-21 11:52:16 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for this amazing set of skin tuts, is very vary helpful.!
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primayoga [2011-12-08 06:24:52 +0000 UTC]
awesome tutorial, thank you for sharing it to us, cant wait for the next update #godspeed!
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Mazdi [2011-12-06 17:39:16 +0000 UTC]
I'm dying to break from my cartoon style and get into realism. Your tutorials will help me on my journey!! Thank you so much!
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Lyka99 [2011-12-04 19:57:33 +0000 UTC]
This is a really big help. As a beginner artist, I really struggle with skin tones. You're probably way too busy doing awesome artwork, but have you considered doing a speedpaint on youtube? Just a thought.
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runningfreely [2011-12-03 15:19:31 +0000 UTC]
Simply wonderful and so useful! Thank you so much for this!
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HelenaRothStock [2011-11-25 22:10:00 +0000 UTC]
Hi, your stock has been featured here: [link] hope you don't mind
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taterry [2011-11-04 01:41:02 +0000 UTC]
Great tutorial!!!! I was wondering if you had any on how to achieve those great skin textures and what brushes would be used thanks
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navate In reply to taterry [2011-11-14 19:47:54 +0000 UTC]
In Photoshop, a spackled brush for initial blending.
Then in Painter, I use the Oils and Pastels to finish.
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LightOfTheStray [2011-10-24 05:42:47 +0000 UTC]
This is undoubtedly the best skin tone tutorial I've seen on this site! I'm so glad I ran into this--shading skin is probably the hardest thing I have to deal with when it comes to colouring. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this--I look forward to the next tutorials following this!
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XtreamCrazy [2011-10-13 10:19:07 +0000 UTC]
This is beyond useful. You simplify the breakdown of colours so well. I can't wait to see the other tutorials!
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KinyoLee In reply to ??? [2011-10-04 16:34:27 +0000 UTC]
reading this i thought its worth a DD...and then i scrolled down and it already is one xD
great tutorial!
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Previsha [2011-09-29 06:51:39 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for taking time to do this tutorial. Much appreciated. I'm still learning and your tutorial was a great help.
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Melomix In reply to ??? [2011-09-12 00:45:43 +0000 UTC]
I'm trying to get the hang of pulling diverse colours into my skin but for some reason I'm just scared to do it. xD This should be helpful, though; thank you! ;D
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phobialia In reply to ??? [2011-09-01 10:13:17 +0000 UTC]
This is really, really useful.
Thank you!
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NovaDrakkon [2011-08-27 04:45:48 +0000 UTC]
This deviation has been featured here: [link] ! Thank you so much for creating!
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TheAwakeningProject In reply to ??? [2011-08-20 21:51:55 +0000 UTC]
Cool even if its for my traditional art
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PrincessBee22 In reply to ??? [2011-08-19 00:20:39 +0000 UTC]
Hey, come help this group out!!
#HumanArtReference
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