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SKIN: a tutorial - Part 1
Published: 2009-11-21 15:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 578709; 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.
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This tutorial is very extensive and will be published in (at least) four parts.
IN THIS SECTION: 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.
SECTION II: Skin tones. how to apply the basic formula to light, medium, dark, and fantasy skin tones.COMING SOON:
SECTION III: Background color and ambient light. How surrounding colors affect skin. SECTION IV: Building a skin tone, blending and texturing. The technical section showing how to paint skin start to finish.__
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.
And hopefully even advanced painters will be able to glean something useful. 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.
Color theory resources can be found HERE .Please, any questions, concerns, criticisms, etc: comment below.
Thanks so much for the DD!
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Comments: 734
I really can't thank you enough. You are a life saver! I've always been scared of using colours in my paintings/drawings, the reason for my being inclined toward pencil sketching. This tutorial is very helpful and, above all, EASY to understand. I find all the other colour theories and tutorials really unfriendly (reading them I end up with nothing except confusion in my mind) the thing I don't understand is, if the value of the mid-tones is same, shouldn't they (mid-tones) appear same in the black and white version? or is it that the value is not same but "similar"?
and here's what I got after spending so much time pondering at it: the basic idea is to keep on varying the hues in every part (except for the peek highlight, ofcourse) keeping the saturation and value the same. Is that right? and also, can you please define the exact meaning of "hue"? Thank you so very much for this extremely helpful tutorial, and sorry for a whole paragraph.. I had so much to say about it! XD n now m heading straight to the second part
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So sorry for the late reply, but to answer your question: no, the value of the mid-tones should not be the same. In part you, you will see I talk a little about having "transition" mid-tones -- mid-tones that are closer to both your highlight colors and shadow colors to help make a smoother transition when you blend. You also want variation in the saturation.
Hue essentially means color. Blue is a hue. Yellow is a hue. But then there can be dark blues, light blues, intense blues and gray blues, which is where value and saturation come in.
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let me clear,keeping the value and saturation same DEPENDING on the light at that part. Not same in every part.
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This is, by far, the best skin tutorial I've found. Thank you for the time and thought you put into this ^^
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Thanks for the tutorial i learn a lot of....Hello!!!
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I would say that highlight colors are actually the colors of the sky...
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The sky plays a part, but it's much more complex than that. The sky is not a uniform source of light, nor is it necessarily the only source of light. The blue ambient light that comes from the sky is different than the (usually) yellow light that emits from the sun.
You also have to factor in environmental ambient factors (i.e. color bounce, which also affects skin). And if you put a character in a place with multiple light sources...yikes, it gets crazy fast! Even then, matching highlight colors to the color of the light/sky/environment isn't always the best choice.
The point of this tutorial is to introduce advanced color concepts in a simple way, and the core concept is that color variation is critical. It's better to try out a crazy color, than to box oneself into a set of rules.
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Great tutorial, can't wait for the next ones!!
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So, I keep on re-reading this from time to time. One thing I still don't understand is that, since there are lots of shadow and highlight colors, how do I or we know which one to use? There's a yellow, a blue, and a red highlight. xD
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There isn't really a formula (or rather, I'd discourage giving one 
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Okay. 
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Thankyou so much for sharing these tutorials I can see they will be very helpful! I look forward to the next parts! One probably stupid question, are these tutorials suitable, for painting on drawings that have been scanned into the computer, or are they more suitable for full digital paintings? Thankyou
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The basic theory is suitable for all media, though obviously the application might vary a bit.
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Ah thankyou very much for letting me know, I appreciate the help
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Thanks a lot!!! Really love it and can't wait for section III & IV!
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I may be being a tad...erm...dense, but what do you use to blend on Painter (Essentials)? Smudge/smear won't work with the different layers, but do you use the oil blender?
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I don't use blenders; I blend by hand using low opacity after I've laid down my colors. I also keep my layers to a minimum.
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omg thanks so much finally I know why my colors look so lifeless! sankyuu!~
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Thank you very very much for this great tutorial!
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wow, awesome tutorial, and the resources at the end are just perfect. thanks a LOT!
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Wow, I know I should have thought of something as simple as the familiar gray shaded ball but I just never thought about trying that in color. I will definately be following this tutorial with the few projects I have coming up!! Thank you so much for making such an in depth tutorial!!
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It's not the best example because skin varies so much on different parts of out bodies, but it's a good way to practice basic shading and blending techniques.
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; A ; Oh gosh. This is fantastic, this series of tutorials is saving my art <3
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I will try this method. Thank you so much for sharing.
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This is great! A fellowdeviant pointed me to your tutorial. Thanks a lot for this.
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I'll upload the work soon with special regards to U...thanks again...I wounder if U got any facebook account !!!
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Aw, thank you.
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I've sent U a friend request already, Glad to know U...hope to work with U on something later !
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Absolutely amazing tutorial. I've been wanting to shade skin much more life like for ages but can never seem to get there. Can't wait to learn more from these tutorials ^^
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This is amazing! You don't happen to have a tut in which you show how to actually color the skin, do you?
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I will do a step by step demo in part 4 of the tutorial. When that will be is still up in the air. Been very busy with paying work, so this tutorial has fallen by the wayside. 
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Well, personal life always comes first...I deffinitely can't wait for it to come out xDD Good luck with it! :3
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Whoah ddn't know about the high saturated shadows. Such an amazing tips and tutorial!!
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It is not a "rule", it just helps give a realistic feel in many instances.
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Very helpful. Thank you very much. This has to be the most helpful tutorial I've seen. I look forward to the future sections.
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Great to hear.
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