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Published: 2009-11-21 15:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 579378; Favourites: 16740; 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:
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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
Hunter-Wolf In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 19:02:06 +0000 UTC]
Simply brilliant and very well made, i can see lots of effort has been put into this .. i specially like how you use thumbnail drawings to get the point through (here and more in Part 2).
So thanks a lot for sharing and can't wait to see the rest of the tutorial series ... keep it up.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Snigom In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 07:15:19 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for the most informative skin coloring tutorial I have ever seen in over 20 years *clap*
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
navate In reply to Snigom [2009-12-02 15:23:32 +0000 UTC]
Aw, thank you and you're welcome.
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Fuzzypop In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 06:19:19 +0000 UTC]
Incredible and so helpful! Thank you so much.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
boot-cheese-3000 In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 05:39:53 +0000 UTC]
now this is amazing seeing that i want to learn how to color on photoshop much better than i have been so far. perfect tips and tricks for someone like me. this gets my patented "thumbz up" award. can't wait to see the rest of the series unfold.
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boot-cheese-3000 In reply to navate [2009-12-03 01:21:30 +0000 UTC]
oh no--thank you for sharing your secret.
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Royal-Guard-Lover In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 05:01:53 +0000 UTC]
wow, you colour skin...uh amazingly. i mainly do anime art but i want to be good at realism too(and im sure this can help me with anime skin as well)
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
navate In reply to Royal-Guard-Lover [2009-12-02 15:55:18 +0000 UTC]
Yes, absolutely. Anime/cel shading generally sticks to what I call the mid-tone range in this tutorial. The main color is the base tone, and then the "transition"/lightest mid-tone is the highlight color and the darkest mid-tone acts as the shadow. So just simplify it a bunch, I suppose!
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oOoKiwiioOo In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 03:55:33 +0000 UTC]
thank you for uploading this
C:
quick question though
if i were to paint with acrylic
for the warmth tones
do i mix it with the skin tone
or do i add it as like a glaze?
thanks C:
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
navate In reply to oOoKiwiioOo [2009-12-02 16:03:13 +0000 UTC]
Real paint makes things easier because you can start with pure color. You can work with glazes if that is what you are more comfortable with, or you can pull the red tones directly into the mid-tones mixed on your palette and use that color more opaquely.
The reason I specify to mix the warmth tones on top with digital is because color doesn't function quite the same way. With acrylics you're already using that pure color somewhere in the process, which is what blending the warmth tone on top of the mid-tones is meant to mimic in digital programs.
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paulashins In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 03:43:54 +0000 UTC]
Thank you god dammn it this is AMAZING!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
arhcamt In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 03:12:38 +0000 UTC]
thank you very much! it's really inspiring.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
NaurCalad In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 01:16:11 +0000 UTC]
AHA! And you thought people would get confused reading this tutorial, huh?! YOU GOT A DD! XD Congrats! And like I said before, it is a wonderful tutorial indeed!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
navate In reply to NaurCalad [2009-12-02 15:08:26 +0000 UTC]
I think my fear of doing badly is the only thing that makes me do things well, hahahaha. But I really was worried people would be confused...it's a difficult subject. So I'm very thankful that I've apparently hit the right note.
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henning In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 01:01:01 +0000 UTC]
Very good tutorial, and congratulations on the DD
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navate In reply to henning [2009-12-02 15:01:57 +0000 UTC]
Thanks Henning. I will post it on forums, including PB, once all four sections are available.
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itsNateKelly In reply to ??? [2009-12-02 00:05:58 +0000 UTC]
Very helpful!
and that face at the top reminds me of the Pendragon Series covers!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
itsNateKelly In reply to navate [2009-12-02 18:34:04 +0000 UTC]
No, thank YOU for the help! ^_^
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electric-ace In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 23:59:45 +0000 UTC]
Masterful and well-thought out, I really am able to understand this tutorial, and have a minor bit of confidence thanks to your clear instruction and your helpful tips! Thank you very much!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ja-Kitsu-Ryou In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 23:50:43 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It really is a blessing.
!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
AngelusNoir In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 23:17:20 +0000 UTC]
well-deserved DD,your notes on skin colours and tones are fantastic!!....you've said in a page what many people would take a book to write!!
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ryanja In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 22:03:50 +0000 UTC]
perfect just what i needed. thanks for sharing
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
M-D-Spazz In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 21:59:25 +0000 UTC]
Dear Lord, I think I love you!
I ALWAYS have a hard time doing skin color :\ So this could really help me
DD much deserved, my friend!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
navate In reply to M-D-Spazz [2009-12-02 14:38:30 +0000 UTC]
Hahahaha Thank you, glad to be of help.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
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