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navateSKIN: a tutorial - Part 1

Published: 2009-11-21 15:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 579389; 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.
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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.
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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. 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

LaurenGreiner In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 21:56:20 +0000 UTC]

This is so incredibly helpful! Thanks for making this, and congrats on the DD! It was well earned.

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navate In reply to LaurenGreiner [2009-12-02 02:39:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you And very glad to help

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BlakeGreene In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 21:43:44 +0000 UTC]

This is like a dream.... i'm so glad I checked the DD's today. I've always been afraid to use colours in skin because I never knew how. I can try it without fear now

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navate In reply to BlakeGreene [2009-12-02 02:41:23 +0000 UTC]

Awesome Let me see what you do! I am always happy to give feedback.

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BlakeGreene In reply to navate [2009-12-02 04:58:12 +0000 UTC]

Really?
Thank you so much, that's really nice!
I'll be sure to!

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swordofdoom In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 20:28:24 +0000 UTC]

thank you for these tutorials, I'm just beginning to paint with photoshop and they are very useful.

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navate In reply to swordofdoom [2009-12-02 02:37:59 +0000 UTC]

Welcome!

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DigitalDistinction In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 20:14:10 +0000 UTC]

Your skin tutorials are very thorough and interesting to read. I look forward to parts 3 and 4.

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navate In reply to DigitalDistinction [2009-12-02 02:38:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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EssbeeEscobar In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 19:45:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the insights. I shall endeavor to put them into practice...

EssBee

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navate In reply to EssbeeEscobar [2009-12-01 21:08:52 +0000 UTC]

Awesome, glad you found it helpful

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RyuuketsuEG In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 19:39:20 +0000 UTC]

Very nice tut! And congratz with DD!

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navate In reply to RyuuketsuEG [2009-12-01 21:08:24 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much

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Gloria-Gypsy-Designs In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 19:35:41 +0000 UTC]

Congratulations on your DD.

Well deserved!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

navate In reply to Gloria-Gypsy-Designs [2009-12-01 21:08:16 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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scheherazadenerai In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 18:55:52 +0000 UTC]

You win the internet, I have to watch you for this. Skin tones are the bane of my life and I'll take any advice I can get.

Thank you so much for this tutorial.

And congrats on the DD! Wouldn't have found you otherwise!

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navate In reply to scheherazadenerai [2009-12-01 21:07:18 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha, thanks very much

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Musou-Enrai In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 17:53:35 +0000 UTC]

Great tut!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

navate In reply to Musou-Enrai [2009-12-01 20:53:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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ArtbyZaheroux In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 17:23:51 +0000 UTC]

This is a great tutorial!

I am more of a traditional artist but I know this will help me when I color my own work.

Thanks for posting this!

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navate In reply to ArtbyZaheroux [2009-12-01 17:35:37 +0000 UTC]

I also work traditionally. And my digital approach is pretty no-frills; it all applies to traditional as well. You just have to mix the colors on your own obviously instead of using digital sliders...which makes some of it easier since you're starting with so many pure colors.

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ArtbyZaheroux In reply to navate [2009-12-01 23:45:44 +0000 UTC]

That is very true. I'm excited to start experimenting and see what happens!

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TerraRhapsody In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 16:07:24 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic guide, and so helpful! Well done
Congrats on the DD

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

navate In reply to TerraRhapsody [2009-12-01 16:51:59 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful!

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TerraRhapsody In reply to navate [2009-12-02 10:28:19 +0000 UTC]

you're very welcome!

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TheBeardedComic In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 15:11:05 +0000 UTC]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you *so* much.

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navate In reply to TheBeardedComic [2009-12-01 16:51:45 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome

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TheBeardedComic In reply to navate [2009-12-01 17:39:47 +0000 UTC]

:3.

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UntitledSpy In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 14:45:12 +0000 UTC]

Excellent tutorial, that will definitely come in handy.

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navate In reply to UntitledSpy [2009-12-01 16:45:08 +0000 UTC]

Awesome, thanks for reading

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UntitledSpy In reply to navate [2009-12-02 12:41:53 +0000 UTC]

No problem.

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kalkie In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 14:40:23 +0000 UTC]

thank you for sharing your knowledge with us with this tutorial. I think you are the first person I've come across whose tutorial does expand on the midtone, shadow and highlights colors. Most of the ones I've seen are just 3-4 pieces of color (for the entire range) then when I try to apply it I get confused and annoyed at the dead feel of my digital XD; So thank you again.

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navate In reply to kalkie [2009-12-01 16:44:55 +0000 UTC]

Glad to hear it. The reason I made this was because I felt existing tutorials were really lacking... even if they give great advice, they're usually so hard to follow unless you already know what you're doing. I am doing my best to fill the knowledge gap.

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flagg410 In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 14:35:16 +0000 UTC]

very interesting reading and very well illustrated. Thx for sharing this!

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navate In reply to flagg410 [2009-12-01 16:42:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for reading!

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Wolkenfels In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 14:15:21 +0000 UTC]

Great tutorial - thanks for sharing!

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navate In reply to Wolkenfels [2009-12-01 16:42:27 +0000 UTC]

No problem!

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Philluppus In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 13:43:20 +0000 UTC]

amazing discovery for me,
tnx so much,
i go enjoying your art

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navate In reply to Philluppus [2009-12-01 16:41:09 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome

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Nivalis70 In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 13:36:00 +0000 UTC]

This is VERY useful, thank you so much!!

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navate In reply to Nivalis70 [2009-12-01 16:40:50 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome!

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ftourini In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 12:32:40 +0000 UTC]

I knew this deserved a DD!!! congratulations once again!!!

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navate In reply to ftourini [2009-12-01 16:10:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! And they even gave it to Part 1, hahaha.

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revpermin In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 12:27:05 +0000 UTC]

There are some seemingly elementary things here that I've not seen before.
I suspect I've learnt something from this.
Thanks.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

navate In reply to revpermin [2009-12-01 16:37:54 +0000 UTC]

Skin is as simple as it is complicated, hahaha. Quite infuriating. Glad to help!

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afifthaway In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 12:23:06 +0000 UTC]

you are such a sweetie for doing this! many thanks.

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navate In reply to afifthaway [2009-12-01 16:35:01 +0000 UTC]

Aw, thank you!

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Zeenaz In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 11:53:29 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! Thanks!

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navate In reply to Zeenaz [2009-12-01 16:34:48 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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Vari-Vigilante In reply to ??? [2009-12-01 11:38:56 +0000 UTC]

Hi, i have one question, it's not about this tutorial, but looking at the pic in the upper right corner i can't but ask, how do you paint the lips so well? I've always had problems with the lips, i just can't get them right. Do you start with the darkest color and then lighting it up or with some mid tone and then adding shadows/highlights? Can you make mini tutorial about the lips, because every time i paint the upper lip, even when looking the photo reference i just can't make it

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