 | |
 |
|
Introduction to Brandlady.com |
Painting the Dark-Skin Portrait
T here is a natural whimsical charm about the New Guinean. They are shy and unpretentious people.Skin tones vary throughout the Islands and here we have a beautiful chocolate-toned subject to paint.There is a natural, whimsical charm about the female New Guinean. They have a natural beauty and portray an unaffected air. To sketch from life one must be quick as they are shy and unpretentious people. Photographs are the best way to capture spontaneous expressions. New Guinea Natural My subject was a teenage girl, proud of her femininity who arrayed her hair with the romantic Hibiscus. Skin tones differ throughout the Islands and it was a delight to have this beautiful chocolate-toned subject to paint from the photograph. A canvas was used and after priming it was tinted with a tone of Viridian. Step 1. The features placements were sketched with diluted Raw Umber. A limited palette was used which consisted of: Burnt Umber plus Alizarin Crimson for the shadows; this was massed in with a large square brush + Copal medium. HINT: The necessity to introduce some background made it easier to assess the skin tones against the brilliance of the Green foliage. Step 2. This background was painted in with raw Umber + Viridian green. Now to the skin tone: the middle tones were painted in and blended into the darks, to achieve the smooth, velvety texture of the skin. Step 3. With a medium brush and a mixture of Burnt Umber + Alizarin Crimson + Mars Yellow, Indian Red added to this mixture produces a lovely subtle tone for the lips. Step 4. A smaller brush was used to place the eyes: Burnt Umber + Indian Red. Step 5. A lovely rich tone is produced for the hair: Burnt Umber + Cobalt Blue was mixed and applied. Step 6. The shirt was painted with: Cobalt Blue + White (White in the highlights of the folds) Step 7. The Hibiscus petals were painted: Cadmium Orange, in the darks and the tone reduced with Yellow Ochre + White as the fold of the petals indicated. NOTE: always allow drying time between colour applications with oil painting. Continue: when the first background application was dry, the lighter Greens were painted in. Step 8. The lighter tones of the skin were rendered with a smooth blending of the tones, so as to retain the smooth skin texture: Mars Yellow +Indian Red + White. The lighter tone was blended on the highest point of the cheeks, forehead and areas around the mouth and nose. More white was added and the highlights were placed at the strategic points. Details: A tiny touch of Indian red was placed into the lighter side of the eye and just pinpoint of White into the highlight of the eye and the Whites of the eye. Burnt Umber + a touch of Magenta was mixed and painted into the corners of the mouth and the shadow line between the lips: the half smile was achieved. When the painting was completely dry to the touch, an overall application of retouching varnish enhanced the colour tones. I hope you enjoy this rewarding exercise with simple basic colour tones that completes a portrait with expectancy in the eyes and a mouth contemplating a smile. Aileen McLeod © 
Add your comment |
|
Copyright © 2008 Mediamagic Publishing.