ARTiful, get inspired to create

Free resources for artists

Blog

How to paint skin tones with watercolor- 7 tips

homework 2
Painting technique / Popular posts / Watercolor painting basics

How to paint skin tones with watercolor- 7 tips

Layering watercolor is basically a way to mix watercolors on your paper by superposing layers instead of mixing them on your palette. As you can mix most colors with the 3 primaries ( yellow, blue and red). You can achieve convincing skin tones with yellow, blue and red. I find layering watercolors gives more control on the paint as you need to focus only on value and edges while painting. You can achieve great transparent and bright colors and convincing skin tones with a layering technique. It is a great way to paint skin tones with watercolor.

You might also be interested in: Painting watercolor portraits layer by layer

Homework
Homework

How to paint skin tones with watercolor

Here are a few things to remember when layering watercolors for skin tones:

  • You can add more convincing light effect by choosing  a cool and a warm tone for each color. For example a warm yellow would be yellow Ochre, my main basis for skin colors, and a cold yellow would be lemon yellow. For blue I will often use Ultramarine as a warmer blue and Colbalt or Prussian as a colder tone. I will get a pinkinsh red (Alazarin Crimson) as a warm tone and a more orangy red (Permanent red light) as a cold red.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Yarka St. Petersburg Professional Watercolor Pans

Same palette of traditional colors the great masters used a century ago. Liquid-poured means semi-moist pans respond instantly to a wet brush. 24 pans in plastic case. Also individual pans. – Master Set

painting skin tones with watercolor


Sophie, in the kitchen- Watercolor on paper
This portrait was made by layering colors

  • I always start by layering yellow . This is because yellow ocher for example and yellow in general will be more opaque than the blue and red colors.
  • It doesn’t matter if you paint the blue layer first or the red layer first. Personally I prefer painting blue last.
  • Always wait until your last layer is very dry before painting on top. Also try not to lift the paint by using a soft brush and not brushing the paper too hard.
  • You can always adjust colors after you have layered the yellow, blue and red by adding more colors ( brown, purple, etc…)
  • It is easy to lift off colors with a stiff brush and water.
  • You can use Paint shop pro or another image editing software as an help to show you where are the yellow, red, and blue located : see tutorial here
paint watercolor skin tones

  Access a series of layering portraits tutorials by clicking on the tags : Layering, portraits, or step by step.

3.2/5 - (12 votes)

Comments (9)

  1. Malini Croxson

    Hi Sandrine,
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously. I would love to use your layering method to paint some portraits of my son but I really struggle with where the yellow, red and blue are. Do you still have a tutorial on how to use auditing software, I couldn’t get the link to work for me. Thank you x

    1. Hi Malini,
      Thanks 🙂
      I did write a post that explained how you can use a software to see where the yellow, blue and red will go. It is here:https://paintingdemos.com/using-software-to-help-with-layering-colors-in-watercolors/

      I am using Corel Paint Shop Pro in that tutorial.

      1. Malini

        Thank you so much – I hadn’t gone back far enough!
        Your blogs & tutorials have been invaluable these past years and I love that you share your experience of the commercial aspect of being an artist too, have learnt lots.
        So pleased when your book landed through my letterbox yesterday!
        Very grateful x

        1. Excellent! Thanks Malini. It makes me happy to know that what I am writing can be useful and might inspire other artists. Have a wonderful day 🙂

  2. Luhan

    thank you, this was very helpful… I guess it’s kind of like photoshop with all the layering..i think I understand now and I hope i pass my exams this way,
    thanks again, for the easy explanation
    god bless your kind soul <3

    1. Thanks Luhan, yes it is exactly like working with layers in photoshop, same idea 🙂

  3. Gary

    Just want to thank you for sharing not only your work but the experience you share so unselfishly. There are so many that won’t share with those of us that want to improve, or even learn how to. What a shame when they pass on know one will be around to carry on their technique or style. I think of the masters, if they hadnt shared with their students who would have heard of them?

  4. Thank you…this is very helpful. I have had a lot of trouble with skin tones lately with the watercolors…Went astray somewhere along the line and appreciate a fresh start.
    Peace,
    Siggi in Downeast Maine

    1. Thanks Siggi, I am very happy you liked it. Let me know how this works for you 🙂

Leave your thought here

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Download this PDF

A Mixed Media Treasury of Techniques and Ideas

Join my mailing list

Learn from the comfort of your home:

 

 

HOW TO MAKE PAPIER MACHE BOWLS

 

 

 

 En Français