Mixing flesh tone acrylic painting: How to mix & match skin tones in painting, by CLIVE5ART on YouTube. 3 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Start with a base of white acrylic on your palette. White gives you a light base you can darken gradually.
Add a small amount of yellow to the white and mix it in fully. This warms the base towards a skin colour.
Mix in a touch of red to bring in the pink and flush tones. Add it little by little so the mix does not go too red.
Add a tiny amount of dark brown or burnt umber to deepen the tone. Stir it through until the colour looks like the skin you are matching.
Test the mix on a scrap of paper or canvas next to your reference. Compare it in daylight rather than under a warm lamp.
Adjust one colour at a time. Add white to lighten, brown to darken, red for warmth or yellow for a more golden tone.
Mix a slightly lighter and a slightly darker version of the same tone. Use these for highlights and shadows on the face.
Keep the mix covered or sealed while you paint so it does not dry out. Acrylics dry fast on an open palette.
Tips and common mistakes
Add dark colours in tiny amounts, since a little brown goes a long way and is hard to correct.
Mix more paint than you think you need so you do not have to rematch the exact tone mid-painting.
Check your skin tone in natural light, as indoor bulbs can make the mix look warmer or cooler than it is.
Questions
Which acrylic colours do I need to mix skin tones?
White, yellow, red and a dark brown or burnt umber cover most basic skin tones. You can add a blue or green later to cool a mix that looks too orange.
Why does my mixed skin tone look too pink or too orange?
Too much red makes it pink, and too much yellow makes it orange. Add a little white and brown to bring it back, then test it against your reference.
Can I save leftover mixed acrylic paint?
Yes, seal it in a small airtight container or cover your palette with cling film. Acrylics dry quickly, so use it within a day or two.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
