Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Traditional/Academic Flesh Palette Works Well

Michael Georges · 05-21-2002, 06:48 PM

Following a posting from a forum topic, can't remember where, I decided to try an experiement with an academic or traditional style flesh palette of Yellow Ochre, Red Ochre, Titanium White, and Ivory Black. Bought new tubes of all from Old Holland. And, threw in a tube of Venetian Red for additional blood tones.

Reddish Skin Palette:
I mixed equal amounts of YO and RO. This made a good value 3 base for a redder skin palette. Mixed the value 3 with ivory black to create two darker values 2 and 1. Mixed the value 3 base with titanium white to get values 4-9.

Yellowish/Orangish Skin Palette:
Mixed 2 parts YO to 1 part RO. This again made a good value 3 base for a yellower or oranger skin palette. Followed the same above for the other values.

Followed the same procedure with the straight Venetian Red above to get nine values of a redder tone to tint areas where more blood is needed.

The remarkable thing was how good a variance of tones I got and how clean the colors looked. I created a sample board and will try the palette on a future project.

I think they will work very well over a verdaccio undertone.

05-21-2002, 06:48 PM	#1
Michael Georges PAINTING PORTRAITS FROM LIFE MODERATOR FT Professional Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 846	Traditional/Academic Flesh Palette Works Well Following a posting from a forum topic, can't remember where, I decided to try an experiement with an academic or traditional style flesh palette of Yellow Ochre, Red Ochre, Titanium White, and Ivory Black. Bought new tubes of all from Old Holland. And, threw in a tube of Venetian Red for additional blood tones. Reddish Skin Palette: I mixed equal amounts of YO and RO. This made a good value 3 base for a redder skin palette. Mixed the value 3 with ivory black to create two darker values 2 and 1. Mixed the value 3 base with titanium white to get values 4-9. Yellowish/Orangish Skin Palette: Mixed 2 parts YO to 1 part RO. This again made a good value 3 base for a yellower or oranger skin palette. Followed the same above for the other values. Followed the same procedure with the straight Venetian Red above to get nine values of a redder tone to tint areas where more blood is needed. The remarkable thing was how good a variance of tones I got and how clean the colors looked. I created a sample board and will try the palette on a future project. I think they will work very well over a verdaccio undertone. __________________ Michael Georges www.fineportraitsinoil.com Michael's Life Drawing & Painting Blog Regular and consistent work from life will improve your portraits. Drawing skills are the foundation of all an artist does.