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

Michael Georges · 06-18-2002, 05:49 PM

Hello Betty - welcome to the Forum!

The Verdaccio undertone referred to is a gray-green mixture made with Chromium Oxide Green, Mars Black, and Lead White.

I typically mix equal parts of COG to Mars Black to get a value 2 (Munsell scale) - this is my base pile from which I mix all others. I then darken some of it with MB to create value 1, and lighten the rest with flake white to create values 3-9.

You can also experiment with Yellow Ochre, Mars Black, Red Ochre, and Lead White to create a variant. You would mix the YO and the MB to create a green, and use the RO to knock it down in intensity.

Here are the approximate values:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/imag...ccioValues.jpg

Here is an example of a completed verdaccio:

http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Cu...0Verdaccio.jpg

The imposition of the cool undertones next to the warm flesh tones creates a real vibrancy in the flesh that works well. I don't usually use any blue as the verdaccio adds the proper cool tone.

Hope that helps!

06-18-2002, 05:49 PM	#5
Michael Georges PAINTING PORTRAITS FROM LIFE MODERATOR FT Professional Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 846	Hello Betty - welcome to the Forum! The Verdaccio undertone referred to is a gray-green mixture made with Chromium Oxide Green, Mars Black, and Lead White. I typically mix equal parts of COG to Mars Black to get a value 2 (Munsell scale) - this is my base pile from which I mix all others. I then darken some of it with MB to create value 1, and lighten the rest with flake white to create values 3-9. You can also experiment with Yellow Ochre, Mars Black, Red Ochre, and Lead White to create a variant. You would mix the YO and the MB to create a green, and use the RO to knock it down in intensity. Here are the approximate values: http://forum.portraitartist.com/imag...ccioValues.jpg Here is an example of a completed verdaccio: http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Cu...0Verdaccio.jpg The imposition of the cool undertones next to the warm flesh tones creates a real vibrancy in the flesh that works well. I don't usually use any blue as the verdaccio adds the proper cool tone. Hope that helps! __________________ 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.