Establishing the colour in the portrait piece

Now we begin to establish the colour for the flesh. Look for middle values in the light side and avoid the highlights for now. Like Frankenstein’s creation, parts are coming together, but it still looks a little monstrous. Don’t panic – slow and steady work will win the day. Keep your flesh colours simple, using only two or three pigments.

Keep the “mud” out of your colours by mixing with like-temperatures. You can neutralise your colours with a grey of the same value. Let your shadows stay transparent and keep white out of your shadow mixtures. This will help you avoid “chalky” flesh.