Sometimes less is more...
When picking colors, It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the full spectrum available to us. Though it may seem counterintuitive, it can actually be a great help to strip back the amount of colors we allow ourselves to paint with.
Let’s take a look at how we can use just four colors to paint any skin tone we want…
Watch the Full Tutorial:
Tutorial Summary
This technique is based on the palette of Swedish artist Anders Zorn, who was renowned for using just four colors to paint skin: white, black, crimson red and yellow ochre.
The only 4 colors you need to blend any skin tone
1. Begin by blending a mix of red and ochre
2. Use the eyedropper to sample the result, and lay down a base layer
4. And black for the shadows
5. Watch the full tutorial to see the technique explained in detail
It’s as simple as that…
Happy painting, and make sure to send us your results!
If your skin tone colors aren’t looking the way you’d like them to, here’s a trick you can use to tweak them quickly and easily:
Paint Flawless Skin tones - Color exercise
Free Download:
- The 4 colors you need to paint ANY skin tone
- Paint freckles & beauty spots
- Mix your own custom colors like the pros
- Exercise sheet to get you started
Paint ANY skin tone with these 4 colors!
17 thoughts on “Use These 4 Colors to Paint Any Skin Tone”
Tutorial on how to draw fingers and hand postures
Thanks for the suggestion! Added to our ‘to-cover’ list 🙂
Thank you very much. Ill apply next time Im coloring skin
very cool tuto and amazing palette!!!
very effective!!
I had a lot o fun trying this.
Ps: It would be great if you guys create an original tool preset library that we can reload everytime you share new brushes… (just easier to store them all). ^_^.
Thanks again!!
Hair tutorials will be great too 🙂
its very nice tutorial Thank you very much 😀
Glad you like it!
im so grateful you’re generous man..
just amazing!!!
Can you explain how you came up with the palette that has the rings?
It’s based on the colors by Zorn, as explained in the video. You can download the palette along with another tutorial in the free download “How to Paint ANY Skin Tone in Under 5 Minutes” at the top of the post 🙂
thanks
i can’t download the color palette, can u help??
Hi, Basma! We recently had an update to the link, so you should be able to access it again. Hope this helps, and if you are still having the issue, please reach out to us at [email protected]!
gave me the feeling that even i can produce skin art
This was so helpful! I had to make two characters with 2 different skin tones for a client and was able to quickly get the skin tones for the second character by using this tutorial.
Hi, Lulu! We’re so glad that you were able to use the training and get the skin tones that you needed for your commission! David really does help break down this skill into something way easier to understand with great results!