UPDATE 7/31/2011: I've uploaded a slightly revised version. Content is still the same.

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This tutorial is very extensive and will be published in (at least) four parts.

IN THIS SECTION:

Skin basics: A simple but in-depth look that expands beyond the usual shadow-midtone-highlight formula, and how to use each tonal range most effectively.
SECTION II: Skin tones. how to apply the basic formula to light, medium, dark, and fantasy skin tones.
COMING SOON:

SECTION III: Background color and ambient light. How surrounding colors affect skin.

SECTION IV: Building a skin tone, blending and texturing. The technical section showing how to paint skin start to finish.
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This tutorial uses mostly digital work as examples, but the theory behind it should apply to ALL mediums. But of course it goes without saying that this is hardly the end-all-be-all of skin painting tutorials. Just my way of thinking about it.
I tried to make this accessible for artists of all skill levels. Intermediate artists will probably benefit the most. Beginners will probably find some of the principles discussed difficult to put into practice. But don’t be frustrated! The only “secret” to being a good painter is practice.

And hopefully even advanced painters will be able to glean something useful.
Also-- this should go without saying, but I will say it anyway: the ONLY WAY to learn how to paint/draw anything well, let alone realistically, is to STUDY COLOR THEORY AND FORM. All the stuff I blather on about in this tutorial is meaningless unless you take the initiative to learn the fundamentals of color and figure drawing.

Color theory resources can be found
HERE.
Please, any questions, concerns, criticisms, etc: comment below.
Thanks so much for the DD!

<3333 definitely favouriting this for a rainy day!!! c:
Well done!
I must say for myself I think I have quite mastered the art of pencil, but colours, and especially skin colours, were something
like foreign and forbbiden land to me. I was sad for that, because I am able to enjoy colors I see
around me, with the various colours of the sky beginning and with variety of colours on my own hand ending.
But you were able to open a peek hole into that land, and now I feel I can do trying it and one day,
one day I will draw these as simply as I do with pencil.
Thanks. Looking forward to the next ones.
sofiaee.deviantart.com/art/Col…
Kalynne