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November 21, 2009
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:iconnavate:
UPDATE 7/31/2011: I've uploaded a slightly revised version. Content is still the same. :)
_

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

:star: IN THIS SECTION: :star:
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.

:bulletblue: :new: SECTION II: Skin tones. how to apply the basic formula to light, medium, dark, and fantasy skin tones.

COMING SOON:
:bulletred: SECTION III: Background color and ambient light. How surrounding colors affect skin.
:bulletred: SECTION IV: Building a skin tone, blending and texturing. The technical section showing how to paint skin start to finish.
__

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. :heart: 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.
:star: Color theory resources can be found HERE.

Please, any questions, concerns, criticisms, etc: comment below.

Thanks so much for the DD! :)
:icon:
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Daily Deviation

Given 2009-12-01
The suggester writes: I've seen many a skin tutorial in my day, but I have to say that SKIN: a tutorial - Part 1 by *navate is the best! Not only does it cover the basics, but it also takes into consideration points about skin that most tutorials do not cover, such as the difference between normal highlights and peak highlights. There's so much subtlety in skin and this tutorial gets right to the heart of this challenging topic. This tutorial series is not even finished yet, I'm amazed and waiting for the rest with baited breath. Thank you for sharing! ( Suggested by =angelasasser and Featured by `znow-white )
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:iconramani-rayne:
~Ramani-Rayne 3 days ago
This is great reference! I've been meaning to work more on how I shade skin...

--
"Normal is Overrated" :jedi:
~~~
"This must be what going mad feels like..." - Simon Tam
~~~
Visit my comic!
[link]
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:iconelsy123:
~Elsy123 May 14, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Thankyou so much for your gorgeous tutorials, and your work! I've used your skin tutorials for a recent piece of mine and have linked you in the description. :3 [link]
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:iconrobertstudio22:
Mood: Love *RobertStudio22 May 12, 2012  New member Student General Artist
this is really helpful thank you for making this lovely tutorial
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:iconthrall1138:
~Thrall1138 May 1, 2012  Student Digital Artist
So... good... blarg...

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gl hf kk!
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:iconboke-chan:
~boke-chan Apr 30, 2012  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Thank you for this, now i can put to words what it is that I'm doing, and the way you described each different color type really helps me plan out my colors so much better, thank you thank you thank you!

--
"If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid."
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:iconlonesomeyes:
~lonesomeyes Apr 30, 2012  Student
awesome tutorial! I will try this for my digital painting assignment! :)

--
"Never get bored or cynical. Yesterday is a thing of the past."


-Walt Disney
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:iconcyclamen-kue:
~Cyclamen-kue Apr 22, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
Amazing help *o*

--
La différence entre l'optimiste et le pessimiste, c'est qu'en général, ce dernier est mieux informé...
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:iconchelseamay:
=chelseaMay Apr 21, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Very helpful! Can't wait to try out your tips in practice- thank you :) :+fav:

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"...because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."
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:iconmagicfirewolf:
~MagicFireWolf Apr 19, 2012
Super helpful! Thank you =D
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:iconrandianderson:
=RandiAnderson Apr 19, 2012  Professional Writer
Incredible tutorial! Thank you!

--
"What you want to be eventually, you must be every day. With practice, the quality of your deeds gets down to your soul." ~Frank Crane
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