Here are some ideas for choosing colors for skin tones.
The painting of the baby uses colors suggested at a Janet Rogers workshop. For the cool side of the face (away from the light source), a combination of American Journey raw sienna and Sennelier cobalt violet light. For the warm side of the face (toward the light source), A.J. raw sienna and rose (I used Holbein permanent rose, but you may use a nice, clear rose which pleases you). The cheek color on both cheeks is a light wash of the same rose. I used Cheap Joe’s sky blue for the reflected light on the cool side of the face.
The sleeping child image uses a triad of three colors. At a workshop by Pat Undes, we were encouraged to experiment with three colors; red, blue and yellow, to find the combination that produces the tones desired in the painting. To the best of my recollection, I used Indian yellow, ultramarine blue and permanent rose. By using a triad for the entire picture, the result is unified and pleasing.
Heidi Nelson, another specialist in portraits, uses Windsor Newton burnt umber to paint freckles. This is done as an underpainting. Be sure to blot the freckles before they dry, to give a subtle and realistic look to the freckles. She uses Indian yellow and Windsor red, mixed to a light orange for the skin tone.
When I preserve the whites for highlights on the nose, cheeks (or cheek), lips and eyes, I’m much more pleased with the result. If you have lost the whites, you may use titanium white (opaque) or gouache to add a highlight.
Skin tones for a baby are much lighter than for an adult, and the skin is flawless, without lines. Use a gentle wash of the suggested colors, or you may use a mix of Indian yellow and Windsor red. Use a light wash of rose for the cheeks (and possibly part of the nose and chin). Try to save the whites for highlights… it will make a much fresher and lively painting.
For a young child, the cheeks are generally rosy; I use permanent rose.
These are colors I’ve found which produce realistic, beautiful skin tones for Caucasions. I know others use many more colors with beautiful results. However, this is a place to start.
Generally I use Arches cold press. However, if you are a “scrubber” you may want to try Jack Richeson cold press paper, which I used for the portrait of the sleeping child. This paper can accept rigorous scrubbing without ruining the paper. I was able to scrub the highlights of the nose, eyelids, cheek and forehead, which resulted in lovely, soft round contours. I also scrubbed the lighter strands of hair.
Good luck, and enjoy the journey!
Marilyn Jacobson