Thomas DuVal asks: any tips for getting realistic skin tones with watercolor? I'm having a hard time with my portraits looking lifeless, or like dolls. Thanks!
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| Tom Lovell, oil |
Thomas, here's what one of my heroes, Tom Lovell, said I when asked him the same question (about oil):
"Keep in mind that flesh tones are essentially quite neutral. If they are overstated, figures tend to look like painted dolls. Avoid lavish use of highlights. Avoid heaviness. Try reducing chroma with complementary color."
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| John Gannam, watercolor |
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| Anders Zorn, watercolor |
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