Skin tone help

[MarfMaster]

I'm still having trouble making the paint look like real skin. Whenever I TRY to paint a head, it just looks paint and not skin looking....if that makes sense.

From the paintups I've seen, it's all in the layered details. The subtle mottling, redish hues to simulate capillary blood flow (Josh is a master at this), etc. Got to go beyond the basic skin tone

 

[Remy]

Does anyone know how to emulate the paint used in Hot Toys Superman 2 in 1? I like the texture it has, it almost seems like the sculpt is made of wax. I bought a custom Milla Res Evil and it has the same painting technique and its pretty cool effect.
I also has a sculpt by Boot25 and its sorta has a similar effect but much much better cause his paint job makes it look like the sculpt has a soft texture. I guess that's why I like this technique, it has more a skin texture.

could it be a mixture of acrylic and enamel perhaps?

 

[ShortRound]

I wish someone would post a video tutorial of this! I really want to learn how to paint! Even though my paint skills suck, It's really fun doing! PLEASE POST A HOW TO VIDEO ...PLEASE!

 

[Remy]

Yeah, I was pretty proud of my first paint until I put the figure next to Hot toys. That's when I'm not so happy, lol. When it was on a shelf by its own, its not bad at all, its just that once I set it next to a professionally painted figure, that's when you notice the skin tone is off.

 

[knucklefunger]

Shading is only part of realistic skin tones. Layering & mottling are the key. I actually have as many as 12 shades built up to emulate flesh. After each layer & dull coats it begins to take on life.

Sometimes basing out the flesh & hair allows you to get the contrast needed to judge how you want to progress with the flesh tones.

I agree with Cheung, the soft body paints are the way to go.

Chalk pastels are fantastic, however experiment with them. Clean coats make them react differently. Some darken/lighten or change shade somewhat.

 

[sueworld]

When you say 'dull coat' does that seal it as well as take the shine off the paint then?

 

[Cheungkinmen]

When you say 'dull coat' does that seal it as well as take the shine off the paint then?

Yes and yes. As for pastels, I've tried different sealers with pastels and indeed some kill's off the intensity while other just made the pastels look darker.

 

[Levit05]

i would KILL for a painting master on here to actually post a video of the painting process...from beginning to end...


all these tips are cool...AND helpful....but i know the few paint jobs i started look NOTHING like say a Boots or silent surfer or small studios..._____....they look like they were made by a 1st grader compared to this custom community here...:-/...

but thank you in all honesty for the tips given thus far...

 

[dano669]

i would KILL for a painting master on here to actually post a video of the painting process...from beginning to end...


all these tips are cool...AND helpful....but i know the few paint jobs i started look NOTHING like say a Boots or silent surfer or small studios..._____....they look like they were made by a 1st grader compared to this custom community here...:-/...

but thank you in all honesty for the tips given thus far...

That would be good. Bit it's a case of different person different technique.
What works for them may not work for you.
Still would be nice though

 

[knucklefunger]

I'm technologically challenged. Maybe I can convince my niece to video the whole process. Time allowing. Busy as all hell at work. Then the personal life is in a major upswing.

 

[Texlander]

Great thread!

Can someone go into a little more detail on the actual blending of the paints? I see the consensus is for Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, and White, but I have a couple more questions like:

1) In what ratios do you blend these colors?

2) How do you actually blend them? Pour the proper amounts into a container, starting with one then another and another? Or mix just a small amount that you need individually each time?

3) When you thin each color, do you mean by simply adding paint thinner? Again, is this done in a separate container for each, then finally poured together?

Sorry if these are novice or obvious questions, but I've tried a few attempts to mix with terrible results, so thought I'd ask directly.

 

[Mighty_Jabba]

Great thread!

Can someone go into a little more detail on the actual blending of the paints? I see the consensus is for Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, and White, but I have a couple more questions like:

1) In what ratios do you blend these colors?

2) How do you actually blend them? Pour the proper amounts into a container, starting with one then another and another? Or mix just a small amount that you need individually each time?

3) When you thin each color, do you mean by simply adding paint thinner? Again, is this done in a separate container for each, then finally poured together?

Sorry if these are novice or obvious questions, but I've tried a few attempts to mix with terrible results, so thought I'd ask directly.

Here's how I do it:

1) I use liquitex acrylics. Squezee out two equal sized blobs of raw and burnt sienna. If you want skintone to be more pinkish mix the same amounts of these two colors, if you want a more yellowish skin tone use a tiny bit less of burnt sienna. Once you mix the two colors add white until you feel the color is right. Then add a touch of blue (it tones down the color a little to make it look more natural).

2) I blend them with a brush on a piece of paper. It's good to have a cheap head on which you can test the color after mixing. The color often looks a bit different on a piece of paper than it does on a plastic head. Once I have the color mixed I scoop it with a brush into a jar cap and seal that with tin foil. It keeps the paint from drying off for a day. Just take the amount of paint you want to use at a time and seal the rest.

3) Thin the paint by adding water.

 

[Texlander]

Thanks, MJ!! That's extremely helpful information. I really appreciate it.

One last question: any particular shade of blue you use?

 

[Mighty_Jabba]

Thanks, MJ!! That's extremely helpful information. I really appreciate it.

One last question: any particular shade of blue you use?

I use Cerulean Blue Hue.

 

[paulcarson]

Where are you Guys in the UK getting your liquitex from ? I can't seem to find any in any art shops ! ( just crappy windsor & newton ) .

 

[sueworld]

Most big graphics stores have them, such as the London graphic arts centre in Covent Garden.

You can also buy them online. Just try Google.

 

[idreamoftoshiba]

Most big graphics stores have them, such as the London graphic arts centre in Covent Garden.

You can also buy them online. Just try Google.

That's a good shop, got my airbrushes and compressor from there, and Forbidden Planet is just up the road from there......I also use Atlantis in Aldgate. That's a good morning out.

 

[paulcarson]

Most big graphics stores have them, such as the London graphic arts centre in Covent Garden.

You can also buy them online. Just try Google.

Thank you I'll go take a look . I looked in Newcastle today and could you believe for the size of the place I couldn't find any of that particular brand ?

 

[paulcarson]

Okay, found my supplier. Now, what would would you recommend as the main colours to buy to use for painting skin and hair ?

 

[cloudfilter]

Where are you Guys in the UK getting your liquitex from ? I can't seem to find any in any art shops ! ( just crappy windsor & newton ) .

I get mine from Ken Bromley art supplies : https://www.artsupplies.co.uk/cat-liquitex-acrylic-paint.htm . The nice little pots have just been discontinued unfortunately, so you need to buy it in tubes
It's Liqutex 'Soft Body' that people use BTW.