Coloring page tips for a nice skin tone

Beth pointed out to me that the coloring page with the Dowager was a little harder to do than some of my other pages.  I had a feeling that the face would give people trouble and I was right.  If you are trying to get good skin tones with markers, you really have to know what you are doing.  I think it is much easier to use colored pencils for the skin.

Plus, I think the pictures have a lot more interesting look if they are done with a mixture of textures and style. I like to use markers, metallic inks, glitter pens, opaque pens, and colored pencils together.

First step- with a pale, brown pencil, lightly draw around the wrinkles, and in shadowed areas (under the chin, hat, and eye sockets).

Again, use a light touch, and fill in the face with a peachy tone pencil, including the lips.  

Using a soft pink, add blush  to the cheeks, much like you'd add makeup to your own face. Under the cheek bone and onto the apples of the cheek.  

Color in the lips too.

Darker pink, or red, can be used on the inside of the lips, where the two meet.

 

I did the rest of my page with markers and inks.  For the eyes, I used a lighter blue over the full irises, then a darker blue on the top half the irises, over the lighter blue.  (Like the blob example) The left one is two colors, the right one is only the lighter blue at this point.

To make the eyes stand out, go over the pupil with black ink, then add  dots of white opaque ink to the pupil and to the iris.

I also used the same pink pencil I'd done the blush with to make a single dot in the inside corner of each eye.

Simple, and easy.  You don't have to be a portrait painter to make this face look natural. 

I used a grey marker on her hair and eyebrow, then the white opaque ink pen over that, and then was ready to move on to her clothing and hat.  I like to color the main areas before the background, personally.  

In another post, I'll show you a tip on finishing the roses in the drawing.  

If you'd like to do your own, these pictures are included in the Farewell to Downton swap.  Details here.

Speaking of Downton, I'm off to meet Beth and have yet another Downton adventure! This one is with Deb Hodge, who I have always admired and wanted to meet. We are attending her retreat on Coronado Island.  But first, I'm spending some Cali time with Sugarwings and my handsome husband. Please do sign up for the swap, and I'll catch up with the lists and record keeping when I return.