Skin Tones in Oil: 10 Step by Step Guides from Old Masters

Book excerpt: Find step by step demonstrations on oil painting portraits and figures. The colour of skin has a reputation of being a difficult colour to paint. This oil painting guidebook aims to break down this seemingly difficult subject matter into manageable pieces. Within you will find 10 step-by-step instructions on completing figure paintings in oil from old masters. Leaving no stone unturned, painting skin tones effectively would seem more achievable. Each demonstration comprises an overview of a particular oil painting technique to be explored, in depth step-by-step instructions and (on average) 28 images in progress. The old masters featured are Da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Gauguin, Ingres, Courbet, Rubens and Cezanne. Techniques explored include sfumato, sgraffito, cangiante, scumbling, impasto, glazing, grisaille effects and more. As well as these demonstrations a concluding section offers guidance on the art materials required. Preparing for oil painting, a personal view of rendering skin tones, a troubleshooting guide and a glossary are also included. It must be noted, that this book does not explain the old masters’ method in painting processes such as grinding pigments or the traditional way of underpainting. Contemporary art materials and modified art techniques have been used to make these projects inclusive. These features make this book an invaluable guide for the beginner as well as the developing artist wishing to explore oil painting. Dimensions of large edition: 10x8in and 118 pages. A further 10 projects on painting skin tones from old masters can be found in ‘Portrait Painting in Oil: 10 Step by Step Guides from Old Masters.’ Artists featured include: Botticelli, Delacroix, Gauguin, Velazquez, Wright of Derby, Jacques-Louis David, Rossetti and Vermeer. A mini ebook, ‘Oil Painting the Mona Lisa in Sfumato: a Portrait Painting Challenge in 48 Steps’ outlines one of the demonstrations within this book, due this project’s lengthy process. With extra features.