Thursday, April 19, 2012

Coloring Skin on Kraft with Lyra Rembrant Pencils

Hi Guys!
So a few of you have been asking for more kraft tutorials. I know you'd really really like to see a video demo but I don't have a video camera and besides, I very much doubt you'd like to sit there as long as it takes me to color! I would definitely have to speed record it and then you lose the technique a bit.
So basically, the bad news is you're not getting a vid. lol
The good news is, you can print out still photos for future reference. See, there's a silver lining to every cloud.
~So lets get started!~
Today I am using my Lyra Rembrant pencils. They have an advantage over the prismas when it comes to coloring skin; I can use fewer pencils to achieve the same effect. So that's what I'm going to use here.
(For Prisma skin coloring on kraft see this tutorial here)

Step 1
Just give the baby an all over color with the white.
Not much technique going on here, just use a light hand and move in circular motions so you don't get streaks of pigment.


Step 2
Add a layer of cream over the white
(in the bottom corner of the photos you'll see the colors listed that have been used thus far.
At the base of the picture you'll see the actual pencils.


Step 3
Add a layer of light flesh over the white and cream.


Step 4
Layer of pink madder lake.
(you can leave some areas lighter~ stomach, forehead, etc)


Step 5
Dark flesh.
(again pay more attention to the areas that are going to be darker in the shadows. You're "sculpting" at this point. So imagine that your image is 3 dimensional and you're "feeling the indents" with your pencil instead of your fingers.)


Step 6
This is where the baby really starts coming alive.
Add a layer of golden ochre. Don't worry, you're not going to ruin anything.


Step 7
The really FUN part!
Now this is where you really want to start spending a bit more time and attention.
Remember you can always add a bit more color but you can't take it away. So go very lightly but start building up your shadows with the rose madder lake and giving the baby some pudginess.


Step 8
All we really want to do here is perfect it. Its looking good but it can look even better if you blend with medium flesh, highlight the highest elevations (forehead, belly, parts of the arms that are catching the light etc) with white.
Then go in with your black pencil to redefine any lines that may have become lost under pigment. (eyebrows, eye area, fingers, toes etc)
I could actually go in some more and deepen my shadows yet further (and I may do that before I come to use this image) but you can get the idea without me complicating  it, right?

 And that's all there is to it!
I hope you've had fun today, let me know if you have any questions or ideas for future tutorials.
Have a great weekend!



15 comments:

Linda Wescott said...

Fantastic tutorial Dorcas, I'm ready to give it a go. I'm happy with a photo tutorial, I just want to learn lol. Thanks Hugs lin

KarinsArtScrap said...

fantastic dorcas this is a great tutorial.

greetings karin

Cindy Major said...

I love your coloring tutorials. They are so helpful!! Thanks for taking the time to put them together :D

After reading through your blog yesterday, I was inspired to give my pencils a spin and I linked to your blog as inspiration in my post. You can see my card here (I have to practice, but with your awesome tutorials and tips, I'm sure I can improve on my skills):

http://cindymajor.typepad.com/encre_papier_ciseaux/2012/04/a-teddy-for-baby.html

Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Jane said...

Great tutorial Dorcas - I hope you have a spare cream pencil, yours is looking a tad stumpy!!
Hugs
Jane

Pat said...

Hey there, my talented friend!! What a fabulous tutorial!! I don't have Lyra...but I know I can match them w/my Faber-Castells! I may give this pencil on kraft another try!! You rock!! Thanks sooooo much...I love your tutorials! :-) Hugs. Pat Frank

Catherine said...

Fab tutorial....

Colinda said...

Wow i love it!!! Great tutorial and love the little baby!! Enjoy your weekend, Colinda

Jeni said...

Great tutorial Dorcas. You really make your images come to life.
~jeni :)

Elaine M said...

While I enjoy watching a video tutorial, I much prefer this type of tutorial. I print them off and can refer to them over and over. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your skills with us. Thx so much

Debbie Pamment said...

Another AMAZING tutorial - thanx Dorcas!
xXx

donna mikasa said...

your coloring is amazing, Dorcas! great tutorial!

Whimcees said...

Hello!

Thank you for the great tutorial - you are so skilled at coloring on Kraft! I have printed and put this in my favorites file with the one from last year. Wishing you a sunshine day!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Grenouille Greetings said...

Thank you for the tutorial, Dorcas. When I get back home, I really do plan on giving this a try! Love this little baby! Hugs, Lesley

CaroleAnn said...

Dorcas
I found your skin tutorial from Tracy's website and I am so happy you shared this with everyone - I always wondered how do you color the skin so perfect on kraft colored paper! Thank you Thank you Hugs

Chris said...

Hi Dorcas, I have just read through your pencil tutorials.I love the way you colour your amazing cards and want to try pencils myself. I now know which ones to go for (I'd just better start saving...) Thanks so much for the advice! Chris x

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