How To Draw the Same Skin Tones for the Body and Head

Elizabeth has written to me regarding the African woman and child painting she is doing. Elizabeth writes:

"I am trying to draw this picture but am having difficulty with the skin tones, I did the head first but then when I try to do the rest of the body I find I cannot get the same tones although I am using the pencils in the same sequence of colour. I think I must have different thicknesses of colours on the body when finished and therefore the head is looking different to the body. Is there any disadvantage to doing the head and body all at the same time?"

Because in the video it shows me using the same colours for all of the skin tones you would expect that it would be easy to repeat those colours when completing other areas at a later time, however it does not always work out that way. The reason is that although the same colours are used and in the same order the pressures could well be different. A little less 283 and a little more 177 is all it takes to alter the overall colour tone. Therefore if you feel this is likely to happen I would agree that it would be better to complete the whole body in on go. By doing this you will more than likely produce an evenness of tone throughout.The problem here is that we are dealing with a very dark skin tone and colours such as 177 and 199 are used as darkening agents only therefore need a good base colour to work into. If this is not done then those colours will dull the skin tone - I suspect this is the case with Elizabeth’s painting.If you want to learn how to draw this African Mother and Child, sign up for our lowest membership package for just £3.99 per month and learn to draw using pastel pencils.