Skin color mixing guide for beginner artists

by Lorena Ojeda

If you've ever struggled to mix realistic skin tones or felt unsure where to start with colour, you're not alone. The Skin Colour Mixing Guide by Lorena Ojeda was created to help beginner artists build confidence in mixing colours through practical, easy-to-follow techniques. This guide breaks down the basics of colour theory and walks you step-by-step through how to mix a wide range of skin tones—from light to dark, warm to cool—using a simple, accessible palette.

Through clear explanations, visual charts, and real painting examples, you'll learn how undertones work, why adding cool hues is essential for realism, and how to avoid common mistakes. Whether you're using acrylics or oil paints, this guide is designed to make colour mixing approachable, fun, and effective.

 What you’ll learn:

• How to mix custom skin tones from primary colours
• Understanding undertones: warm vs. cool
• Why blue and green matter in realistic skin mixing
• How to create and use your own colour chart
• Examples from real paintings and artists
• Glazing tips, layering tricks, and common pitfalls to avoid

This guide is perfect for self-taught artists, students, or anyone looking to build a stronger foundation in painting portraits and figures.

Start mixing with confidence and bring your portraits to life!