Creating Magic with Rainbow Skin

Remember when we were taught that skin tones had to be mixed just so? Well, today we're throwing that rulebook out the window and exploring something magical - rainbow skin tones inspired by the ethereal qualities of opals. Let me walk you through my process of creating a portrait that dances between reality and dream.

Setting Yourself Up for Success: The Reference Photo Trick

Here's a little secret that changed my portrait game entirely: I convert my reference photos to black and white and use a value isolation app (I love Notonizer for this). Why? Because when you strip away the actual skin colors, you're free to focus purely on shapes and values. Trust me, this takes so much pressure off when you're planning to use unconventional colors!

Choosing Your Rainbow Palette

For this piece, I pulled out my favorite Rockwell Canada paints, focusing on light purple, pink, blue, and green. Think opal hues rather than rainbow stripes! I even threw in some green - yes, green! Fun fact: many artists actually use green in realistic skin tones, and once you see it work, you can't unsee how beautiful it can be.

The First Layer: Embracing the Mess

Let's be honest - that first layer can look absolutely terrifying. I had a moment of "What am I doing?" after laying down those initial washes. But here's the thing: most paintings look ridiculous after the first layer! It's like seeing a cake before the frosting - you have to trust the process.

Working with Features: The Devil's in the Details

Eyes and Their Setting

When working with eyes, remember they're set back in the skull. I used cool blues for the shadowed areas, creating that natural depth. And here's a pro tip: give yourself permission to have a hierarchy of detail - I focused more on the eye that wasn't being blasted by light.

The Nose Know-How

Even with rainbow skin, some rules still apply. For nostrils, stick to warm tones - a cool red or burnt sienna works beautifully. Avoid cool grays or blues here, trust me! And forget what you think a nostril looks like - paint what you actually see in your reference.

The Secret to Natural-Looking Teeth

Here's a game-changer: don't outline teeth! Instead, paint the negative spaces of the gums using warm tones. Think tiny triangles, not white rectangles. Your brain will fill in the rest, creating much more natural-looking smiles.

Making Peace with Paper Choice

I used Fabriano 1264 paper for this piece - yes, the buy-one-get-one-free kind from Blick! Sometimes working on less precious materials gives us the freedom to experiment. Quick tip: If your paper buckles, lightly spray the back, place it face down on a towel, and weigh it down with books overnight.

The Final Push: Knowing When to Stop

That moment when you're about 90% done is crucial - it's so tempting to fiddle! Take a step back, maybe even sleep on it. Sometimes what looks like an unfinished area is actually perfect just as it is. Remember, our brains are creative - they'll fill in the gaps!

A Note on Evolution

Sometimes your painting tells you what it needs. In my case, the floating head wanted a body! Even though this was meant to be a study, I listened to that artistic intuition and added loose, flowing clothing that complemented the ethereal quality of the skin tones.