Painting III of the Series: Skin Study
Size: 24 x 24
Medium: Oil and canvas
Welcome to the first of the skin study series: cataloging my painting process and techniques!
Step 1: The Reference Photo
A messy snapshot of a friend opening a jar. I selected this one because the tendons and muscles in his arm are really emphasized here-easier to paint.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/87077f3f-249a-4162-ad61-27b1105eec09/fbaf4b92-546d-423c-b6f5-8539b4770f16_rw_1200.jpg?h=2e78285cb932bc45ddfe4fca0a585fc4)
Step 2: Work in Progress
Unfortunately, I got wrapped up in the painting and didn't take step by step photos (boo me) but I'll break it down:
The initial wash -blue to contrast the darker skin tones
The sketch of the hands and jar
A second wash over the arms- purple to make the arm's underlying tone pop
I colored in the lighter areas of the arm (white, cream tones) first and then painted the darker colors (umber, black) in so they blended together smoothly.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/87077f3f-249a-4162-ad61-27b1105eec09/af3b2847-ad83-49df-86e7-cf21362e8d5d_rw_1200.jpg?h=b3b70d4a65588c0389ec5a7454834f43)
Step 3: The Finished Piece!
Painted in the jar and the background water jug
Smoothened the rough edges
Skin study done!
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/87077f3f-249a-4162-ad61-27b1105eec09/e9d31bce-ff10-4638-9876-d2074b5eec97_rw_1200.jpg?h=68bf7664c4fae12330a81a4238ea6317)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/87077f3f-249a-4162-ad61-27b1105eec09/d7a53b34-9b91-4c77-9088-f1b75ecc752d_rw_1200.jpg?h=eaf93e3056a00889dfa68001f915424e)