Tuesday, February 22, 2011

using Copic markers for darker skin tones


Hi everyone!  For my Copic coloring class this month, I taught working with darker skin tones. So I thought I would post it here in case anyone was looking for information. I started with the colors I got from Suzanne Dean and her tutorial for African American skin tones which I used on the top left image. And then I just started picking up my markers and playing. Here are the skin colors for each image:  (click on the picture for an up close look)

Top left: 
E25, 13, 11, and 21 with R32 on her cheeks
her hair is E15,. 39, and 59

Top center: 
E13, 21 with R02 on her cheeks
her hair is the same as top left

Top right:
E15, 13, 11 with R02 on her cheeks
her hair is E97, 99, 17, and 29

Bottom left:
E11, 21 with R02 on her cheeks
Hair is E15, 39, and 59

Bottom right:
R02, E02, 01 with R20 on her cheeks
Hair is E19, 15, and 13

All her clothing is the same. For her leotard - R32 and 35. For her TuTu  G20, 21, and 24
for her crown, Y35 and 38 trim is done with a gold Spica glitter pen

For her tights, I used T1 with a bit of B41
R02 for her tongue and E31 for the inside of her mouth.

I found a tutorial a couple years ago about curly hair, and I truly wish I could find it again so I could give her credit for this technique. But for curly hair, I simply dot on the color in randomness. I start with the lightest and move through to the medium shade, then adding the low lights with my darkest color. I will then take the lightest and fill in any areas that are missing color. Do not blend! I think it gives such wonderful texture to curly hair and looks awesome no matter what color hair you're doing. Give it a shot, but make sure you have a light, mid, and darker color. Just use the tip of your marker to make the dots, so they're not huge. I think you'll love the result!

This adorble image is by Mo Manning at Digital Pencil Too.

I hope you find this useful! Thanks for stopping by to see me and hope to see you back again soon! Hugs!!

28 comments :

Janie Printz said...

These are fantastic Sharon, I'm going to put them in my Copic colors for future use. Thanks for making my day a little brighter. Great piece of work.
Hugs, Janie

Sheri said...

This one made me laugh out loud. She is really mad!!! Love those terrible twos and by the way you rocked the colors!!

charlene said...

Thanks for sharing a little of your classes with us ! Great job sure wish I was closer :)
Hugs

Regina Easter said...

oh my thanks for the info and i love love love that image....hugs

Gina K said...

Oh...I need to print this post out and put it in my binder for sure. I have such a difficult time with darker skin tones. Thanks so much!

Candy said...

Fantastic work, Sharon!
Many thanks for sharing it with us :o)
Hugs, Candy

allex said...

Thanks for sharing with us Sharon. It can be a worry getting sin tones just right !!

Hugs, sandra xx

Sonja said...

thanks for the tip ! I certainly will try it out one of these days.

Have a nice day,
Sonja
http://scrapadoe.blogspot.com

Tracey said...

Thanks so much for sharing this Sharon!! I will definitely be trying some of these combos out and your curly hair technique too!! xx

monica said...

Excellent,excellent Sharon
Thanks for the info and for sharing with us. Will save this and try for sure. This is really a great image too--now I want to see your completed card
Hugs
Monica

Christina C. said...

Awesome coloring, Sharon! Thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us!

Sandy said...

Thanks for the tutorial Sharon - what have I missed? I didn't know you were teaching classes. This will go into my tutorial file for sure.
Thanks again . . Sandy

DonnaMundinger said...

Ohhh, thanks for the tips, hon! Expecting more Copics today. WooHoo! LOVE the curly hair technique too. xxD

Bridget said...

Thank-you so much. Being an African-American, most images I color are African-American but I've never found a list showing color combos to use. This will help so much. I'm saving this! Thanks again.

Nancy said...

Oh, what a wonderful image! I had one granddaughter like that! Thank you for this tutorial - very informative.

DeeDee said...

WOW! So cool girlie! When I grow up I wanna color JUST like you do! Heehee! THANKS for the tips and colors used....very good info to fall back on! I love the image, too adorable! HUGS!

Karel Hamilton said...

What a wonderful tutorial! Thanks so much

Marlene said...

the top right and bottom left are my personal faves....this image is so stinkin' cute. I have it, too...so much fun!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful color suggestions! I appreciate all the work you did to show us these color ranges! They will be so useful to us copic lovers! big hugs, Angela

Carole Beath said...

Sharon, thanks for sharing those coloring tips.... this little stomping girl is just precious.
Hugs
Carole

Jeri said...

What super great COPIC coloring info. From my COPIC idol. Thanks so much. I made a copy of this to keep close to my markers.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Your coloring is awesome Sharon!! I will have to try some of these! Thanks so much for sharing. Cute image.
hugs,
Chris

Sharron aka Sharrahug said...

Beautiful coloring skills, girlfriend! You are rockin' those Copics. Great job!!!!
Huggies ~
Sharron♥

Teresa said...

Brilliant! xx

cabio's craft corner said...

This is a very clear Copic tute Sharon. You did a real good job demonstrating the darkness of each set :o)
Hugs,
Cabio

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

great tut thanks for sharing your skills. janex

PeggyLovesVintage said...

Skin tones are so hard to do no matter what medium you use. Awesome job - thanks for sharing.

Nancy said...

AWESOME tutorial...I swear, one day when I grow up I'll be good at coloring like you,...heehee...love ya ladybug!!!! Hugs