Walter Foster Publishing Color Mixing Recipes for Portraits

The color palettes and formulas are useful as a starting point; however, there are few examples of the colors used in an actual portrait to give them context. Having more illustrations using the formulas would have been very helpful.The racial/ethnic categories show a very limited understanding of what people of color actually look like. For instance, the author states that he has more Caucasian base-colors mixed than any other, “because Caucasian skin tones have the largest range.”The largest range? Really?He has a category for Latino skin tones, and a few options within that category. But Latinos are not a distinct race; they are not all olive, or light brown. They are a group composed of people ranging from white to indigenous to African, with much admixture. Likewise, there are a few brown and red color options for black people, but black people range in color from very pale to very dark; like Latinos, there is a good amount of racial admixture within black populations. You could say the same for Asians, perhaps not the mixture, but there is a diversity of skin tones, and far more than the few shown here. India, alone, has people who range from very light to very dark, many with undertones that are not commonly found elsewhere. This is not just an academic objection, but a practical one. The categories are simply insufficient. So, if you are painting people who are not strictly Caucasian, just ignore the arbitrary classifications, and use the swatches to find colors that may suit.I found that red/pinkish/orange-based skin tones predominate, and it was harder to find representations of yellow/neutral/olive undertones (this is an issue with cosmetic foundations too, incidentally.)The formulas for hair colors were very useful. The section on watercolor is rather small (pages 38-43), so another resource may be necessary. Overall, an interesting book, which works for many. Just not what I needed.

This author has another book called "Color Mixing Recipes." I thought that since this was a whole separate book, it would be a more in depth look at portrait colors. Unfortunately, this is just a chapter from the other book, rebound and sold separately. I strongly believe that this should have been clearly stated in the book description. Also, the watercolor section is only 4 pages long. I suggest paying the extra few dollars and getting the full book instead of just this one chapter that has been passed off as a full book.

love having this helpful guide to mixing skin tones. I make up batches and tube the colors to have at hand whenever I am painting to save from having to mix every time. also, easy to make up the base colors that can be tweaked with every portrait I paint. One of the best tools in my studio.

Wow, white is not white and black is not black. So many shades and colors to make them both!I am learning about skin tones and my makeup artist instructor uses this book to teach color theory for Makeup Artist.

Book is exactly what I wanted and needed, and has a place in my studio. I thought some of the information would lose relevance because I also own 'Color Bible' (which is amazing), but it holds its own. For a quick reminder or reference guide, you can't beat this book for the price, and the fact that it's spiral bound is a wonderful feature. In fact, it's the only complaint that I have about 'Color Bible', because it definitely increases the usability.