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how to draw different skin tones with markers
Let's dive into the world of markers
When it comes to fashion illustration, you gotta have a solid marker palette. Beige, brown, and pink shades are where it's at. Start off with around 30 shades, and trust me, you'll be creating stunning illustrations in no time.
You can find a bunch of marker brands in those fancy specialized stores. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different price tags and quality levels. But let me give you the scoop on the big players you're gonna come across: we got Copic, a classic and trusted brand. Then there's Touch, Chartpak, Stylefile Marker, Promarker, Sketchmarker, Finecolours, Potentate, and Chameleon. They all got their own vibe, you know? So pick the one that speaks to you and fits your style.
Remember, it's all about finding the markers that make your illustrations shine. So explore, experiment, and have fun with these awesome marker brands.
You can find a bunch of marker brands in those fancy specialized stores. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different price tags and quality levels. But let me give you the scoop on the big players you're gonna come across: we got Copic, a classic and trusted brand. Then there's Touch, Chartpak, Stylefile Marker, Promarker, Sketchmarker, Finecolours, Potentate, and Chameleon. They all got their own vibe, you know? So pick the one that speaks to you and fits your style.
Remember, it's all about finding the markers that make your illustrations shine. So explore, experiment, and have fun with these awesome marker brands.
- Step-by-step guide to drawing diverse skin tones with markers
First things first, make sure you've got the right markers in the shades you need to create a dark skin tone. It's recommended to have a few shades that are close in tone to add depth and realism.
In this guide, we'll be using 4 shades from the Touch brand, but you can also get by with just 2 markers, and the brand can be an alternative as well.
In this article, we won't be focusing on drawing the actual fashion figure. You can find detailed instructions in the article "Fashion Figure: Basic Principles of Construction."
Below, you can also download a ready-made template of 3 fashion figures that we'll be using for demonstration purposes in this article.
In this guide, we'll be using 4 shades from the Touch brand, but you can also get by with just 2 markers, and the brand can be an alternative as well.
In this article, we won't be focusing on drawing the actual fashion figure. You can find detailed instructions in the article "Fashion Figure: Basic Principles of Construction."
Below, you can also download a ready-made template of 3 fashion figures that we'll be using for demonstration purposes in this article.
Applying the base layer:
Gradually adding shadows:
- Start with the lightest shade from your selected palette.
- Using gentle and even strokes, fill in the area representing the skin with this light shade. Leave some areas lighter to create contrast and volume.
Gradually adding shadows:
- Take the next shade, which is slightly darker than the previous one.
- Apply this shade on top of the light shade, paying attention to the shadows and contours of the face or figure. Determine areas where the shadow would be more intense and carefully add this shade to create depth.
Scheme for practicing marker techniques for drawing skin
FASHION illustration online course
44+ tutorials
Our comprehensive fashion illustration course is designed to take you from a beginner to a professional level, covering all aspects of fashion illustration.
You will learn the fundamentals of drawing faces, bodies, and clothing, as well as techniques for creating fashion collection prints and patterns.
Whether you are new to fashion illustration or looking to take your skills to the next level, our course is the perfect choice for anyone with a passion for fashion and art.
Our comprehensive fashion illustration course is designed to take you from a beginner to a professional level, covering all aspects of fashion illustration.
You will learn the fundamentals of drawing faces, bodies, and clothing, as well as techniques for creating fashion collection prints and patterns.
Whether you are new to fashion illustration or looking to take your skills to the next level, our course is the perfect choice for anyone with a passion for fashion and art.
Creating Depth and Adding Detail
- Take the darkest shade from your chosen palette.
- Focus on the recessed areas, darker areas, and contours, and carefully apply this dark shade to enhance the shadow effect and create depth.
- Pay attention to the facial or figure features such as the nose, lips, eyes, beard, or hair. Apply the dark shade to accentuate these details using precise and dotting motions.
- If you want to achieve a smoother transition between shades, you can use your fingertip, a cotton swab, or a specialized blending marker to blend the edges between shades and create a smoother gradient. Be cautious and gradually increase the intensity of blending to avoid losing details and contrast in your artwork.
LET’S SUMMARIZE:
When selecting a marker palette for different skin tones, it is recommended to use multiple shades to create more realistic and vibrant images. Here is a small selection of marker shades that can be useful when drawing various skin tones.
When selecting a marker palette for different skin tones, it is recommended to use multiple shades to create more realistic and vibrant images. Here is a small selection of marker shades that can be useful when drawing various skin tones.
LET’S SUMMARIZE:
We hope that our article has helped you learn how to draw different skin tones with markers. Don't be afraid to experiment, find your unique style, and draw inspiration from professional artists and their works. Practice regularly, pay attention to the details and nuances of each skin tone, and you'll become a true pro in creating realistic portraits and illustrations. Keep honing your skills and never stop exploring the wonderful world of art!
We hope that our article has helped you learn how to draw different skin tones with markers. Don't be afraid to experiment, find your unique style, and draw inspiration from professional artists and their works. Practice regularly, pay attention to the details and nuances of each skin tone, and you'll become a true pro in creating realistic portraits and illustrations. Keep honing your skills and never stop exploring the wonderful world of art!
KATERINA PASHEGOR
Fashion Illustrator, tutor and author of online courses in fashion illustration at Fantasy Room Art School, Author of the book "The Art of Fashion Illustration."
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