Lesson 4: Mastering Mid-Tones and Shadows for Realism in Art

In Lesson 4, we’re continuing to mix mid-tones to set ourselves up for creating realistic depth, dimension, and lifelike form in our painting. Let’s dive into the techniques and color mixing processes that make this happen.

How to Create a Warm Mid-Tone for Animal Portraits

While I’m mixing up the colors for the coat, I like to try and err on the side of keeping them just barely darker than the reference; that way, I can layer the highlights on top in a way that makes the finished piece look a lot more complex than it actually is. John Singer Sargent, the master of this technique, believed that establishing your middle values first was the best way to accurately judge the proper light and dark accents in the finished piece. There is no better way to learn than to take the advice of the greats!

Watch my MasterDemo to learn more.

Painting Techniques for the Face: How to Create a Natural Gray Mid-Tone

One of my favorite mixtures for a colorful gray is to start with a foundation of French Ultramarine and Alizarin Crimson, generously adding Titanium White and a small amount of Cadmium Yellow Deep Hue to neutralize the bright shade of purple and match the natural undertones found in the animal’s coat.

Since this area requires slightly larger quantities of paint, prepare a sizable puddle to avoid running out mid-way through.

Why Mixing Colors Carefully is Key to Realistic Paintings

Half the battle in creating lifelike portraits lies in mastering color mixing. Your choices in values and colors are the foundation of realism, providing depth, shadows, and highlights without requiring excessive fine details. This approach lets you capture a realistic look without hundreds of thin layers, allowing you to imbue your pieces with energy and spontaneity without sacrificing accuracy.

Take your time to perfect each color and establish a well-curated palette. Once mixed accurately, your colors will blend seamlessly, making the painting process both fluid and fun.

Watch my MasterDemo to learn more.

Handling Troublesome Tones: Strategies for Difficult Color Matches

Occasionally, you may be mixing up a color and it just isn’t turning out, no matter what you throw at it. If a particular color just isn’t working, feel set it aside and return later with fresh eyes. Sometimes overworking a color can lead to muddiness, making it harder to achieve your desired outcome. Instead, scoop up the mix, save it for another project, and start with a fresh blend if needed.

You can also divide your troublesome mixture in half, and then start adding in colors to the smaller amount of paint - if a paint puddle gets to be too unwieldy, breaking it down into bite sized pieces can make it more manageable.

Mixing Plenty of Paint

Remember, it’s always a good policy to mix up more paint than you think you’ll need. We want the freedom to apply thick strokes of paint, and if you’re subconsciously trying to conserve a scant mixture, you won’t be able to loosen up and paint expressively! By mixing up more than enough of each mixture, you will also be able to combine mixtures as needed while you paint, creating those half-tones that you’ll need later. 

Why Mastering Color Mixing is Crucial for Realistic Animal Portraits

Half the battle in creating lifelike portraits lies in mastering color mixing. Your choices in values and tones are the foundation of realism, providing depth, shadows, and highlights without requiring excessive fine details. This approach lets you capture a realistic look without excessive layering, focusing instead on the vibrancy and accuracy of the base colors.

Take your time to perfect each color and establish a well-rounded palette. Once mixed accurately, your colors will blend seamlessly, making the painting process more fluid and less reliant on over-correction or extra brushstrokes.

Final Thoughts: Crafting Realism Through Mid-Tones

In summary, Lesson 4 teaches that realistic painting is achieved by carefully developing mid-tones. By investing time in color mixing, you ensure a solid foundation for your painting. Whatever you’re painting, mastering the mid-tones will elevate your work, creating vivid, realistic art with depth and dimensionality.

Watch my MasterDemo to learn more.