Skin tones with inktense

[Nonno]

Hi guys,
Not often in this forum, but I hope someone can help with this problem.
I've been trying to mix skin tones with inktense, but am wondering whether it's possible!
Everything I try is either too pink, or too bright.

Most of my mixes have been using the various pink/ reds, the browns, and chinese white.

I love the bright colours of inktense, but perhaps this is not an appropriate use for them.

Sort of following on from this is another question.
Are there any problems with using inktense and watercolour pencils in the same painting?
I'm aware of the difference with re-wetting.

Jonathan.

[JPQ]

I think there is no such problem when i found my inktense box (i know where is my product sample is but is one pencil only) i going test if they work "normal" watersoluble pencils but i very sure there is no problem.

[Vivien Maloney]

I've had no problems achieving skin tones with Inktense Pencils. Maybe try applying the colors with a gentle preassure. And yes when you apply water, the Inktense will look stronger and the colors more intense than watercolor pencils. But I've used both many times together with success, you may even want to try your watercolor pencils for the skin tones and do the rest of your painting with Inktense? Just a thought, I hope it helps.

[Nonno]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.
I did wonder about mixing inktense and W/C pencils in the way you describe, Vivien. (yay, another Kiwi!) I have got some of both so it's worth a shot.

What I've been doing is to dissolve the pigments from individual pencils and then mixing the liquids. I think I'd go totally crazy if I tried to draw first and then wet!

Jonathan.

[Rainbowfeet]

Well you could always try layering:
Under paint with bright orange, shade with violet and then work over with white, pink, peach, ivory and brown.
I wouldn't really use red.

Or you could always get a few flesh tones from faber castell albrecht durer range as they also become permanent once dry.

I tend to use inktense and then other watercolour pencils on top.

You probably figured it out already, but just in case

[HarvestMoon]

Jonathan I would use regular watercolor pencils for skintones. I think the intense is supposed to mimic bottles of ink, do ink artists use skintones? I don't really know....

[JayJay365UK]

I've used Caran D'ache and Inktense together, they work pretty well together. I would find it difficult to do skin tones with inktense as well, but I saw somebody at my art group do the most amazing pale watercolour flower with inktense, so lighter colours are possible!

[GeslinaM]

I use Inktense pencils with regular WC pencils of all types, all the time. Trying to think off the top of my head, but I don't believe I have a flesh colored inktense pencil...I usually use one from Derwent's regular WC line, and then use a mid tone brown or terracotta very lightly in the areas I want darker - sometimes I use a lavender. But then, when I use these pencils for people, it is usually in a more illustrative style - not a realistic style - so there is not always a major problem if I don't get very natural looking results.

I keep all my pencils together, and choose usually for color or tone, without worrying about brand or type of pencil. Sometimes if I want a really vibrant color I might choose an Inktense...but I have found they work for all types of results - if I want a pale, delicate shade, I can still use Inktense, I just don't put as much pigment down.

I'll have to play around with my white and light brown or warm brown red inktense pencils now, to see if I can get a good skintone.

[GeslinaM]

Using Inktense alone, I can get a good basic skin tone with a light light layer of baked earth with a heavier layer of white over top. For shadow areas, touches of blues and purples and a VERY light touch of madder brown can work...but then, it depends on the skin tone you are trying to achieve. Most any color could be used in shadows, though I wouldn't use warm.

The easiest thing to do is to just use a flesh color from another brand...and then use the inktense with it to make it more interesting. My problem with Inktense is that I started with a 24 set, then added to it buying single pencils at a Jerry's Artarama in my area. But the store didn't have all the Inktense pencils available, there are still several I see on the website color chart - tans and such - that may work better for skin tones.