We have learned that there are three basic adjustments which
can be made to any color: adjusting the hue (making the color
warmer or cooler), adjusting the value (making the color lighter
or darker), and adjusting the intensity (making the color
more or less intense).
The Portrait Institute color exercise chart, included with
the Portrait Institute Set, shows 78 color combinations, each
made by taking one of the seven Portrait Institute flesh colors
and modifying it; in most cases by the addition of just one
color. (Only in the case of making a color more intense is
it necessary to add more than one color.)
You may paint the suggested mixtures right on the Portrait
Institute Chart. It has been specially coated to accept oils.
Painting the Chart
The blank Portrait Institute chart-mixing chart is included
with each Portrait Color System set. Painting the chart provides
you with a convenient guide to 78 flesh color mixtures, most
of whih are achieved by the mixing of one Portrait Institute
color with one color from the standard palette.
Begin with Light 1. Paint pure color straight from
the Light 1 tube, into the square at the top of the
page. Then with your brush still loaded with Light 1, dip
into a touch of Alizarin Crimson (the first color recommended
to make Light 1 warmer). The resulting mixture is still
Light 1, but now a decided pinkish color. Paint this mixture
into the first square in the "warmer" band.
Clean your brush, reload with Light 1, and now dip
into a touch of Cadmium Red Light. Once again Light
1 is made warmer but a different kind of warm. The rich
new color is now painted into the second square. Repeat the
process by adding, this time, Cadmium Yellow Light.
Your next project is to adjust Light 1 to a shade cooler.
To do this, use a touch of Cerulean Blue. Paint the
mixture into the square in the "cooler" band. In
the next band, a touch of white makes Light 1 even
lighter.
In the next band, a touch of Light 2 will make Light
1 just a touch darker.
Next, you want to gently increase the intensity of Light
1, so add two colors: Yellow Ochre and Cadmium
Red Light. In the second square in this band, add Cadmium
Orange to Light 1, and observe how this combination
increases the intensity in a different way.
Finally, at the bottom of the page, in the "less intense"
band, there are three possibilities suggested for reducing
the intensity of Light 1. First, a touch of white will
do it (paint mixture into the first square in this band).
Next try a touch of Neutral 3. Finally, try adding
a touch of Halftone 1.
This concludes the basic possibilities for Light 1
adjustments. Now continue for each of the other Portrait Institute
flesh colors (not the neutrals). Continue mixing and painting
until the chart is complete.
When the Chart Is Finished
When you have mixed and painted all 78 combinations, you will
have a valuable reference guide. Allow the chart to dry thoroughly
and refold it. You might want to use plastic wrap or wax paper
to keep the colors from sticking to each other in humid weather.
Repeated reference to this chart will sharpen your retention
of the color mixtures.
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