The Portrait Institute Color Exercises

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.