Seeking advice

[fayanora]

I was wondering if anyone had some advice for me. I want to draw (on the computer) this person: https://31.media.tumblr.com/c127f25d5000351904510c9efe5dd647/tumblr_mz1w1nlYcz1qbrc7uo1_500.png as one of my Goddesses, but I

Comments

[fayanora]

I guess I could experiment with colors on the color triangle til I find what works...

[kengr]

I agree with Ginger. I've actually met a couple of folks who were about as black as a human can get. And in most lighting what you notice is the way the light reflects off various parts of their face. (due to skin oils or whatever).

So start by trying to look at a statue made of Jet or some such, then tone down the shininess until it looks natural.

[acelightning]

The way that photo is lit is what makes it so difficult - dramatically over-lit on the left, and in shadow on the right. Obviously her skin color is the same all over, but that lighting makes her two sides look like two different colors. I don't know what graphic software you're using, and I probably wouldn't understand it if I did know, but this is what I'd try, using GIMP:

First, I'd manually select all the areas of skin - everything but her hair, her jewelry, and her dress. I'd probably boost the saturation on all of it, just to make sure what color it is. Then I'd lower the "value", and/or the "lightness", and/or the brightness, of the selected areas. Maybe I'd play with the "levels" (related to contrast). I'd just continue to poke at things until it looked the way I want it to. But that's because I have no artistic skills whatsofuckingever :-(

[fayanora]

Something to try. Thanks.