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Guides

Mixing methods and pigment notes for working painters.

Portrait painting

How to Mix Skin Tones in Oil Paint — A Systematic Approach

A repeatable method for mixing any skin tone, from the palest complexion to the deepest, using paints you probably already own. Covers the base string, temperature shifts, value control, and adapting for different skin types.

Updated April 2026 · ~10 min read
More guides coming. Brand-specific mixing guides — Gamblin, Winsor & Newton, Williamsburg, and others — are in progress. Have a specific pigment question or a topic you'd want covered? Email contact@palettemix.app.