I am in the process of doing my first ever portrait painting. It is of two little African girls, and the elder one is holding the other in an embrace. There is a shadow cast by the elder girl's arm across the lower jaw of the other child, and I am struggling to know what colour/s to use to depict this. I have tried a mix of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue but it just doesn't look right. I would appreciate some advice please!! Thank you all. Martine

Hi Martine, firstly, well done for trying your first portrait! What is your medium?
You say that your portrait is of 2 African Girls; how have you mixed the colour for the skin tone?
This should offer a clue as to the colour of the shadow, but bear in mind that shadows can be influenced by what other light the shadow area may pick up.
If the shadow is across the jaw of one of the girls (I can only guess as to the shade and hue of the lighted skin colour), I would be inclined to use something like a weak Ultramarine, and use thin washes to build up the correct tone. perhaps try adding just a flick of a less bright red, such as Light Red, or even Burnt Sienna.
I'm a sucker for purple shadows, but in a portrait, more thought is needed.

Lets know what you think, and if you're still not happy, come back to me and I'll try to help further, perhaps if you could send an image to me.

Good luck, and very best wishes,

Steve Williams
RSC Wigan / Warrington / St Helens

Thanks Steve for your interest and response. The portrait is in oils, and I have mixed various shades of brown/red brown/light brown for the skin tones. I am copying it from a photo that my sister recently took in Africa, and the light is more or less slightly to the right. I am learning as I go along really as regards colour mixing but so far so good........apart from that shadow! I would like to send a photo to you for your very kind advice, but do not have your email address. Thanks again.
Martine

Hi Martine!

stevewilliams87@gmail.com