@deanna_art: Tattooing or painting a face (or anything) is way more simplified than most people think. Teaching many people over the years, I’ve realized that knowing color theory is the least of the worries and that 99% of the time people have trouble simplifying; simplifying values into shapes, simplifying contrast, design, etc. The way I layer is simplified as well. I layer basic shadow shapes, undertones, main colors, and then bring out the tiny highlights on top. Rather than relying on one “skin-tone” pigment that’s usually neutral (not warm or cool tones- and the result comes out as more flat, un-lively, and stagnant) I like to do it separately to keep things simple, less color mixing, less “finding the exact right color” and saving that time and putting it forwards other things that add to the value of the tattoo, while simultaneously making a better piece. For this process I usually work through 4 steps: 1. The underpainting (basic values) this is where I mention people usually over do… it’s just putting in your darkest shadow shapes and leaving everything else open 2. Undertones (I also just put a flat mid-tone down over the whole thing this time for fun and to make the undertones more accurate and less harsh against bright open skin) 3. Saturating main skin tone colors on top 4. Detailing and bringing out the highlights, pushing the darkest darks, and cleaning up any edges These steps are how my brain works, and once mastered, you can play around with mixing the steps, switching them around, but ultimately it helps you slowly build up the values and colors just like you would in painting while also making the steps as simplified as they need to be for more efficient tattooing and better understanding of color layering. I believe there are no strict rules in art. I believe in learning the foundation and breaking and molding the rules to better assist you (which also helps create your own style) If you have a portrait you've been wanting to get, comment "project" for my inquiry link! #dallastattooartist #painterlytattoo #portraittattoos #tattooideas

Deanna James Painterly Tattoos

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Region: US

Monday 24 August 2026 17:31:24 GMT