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Blue Shadows on Sunlit Skin.
A reader asked me to provide insight on the topic of shadows on sunlit skin, specifically in regard to my painting Under the Noonday Sun. She asked, "How do you decide where to put them or is it just intuitive?"
 
There are a few reasons for using blue on the shadow areas of a face. 
 
Neutralize.
I prefer not to mix my flesh tones, but rather to layer warm and cool colors to create the effect I want. I begin with warm layers (think yellow, orange and red). After several layers, and when I'm getting close to the value I'm after, I will glaze with blue (a cool color) to subdue any too-bright orange areas.

Value.

Value contrast is what I'm after when painting sunlight and shadows on a face. The color blue is inherently darker in value than orange, so if I want to increase value in certain areas, I use blue (rarely purple, as it can sometimes look like bruising).

Can you see how the areas where I've added blue are the darkest areas in the desaturated version above?

Intuition.

In addition to the logical reasons for using blue in shadow areas, intuition plays an important part. You can see that I gave my intuition free reign in the painting above! It all started with the blue hair on the model's left temple...

Following your intuition can add an element of surprise and delight to your paintings. It's not easy to put aside reason and trust your gut feeling, and it takes a bit of practice (and willingness to relinquish control) but it can help you develop your personal style.

Dominique Hurley explains it well: "Intuitive art is the process of allowing each step of the process to inform what comes next. It's a mix of self-love, embracing the mystery, and non-attachment - all to explore and express your own unique voice."

The painting leads the painter, and it becomes an intuitive experience. ~Ardath Davis

 

Paint. Love. Repeat.