skin tones--and good CMYK values

[cimmydog]

Newbie to the site here, so Hello to all. My first post is about something I've searched high and low for, and cannot find. I do a fair amount of retouching on portraits of people, of all different races and skin tones... and i think i do a fairly good job. what I have been looking for is more info on good CMYK values to approximate nice looking skin tones, for a variety of peoples. I ahve a good reckoning of it, but more info (as long as its good) is always better.Anyone have any good links to such info. I would appreciate it.:notworthy

[cybrghst]

cimmydog, this depends on what you are using it for. Is this for prepress, web, prints from home printer, etc. The values will differ is why i say this. Each prepress printer will have different values at which their inks print. Home printers are different also, because the colors could vary from each one also. let me know your final source and monday i will send you breakdown of skintone values for a variety of different races. I have worked on plenty in the print company i work for. Cappy, Philthe Rodent also do prepress as with a few other as i have not mentioned. Sorry you know who you are if i missed your name. cybr:)

[Urban Grafix®]

Start by opening a new file 500 x 500 pixels RGB mode
Open the foreground colour box and enter hex code "E2CCBB" and Flood fill your image
Create a new layer and set foreground colour to hex code "EA8241" and background to "EB4638". Then go to filter and render clouds. Set this layer to Hard Light and opacity to 25%
Next create a new layer and press "d" to reset colours add noise amout 50 uniform and monochromatic. Then use the crystalize filter set it to 3.Set this layer to luminosity and opacity to 10%

Finally create a new layer, reset the colours and choose a soft brush size 5 and put some dots on the texture then set this layer to soft light and you done.

You should have something which looks very much like skin. You could take it further and duplicate and play about with layers until your get what you want.
;)

[cimmydog]

Originally posted by cybrghst
cimmydog, this depends on what you are using it for. Is this for prepress, web, prints from home printer, etc. The values will differ is why i say this. Each prepress printer will have different values at which their inks print.
cybrghst,
I mainly do prepress work, for offset printing. I know paper choice, the particular company printing a job, etc. all play into the mix. I just sent off a job, and we are getting matchprint randoms of all the photos, and these have a good mix of races in them. I will work up some CMYK mixes from this, as well as other jobs previously printed. I have a good grasp on general values, but am always looking to increase that knowledge. any info you can pass my way, especially with printing company experience is much appreciated.

[DarkAngel]

wow urban. i just pick a colour that looks something like a skin tone. :D ill have to try your method

[Urban Grafix®]

yeah...once you play around with the tones you'll get what you want...:cool:

[Phil_The_Rodent]

Why don't you try using a photoreference? There's just so many hues for skin that i think it would be better to start with the Hue you want and then use you colour sampler and curves to match 'em up...