Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Flesh-Colored People

What is this: the color called "flesh"?

"Flesh-colored", in German it would be "fleischfarben" in French "couleur chair". To my ears this sounds extremely ugly.

And the color we see in tubes which is called "flesh" often looks like a light beige but flesh is not light beige. So, do they mean: "skin" colored?

I thought about this. Neither skin nor flesh looks like that. Skin and flesh can be ocre mixed with vermillion, alizarin crimson, sap-green, prussian blue and lemon yellow, or burnt umber with bright red and ultramine and magenta, or light yellow with ocre and vermillion.... Endless possibilities, mixtures.

Have a wonderful Wednesday,
love
Andrea



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21 comments:

Mim said...

I've always questioned that color. When I grew up in New York City, we were such a mixed population of colors. I assumed that "flesh colored" meant that it was a base color and you had to add brown, or yellow, or red to make it look like skin.

It confused me then,,,and it still does.

Unknown said...

Mim, thanks so much for your comment, and yes, same here in Paris, such a mixed population of colors. I'm happy to here that it confuses others too:)

soulbrush said...

they look so happy together..happy like you. hugs from london.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thank you Soul for the comment and the hugs! I guess I'm a happy person, yes, and if I had all my blogfriends around me I'd look like that:)

Jess said...

I've got what's called 'flesh' colour in my paintbox but I only ever use it with another colour. On its own it looks ridiculous! I think burnt sienna is a better base for skin tones, but I change my mind about that too sometimes!x

Cathie said...

That was always the color in the crayonbox that I NEVER used. You're so right - it is ugly - not the color of people, at all!
Yucky - flesh color.
Your people are full of the colors of life. I love them.

sukipoet said...

I think maybe Mim is right about the premixed color just being a base. I have always mixed my own skin/flesh tones anyway so think a tube of "flesh" is a waster of dollahs. Hey, that is cool that you feel you are a happy person. I dont know if i am a happy person. I am sometimes and other times i get withdrawn and quiet though i am happy during those times I suppose in a way.

Andrea and Kim said...

This is a great topic to speak about...I have always found those terms to be confusing. Is that because I was taught colors with the Munsell System or is it because I am a rebel? I don't know - maybe both. As you can guess, I have no need to use anything such as a flesh color in my work, but I wouldn't buy it anyway. Do you know what that color reminds me of? (now you have to be old enough and maybe rural enough to remember this one) I think it looks like that old paste kind of makeup foundation Caucasian women used to use...hideous stuff everyone walking around with the same colored face that did not match the rest of their bodies.

I have to say, though, I love this painting/drawing of the many colored people. They are having such a great time just being people. Isn't it great we can create from inside ourselves rather than from the outside?

Thanks Andrea, this is a wonderful topic to explore....and a fabulous painting to share. I love it!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

What an interesting subject. I used to think that Flesh color was skin color when I was a kid but now I use it to warm up another color. It isnt even in my line up for painting skin color now.
Love the painting.

Unknown said...

Jessie, thanks for your comment and yes, I'm like that, too, I change the base, very often in fact. Also, I was just thinking about an exhibition here in Paris, where I absolutely have to go, with paintings of UTRILLO
look here: http://www.pinacotheque.com/fr/accueil
who uses bold oranges too and blue:)

Unknown said...

Cathie, thanks for the comment, it's funny how we approach color differently the more we learn about it and WITH it, using it, I mean.

Unknown said...

Suki thanks, I love this expressino a water of dollahs:)

And yes, I'm a happy person but can a person be ALWAYS happy? Perhaps the answer is yes, I believe one can be happy even when sad, or is this the biggest contradiction ever?
love and thanks for making me think and philosophy:)

Unknown said...

Kim, I know exactly what you mean, I remember when I was 16, a few girls in my class used the same thick make-up (Clearasil or something like that, supposed to act against blackheads etc, oh my:)
and their faces were layered thick with that stuff. Rest of body was white and face "fleshcolored".
...The boys didn't seem to mind...:):)
love
Andrea

Lynn Cohen said...

Charming painting, and love the rainbow of colors...

Andrea and Kim said...

Andrea, I had to come back and read more about the flesh color paint...needless to say, you have me in tears with laughter! I also did not remember it being Clearasil, but now that you mention it I think that is just what it was. You are right...the boys did not seem to mind! Of course, they didn't seem to mind too much back in those days, did they? LOL...

Funny stuff! Thanks Andrea for the great illustration, super discussion and fantastic laughter!

Hugs!

aimee said...

right on! well said!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Hi Andrea, just popped over to see you! Thanks so much for your comment on my blog - nice to see you there!
Carolyn (CAROLYN SAXBY MIXED MEDIA TEXTILE ART)

Martine said...

As there are so many different fleshcolors in the world it may be hard to describe. Anyway, all you fleshcolors are beautiful.
XXXm

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Hey Andrea, Are you OK? sure do miss your blogging. HOpe you're still painting. Just wanted to let you know you're missed. Hugs cris

Yvette said...

In lots and lots of years I think their will be an overal color..mixed beautiful people
yvette