hello everyone! right now I am building a vietnam diorama. Some of the figures will be african american. Does anyone know how I go about painting the darker skin tone?? Thanks - for all replies!

I have used burnt umber as a base with can dyke brown for shadows and raw umber for highlights. Go here for a link to an article on ethnic skintones.

Try semi-gloss or satin rather than flat matt paint. Helps bring out the detail in dark skin. This thread might help.

Here is an article from Mark Bannerman for painting asian faces
http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/figures/mbasian.htm

Cheers
Claude

Thanks for everyones help. These links are a BIG help. Take care!!!

Hi Sean
Just a quick tip:

I use a dark yellow enamel undercoat for all fleshtones. For negroid or dark skin tones, mix using artist oils : burnt umber with a dash of yellow ochre and an even smaller dash of crimson alizarin. Add a little linseed oil to thin the paint (avoid white spirit which increases matt finish). Shade with van dyke brown for shadows and a little yellow ochre and white for highlights. The linseed oil will lengthen drying time but gives a pleasant sheen.

Good luck, let us know how you go.

Garth