How to Easily Create Realistic Skin Tones for Cardmaking | 3 Simple Steps

If you’ve ever stared at a stamped image and thought, “How do I even start coloring the skin?” — you’re in good company. I remember the first time I tried blending skin tones with my Copic markers. I used every marker in the peach-to-pink range, ended up with paper that looked like it went through a sandstorm, and promptly gave up for a while. But the truth is, coloring skin doesn’t have to be complicated. Once I learned to simplify things and stick to a few go-to blends, it all started to click. So today, I’m excited to share how you can confidently color realistic skin tones using just three simple steps — and no, you don’t need a hundred markers to do it.

For this post, I pulled out the 20’s Gals Stamp Set from C.C. Designs — a favorite in my stash. The images are the perfect size for practicing skin tones. Not too tiny, so you can really get in there with your blending, but still sized perfectly for cards. And honestly, the vintage vibe of these girls? Irresistible. I knew they’d be the stars of today’s coloring session.

How to Easily Create Realistic Skin Tones for Cardmaking:

Choosing the Right Images Makes a Big Difference

When I’m working on a coloring tutorial or just playing around with combos, I always start with larger images that allow me to really see what I’m doing. That’s why the 20’s Gals were perfect. Their sweet faces and soft features gave me plenty of room to map out highlights and shadows without feeling cramped. If you’re new to coloring skin, don’t start with a tiny critter — pick a character stamp that gives you room to breathe.

I stamped the same image three times using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb Cardstock — my go-to combo for Copic coloring. I always stamp out a few versions so I can try different combos or fix little oopsies without starting over.

Three Skin Tone Combos You Can Count On

One of the best things I ever did for myself as a colorist was to keep a little chart of skin tone combos I love. It’s a total time saver when I’m sitting down to create and want to jump right into the fun part. For this project, I used:

• Fair Skin: E11, E21, E00

• Dark Skin: E47, E27, E25, E23

• Porcelain Skin: R01, E00, E000

Each combo gives a slightly different look and works beautifully with this stamp set. The fair and porcelain tones are soft and dreamy, while the deeper tone brings out that bold 1920s glam. If you’ve never tried layering darker browns before, don’t be intimidated — just remember to take it slow and let the ink do the work. Alcohol markers are amazing at blending if you don’t rush them.

Pro Tip: Always swatch your combos on the same cardstock you’ll be using. What looks like a perfect blend on scrap paper might behave differently on your project.

Mapping Shadows for More Realism

Before I start blending, I always take a moment to picture where the light is hitting my character. I usually imagine the light coming from the top left. That means my shadows go under the chin, around the sides of the face, and beneath the bangs or hairline. It doesn’t have to be perfect — the goal is to give the image dimension.

With these Gals, a little shadow under the jaw made a huge difference. Suddenly the face didn’t look flat anymore. If you’ve ever colored something and felt like it just looked off, it’s probably because the shadows weren’t strong enough. A tiny bit of contrast goes a long way.

Blending It All Together Without Overworking

The real magic happens when you start blending your shades together. I always start with my darkest color to lay in shadows, then layer the mid-tone, and finish with the lightest to soften everything. With Copics, circular motions help avoid harsh lines. And here's the trick — don’t keep going over the same spot a dozen times. Alcohol ink blends best when it’s still a little damp, and overworking the paper will only cause frustration.

When I first tried the fair skin combo (E11, E21, E00), I was amazed at how well it blended with minimal effort. And when I moved on to the deeper tones, the richness of E47 as a shadow made the whole image pop.

Pro Tip: If your blend looks streaky, walk away and let it dry. The ink will often settle into a smoother finish on its own.

Final Thoughts and A Little Encouragement

Coloring skin tones can feel intimidating — especially when you see beautifully blended images online and think, “I could never do that.” But you absolutely can. It just takes the right tools, a little practice, and a willingness to keep going even when that first try isn’t perfect. Trust me — I’ve had plenty of marker mishaps. But with time, it becomes second nature.

If you’re looking for a place to start, try coloring the same image with multiple combos, just like I did here. Seeing them side by side really helps you compare how each one works — and it’s honestly kind of addicting. I could have spent the whole afternoon playing with different blends and character stamps.

So go ahead — stamp out a few favorites from your stash, grab your markers, and give it a go. You might just surprise yourself.

Let’s Chat

Do you have a go-to skin tone combo that you love? Or is this something you’ve been avoiding? I’d love to hear your experiences and tips — leave me a comment below and let’s learn from each other.

How to Easily Create Realistic Skin Tones for Cardmaking Video Tutorial:

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(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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