There are going to be a hundred different ways to paint a head. In this example were going to use my tried and true method. I like raw sienna, burnt sienna and some white. Usually a 1/4, 1/4, 1/2 ratio mix. 

Mix it up to your own liking and see where it takes you. I also like using acrylic paints since they are easy to clean up and non-toxic.The technique is to use a 1, 2, 3 step approach. This is used in traditional painting of all kinds. Finding a light, middle and dark pigment scale.

You start with the 'middle' color and build from there. We’ll use this later to lighten (add more white for highlights) and darken (add more raw sienna for darker) our subject. You will have 3 colors mixed and ready to appy. You can use a brush or airbrush to appy the paint. When using a brush, smooth application. I like an airbrush.

After the middle color coat is dry, we do shadow areas using the 'dark' color. Under the jawline, under the cheekbones, in the eye sockets and into the temple indentations. Other areas can be done, but these are the most obvious and give the most contour. When dry, we go to out lighter mixture, this is to 'dust' or lightly stpray all over our piece which helps to blend all colors together. The head is now sealed with a matte sealer. Give it 3 coats since you will be handling head for detail painting.

We move to hair and eyes. I like to use two colors for the hair. The base and a lighter version of the same color for highlights. Paint the darker base color on the head, then 'drybrush' or lightly graze the higher points in the sculpted hair which give a tremendous effect. 

The eyes can be painted white. But never use straight white out of the tube, use a light grey since it is not as stark. The iris is developed by drawing to half moons into the eyes, this will vary from sculpt to sculpt. Draw in the darker outside of the iris with a very fine pointed brush, or a toothpick. Once dry, mix a lighter color for the iris and fill in the half circle. Now, all that is needed is a black dot (toothpick applied) in the center as a pupil. If you like you can add a 'white dot' highlight, but I like to coat the eye with a glossy coat sealer of some kind to give a wet sheen. 

Whatchookookinat, Willis!