IONIC Light Coral

A light coral in the flesh part of the palette

Light Coral is a warm, faintly pinkish orange with the saturation knocked back. On a figure it does not look like a pure pigment but like skin with blood under it, and that is what sets it apart from the bright oranges a few numbers further along the chart. Painters reach for it where blood should show through below the surface: cheekbones, the outer ears, the knuckles, the bridge of the nose.

What people buy it for

On a light flesh tone it serves as the first brightening of the base tone, and on darker skin, by contrast, as a warm bridge to the lips. Away from figures it suits coral reefs in aquarium scenes, unglazed pottery, the faded canvas of awnings and small fabrics where a pure orange would shout the surroundings down.

Working with the paint

It is a water-based acrylic that takes a brush as well as an airbrush. The line has its own thinner and cleaner in two sizes, so you can get the consistency right without outside chemistry. Always shake the bottle properly, because the binder and the pigment separate when it stands and the first drops without stirring will come out lighter than the shade really is. On a dark surface, count on several thin coats; because of its light pigment, coral tones cover less well than rich reds.

What to mix it with

With ocher it gives a tanned tone, and with a cool violet, on the other hand, a base for bruises and shadows on skin. Anyone painting larger scales will appreciate that the shade thins down to a glaze without trouble and can be laid over a finished flesh tone as a unifying coat that pulls disparate highlights together into one whole.