I've been using a strange paint combo to create a base flesh color, Alizarin Crimson and Spring Green!   ( I'm using Liquitex Alizarin Crimson Hue, and Jo Sonja's Tree Frog Green)  You'd never think in a million years that these two colors would make such a wonderful skin color but I love it!

The ratio I use is about two-thirds green to one-third crimson.  That mixture can be seen on the left of my palette.  The batch on the right has additional green added.  Below, each batch I've added white to show how lovely the final color looks.  

He's just blocked in, but I'm using this basic flesh on the Poggle fantasy character I designed.  Add Hunter's Green, or Dioxazine Purple to darken the base for shadows.  

Give it a try!  I think you'll like it!

I've always used a bookmap to design and layout my picture books/dummies. It's a great way to make sure you have a balance of text and art, single pages, double pages and vignettes.

Below is  my bookmap for HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.  The thumbnails are just basic shapes for layout and proportions.

Here is a blank copy of my bookmap that you can drag and drop to your desktop.  I print mine out at 11" x 17".   That makes the rectangles a perfect thumbnail size for me. 

Recently I've been using sticky tabs to lay over the rectangles.  I sketch on them, peel them off and move them around until I decide on the perfect layout. Then I draw out a permanent Bookmap to use when I start my picture book dummy.