I use GIMP as I am on a Mac, but programs like MCSkin3D and Paint.NET work great as well.

A palette is a series of shades of the same colour from which you will draw the various colours used on the skin.

My palette usually is around 5 colours(containing the base colour, 3 shades and a highlight), but can differ slightly depending on my needs, and I keep it in the top left, because I want to.

Design the basic content of the skin.

This can always be edited later if you're unsatisfied, so you don't have to be too careful.

For the head I assume a top-down light source, meaning that the light comes from the top.

For the face I move the pupils onto the hat layer, giving the eyes a more realistic look. I also move the mouth (chin?) pixels of the same colour as the face onto the same spot as the mouth on the hat layer for a thin-looking mouth, and the ears get the 3D treatment as well.

The shading of the legs. I use a light source that is angled at the leg from the top, but slightly outward onto the skin.

The back of the leg has its infamous divot, and highlights on the lower leg on the back, and upper leg on the front, as they are more prominent from their respective angles.

The front and back of the body take on a frontal light source, whereas the top, bottom and sides are mostly in shadow, so that's how I shaded them.

Chest and abs? shaded.

The arms have a light source similar to the leg only to the outer edge as opposed to the front and back edges.

The inside of the arm has its infamous bend, and highlights on the outside. Take into account the hand design, my unique style :D

When happy with your skin upload it here to PMC. Or don't. I don't mind. ;-;



The downloadable version. Right-click and save.