I'm getting ready to paint a Castle Miniatures Dog's Life figure, the British officer with the pug, wearing the tropic round hat. I paint in oils,and as I want him to look suitably sunburned, I'm thinking red or dark pink for the undercoat.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks.

Hi Matt
Try not to use your undercoat to darken your flesh tones .I use a humbrol sand colour for my flesh tones then topcoat with oils try using a little extra burnt siena to give the sunburnt look add it after you have painted normal flesh tone s as you only want to suggest a tanned skin not make him look like he went to a tanning booth don't forget where shirts end or hat etc might have a lighter skin tone as not as much sun then shadow with a burnt umber very softly on the sun tan
Cheers
Chris W

Not sure whether you wish to make him tanned or actually sunburned - the two will be different. (He has the sort of grumpy and pudgy
face that sunburn will suit well). The thing to remember is that sunburn imparts a shiny sort of glow - not an actual gloss finishbut a definite
shine nonetheless - this can be emphasised not by too much intense red but more by a sort of pale creamy area of skin where the sun hasn't
reached.

If I may, I would like to add another point to the discussion:
Yesterday me and my wife and kids went to a nice field trip in the western Negev at HaBesor Stream (AKA "Wadi Ghuzze" for WWI ANZAC Palestine campaign fans). It was quite sunny and warm, and I was slightly burnt in my face. On the way back in the car I was looking at my self in the mirror and noticed something that is actually quite typical: unlike normal face where creases are darker (i.e. shaded) and ridges are lighter (i.e. highlighted), an acute exposure to the sun causes the opposite: the ridges are reddish (blushed) whereas the creases remain lighter and remain closer to the original skin tone of the sun exposed individual.
I have to emphasize 2 points here:
1. This is my personal observation on myself - I have a fair skin and I lives in a region with relatively hot climate
2. The above relates to ACUTE (i.e. short term) and not CHRONIC exposure to the sun.

Wait to see your results!

Best,

Benny

Thank-you all for your help!